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The Basilica Landmark

EIN 41-1754864 · Minneapolis, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE BASILICA LANDMARK PRESERVES AND CELEBRATES THE BASILICA OF SAINT MARY (THE BASILICA) AS A RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL SYMBOL FOR ALL PEOPLE BY SUPPORTING THE RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION OF THE BASILICA THROUGH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, FUND-RAISING AND SPECIAL EVENTS, BY CELEBRATING THE BASILICA THROUGH PUBLICATIONS AND PROGRAMS THAT DOCUMENT THE HISTORY OF THE BUILDING AND THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES, AND BY ENCOURAGING THE USE OF THE BASILICA AS A CULTURAL CENTER FOR SECULAR AND LITURGICAL ARTS.

Income
$11.7 million
Spending
$5.0 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
5.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
460

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 57% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 269% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 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. $3.7 million spent. THE FOUNDATION GIVES GRANTS TO THE BASILICA OF SAINT MARY FOR REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE OF THE CHURCH CAMPUS AND CAPITAL PROJECTS. IN 2024, THE MAIN PROJECTS WERE ROOF REPAIRS, ELEVATORS AND STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT OF MASONRY.
  2. $45,625 spent. THE MAGAZINE OF THE BASILICA COMMUNITY, IS PRODUCED AND MAILED BY THE FOUNDATION ON BEHALF OF THE CHURCH. THE MAGAZINE IS EDUCATIONAL IN NATURE AS IT PROVIDES IN-DEPTH STORIES AND BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHY ABOUT THE BUILDING AND COMMUNITY SURROUNDING IT. IN 2024, TWO MAGAZINES WERE ISSUED - 16,625 MAGAZINES WERE PRINTED, 14,125 WERE MAILED AND 2,500 WERE PLACED AT THE BACK OF THE CHURCH.
  3. $16,803 spent. ARCHIVES - THE HISTORICAL COLLECTION SPANS THE MORE THAN 140-YEAR HISTORY OF THE CHURCH AND ITS FORERUNNER, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION PARISH. THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH ARCHIVES IS TO COLLECT, PRESERVE, AND MAKE AVAILABLE TO RESEARCHERS HISTORIC MATERIALS AND RECORDS RELATED TO THE CHURCH AND ITS COMMUNITY. THE LANDMARK ASSISTED IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PERMANENT ARCHIVES AND IN THE FUNDING OF AN ARCHIVIST FOR THE CHURCH.

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 August 1993.

    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.

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