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James a Michener Art Museum

EIN 23-2471583 · Doylestown, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE JAMES A. MICHENER COLLECTS, PRESERVES, INTERPRETS, AND EXHIBITS ART, PRIMARILY AMERICAN ART, AND PROMOTES THE DELAWARE RIVER VALLEY REGION'S RICH ARTISTIC AND CULTURAL HERITAGE, WITH A PARTICULAR FOCUS ON BUCKS COUNTY. THE MUSEUM PRESENTS EXHIBITIONS THAT EXPLORE A VARIETY OF ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS AND OFFERS DIVERSE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT DEVELOP A LIFELONG INVOLVEMENT IN THE ARTS.

Income
$3.8 million
Spending
$5.1 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
26.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 49%
Employees
54
Volunteers
80
Highest pay
$172,360, executive dir. (eff. 02/24)

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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 26.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 34% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 34 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. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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 (1)
  1. $3.8 million spent. THE MUSEUM SERVES OVER 35,000 VISITORS ANNUALLY. VISITORS COME TO SEE THE MUSEUM'S PERMANENT COLLECTION OF PENNSYLVANIA IMPRESSIONIST PAINTINGS, STUDIO CRAFT, AND CONTEMPORARY ART FROM THE DELAWARE VALLEY REGION TOTALING OVER 3,500 OBJECTS. IN ADDITION TO ITS PERMANENT COLLECTION AND OUTDOOR SCULPTURE GARDEN, THE MUSEUM OFFERS 6-8 CHANGING EXHIBITIONS ANNUALLY IN A VARIETY OF ARTISTIC GENRES. THE MUSEUM SERVES OVER 5,000 STUDENTS FROM REGIONAL SCHOOLS FOR CUSTOMIZED TOURS. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS INCLUDE CAMPS, ARTMAKING CLASSES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS, WORKSHOPS, LECTURES, GALLERY TOURS, MUSICAL PERFORMANCES, AND STUDIO EXCURSIONS- AS WELL AS VIRTUAL OFFERINGS. THE MUSEUM ALSO OFFERS OUTREACH PROGRAMS IN CONJUNCTION WITH LOCAL ART AND STREET FESTIVALS AND COLLABORATIONS WITH AREA CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS AND NONPROFITS. THE MUSEUM HAS APPROXIMATELLY 2,500 MEMBER HOUSEHOLDS OR CORPORATE MEMBERS. ADDITIONAL SERVICES AND VISITOR AMENITIES INCLUDE A MUSEUM GIFT SHOP, CAFE, AND RESEARCH LIBRARY.

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 2024.

    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 April 1988.

    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.

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