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The Bakken

EIN 51-0175508 · 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 BAKKEN MUSEUM INSPIRES A PASSION FOR INNOVATION BY EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND THE HUMANITIES TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$2.7 million
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
46.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 43%
Employees
42
Volunteers
124
Highest pay
$72,846, interim ceo

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 68% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 46.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 54% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 34 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 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    25 of 27 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

    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. $1.2 million spent. EDUCATION PROGRAMS: THE BAKKEN PROVIDES SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH (STEM) EXPERIENCES THROUGH OFFSITE OUTREACH PROGRAMS, ONSITE FIELD TRIPS, INNOVATIVE CAMPS AND WORKSHOPS. OUR PROGRAMS INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF INNOVATORS TO TRANSFORM THE FUTURE.
  2. $381,643 spent. PUBLIC PROGRAMS: THE BAKKEN INSPIRES A PASSION FOR INNOVATION FOR ALL CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND ADULTS VISITING THE MUSEUM. PROGRAMMING INCLUDES EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN SUCH AS DISCOVERY DAYS AND SCIENCE STUDIOS, TOURS, EVENING EVENTS FOR ADULTS, AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS .
  3. $323,171 spent. EXHIBITS AND COLLECTIONS: THE BAKKEN'S EXHIBITS ARE HANDS-ON DISPLAYS THAT EDUCATE, INSPIRE, AND SPARK INNOVATION WITHIN OUR VISITORS. THE BAKKEN'S UNDERGROUND VAULTS HOUSE A COLLECTION OF ARTIFACTS AND BOOKS. THE SCOPE OF THE COLLECTIONS IS THE INTERSECTION OF THE HISTORY OF ELECTRICITY AND MAGENTISM, AND THE LIFE SCIENCES AND MEDICINE. THE COLLECTIONS REFLECT EARL BAKKEN'S BELIEF IN THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING HISTORY, SELF-INQUIRY, AND EXPERIMENTATION. THEY ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND AVAILABLE FOR RESEARCH AND ARE BEING UTILIZED IN OUR EXHIBITS.

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 December 1975.

    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.