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Wisconsin Masonic Center Foundation Inc

EIN 39-1389779 · Madison, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceFair69 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PURPOSES OF THE WISCONSIN MASONIC CENTER FOUNDATION SHALL BE TO ENGAGE IN ANY LAWFUL ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THE CORPORATION MAY BE ORGANIZED UNDER CHAPTER 181 OF THE WISCONSIN STATUTES AND TO OPERATE EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHARITABLE & EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE SOLICITATION & RAISING OF FUNDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, STOCKING, & OPERATION OF MASONIC LIBRARY AND MUSEUM: AND FOR THE RESTORATION, MAINTENANCE, OPERATION & PRESERVATION OF THE WISCONSIN MASONIC TEMPLE OF FREEMASONRY (THE BUILDING) LOCATED AT 301 WISCONSIN AVE., MADISON, WISCONSIN 53703-2107.

Income
$367,653
Spending
$470,915
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
-17.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 38%
Employees
9
Volunteers
9
Highest pay
$55,192, executive director

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

Financial health

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 49% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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

    0 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 April 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. $385,979 spent. BUILDING OPERATIONS- THE ORGANIZATION OWNS AND OPERATES THE WISCONSIN MASONIC CENTER, WHICH IS A LOCAL LANDMARK AND IS LISTED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES. THIS LANDMARK CONTINUED TO HOUSE ACTIVITIES AND ENSURE THE FUTURE OF FREEMASONRY WITH EDUCATION TOOLS IN THE LIBRARY/MUSEUM. THERE ARE ELEVEN OCCUPYING MASONIC ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN THE BUILDING.
  2. $19,948 spent. KITCHEN OPERATIONS- THE ORGANIZATION OWNS AND OPERATES THE WISCONSIN MASONIC CENTER, WHICH IS A LOCAL LANDMARK AND IS LISTED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES. THIS LANDMARK CONTINUED TO BE A COMMUNITY RESOURCE IN DOWNTOWN MADISON, WISCONSIN FOR AUDITORIUM EVENTS, CORPORATE EVENTS, WEDDING RECEPTIONS AND MEETINGS. MANY OF THE GROUPS THAT USED THE AUDITORIUM ARE ALSO 501(3) ORGANIZATIONS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on November 15, 2017 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on November 15, 2017.

    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 April 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 May 2019.

    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.