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Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum reported $39.0 million in revenue and $28.7 million in expenses for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $77.38 went to program services, $12.78 to management and general costs and $9.84 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 66.5% of the total. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $723,605 (NORMA JEAN CALDERWOOD DIRECTOR). 19 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 38% between FY2020 and FY2025. Source: Form 990, FY2025.
Where $100 of spending went
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $29MFor context, the median across 876 covered arts, culture & humanities charities: $79.98 programs, $13.89 management, $6.13 fundraising (medians computed separately, so they may not sum to $100).
Where $100 of revenue came from
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $39MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | FY2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 77.4% | 78.5% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 12.8% | 13.6% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 9.8% | 6.0% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.11 | $0.10 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 66.5% | 57.5% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 0.0% | 1.7% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 17.8% | 20.8% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $723,605 | $385,706 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 2.52% | 2.03% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 19 | 8 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 154.6 | 36.6 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 26 of 27 | 100.0% |
A median is context, not a target: hospitals, universities, food banks and grantmakers spend in very different ways. What these measures can and can't tell you.
What the money paid for, in its own words
FY2025 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseCollection and conservation - distinguished among other great museums for preserving the curatorial vision of its founder, the Gardner Museum is a work of art in totality. It encompasses a collection of approximately 20,000 objects, including archival items and works of art spanning 30 centuries. Isabella Stewart Gardner bequeathed this remarkable collection and historic building as a resource "for the education and enjoyment of the public forever." on continual display, the ongoing conservation of the collection employs cutting edge scientific methods and new practices to preserve, protect…
Education and public programs - the gardner's education and public programs create welcoming and enjoyable learning experiences. Known for a commitment to excellence in teaching as well as collaborating with local artists and communities, the gardner offers a rich variety of programs and resources for children and adults that spark in-depth experiences with works of art and present opportunities to engage with some of today's most creative individuals. In addition to high-quality professional development for teachers and docents, the museum conducts thoughtful research that brings new…
Music - a vital part of Isabella Stewart Gardner's vision, music continues to be central to the Gardner Museum's interdisciplinary mission. Isabella's museum opened in 1903 with a concert by the boston symphony orchestra, and her dynamic musical legacy continues today with the country's oldest museum-based concert series. The museum's sunday concert series presents outstanding established and emerging musicians in the museum's intimate concert space, calderwood hall. The performers, composers, and repertoire featured in the museum's musical programming reflect a commitment to excellence…
Highest reported compensation
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section A · roles as filed; names are in the filing, not here| Role | From this org | From related orgs | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NORMA JEAN CALDERWOOD DIRECTOR Director/trustee, officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $705,247 | $0 | $18,358 | $723,605 |
| CHIEF FINAN. & ADMIN. OFFICER Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $280,111 | $0 | $25,964 | $306,075 |
| CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $259,909 | $0 | $33,865 | $293,774 |
| ABRAMS CURATOR OF MUSIC Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $167,138 | $0 | $40,406 | $207,544 |
| ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR & CHIEF CURATOR Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $196,298 | $0 | $5,883 | $202,181 |
| DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMM. Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $177,053 | $0 | $17,792 | $194,845 |
| DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & BUSINESS OPS. Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $156,159 | $0 | $22,767 | $178,926 |
| DIRECTOR OF SECURITY Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $156,159 | $0 | $16,564 | $172,723 |
19 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $2.1M (Part IX, line 5).
6 years of filings
Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linkedGovernance answers, as filed
FY2025 · the organization's own yes/no answers; explanations, if any, are in Schedule O of the filing · what each means- Voting board members, and how many are independent Part VI, lines 1a–1b27 · 26 independent
- Audited financial statements Part XII 2bYes
- Conflict-of-interest policy Part VI 12aYes
- Whistleblower policy Part VI 13Yes
- Document retention policy Part VI 14Yes
- Independent process for top executive pay Part VI 15aYes
- Board given the 990 before filing Part VI 11aYes
- Family or business ties among insiders Part VI 2No
- Aware of a significant diversion of assets Part VI 5No
- Excess benefit transaction with an insider Part IV 25aNo
- Loans to or from insiders outstanding Part IV 26No
- Lobbying, or a 501(h) election in effect Part IV 4No
- Over $15,000 of professional fundraising services Part IV 18No
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bYes
- Employees Part I, line 5287
- Volunteers Part I, line 6105
Largest outside contractors
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| ACP FACILITY SERVICES INC Commercial cleaning | $314,273 |
| COX ENGINEERING COMPANY Hvac contractor | $288,000 |
| THE ROCHE COMPANY Landscaping | $233,705 |
| TAMAGNA & DIPIETRO Electrical services | $183,938 |
| THIRD AND GROVE LLC Marketing | $174,955 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 14 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
69 private foundations reported grants to Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum totaling $3.5M on their tax year 2023 Form 990-PF returns. See which foundations, on WHOFUNDS.
Source: WHOFUNDS open grant graph, matched from Form 990-PF Part XV.
Correct a figure or respond
Every number above is copied from Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum spent in FY2025, $77.38 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- American Council of Learned SocietiesNew York, NY · revenue $39M · programs 85.5% · FY2025
- Broadway DallasDallas, TX · revenue $39M · programs 86.5% · FY2025
- Navy Seal FoundationVirginia Beach, VA · revenue $39M · programs 92.6% · 2024
- California Science Center FoundationLos Angeles, CA · revenue $39M · programs 96.5% · FY2025
- Detroit Symphony OrchestraDetroit, MI · revenue $39M · programs 72.9% · FY2025
All arts, culture & humanities charities · Largest charities in Massachusetts
Questions people ask
How much of Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum's spending goes to programs?
In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum reported that 77.4% of its $28.7 million in expenses went to program services, 12.8% to management and general and 9.8% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum reported for one person in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 was $723,605, for the role of NORMA JEAN CALDERWOOD DIRECTOR (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum get its money?
Of $39.0 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, 66.5% came from contributions and grants and 17.8% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 04-2104334 as a 501(c)(3) organization (publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))), and its records show contributions as tax-deductible. Form 990 filings on record here cover tax years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. A filing shows what the organization reported; it doesn't by itself show whether a program works.
Sources
- FY2025: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, object 202641279349300909 · read the filing
- FY2024: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, object 202531299349300818 · read the filing
- FY2023: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, object 202411309349303611 · read the filing
- FY2022: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, object 202321319349302717 · read the filing
- FY2021: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, object 202241269349300414 · read the filing
- FY2020: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, object 202131339349304873 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 04-2104334: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.