Nonprofit · EIN 51-0179336
THE HIGH DESERT MUSEUM
Tax-exempt · BEND, OR 97702
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $16,576,322 | $9,000,114 | $7,576,208 | $49,980,085 | $1,632,216 | $48,347,869 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990 | $12,190,842 | $8,389,114 | $3,801,728 | $41,482,289 | $1,148,260 | $40,334,029 |
| June 30, 2023 | 990 | $13,589,414 | $7,709,109 | $5,880,305 | $36,931,857 | $791,508 | $36,140,349 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $11,224,479
- of which government grants
- $1,031,082
- Program service revenue
- $4,300,341
- Investment income
- $838,498
- Net rental income
- $59,698
- Net income from fundraising events
- -$29,444
- Other revenue
- $213,004
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $330,708
- Other salaries and wages
- $3,715,692
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $4,854,077
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $17,910
- Accounting fees
- $41,000
- Occupancy
- $294,844
- Travel
- $25,183
- Depreciation
- $660,160
- Program services (functional)
- $7,441,739
- Management and general (functional)
- $886,394
- Fundraising (functional)
- $671,981
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $41,482,289
- Total assets, end of year
- $49,980,085
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $1,632,216
- Net assets, end of year
- $48,347,869
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $16,295,767
- Publicly traded securities
- $4,317,095
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $15,257,004
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $33,090,865
- Gross receipts
- $16,838,070
- Employees
- 112
- Volunteers
- 150
- Year formed
- 1974
- State of legal domicile
- OR
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 June 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DANA WHITELAW PHD | PRESIDENT, E Officer | 50 | $146,420 | $25,367 |
| KEVIN SMYTH | CFO Officer | 45 | $114,204 | $11,031 |
| NELSON E MATHEWS | BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBERT BRUNOE | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| ROMY MORTENSEN | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| KEVIN G PALMER | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVE BAIOCCHI | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHERINE BLOOMFIELD | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| TUCKER BOUNDS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| CARSON G CAMPBELL | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHRYN COLLINS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| J NED DEMPSEY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| ALI DIETZ | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| BART EBERWEIN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL FARDELLA | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 5 | $0 | $0 |
17 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARY FAULKNER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 5 | $0 |
| SHARON GUECK | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 5 | $0 |
| RYAN J HAGEMANN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 5 | $0 |
| MARIA HALL | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 5 | $0 |
| ANDREW N JORDAN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 5 | $0 |
| CONNIE KEARNEY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 5 | $0 |
| JOHN LEWIS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 5 | $0 |
| JULIE A MILLER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 5 | $0 |
| JOSH NEWTON | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 5 | $0 |
| PETER C RICHTER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 5 | $0 |
| JUSTIN SNYDER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 5 | $0 |
| PHYLLIS SWINDELLS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 5 | $0 |
| TERRY VALESKI | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 5 | $0 |
| CHRISTINE VERNIER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 5 | $0 |
| LESLIE WELDON | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 5 | $0 |
| BILLY WILLIAMS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 5 | $0 |
| RICHARD C WININGER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 5 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 35 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DANA WHITELAW PHD | PRESIDENT, E Officer | 60 | $145,484 | $13,430 |
| KEVIN SMYTH | CFO Officer | 50 | $77,348 | $4,713 |
| NELSON E MATHEWS | BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| KEVIN G PALMER | FINANCE CHAI Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| GARY K CUTLER | GOVERNANCE C Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| SHARON GUECK | DEVELOPMENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CAMERON M KERR | COLLECTION C Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHERINE BLOOMFIELD | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| TUCKER BOUNDS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBERT BRUNOE | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CARSON G CAMPBELL | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHRYN C COLLINS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JN DEMPSEY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ALI DIETZ | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MARY FAULKNER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| RYAN J HAGEMANN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CAROLINE M HALL | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PETER J HALL | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MARGARET M HEATER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ANDREW N JORDAN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CONNIE KEARNEY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JULIE A MILLER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ROMY MORTENSEN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JOSH NEWTON | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PETER C RICHTER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| STEVE L SHROPSHIRE | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSAN V SKALSKI | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JUSTIN SNYDER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PHYLLIS SWINDELLS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| THOMAS M TRIPLETT | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| TERRY VALESKI | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRISTINE VERNIER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BILLY WILLIAMS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| RICHARD C WININGER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MIKE HOLLERN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2023: 38 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DANA WHITELAW PHD | PRESIDENT, E Officer | 60 | $176,189 | $17,428 |
| JONATHAN VEDELLI | CFO, COO Officer | 50 | $130,221 | $11,621 |
| HEATHER VIHSTADT | DEVELOPMENT Highest-paid employee | 40 | $107,769 | $12,139 |
| NELSON MATHEWS | BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| KEVIN G PALMER | FINANCE CHAI Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| GARY K CUTLER | GOVERNANCE C Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| SHARON GUECK | DEVELOPMENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CAMERON KERR | COLLECTION C Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MARILYN BEEM | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| TUCKER BOUNDS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| GRETCHEN BROOKS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBERT BRUNOE | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHRYN C COLLINS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JN DEMPSEY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ALI DIETZ | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JIM FRANZEN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| RYAN HAGEMANN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PETER J HALL | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CAROLINE M HALL | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| GAIL HAYES-DAVIS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MARGARET HEATER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ANDREW JORDAN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CONNIE KEARNEY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ALBERT KENNEDY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JULIE A MILLER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| RANDY MILLER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ROMY MORTENSEN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DON PATERSON | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PETER RICHTER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| STEVE SHROPSHIRE | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSAN SKALSKI | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JUSTIN SNYDER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ANDREA STREEDAIN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PHYLLIS SWINDELLS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| TOM TRIPLETT | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| TERRY VALESKI | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BILLY WILLIAMS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| RICHARD C WININGER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 59800 S HIGHWAY 97, BEND, OR 97702-7962
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- DANA WHITELAW PHD, 59800 SOUTH HIGHWAY 97, BEND, OR 97702
- Signed the 990
- DANA WHITELAW PHD, PRESIDENT, EXEC. DIR
- Phone
- (541) 382-4754
- Website
- WWW.HIGHDESERTMUSEUM.ORG
- Return prepared by
- JONES & ROTH PC
Mission
THE HIGH DESERT MUSEUM WILDLY EXCITES AND RESPONSIBLY TEACHES THROUGH INNOVATION, INTERDISCIPLINARY EXPERIENCES, CREATING CONNECTION TO AND DIALOGUE ABOUT THE HIGH DESERT.
Program accomplishments
- EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITS AND ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO INTERPRET AND MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC INFORMATION ON THE CULTURAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE ARID INTERMOUNTAIN WEST.Expenses $7,441,739 · revenue $4,300,341
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 June, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 30, 2026 | November 16, 2026 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | June 30, 2025 | November 17, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | June 30, 2024 | November 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 51-0179336
- 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
- 1976
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Arts, culture and humanities (A560)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $49,980,085
- Income (IRS master file)
- $16,838,070
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | $16,576,322 | $9,000,114 | $49,980,085 | XML |
| 990 | June 2024 | $12,190,842 | $8,389,114 | $41,482,289 | XML |
| 990 | June 2023 | $13,589,414 | $7,709,109 | $36,931,857 | XML |
| 990 | June 2022 | $11,931,465 | $7,950,725 | $30,811,320 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 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 51-0179336).
Questions about THE HIGH DESERT MUSEUM
- What is the EIN of THE HIGH DESERT MUSEUM?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of THE HIGH DESERT MUSEUM is 51-0179336.
- Is THE HIGH DESERT MUSEUM tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1976.
- Are donations to THE HIGH DESERT MUSEUM tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does THE HIGH DESERT MUSEUM 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 THE HIGH DESERT MUSEUM due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending June 30, 2026) is due November 16, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did THE HIGH DESERT MUSEUM last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended June 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of THE HIGH DESERT MUSEUM?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names DANA WHITELAW PHD.
- Who are the officers and directors of THE HIGH DESERT MUSEUM?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 32 people; 2 received compensation from the organization, the highest $146,420 (DANA WHITELAW PHD, PRESIDENT, E).
- How much revenue does THE HIGH DESERT MUSEUM have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $16,576,322, expenses of $9,000,114 and total assets of $49,980,085 at year end.
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- CASCADES THEATRICAL COMPANY EIN 93-0718913 · last filed 990 for 2025
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- SKEPTOID MEDIA INC EIN 26-3788260 · last filed 990 for 2024
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All nonprofits in BEND · Oregon · Arts, culture and humanities