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Bergstrom-Mahler Museum Inc

EIN 39-0958257 · Neenah, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak43 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE EXTRAORDINARY GLASS EXPERIENCES TO SPARK FUN, KINDLE CREATIVITY, AND ILLUMINATE LEARNING FOR ALL.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
64%
Reserves
1.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 58%
Employees
14
Volunteers
125
Highest pay
$129,073, executive di

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

Weak: 43 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    64% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 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

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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. $854,790 spent. BERGSTROM-MAHLER MUSEUM OF GLASS CONTINUED IMPLEMENTING ITS 2023 STRATEGIC PLAN AND NEW MISSION TO "PROVIDE EXTRAORDINARY GLASS EXPERIENCES TO SPARK FUN,KINDLE CREATIVITY AND ILLUMINATE LEARNING FOR ALL WITH EXCELLENT RESULTS.THE MUSEUM WELCOMED OVER 5,300 VISITORS TO ITS THIRD GLASS ARTS FESTIVAL IN AUGUST OF 2024, AN INCREASE OF 300 FROM THE YEAR PRIOR. THROUGH BOTH GENERAL ADMISSION AND EVENTS, ATTENDANCE INCREASED TO 32,748 IN FY25 UP FROM 31,000 LAST YEAR.
  2. $132,305 spent. THE MUSEUM INCREASED ITS VOLUME OF CLASSES OFFERED IN FY25 WITH OVER 200 CLASSES NOW OFFERED ON TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS, SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS AND ALSO PRESENTED GLASS BLOWING DEMOS WITH ITS NEW MINI DRAGON FURNACE CALLED "RAY" TO FESTIVALS AND OFFSITE LOCATIONS IN WISCONSIN. IT SERVED OVER 5,000 COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN OUTREACH SERVICES MANY OF WHICH ARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE MUSEUM GAVE 400 SCHOLARSHIPS CALLED " GOLDEN TICKETS" SO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES COULD CREATE ART ACTIVITY DAY PROJECTS. THE MUSEUM ALSO LED A SUCCESSFUL KILN CAMPAIGN TITLED "HELP US GROW" O RAISE OVER 54,000 FOR NEW KILNS FOR THE STUDIO. NEW KILNS WERE CUSTOM BUILT BY REGIONAL ARTISTS IN THE SPRING OF 2025. THE KILNS SIZED DOUBLED THE PRIOR KILNS CAPACITY.

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 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 June 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 August 1956.

    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.

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