Nonprofit · EIN 46-1637111
MAINFRAME STUDIOS
Tax-exempt · DES MOINES, IA 50309
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $1,762,839 | $2,052,863 | -$290,024 | $9,422,363 | $150,258 | $9,272,105 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $1,662,532 | $1,982,601 | -$320,069 | $9,808,236 | $254,900 | $9,553,336 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $1,527,994 | $2,009,905 | -$481,911 | $10,125,236 | $251,831 | $9,873,405 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $335,908
- Program service revenue
- $1,394,671
- Investment income
- $21,405
- Other revenue
- $10,855
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Other salaries and wages
- $253,532
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $295,390
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Occupancy
- $541,593
- Travel
- $4,029
- Depreciation
- $779,466
- Program services (functional)
- $1,686,544
- Management and general (functional)
- $323,518
- Fundraising (functional)
- $42,801
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $9,808,236
- Total assets, end of year
- $9,422,363
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $150,258
- Net assets, end of year
- $9,272,105
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $8,215,211
- Gross receipts
- $1,762,839
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 17
- Year formed
- 2012
- State of legal domicile
- IA
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 December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Julia Franklin-Jones | Executive Director Key employee | 50 | $114,854 |
| Jill Wells | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 0.5 | $3,200 |
| John McGowan | President Trustee or director, Officer | 10 | $0 |
| Sarah Young | Vice President Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Michael Trettin | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| Justin Mandelbaum | Director Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| David Schmitz | Director Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| Meredith Hubbell Stahl | Director Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| Dr Kelly Baum | Director Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| Gretchen Bohling | Director Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| Jeff Chelesvig | Director | 0.25 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 11 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| John McGowan | President Trustee or director, Officer | 10 | $0 |
| Sarah Young | Vice President Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Michael Trettin | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| Jill Wells | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 0.5 | $0 |
| Justin Mandelbaum | Director Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| David Schmitz | Director Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| Meredith Hubbell Stahl | Director Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| Dr Kelly Baum | Director Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| Gretchen Bohling | Director Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| Jeff Chelesvig | Director | 0.25 | $0 |
| Julia Franklin-Jones | Executive Director Key employee | 50 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 9 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Mandelbaum | President Trustee or director, Officer | 10 | $0 |
| John McGowan | Vice President Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| Michael Trettin | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| Gretchen Bohling | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 0.25 | $0 |
| John Mandelbaum | Member Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| David Schmitz | Member Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| Meredith Stahl | Member Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| Jill Wells | Member Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| Sarah Young | Member Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 900 KEOSAUQUA WAY, DES MOINES, IA 50309-1501
- In care of
- % JUSTIN MANDELBAUM
- Mailing address (990-N for 2013)
- 4500 Westown Parkway Suite 115, West Des Moines IA 50266
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- JOHN MCGOWAN, 900 KEOSAUQUA WAY 100, DES MOINES, IA 50309
- Principal officer (990-N for 2013)
- Justin Mandelbaum, 4500 Westown Parkway Suite 115, West Des Moines IA 50266
- Signed the 990
- MICHAEL TRETTIN, TREASURER
- Phone
- (515) 216-4253
- Website
- www.DesMoinesArts.org
- Return prepared by
- THE PLANNERS TAX & ACCOUNTING
Mission
Mainframe Studios provides affordable arts workspace and fosters creative communities in central Iowa.
Program accomplishments
- In 2025, Mainframe underwent strategic planning and revised our mission and vision statements and added organizational values of respect, collaboration, accessibility, financial sustainability, and risk-taking. Mainframe identified four strategic pillars to guide our work over the next three years: financial health, internal strength, mission delivery, and organization awareness. Mainframe studios completed its third full year operating at 98% capacity. 181 creative workspaces are used by over 220 artists and 8 arts related nonprofits. Mainframe maintained a waitlist of over 155 applicants in 2025. Income from affordable rents generated enough revenue to cover operating costs. An additional 4650 square foot event rental space, The Big Room, provides a place for weddings, converences, workshops, corporate parties and fundraisers for a rental fee. We receive a portion of food and beverage sales that take place in this space. The Big Room also serves as s classroom for our 12-week session of artist professional development and quarterly tenant meetings. Our second-floor common area serves as a learning space where artists regularly share skills with each other. Studio 108 is a flexible arts and culture education space that is used for K-12 art field trips during the day and rented to dance groups on the evenings and weekends to generate additional rental income and address community needs.Expenses $1,655,333 · revenue $1,405,525
- Mainframe Studios spends a portion of of its budget on programming for monthly First Friday Open Studio events that attract thousands of visitors. We average 2,464 attendees each First Friday with over 14,250 people attending each month. That accounts for a sizable community impact and a total of 174,238 visitor experiences each year. The festive, free First Friday Studio events feature unique and creative experiences for audiences each month. These include exhibitions in 4 gallery spaces, arts activities, and live music entertainment relating to themed events and various art forms such as ceramics, fashion, printmaking and painting. First Fridays also feature local musicians and affordable dinner options by local food vendors and resident caterers, Tangerine Food Company. Tenant/Artists open their studios to connect with new customers and community members to help further their careers and artistic practices. Artists/tenants are paid to support First Friday events by documenting the events and designing all printed and social media. Tenants/Teaching artists support our K-12 art field experiences that saw 998 youth participate in 2025. In fall 2025, Mainframe launched Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists, a 12 week program for a 25-person cohort to help artists grow their skills and advance their careers. Mainframe also self publishes an annual gift guide that showcases creative works for sale and includes stories about our artists and partners.Expenses $31,211
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 December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 46-1637111
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2014
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Arts, culture and humanities (A99)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $9,422,363
- Income (IRS master file)
- $1,762,839
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $1,762,839 | $2,052,863 | $9,422,363 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $1,662,532 | $1,982,601 | $9,808,236 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2023 | $1,527,994 | $2,009,905 | $10,125,236 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $3,251,639 | $1,559,009 | $10,836,605 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-N for 2013 Officer: Justin Mandelbaum | December 31, 2013 | ≤ $50,000 receipts | – | – | e-Postcard |
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 46-1637111).
Questions about MAINFRAME STUDIOS
- What is the EIN of MAINFRAME STUDIOS?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of MAINFRAME STUDIOS is 46-1637111.
- Is MAINFRAME STUDIOS tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2014.
- Are donations to MAINFRAME STUDIOS tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does MAINFRAME STUDIOS 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 MAINFRAME STUDIOS due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did MAINFRAME STUDIOS last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of MAINFRAME STUDIOS?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names JOHN MCGOWAN.
- Who are the officers and directors of MAINFRAME STUDIOS?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 11 people; 2 received compensation from the organization, the highest $114,854 (Julia Franklin-Jones, Executive Director).
- How much revenue does MAINFRAME STUDIOS have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $1,762,839, expenses of $2,052,863 and total assets of $9,422,363 at year end.
Other nonprofits in DES MOINES
- ITALIAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER EIN 42-1226284 · last filed 990 for 2025
- IOWA PUBLIC RADIO INC EIN 20-4227123 · last filed 990 for 2025
- EDMUNDSON ART FOUNDATION INC EIN 42-0680419 · last filed 990 for 2024
- BRAVO GREATER DES MOINES INC EIN 20-3598346 · last filed 990 for 2025
- SCIENCE CENTER OF IOWA EIN 42-6097912 · last filed 990 for 2025
- HOYT SHERMAN PLACE FOUNDATION EIN 42-1433940 · last filed 990 for 2025
- ANNA K MEREDITH ENDOWMENT TRUST EIN 42-1180480 · last filed 990 for 2025
- DES MOINES SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION EIN 42-6058830 · last filed 990 for 2025
All nonprofits in DES MOINES · Iowa · Arts, culture and humanities