Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 45% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
The mission of Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia is to preserve, present, and promote Swedish immigrant heritage and history. Through engaging exhibitions, educational programs, and community events, the museum aims to celebrate and share the rich history, arts, culture, traditions,
- Income
- $386,836
- Spending
- $304,354
- Spent on programs
- 45%
- Reserves
- 14.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 68%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 148
- Highest pay
- $56,806, director
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 63% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 14.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 28% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1545% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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
Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (11)
- $94,209 spent. Butik (Gift Shop in Swedish): Sells items relating to (1) Swedish cultureal traditions and the role that Swedish immigration played in the settlement and creation of Minnesota culture and statehood; (2) literature for adults, teens, and children; (3) Scandinavian and Minnesotan cookbooks; history (Swedish, immigration, Minnesota, local); (4) Swedish holiday and seasonal cultural event decorations and accessories; (5) clothing; (6) household items (textiles, linens, ceramics, Dala horses, candles, mugs, napkins, magnets, rugs, kitchen supplies, decor); greeting cards (Swedish styles/themes); (7) puzzles (Swedish styles/themes); (8) jewelry; (9) food (imported from Sweden and made in Minnesota); (10) tourism items (postcards, stickers); (11) personal care/needs (lip balm); (12) to fill needs while at the museum (umbrellas, beverages); and (13) Swedish crafting supplies (trim, fabric, linen). - direct exp $46,652 overhead exp $47,557
- $14,153 spent. Spelmansstamman: Translates from Swedish as Spleman fiddle player and stamman a gathering. Held in late summer, musicians gather outdoors to play traditional music from Swedish, Nordic, and other cultures as a cross-cultural comparison of music, and to create and share newly composed music. The music is never written and is shared by playing and memorizing. This is a free event to the public. This event directly supports our purpose to preserve, present, and promote Swedish immigrant heritage. - direct exp $8,954 overhead exp $5,199
- $6,680 spent. Midsommardagen: This historic summer celebration at the Summer Solstice is a national holiday in Sweden that celebrates outdoors in a natural setting with traditional dances, music, wearing of fold outfits of ones provincial heritage, a bonfire, and singing. This is a free event. Midsommardagen directly supports our purpose to preserve, present, and promote Swedish immigrant heritage. - direct exp $3,648 overhead exp $3,032
- $4,477 spent. Classes: These relate to artistic, music, language, literature, and seasonal events in Swedish culture. Childrens Programs: The content and goal of the classes and activities are to teach about Swedish culture, immigration, and Minnesota/local history/agriculture/art/handicrafts around the time of Swedish immigration in the mid-to late-1800s and how they relate to and impact contemporary American society. This is done through instruction and hands-on activities using museums buildings, artifacts, and landscape (e.g. restored prairie, pond, trees, flowers). Gammelgardens programs provide for children with special-, emotional-, sensory-, and ADA needs. There is a fee charged to cover instructors, materials, and supplies. Any profits goes to the general fund usage. These classes and programs directly support our purpose to preserve, present, and promote Swedish immigrant heritage and history. - direct exp $1,740 overhead exp $2,737
- $4,351 spent. Annies Swedish Coffee Parties: This three-course coffee party honors Annie, the last person to live in the historic house on the property. There is a fee, which helps generate operating funds as well as keep the coffee party tradition alive. These parties directly support the purpose to preserve, present, and promote Swedish immigrant heritage. - direct exp $1,594 overhead exp $2,757
- $3,460 spent. Tours: Guided tours provide a glimpse into the daily lives of early immigrants. Takes visitors on a journey back in time as you experience what immigrant life was like in 1850-1880s while touring the first Swedish settlement in Minnesota. Immersive tour into the history of the historic building and see artifacts on display. Begin in the Valkommen Hus for the history of Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia and early Swedish immigration to Minnesota. Next, tour five historic building with a guide. Finally, view the exhibits on display on the second floor of the Valkommen Hus, and vist the Butik. Exhibits showcase artifacts and artworks for public viewing and educational purposes. The exhibits vary widely in nature, ranging from historical artifacts to contemporary artworks. - direct exp $496 overhead exp $2,964
- $3,064 spent. Taco Daze: a community festival in Scandia which hosts the Running of the Meatballs, where people purchase a ticket and if their number matches the winning meatball which is a golf ball, that person wins one of eleven prizes ranging from $500 to $20. - direct exp $606 overhead exp $2,458
- $2,451 spent. Special events: The events showcase Swedish immigrant heritage, history, visual arts, music, dance, food, culture, and traditions. Some of the events show cross-cultural comparisons. Some of the events have a fee and others are free. - direct exp $741 overhead exp $1,710
- $2,434 spent. Luciadagen: Traditionally celebrated on December 13th in Sweden, this event is the beginning of the Christmas holidays in Scandinavian countries. The program has a fee, which helps generate operating funding as well as keep this tradition alive. Luciadagen directly supports the purpose to preserve, present, and promote Swedish immigrant heritage. - direct exp $886 overhead exp $1,548
- $1,479 spent. Vinterfest: is an annual winter festival that celebrates Scandinavian heritage and winter traditions, offering a variety of activities and attractions for both locals and visitors to enjoy. - direct exp $27 overhead exp $1,452
- $1,423 spent. Season Opening Weekend: The first day of the museum season which focuses hands-on activities related to early-immigrant life in Scandia and Minnesota; and features exhibits and displays throughout the historical building and visitor center. - direct exp $1,423
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 2023.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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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