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Illinois State Museum Society Museum Building

EIN 37-6018727 · Springfield, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ILLINOIS STATE MUSEUM SOCIETY, ESTABLISHED IN 1952, IS A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION RECOGNIZED AS A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT. IT PLAYS A CRUCIAL ROLE IN SUPPORTING THE ILLINOIS STATE MUSEUM BY PROVIDING FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND ADVOCATING FOR ITS PROGRAMS, EXHIBITIONS, AND OPERATIONS. THE SOCIETY ALSO OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS INTERESTED IN EXPLORING AND RESEARCHING ILLINOIS' CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE.

Income
$626,273
Spending
$665,914
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
25.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 33%
Employees
10
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$96,796, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 25.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 June 30, 2025, 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 (2)
  1. $341,850 spent. THE SOCIETY HAS DEVELOPED A STRONG PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ILLINOIS STATE MUSEUM AND ITS COMMUNITY PARTNERS. IT RUNS A MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM AND BOTH ONLINE AND PHYSICAL RETAIL OPERATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, FUNDING FROM THE SOCIETY SUPPORTS CURATION, DIGITIZATION, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, AND THE PROMOTION OF THE ILLINOIS STATE MUSEUM SYSTEM.FUNDING FROM GRANTS, FUNDRAISERS, AND INDIVIDUAL DONORS ALLOWS THE MUSEUM TO CREATE NEW EXHIBITIONS EACH YEAR AND HOST COMMUNITY EVENTS LIKE THE ANNUAL DA DE LOS MUERTOS FAMILY DAY AND NOIR ART SHOW. TOGETHER, WE SECURE SIGNIFICANT GRANTS FOR TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECTS, INCLUDING THE 1908 FOOTPRINT AT THE SPRINGFIELD-SANGAMON COUNTY TRANSPORTATION HUB.
  2. $123,955 spent. THE SOCIETY MANAGES THE MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM FOR THE ILLINOIS STATE MUSEUM, PROVIDING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE WITH ILLINOIS' RICH NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE. MEMBERS RECEIVE INVITATIONS TO EXHIBITION OPENINGS AND SPECIAL EVENTS, ALLOWING THEM TO INTERACT WITH CURATORS, JOIN FIELD TRIPS, AND ENJOY BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOURS FOR A MORE IN-DEPTH EXPLORATION AND UNDERSTANDING OF ILLINOIS' HISTORY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 June 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 April 1958.

    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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