Tax Status
501(c)(3) Public Charity
EIN 26-4411457. Donations are tax-deductible. We file Form 990-N annually with the IRS and make our governance documents available upon request.
About Our Nonprofit
A 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to the charitable purposes of preservation, education, and commemoration.
Who We Are
Friends of Stafford Civil War Sites is an independent, community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit — not a government agency, not a tourism board, but a charitable organization built to serve a specific public good.
Founded by local historians and preservation advocates, FSCWS exists to raise and deploy charitable funds for Civil War heritage preservation, public education, and soldier commemoration in Stafford County, Virginia.
We are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, operate with no paid executive staff, and file annual reports with the IRS to maintain full transparency with our donors and the public.
Our History
A Legacy of Charitable Action
2006
Grassroots Founding
Local historians Glen Trimmer and D.P. Newton establish FSCWS as a community preservation initiative — rallying volunteers and seeking charitable support for historic site protection.
2009–2010
IRS 501(c)(3) Recognition
The IRS grants tax-exempt status as an educational public charity (EIN 26-4411457). Donations become tax-deductible; our charitable mission receives federal recognition.
2011–2013
Major Preservation Achievement
Through grants, volunteer labor, and charitable partnerships, FSCWS leads the creation of a 41-acre protected historic site — a landmark nonprofit accomplishment for Stafford County.
2016
Permanent Land Protection
A conservation easement with the Land Trust of Virginia permanently protects preserved lands — ensuring our charitable work endures beyond any single project.
2024
Nonprofit Relaunch
FSCWS relaunches with renewed focus on digital outreach, membership growth, and expanded charitable programming for a new generation of supporters.
Accountability
Nonprofit Transparency
Governance
Volunteer Board of Directors
Strategic oversight by community leaders with expertise in history, education, finance, and law. No paid executive compensation — maximum charitable impact.
Operations
Lean & Mission-Focused
100% volunteer-led operations mean donor dollars fund programs — not overhead. Every gift goes further because our organization is built for efficiency.