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Mainframe Studios

EIN 46-1637111 · Des Moines, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Mainframe Studios provides affordable arts workspace and fosters creative communities in central Iowa.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
6.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 79%
Employees
6
Volunteers
17
Highest pay
$114,854, executive director

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

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 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 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 (2)
  1. $1.7 million spent. In 2025, Mainframe underwent strategic planning and revised our mission and vision statements and added organizational values of respect, collaboration, accessibility, financial sustainability, and risk-taking. Mainframe identified four strategic pillars to guide our work over the next three years: financial health, internal strength, mission delivery, and organization awareness. Mainframe studios completed its third full year operating at 98% capacity. 181 creative workspaces are used by over 220 artists and 8 arts related nonprofits. Mainframe maintained a waitlist of over 155 applicants in 2025. Income from affordable rents generated enough revenue to cover operating costs. An additional 4650 square foot event rental space, The Big Room, provides a place for weddings, converences, workshops, corporate parties and fundraisers for a rental fee. We receive a portion of food and beverage sales that take place in this space. The Big Room also serves as s classroom for our 12-week session of artist professional development and quarterly tenant meetings. Our second-floor common area serves as a learning space where artists regularly share skills with each other. Studio 108 is a flexible arts and culture education space that is used for K-12 art field trips during the day and rented to dance groups on the evenings and weekends to generate additional rental income and address community needs.
  2. $31,211 spent. Mainframe Studios spends a portion of of its budget on programming for monthly First Friday Open Studio events that attract thousands of visitors. We average 2,464 attendees each First Friday with over 14,250 people attending each month. That accounts for a sizable community impact and a total of 174,238 visitor experiences each year. The festive, free First Friday Studio events feature unique and creative experiences for audiences each month. These include exhibitions in 4 gallery spaces, arts activities, and live music entertainment relating to themed events and various art forms such as ceramics, fashion, printmaking and painting. First Fridays also feature local musicians and affordable dinner options by local food vendors and resident caterers, Tangerine Food Company. Tenant/Artists open their studios to connect with new customers and community members to help further their careers and artistic practices. Artists/tenants are paid to support First Friday events by documenting the events and designing all printed and social media. Tenants/Teaching artists support our K-12 art field experiences that saw 998 youth participate in 2025. In fall 2025, Mainframe launched Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists, a 12 week program for a 25-person cohort to help artists grow their skills and advance their careers. Mainframe also self publishes an annual gift guide that showcases creative works for sale and includes stories about our artists and partners.

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 July 2014.

    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.