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Paine Art Center & Gardens Inc

EIN 39-0785483 · Oshkosh, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PAINE ART CENTER & GARDENS, INC. IS A HISTORIC ESTATE THAT SERVES AS A MULTIFACETED MUSEUM FOR LEARNING AND INSPIRATION. THE CORE PURPOSES OF THE ORGANIZATION ARE TO SUSTAIN THE CARE OF THE HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE, COLLECTIONS, AND GARDENS; TO OFFER CULTURALLY ENRICHING EXPERIENCES WITHIN THE BEAUTIFUL SETTINGS; AND TO INSPIRE PEOPLE TO ENJOY, CREATE, AND SHARE BEAUTY IN THEIR DAILY LIVES.

Income
$2.9 million
Spending
$3.5 million
Spent on programs
62%
Reserves
1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 61%
Employees
157
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$189,649, 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

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 69% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    62% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 27 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 23 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (5)
  1. $1.1 million spent. COLLECTIONS & EXHIBITIONS - PAINE ART CENTER & GARDENS, INC. PROVIDES PLANNING, TRANSPORTATION, DESIGN, AND INSTALLATION OF EXHIBITIONS. IT IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR PRESERVING MUSEUM COLLECTIONS. THE ORGANIZATION HAS A LONG HISTORY OF PRESENTING EXCEPTIONAL EXHIBITIONS SPANNING CLASSICAL TO CONTEMPORARY ART. THE HISTORIC PAINE PROPERTY HOLDS A COLLECTION OF MORE THAN A THOUSAND ARTWORKS, INCLUDING PAINTINGS, SCULPTURES, FURNISHINGS, AND DECORATIVE OBJECTS. THE ROOMS AND HALLWAYS OF THE PAINE MANSION DISPLAY ITEMS FROM NATHAN AND JESSIE KIMBERLY PAINE'S COLLECTION OF FINE ART AND DECORATIVE OBJECTS, MOST NOTABLY, FRENCH BARBIZON AND AMERICAN LANDSCAPE PAINTINGS FROM THE LATE 19TH AND EARLY 20TH CENTURIES, PRIMARILY PURCHASED IN THE MID-1920'S. THE ESTATE'S GARDENS ALSO FEATURE SEVERAL SCULPTURES AS FOCAL POINTS OF THE OUTDOOR "GALLERIES". WHILE A MAJORITY OF THE COLLECTION WAS ACQUIRED BY THE PAINES, IT HAS ALSO GROWN SUBSTANTIALLY THROUGH DONATIONS AND PURCHASES WHILE CONTINUING TO REFLECT THE SUBJECTS AND SPIRIT OF THE FOUNDERS' ORIGINAL GIFT. THE COLLECTION IS CATALOGUED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND CURATORIAL PURPOSES. THE ORGANIZATIONS INTENT IS TO PRESERVE AND MAINTAIN THEIR COLLECTION WHICH DIRECTLY FURTHERS THE ORGANIZATION'S PURPOSES. COLLECTIONS & EXHIBITIONS - PAINE ART CENTER & GARDENS, INC. PROVIDES PLANNING, TRANSPORTATION, DESIGN, AND INSTALLATION OF EXHIBITIONS. IT IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR PRESERVING MUSEUM COLLECTIONS. THE ORGANIZATION HAS A LONG HISTORY OF PRESENTING EXCEPTIONAL EXHIBITIONS SPANNING CLASSICAL TO CONTEMPORARY ART. THE HISTORIC PAINE PROPERTY HOLDS A COLLECTION OF MORE THAN A THOUSAND ARTWORKS, INCLUDING PAINTINGS, SCULPTURES, FURNISHINGS, AND DECORATIVE OBJECTS. THE ROOMS AND HALLWAYS OF THE PAINE MANSION DISPLAY ITEMS FROM NATHAN AND JESSIE KIMBERLY PAINE'S COLLECTION OF FINE ART AND DECORATIVE OBJECTS, MOST NOTABLY, FRENCH BARBIZON AND AMERICAN LANDSCAPE PAINTINGS FROM THE LATE 19TH AND EARLY 20TH CENTURIES, PRIMARILY PURCHASED IN THE MID-1920'S. THE ESTATE'S GARDENS ALSO FEATURE SEVERAL SCULPTURES AS FOCAL POINTS OF THE OUTDOOR "GALLERIES". WHILE A MAJORITY OF THE COLLECTION WAS ACQUIRED BY THE PAINES, IT HAS ALSO GROWN SUBSTANTIALLY THROUGH DONATIONS AND PURCHASES WHILE CONTINUING TO REFLECT THE SUBJECTS AND SPIRIT OF THE FOUNDERS' ORIGINAL GIFT. THE COLLECTION IS CATALOGUED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND CURATORIAL PURPOSES. THE ORGANIZATIONS INTENT IS TO PRESERVE AND MAINTAIN THEIR COLLECTION WHICH DIRECTLY FURTHERS THE ORGANIZATION'S PURPOSES.
  2. $645,581 spent. EXTERNAL RELATIONS - THE ORGANIZATION COMPLIES AND DISTRIBUTES ALL INFORMATION FOR COMMUNICATION TO THE PUBLIC.
  3. $347,988 spent. GARDENS - THE ORGANIZATION MAINTAINS, PRESERVES, AND INTERPRETS THE HORTICULTURAL COLLECTION. THE PAINE ESTATE FEATURES TWENTY GARDEN AREAS FOR PUBLIC ENJOYMENT AND EDUCATION. IN CONCERT WITH THE HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE, THE GARDEN DESIGNS CREATE OUTDOOR "ROOMS" SHOWCASING A WIDE VARIETY OF PLANTS. LIKE THE PAINE MANSION'S ROOMS AND GALLERIES, THE GARDENS ARE DESIGNED TO CREATE A VARIETY OF INTIMATE AND GRAND SETTINGS. SET AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF THE MANSION, THE GARDENS SHOWCASE PERENNIALS THAT ARE ESPECIALLY HARDY IN WISCONSIN'S CLIMATE AS WELL AS TREES, SHRUBS AND WILDFLOWERS NATIVE TO THE STATE. DISPLAYS OF ANNUALS AND BULBS CHANGE EACH YEAR AND PRESENT NEW VARIETIES AND UNUSUAL COMBINATIONS TO INSPIRE EVERY LEVEL OF GARDEN ENTHUSIAST. GARDENS - THE ORGANIZATION MAINTAINS, PRESERVES, AND INTERPRETS THE HORTICULTURAL COLLECTION. THE PAINE ESTATE FEATURES TWENTY GARDEN AREAS FOR PUBLIC ENJOYMENT AND EDUCATION. IN CONCERT WITH THE HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE, THE GARDEN DESIGNS CREATE OUTDOOR "ROOMS" SHOWCASING A WIDE VARIETY OF PLANTS. LIKE THE PAINE MANSION'S ROOMS AND GALLERIES, THE GARDENS ARE DESIGNED TO CREATE A VARIETY OF INTIMATE AND GRAND SETTINGS. SET AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF THE MANSION, THE GARDENS SHOWCASE PERENNIALS THAT ARE ESPECIALLY HARDY IN WISCONSIN'S CLIMATE AS WELL AS TREES, SHRUBS AND WILDFLOWERS NATIVE TO THE STATE. DISPLAYS OF ANNUALS AND BULBS CHANGE EACH YEAR AND PRESENT NEW VARIETIES AND UNUSUAL COMBINATIONS TO INSPIRE EVERY LEVEL OF GARDEN ENTHUSIAST.
  4. $58,971 spent. EDUCATION - THE ORGANIZATION DEVELOPS AND ADMINISTERS EDUCATIONAL AND INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS. VOLUNTEER SERVICES - THE ORGANIZATION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING ITS VOLUNTEER PROGRAM. YOU WILL FIND OUR ENTHUSIASTIC VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTING IN COUNTLESS WAYS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE ESTATE. SOME VOLUNTEERS WARMLY WELCOME GUESTS, OTHERS PARTICIPATE IN CURATORIAL AND ARCHIVAL ACTIVITIES, STILL OTHERS ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVES AND GO TO WORK IN OUR ENCHANTING GARDENS.
  5. EDUCATION - THE ORGANIZATION DEVELOPS AND ADMINISTERS EDUCATIONAL AND INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS. VOLUNTEER SERVICES - THE ORGANIZATION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING ITS VOLUNTEER PROGRAM. YOU WILL FIND OUR ENTHUSIASTIC VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTING IN COUNTLESS WAYS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE ESTATE. SOME VOLUNTEERS WARMLY WELCOME GUESTS, OTHERS PARTICIPATE IN CURATORIAL AND ARCHIVAL ACTIVITIES, STILL OTHERS ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVES AND GO TO WORK IN OUR ENCHANTING GARDENS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1949.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.