Passes our checks

Midwest Museum of Firefighting Inc

EIN 33-1483271 · West Bend, WI

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

What it says it does

THE ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF A MUSEUM DEDICATED TO THE PRESERVATION AND PUBLIC EDUCATION OF THE HISTORY AND HERITAGE OF FIREFIGHTING

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 52 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

Independent board
18 of 25
3 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15
Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8
Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7
Reports no 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.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15
Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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

Programs described in its return (1)

THE ORGANIZATION WAS INCORPORATED IN LATE 2024. THE ORGANIZATION WAS FORMED EXCLUSIVELY FOR EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE PURPOSES, SPECIFICALLY TO DEVELOP, CONSTRUCT, AND ULTIMATELY OPERATE A MUSEUM DEDICATED TO THE HISTORY, HERITAGE, AND PUBLIC EDUCATION OF FIREFIGHTING. DURING 2025, THE ORGANIZATION ENGAGED IN PRELIMINARY DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING STRATEGIC PLANNING, DISCUSSIONS WITH CONSTITUENTS AND POTENTIAL DONORS, RECEIPT OF CONTRIBUTIONS AND PLEDGES, AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONAL EFFORTS RELATED TO THE FUTURE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE MUSEUM. (NOTE: BECAUSE THE MUSEUM IS IN THE INITIAL FUNDRAISING PROCESS, THE INITIAL FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES ARE NOT CLASSIFIED AS A PROGRAM SERVICE. THEREFORE, THERE ARE NO PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES OR REVENUES LISTED HERE.)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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 September 7, 2026.
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 September 30, 2026.
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 September 10, 2026.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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 7, 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.