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Wisconsin Maritime Museum Inc

EIN 39-1128473 · Manitowoc, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair58 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE WISCONSIN MARITIME MUSEUM CONNECTS ALL PEOPLE WITH WISCONSIN'S WATERWAYS, BY ENGAGING AND EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT WISCONSIN'S MARITIME HISTORY, WISCONSIN'S WORLD WAR II SUBMARINES, USS COBIA, AND THE GREAT LAKES. THE WISCONSIN MARITIME MUSEUM SHARES THIS RICH HERITAGE BY COLLECTING AND PRESERVING ARTIFACTS AND ARCHIVAL MATERIALS, CREATING INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS, PROMOTING RESEARCH, AND PRESENTING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. A FORUM FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE GREAT LAKES, THIS PRIVATELY FUNDED MUSEUM IS ONE OF THE LEADING MARITIME MUSEUMS ON THE GREAT LAKES.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
51%
Reserves
-2.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 41%
Employees
43
Volunteers
85
Highest pay
$81,451, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    51% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    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 December 31, 2024, 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. $522,756 spent. THE WMM COLLECTIONS DEPARTMENT WAS BUSY IN 2024. STANDING BI-MONTHLY COLLECTIONS COMMITTEE MEETINGS TOOK PLACE AND NUMEROUS ARTIFACTS WERE ACCEPTED INTO THE PERMANENT COLLECTION. EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR BUILDING RENOVATIONS AT THE MUSEUM'S MARITIME HERITAGE CENTER CONTINUE, WITH OVER $500,000 INVESTED THUS FAR. IN THE YEARS TO COME, THIS CENTER WILL HOUSE A MUSEUM-QUALITY STORAGE FACILITY, CONSERVATION LAB, TEACHING SPACE, AND BOAT RESTORATION LAB, AND ENHANCED MUSEUM BEHIND THE SCENES RESPONSIBILITIES. PARTNERSHIPS WITH EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS ARE INCREASING ALONG WITH FUNDRAISING EFFORTS TO COMPLETE THE RENOVATION PHASES OF THE 25,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY. SEVERAL NEW AND UPDATED EXHIBITS WERE DESIGNED AND INSTALLED IN 2024 USING ARTIFACTS FROM THE MUSEUM'S COLLECTION, ALONG WITH LOANED OBJECTS. THESE TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT EXHIBITS INCLUDED: WISCONSIN'S SHIPWRECK COASTS, TURNING THE TIDE OF WWII, WATER DANCE: PLEIN AIR ART, ICEBOATING: A WISCONSIN TRADITION, TINY ART SHOW.
  2. $20,875 spent. IN-PERSON MUSEUM EDUCATION PROGRAMS SAW STRONG DEMAND IN 2024, SERVING 3,137 YOUTH AND ADULTS FROM ACROSS WISCONSIN AND THE MIDWEST. INFORMAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS WERE ALSO IN HIGH DEMAND WITH OUR GROUP OVERNIGHT PROGRAMS, THURSDAY "THINK N' DRINK" SERIES, DIVE INTO THE ARCHIVES, AND ADULT GROUP TOURS REACHED 6,097 PEOPLE. OUTREACH EVENTS INCREASED OVER 2023 AND REACHED 6,543 PEOPLE WITH DIRECT INTERACTIONS. IN TOTAL, OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND OUTREACH EFFORTS REACHED A TOTAL OF 16,587 YOUTH AND ADULTS, NEARLY 2,000 MORE PEOPLE THAN 2023.
  3. $183,596 spent. 2024 WAS A BIG YEAR FOR USS COBIA TO BEGIN THE PREPARATION OF THE SUBMARINE FOR DRY DOCKING IN STURGEON BAY. THE MUSEUM STAFF, COBIA COMMITTEE, AND VOLUNTEERS MET REGULARLY TO PLAN THE RESTORATION OF THE SUBMARINE IN DRY DOCK AT FINCANTIERI BAY SHIPBUILDING IN STURGEON BAY IN SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025. THE OVERNIGHT PROGRAM ABOARD COBIA CONTINUES TO GROW, PARTICULAR WITH THE SUBBNB PROGRAM. IN TOTAL, 3,035 YOUTH AND ADULTS EXPERIENCED FIRST HAND WHAT IT IS LIKE TO SLEEP ON A WWII SUBMARINE. APPROXIMATELY 30,000 PEOPLE ACCESSED OUR DAILY TOURS THROUGH THE SUBMARINE IN 2024.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.

    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 1969.

    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.

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.