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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: April 2026 Expires: April 2028

Thomas Jefferson Foundation

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
6 14 16 17
(434) 984-9800
Post Office Box 316
Charlottesville, VA, 22902
https://www.monticello.org
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Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Thomas Jefferson Foundation does not meet the following 4 Standards for Charity Accountability:

Standard 6 (Board Policy on Effectiveness)
Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

TJF does not meet this Standard because:

  • The board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least Every 2 Years, an appraisal be done assessing the organization’s performance and effectiveness and determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

Standard 14 (Budget)
Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.

TJF does not meet this Standard because the organization's 2026 budget did not include:

  • Total projected program service expenses including a breakdown of major program service expenses.
  • Total projected fundraising expenses.
  • Total projected administrative expenses.

Standard 16 (Annual Report)
Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.

TJF does not meet this Standard because:

  • The organization states it does not have an annual report covering activities conducted in 2024.

Standard 17 (Web Site Disclosures)
Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.

TJF does not meet this Standard because the organization’s website, https://www.monticello.org, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it does not include:

  • Electronic access to the organization’s 2024 IRS Form 990.
  • A summary of the organization's 2024 program service accomplishments.

Thomas Jefferson Foundation meets the remaining 16 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to preserve Monticello and share the history and legacy of Thomas Jefferson, his family, and those he held in slavery, with a global audience."

Year, State Incorporated:
1923, VA

Also Known As:
Monticello

Thomas Jefferson Foundation (TJF) operates Monticello and reports that it offers interpretive guided tours of Thomas Jefferson's home, along with a museum shop to assist in the historical and architectural preservation of Monticello. The organization states that it also operates the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies, which houses the Thomas Jefferson library and is responsible for the publication of 24 volumes of research from Thomas Jefferson's retirement from the presidency until his death.

For the year ended December 31, 2024, Thomas Jefferson Foundation's program expenses were:

Retail operations $11,990,234
Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies $5,306,027
Guest services $5,008,980
Interpretation $3,779,162
Marketing and communications $3,188,855
Jefferson Vineyards $2,669,881
Gardens and grounds $2,652,787
Curatorial and restoration $2,194,342
Collection acquisition $382,027
Total Program Expenses $37,172,295

Chief Executive
Jane Kamensky, President and Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*
$615,923

Chair of the Board
Molly Hardie

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Co-Chairman, H7 Holdings, LLC

Board Size
18

Paid Staff Size
394

*2024 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Telephone appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Membership appeals, Workplace Giving

Fundraising costs were 12% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $18,026,407, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on Thomas Jefferson Foundation's audited financial statements - consolidated for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Source of Funds
Investment income, net $30,780,303
Contributions $17,789,908
Retail operations $10,843,513
Admissions $10,438,162
Jefferson Vineyards $1,703,896
Other income $256,474
In-kind contributions $118,462
Special events $118,037
Total Income $72,048,755

Programs: 83% Fundraising: 5% Administrative: 12%

Total Income $72,048,755
Total expenses: $44,749,337
  Program expenses $37,172,295
  Fundraising expenses $2,093,993
  Administrative expenses $5,483,049
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $27,299,418
Beginning Net Assets $331,206,686
Other Changes In Net Assets $436,938
Ending Net Assets $358,943,042
Total Liabilities $43,724,534
Total Assets $402,667,576

Note 1: As noted in the above financial section, "other changes in net assets" refers to an unrealized gain on interest rate swap ($403,688) and gain on sale of property and equipment ($33,250).

Note 2: According to TJF's audited financial statements - consolidated - for the year ended December 31, 2024, the organization received $118,462 in contributed goods and services inlcuding event support ($72,537), personal property ($39,210), and professional services ($6,715).

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

RELATED CONTENT

Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance