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Superior Public Museums

EIN 39-1950618 · Superior, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood74 out of 100GovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO PRESERVE, MAINTAIN, AND DEVELOP FAIRLAWN MANSION, THE OLD FIREHOUSE AND POLICE MUSEUM, AND THE SS METEOR MARITIME MUSEUM AND TO PROVIDE AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM TO BRING ABOUT A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF THE HISTORY AND HERITAGE OF EACH.

Income
$160,125
Spending
$181,495
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
22.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 58%
Employees
26
Volunteers
50

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

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 22.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 46% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $98,825 spent. PRESERVATION, MAINTENANCE, AND DEVELOPMENT OF FAIRLAWN MANSION TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING THAT ENCOURAGES A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF ITS HISTORY AND HERITAGE.
  2. $18,593 spent. PRESERVATION, MAINTENANCE, AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SS METEOR TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING THAT ENCOURAGES A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF ITS HISTORY AND HERITAGE.
  3. $14,982 spent. PRESERVATION, MAINTENANCE, AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE OLD FIREHOUSE AND POLICE MUSEUM TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING THAT ENCOURAGES A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF ITS HISTORY AND HERITAGE.

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 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 2025.

    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 May 2000.

    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.