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Mardi Gras Museum Inc

EIN 64-0869724 · Biloxi, MS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO RECORD AND PROMOTE THE HISTORY OF MARDI GRAS ON THE MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST THROUGH ITS MUSEUM OF ARTIFACTS, HISTORY DOCUMENTATION AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.

Income
$100,358
Spending
$93,120
Spent on programs
4%
Reserves
8.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 64%
Employees
1
Volunteers
15

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    4% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, 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

    12 of 12 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 September 30, 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 (4)
  1. $1,050 spent. ANNUAL CHILDRENS' MARDIS GRAS PARADE AND SHOE BOX FLOAT BUILDING CRAFTS AND EDUCATIONAL SPEAKER. ALLOWS CHILDREN TO EXPERIENCE THE RIDING IN A MARDI GRAS PARADE ON THE STREETS OF HISTORIC BILOXI. ALLOWS THEM TO EXPERIENCE THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A MARDI GRAS FLOAT.
  2. $2,550 spent. SPONSOR EVENTS AND EXHIBIT FEATURES HELD AT MUSEUM.
  3. ADMISSION FEES BY TOURIST VISITING THE MUSEUM TO VIEW MARDI GRAS DISPLAYS AND NET PROFITS FROM GIFT SHOP SALES OF MARDI GRAS SOUVINERS
  4. GULF COAST CARNIVAL ASSOCIATION USE OF THE MUSUEM FOR ADMINISTRTION OF THE MARDI GRAS SEASON INCLUDING CORONATION OF KING, QUEEN, DUKES, MAIDS AND STREET PARADE IN DOWNTOWN BILOXI

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 2003.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.