Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art Inc
Crystal Bridges Museum maintains over $2 billion in assets with minimal liabilities and no direct officer compensation reported.
EIN: 201359710 · Bentonville, AR · NTEE: A51 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art Inc directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art Inc
Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art Inc (EIN: 201359710) is a nonprofit organization based in Bentonville, AR, classified under NTEE code A51. The organization reported total revenue of $338.0M and total assets of $2.1B according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art Inc is a major nonprofit that has been operating for 22 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2014–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 6.2%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $152.1M |
| Total Expenses | $67.2M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$84.9M |
| Total Assets | $1.9B |
| Net Assets | $1.9B |
| Operating Margin | 55.8% |
| Months of Reserves | 339.4 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art Inc reported a surplus of $84.9M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 339.4 months of operating reserves (strong position).
Financial Trends
Over 10 years of filings (2014–2023), Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art Inc's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +150.1% | -10.7% | +12.0% |
| 2022 | -71.4% | +23.4% | -12.6% |
| 2021 | +19.6% | +19.9% | +12.2% |
| 2020 | +51.9% | -1.4% | +18.9% |
| 2019 | -50.6% | +5.2% | +15.4% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2004 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art Inc with a Mission Score of 90 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 10%
- programs: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a surplus of $84.9M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The IRS 990 filings consistently report 0% officer compensation, which is unusual for an organization of this size and asset base. This suggests that executive compensation may be handled through a related entity or that the top leadership serves without direct compensation from the museum, which could be a point for further inquiry regarding full transparency of leadership costs.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which may obscure actual leadership costs if paid by a related entity.
- Highly variable annual revenue, which could indicate reliance on large, infrequent donations rather than consistent funding streams.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art Inc:
- Exceptional asset base, exceeding $2 billion, providing long-term financial stability.
- Consistently minimal liabilities, often $0, indicating strong financial management and low debt.
- Expenses generally well below revenue, contributing to significant asset growth over time.
- Strong program focus implied by the nature of a museum and efficient spending relative to assets.
Frequently Asked Questions about Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art Inc
Is Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art Inc (EIN: 201359710) some concerns. Mission Score: 90/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art Inc spend its money?
Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art Inc directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art Inc tax-deductible?
Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 201359710). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How is executive compensation handled if 0% is reported across all filings?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation suggests that executive salaries may be paid by a related entity, or that the top leadership serves in an uncompensated capacity directly from the museum. This warrants further investigation for a complete understanding of leadership costs.
What is the primary source of the highly variable revenue streams?
The significant fluctuations in annual revenue, ranging from $48,838,430 to $337,986,130, indicate a reliance on large, potentially infrequent, donations or grants. Understanding the composition of these revenue sources (e.g., individual donors, foundations, investment income) would provide more insight into financial stability.
Given the substantial assets, what is the organization's endowment strategy?
With assets exceeding $2 billion, the organization likely has a significant endowment. Details on its investment strategy, spending policy, and how endowment returns contribute to operational expenses would be valuable for assessing long-term sustainability.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art Inc showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2014–2023), Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art Inc's revenue has grown by 71.2%, moving from $88.8M to $152.1M. Total assets increased by 93.3% over the same period, from $983.9M to $1.9B. Total functional expenses fell by 71.1%, from $232.8M to $67.2M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art Inc reported a surplus of $84.9M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $152.1M | $67.2M | $1.9B | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $60.8M | $75.3M | $1.7B | $261K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $212.7M | $61.0M | $1.9B | $214K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $177.9M | $50.8M | $1.7B | $137K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $117.1M | $51.6M | $1.5B | $182K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $237.3M | $49.0M | $1.3B | $145K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $73.5M | $50.6M | $1.2B | $113K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $92.0M | $41.0M | $1.0B | $80K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $48.8M | $63.9M | $929.8M | $57K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $88.8M | $232.8M | $983.9M | $195K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $152.1M, expenses of $67.2M, and assets of $1.9B (revenue +150.1% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $60.8M, expenses of $75.3M, and assets of $1.7B (revenue -71.4% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $212.7M, expenses of $61.0M, and assets of $1.9B (revenue +19.6% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $177.9M, expenses of $50.8M, and assets of $1.7B (revenue +51.9% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $117.1M, expenses of $51.6M, and assets of $1.5B (revenue -50.6% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $237.3M, expenses of $49.0M, and assets of $1.3B (revenue +223.1% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $73.5M, expenses of $50.6M, and assets of $1.2B (revenue -20.1% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $92.0M, expenses of $41.0M, and assets of $1.0B (revenue +88.3% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $48.8M, expenses of $63.9M, and assets of $929.8M (revenue -45.0% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $88.8M, expenses of $232.8M, and assets of $983.9M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art Inc is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.