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Muskegon County Museum

EIN 38-1367319 · Muskegon, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

NATURAL AND CULTURAL HISTORY INTERPRETATION AND PRESERVATION

Income
$3.5 million
Spending
$2.5 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
11.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 59%
Employees
40
Highest pay
$110,469, executive di

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

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 40% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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, 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 (3)
  1. $449,992 spent. COLLECTIONS AND PRESERVATION: THE MUSEUM, THROUGH ITS GOVERNING BOARDS, STAFF, AND VOLUNTEERS, IS COMMITTED TO PRESERVING AND INTERPRETING ITS ARTIFACT AND HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. THIS PROGRAM SERVICE INCLUDES CURATORIAL RESEARCH AND OVERSIGHT, COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT INCLUDING CARE AND RESTORATION OF VARIOUS NATURAL AND CULTURAL HISTORY ARTIFACTS AND HISTORICAL SITES, AND ACQUISITION AND DEACQUISITION ACTIVITIES.
  2. $1.1 million spent. EDUCATION: THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS DEVELOPED BY THE MUSEUM ARE A CRITICAL TOOL FOR ADDRESSING OUR MISSION GOALS OF PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND ENGAGEMENT, BUILDING AN ENVIRONMENT FOR CREATIVE EXPRESSION AND STIMULATION, AND CONTRIBUTING TO COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT. EDUCATION PROGRAMS ALSO FACILITATE AND ENCOURAGE A STRONG MUSEUM CONNECTION WITH THE REGION, BUILD MEMBERSHIP, INCREASE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, AND PROVIDE ACCESSIBILITY TO A WIDE RANGE OF GROUPS, AGES, AND CULTURES. IT IS THROUGH PROGRAMMING THAT THE MUSEUM IS ABLE TO CONNECT DIRECTLY WITH ITS AUDIENCES, ENHANCING AND BUILDING UPON THE VISUAL EXPERIENCE PROVIDED IN ITS EXHIBITS.
  3. $471,609 spent. EXHIBITIONS: THE MUSEUM IS DEDICATED TO THE CONTINUAL AND ROTATING DISPLAY OF ITS ARTIFACTS AND HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS AND THE INSTALLATION OF TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS, FEATURING BOTH THE PERMANENT COLLECTIONS AND WORKS FROM OTHER SOURCES. EXHIBITIONS ARE DEVELOPED TO CELEBRATE AND EXPAND THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE MUSEUM'S PERMANENT COLLECTION BY REINFORCING ITS VALUE, BUILDING SUPPORTING SCHOLARSHIP, AND DEMONSTRATING ITS LINKS BETWEEN THE PAST AND PRESENT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 January 1951.

    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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