Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Center for Photography at Madison Inc

EIN 39-1933469 · Madison, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of The Center for Photography at Madison Inc. is to connect educate and inspire all who create support and appreciate photography as a means to personal expression throughout the Midwest. Our primary exempt purpose is education.

Income
$69,439
Spending
$59,456
Reserves
22.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 45%

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 22.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

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

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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. $10,505 spent. Festival 2024: Revenue=$11,891; Expenses=$10,505; Grants received o=$3,015; Grants paid out=$0. This is our Biennial Juried Exhibition involving 13 Midwestern states. There were 870 submissions from over 200 artists from which 68 images were chosen to be included in the exhibition displayed at The Art+Lit Lab in Madison WI. More than 150 members & non-members attended the opening reception in September along with other activities continuing through December. Activities included artist talks & workshops 3 documentary films and a photo walk through a local park. Two additional exhibits held at other venues in Madison showcased members work as part of the Festival.
  2. $9,577 spent. Educational Events & Classes: Revenue=$16,336; Expenses=$9,577; Grants received & paid out=$0. Approximately 255 members & nonmembers benefited by attending classes & events held by PhotoMidwest in 2024. All of these events are open to the public. At "Third Thursday Talks" held throughout the year attendees learned about interesting photographic topics from experts in their fields. PhotoMidwest also offered 9 classes 1 workshop & 1 nature walk throughout the year.
  3. $2,611 spent. In Studio Services: Darkroom PrintLab & ScanLab: Revenue=$3,920; Expenses=$2,611; Grants received & paid out=$0. Approximately 35 members used the PrintLab at the studio to make approximately 800 prints of their digital photographs. The members pay for the paper & ink based on the size of the photograph. About 25 members used the wet darkroom at the studio during classes as well as developing & printing their black & white film about 192 hours. These members pay a fee of $5 per hour they use the darkroom. About 15 members used our scanning lab which is free to use by members.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 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 2024.

    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 1998.

    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.