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Margaret Woodbury Strong Museum

EIN 16-0954168 · Rochester, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

AS AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION FOCUSED ON AMERICAN CULTURAL HISTORY, THE STRONG EXPLORES PLAY IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE LEARNING, CREATIVITY, AND DISCOVERY. THE MUSEUM ACCOMPLISHES THIS THROUGH EXHIBITIONS, PROGRAMS, PUBLICATIONS, AND OTHER ACTVITIES THAT ENGAGE, ENTERTAIN AND ENLIGHTEN DIVERSE AUDIENCES, ESPECIALLY FAMILIES, CHILDREN, AND EDUCATORS.

Income
$24.2 million
Spending
$24.4 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
-14.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
339
Volunteers
6
Highest pay
$417,165, president/ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 39 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 42% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    31 of 32 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $11.9 million spent. EXHIBITS AND EDUCATION - AS AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION FOCUSED ON AMERICAN CULTURAL HISTORY, THE STRONG EXPLORES PLAY IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE LEARNING, CREATIVITY, AND DISCOVERY. THE MUSEUM ACCOMPLISHES THIS THROUGH EXHIBITIONS, PROGRAMS, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT ENGAGE, ENTERTAIN, AND ENLIGHTEN DIVERSE AUDIENCES, ESPECIALLY FAMILIES, CHILDREN, AND EDUCATORS. (693,808 SERVED)
  2. $4.0 million spent. CURATORIAL AND COLLECTIONS- TO SUPPORT THE MISSION, THE MUSEUM COLLECTS, PRESERVES, AND RESEARCHES OBJECTS, MANUSCRIPTS, AND OTHER MATERIALS THAT REFLECT AND DOCUMENT THE IMPORTANCE OF PLAY, PARTICULARLY AS IT REFLECTS AND ILLUMINATES THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE AND WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON TOYS AND OTHER ARTIFACTS RELATED TO PLAY. (693,808 SERVED)
  3. $5.3 million spent. GUEST AND MEMBERSHIP SERVICES- TO SUPPORT THE MISSION, THE MUSEUM PLACES GREAT EMPHASIS ON GUEST SERVICES AND THE WAY IN WHICH GUESTS ARE HOSTED AND GUIDED DURING THEIR VISIT. THE MUSEUM CONSIDERS GUEST SERVICES TO BE A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF THE VISITORS' EXPERIENCE WHICH ENHANCES THEIR ABILITY TO LEARN, CREATE AND DISCOVER. (693,808 SERVED)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1968.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.