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The Museum Store Association Inc

EIN 52-6044269 · Greenwood Vlg, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ADVANCE THE NONPROFIT RETAIL INDUSTRY AND THE SUCCESS OF THE PROFESSIONALS ENGAGED IN IT. BY ENCOURAGING HIGH STANDARDS OF KNOWLEDGE AND PROFESSIONALISM, MSA HELPS NONPROFIT RETAIL PROFESSIONALS BETTER SERVE THEIR INSTITUTIONS AND THE PUBLIC. MSA ALSO SEEKS TO DO THE FOLLOWING: CREATE NEW INITIATIVES TO ADVANCE MSA; DEVELOP ESSENTIAL, RELEVANT AND ENGAGING PROGRAMMING THAT INCLUDES PROFESSIONALIZED PROGRAMMING OVERALL, ADVANCED SESSIONS SCALED FOR ALL LEVELS OF ATTENDEES, CONTENT FOR YOUNGER MEMBERS ON APPROPRIATE PLATFORMS, AND ASSESSING A PATHWAY TO MEANINGFUL CREDENTIALING.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 89%
Employees
0
Volunteers
96

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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 65% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 94 out of 100. Higher than 59% 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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. $868,938 spent. THE MUSEUM STORE ASSOCIATION (MSA) HOSTS AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO EDUCATE MEMBERS HOW TO MAXIMIZE EFFICIENCY OF THEIR NON-PROFIT RETAIL STORES.
  2. $58,580 spent. MUSEUM STORE SUNDAY IS AN ANNUAL EVENT THAT HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF NONPROFIT RETAIL STORES AND THE CULTURAL INSTITUIONS THEY SUPPORT, AND THAT SEEKS TO INCREASE PATRONAGE OF THOSE STORES ON MUSEUM STORE SUNDAY, THE SUNDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING.
  3. $48,817 spent. MUSEUM STORE ASSOCIATION PUBLICATIONS ISSUES THREE PUBLICATIONS, AN ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY, A TRIANNUAL MAGAZINE, AND AN ON-SITE PROGRAM AT THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE. THE PUBLICATIONS ARE DESIGNED TO BRING IDEAS AND METHODS TO HELP STORE OPERATORS AND EMPLOYEES IMPROVE THEIR STORES.

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 October 1977.

    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.