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Nonprofit · EIN 39-1723105

MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM INC

Tax-exempt · MILWAUKEE, WI 53233

Financials

$13.1M$13.4M2022$12M$13.8M2023$13.1M$14.7M2024
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM INC by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
August 31, 2025990$13,076,645$14,713,686-$1,637,041$12,674,413$4,258,131$8,416,282
August 31, 2024990$12,032,208$13,840,529-$1,808,321$14,683,034$5,106,553$9,576,481
August 31, 2023990$13,067,827$13,439,898-$372,071$16,555,973$6,130,078$10,425,895
Financial details: 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$8,550,001
of which government grants
$3,532,801
Program service revenue
$3,882,824
Investment income
$281,373
Net rental income
-$54
Net gain from sales of assets
$63,295
Net income from fundraising events
$136,517
Net income from sales of inventory
$92,145
Other revenue
$362,447

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$0
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$878,737
Other salaries and wages
$6,099,243
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$8,973,506
Professional fundraising fees
$0
Legal fees
$13,438
Accounting fees
$76,368
Occupancy
$1,180,734
Travel
$77,447
Depreciation
$1,548,112
Program services (functional)
$10,671,240
Management and general (functional)
$2,137,195
Fundraising (functional)
$1,905,251

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$14,683,034
Total assets, end of year
$12,674,413
Total liabilities, end of year
$4,258,131
Net assets, end of year
$8,416,282
Land, buildings and equipment
$4,591,675
Publicly traded securities
$4,511,559
Net assets without donor restrictions
$6,695,819
Net assets with donor restrictions
$1,720,463
Gross unrelated business income
-$54
Gross receipts
$14,784,275
Employees
196
Volunteers
148
Year formed
1992
State of legal domicile
WI

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
ELLEN CENSKYPRESIDENT/CEO
Officer
40$233,704$18,094
JULIE QUINLANSR. VP OF DEVELOPMENT
Officer
40$164,044$21,659
KATHERINE SANDERS TERMED 525CHIEF PLANNING OFFICER
Highest-paid employee
40$142,705$21,488
JENNIFER ZASPELVP ACADEMIC DEAN
Officer
40$153,477$10,469
STEVE RAYNIERDIRECTOR OF FACILITY OPERATIONS
Highest-paid employee
40$132,703$20,510
REBECCA EHLERSVP OF AUDIENCE & COMMUNITY
Officer
40$137,229$11,675
THOMAS M O'BRIENFORMER CFO (TERMED 5/24)
Former
0$125,796$2,125
GAIL BOYMCONTROLLER
Highest-paid employee
40$108,022$10,923
EMILY BELCHERDIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
Highest-paid employee
40$100,687$5,941
LISA PIEPERDIRECTOR OF INDIVIDUAL GIVING
Highest-paid employee
40$100,405$5,652
TOM OECHLERCFO (HIRED 5/24)
Officer
40$86,740$6,094
JOHN ROBERTSCHAIRMAN
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
CHARLES WRIGHT JRVICE CHAIRMAN
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
TIMOTHY P BYRNEVICE CHAIRMAN
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
MARY ELLEN PINDYCKSECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
29 more people on this return
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
CHRISTINE RUNDBLADASSISTANT SECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0
JOSHUA ERICKSONTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0
MICHAEL VANASTENASSISTANT TREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0
PATRICK DISTEFANOPAST CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0
ANGIE IZARDBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
ANNA RAMIREZ BARITTBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
BRAD PETERSBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
CHRISTY JAGDFELDBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
GAIL YABUKIBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
IVAN GAMBOABOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
JASON ALLENBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
JEROME WEISSBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
JOEL PLANTBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
JUSTIN STEINBERGBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
KHALAF KHALAFBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
KRISTEN HARDYBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
LYNN WARNER BRENGELBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
MARCELIA NICHOLSONBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
MARGARETE HARVEYBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
MARION SULLIVANBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
MICHAEL MAISTELMANBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
MICHAEL NGUYENBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
MICHAEL TATEBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
NIKSA IVANCEVICBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
PATRICIA J HOBENBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
PATRICIA YUNKBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
PEGGY COAKLEYBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
PETER FEIGINBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
THAD NATIONBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
990 for the year ended August 31, 2024: 48 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
ELLEN CENSKYPRESIDENT/CEO
Officer
40$232,764$18,922
JULIE QUINLANSR. VP OF DEVELOPMENT
Officer
40$158,556$24,283
KATHERINE SANDERSCHIEF PLANNING OFFICER
Highest-paid employee
40$133,157$23,889
JENNIFER ZASPELVP ACADEMIC DEAN
Officer
40$140,694$9,744
STEVEN RAYNIERDIRECTOR OF FACILITY OPERATIONS
Highest-paid employee
40$136,404$9,380
REBECCA EHLERSVP OF AUDIENCE & COMMUNITY
Officer
40$128,815$12,092
GAIL BOYMCONTROLLER
Highest-paid employee
40$108,327$11,876
KAYE LESZCZYNSKISENIOR DIRECTOR OF MAJOR GIFTS
Highest-paid employee
40$106,794$12,121
THOMAS M O'BRIENCFO (TERMED 05/2024)
Officer
40$96,771$3,385
JOHN ROBERTSCHAIRMAN
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
PATRICK DISTEFANOPAST CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
CHARLES WRIGHT JRVICE CHAIRMAN
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
TIMOTHY P BYRNEVICE CHAIRMAN
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
MARY ELLEN PINDYCKSECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
JOSHUA ERICKSONTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
CHRISTINE RUNDBLADASSISTANT SECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
MICHAEL VANASTENASSISTANT TREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
ANGIE IZARDBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ANNA RAMIREZ BARITTBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
BRAD PETERSBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CHARLIE UIHLEINBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CHRISTY JAGDFELDBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
COREY JASKOLSKIBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ETHAN ELSER SRBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
GAIL YABUKIBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
HEATH NUNNEMACHERBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
IVAN GAMBOABOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JASON ALLENBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JEROME WEISSBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JOEL PLANTBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JUSTIN STEINBERGBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
KHALAF KHALAFBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
KRISTEN HARDYBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
LYLE IGNACEBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
LYNN WARNER BRENGELBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MARCELIA NICHOLSONBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MARGARETE HARVEYBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MARION SULLIVANBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MICHAEL MAISTELMANBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MICHAEL NGUYENBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MICHAEL TATEBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
NIKSA IVANCEVICBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
PATRICIA J HOBENBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
PATRICIA YUNKBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
PEGGY COAKLEYBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
PETER FEIGINBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
THAD NATIONBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
TOM OECHLERCFO (START 05/2024)
Officer
40$0$0
990 for the year ended August 31, 2023: 44 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
ELLEN CENSKYPRESIDENT/CEO
Officer
40$223,831$15,025
JULIE QUINLANSR. VP OF DEVELOPMENT
Officer
40$159,677$9,797
LUE HANG SR VP OFFINANCE & OPERATIONS (TERM. 02/2023)
Officer
40$153,568$4,709
KATHERINE SANDERSCHIEF PLANNING OFFICER
Highest-paid employee
40$127,069$21,142
JENNIFER ZASPELVP ACADEMIC DEAN
Officer
40$136,483$7,260
REBECCA EHLERSVP OF AUDIENCE & COMMUNITY
Officer
40$121,846$5,986
KAYE LESZCZYNSKISENIOR DIRECTOR OF MAJOR GIFTS
Highest-paid employee
40$102,316$10,200
GAIL BOYMCONTROLLER
Highest-paid employee
40$101,631$9,781
PATRICK DISTEFANOCHAIRMAN
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
LYNN WARNER BRENGELVICE CHAIRWOMAN
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
JOHN ROBERTSVICE CHAIRMAN
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
CHRISTINE RUNDBLADSECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
JOSHUA ERICKSONTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
MARY ELLEN PINDYCKASSISTANT SECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
TIMOTHY P BYRNEASSISTANT TREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
ANGIE IZARDBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ANNA RAMIREZ BARITTBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
BRAD PETERSBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CHARLES WRIGHT JRBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CHARLIE UHLEINBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CHRIS HER-XIONGBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
COREY JASKOLSKIBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ETHAN ELSER SRBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
GAIL YABUKIBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
GERALD RANDALLBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
IVAN GAMBOABOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JASON ALLENBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JEROME WEISSBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JOEL PLANTBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
KHALAF KHALAFBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
KRISTTEN HARDYBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
LYLE IGNACEBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MARCELIA NICHOLSONBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MARGARETE HARVEYBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MARION SULLIVANBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MICHAEL MAISTELMANBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MICHAEL TATEBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MICHAEL VANASTENBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
NIKSA IVANCEVICBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
PATRICIA J HOBENBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
PATRICIA YUNKBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
PETER FEIGINBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
THAD NATIONBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
THOMAS M O'BRIENCFO (HIRED 06/2023)
Officer
40$0$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
800 W WELLS ST, MILWAUKEE, WI 53233-1404
In care of
% MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM INC
Principal officer (990 for 2024)
ELLEN CENSKY, 800 W WELLS STREET, MILWAUKEE, WI 53233
Signed the 990
TOM OECHLER, CFO
Phone
(414) 278-6939
Return prepared by
BAKER TILLY ADVISORY GROUP LP

Mission

THE MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM INSPIRES CURIOSITY, EXCITES MINDS AND INCREASES DESIRE TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT OUR WORLD'S NATURAL AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY THROUGH EXHIBITIONS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, COLLECTIONS AND RESEARCH.

990 for the year ended August 31, 2025

Program accomplishments

  • THE MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM, INC. OPERATES A NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, WHICH FOCUSES ON EXHIBITS, PUBLIC PROGRAMMING, AND RESEARCH IN THE NATURAL SCIENCES, ANTHROPOLOGY AND HISTORY. THE MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM, INC. UNIQUELY AND DIRECTLY ADDRESSES THE THEMES OF BIOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND THEIR INTERRELATIONSHIPS. THE MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM, INC. PRESERVES AND CARES FOR ITS COLLECTIONS HELD IN PUBLIC TRUST. THROUGH RESEARCH AND COLLECTIONS, THE MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM INC. SEEKS KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF GLOBAL CHANGE AND DIVERSITY FROM GEOLOGICAL, BIOLOGICAL, CULTURAL, AND HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES. THROUGH ITS RENOWNED EXHIBITS, ITS PROGRAMS AND ITS PUBLICATIONS, THE MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM, INC. INTERPRETS THESE THEMES TO DIVERSE AUDIENCES.
    Expenses $10,671,240 · revenue $3,974,969

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in August, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

Tax yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025August 31, 2026January 15, 2027Not due yet
2024August 31, 2025January 15, 2026990 on file
2023August 31, 2024January 15, 2025990 on file

IRS record

EIN
39-1723105
Tax-exempt status
501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
Foundation status
Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
Donations deductible (Pub 78)
Public charity, 50% deduction limit
Exempt since
1992
Accounting year ends
August
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Assets (IRS master file)
$12,674,413
Income (IRS master file)
$14,784,275

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990August 2025$13,076,645$14,713,686$12,674,413XML
990-TAugust 2025–––IRS
990August 2024$12,032,208$13,840,529$14,683,034XML
990-TAugust 2024–––IRS
990August 2023$13,067,827$13,439,898$16,555,973XML
990-TAugust 2023–––IRS
990August 2022$14,883,405$13,471,207$17,354,362IRS
990-TAugust 2022–––IRS
990August 2021–––IRS
990-TAugust 2021–––IRS
990August 2020–––IRS
990August 2019–––IRS
990August 2018–––IRS

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 39-1723105).

Questions about MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM INC

What is the EIN of MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM INC?
The employer identification number (EIN) of MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM INC is 39-1723105.
Is MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM INC tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1992.
Are donations to MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM INC tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM INC file?
Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
When is the next return of MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM INC due?
The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending August 31, 2026) is due January 15, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM INC last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended August 2025.
Who is the principal officer of MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM INC?
The 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 names ELLEN CENSKY.
Who are the officers and directors of MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM INC?
The 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 lists 44 people; 11 received compensation from the organization, the highest $233,704 (ELLEN CENSKY, PRESIDENT/CEO).
How much revenue does MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM INC have?
On its 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $13,076,645, expenses of $14,713,686 and total assets of $12,674,413 at year end.

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