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Nonprofiteer
← ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM INC

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM INC.

Totals

Total revenue
$22,348,223
Total expenses
$27,132,312
Contributions and grants received
$9,068,333
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$6,483,228
Investment income
$4,910,039
Other revenue
$1,886,623
Total assets, end of year
$331,592,399
Total liabilities, end of year
$15,144,287
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$316,448,112
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$21,422,368
Management and general expenses
$2,947,535
Fundraising expenses
$2,762,409
Program service expenses (Part III)
$21,422,368

Program services were 79.0% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1b · Membership dues

    $1,159,763

  • 1c · Fundraising events

    $1,020,537

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $6,888,033

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $395,572

  • 2a · Program service revenue: ADMISSIONS/TOURS/LECTURES

    total $6,483,228 · related or exempt $6,483,228

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $1,875,205 · unrelated business -$158,461 · excluded $2,033,666

  • 6a · Gross rents

    real property $511,906

  • 6b · Less rental expenses

    real property $14,017

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $497,889

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $497,889 · related or exempt $310,101 · excluded $187,788

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $3,034,834

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $0

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $3,034,834

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $3,034,834 · unrelated business $3,220 · excluded $3,031,614

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $80,400

  • 8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

    $1,020,537

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $288,073

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total -$207,673 · excluded -$207,673

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $2,581,366

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $984,959

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $1,596,407 · related or exempt $1,596,407

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $1,823,269 · program services $828,413 · management and general $734,422 · fundraising $260,434

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $8,978,226 · program services $6,682,750 · management and general $1,169,027 · fundraising $1,126,449

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $412,792 · program services $321,978 · management and general $49,535 · fundraising $41,279

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $1,108,430 · program services $864,575 · management and general $133,012 · fundraising $110,843

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $950,931 · program services $741,726 · management and general $114,112 · fundraising $95,093

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $19,532 · program services $15,235 · management and general $2,344 · fundraising $1,953

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $85,150 · program services $66,417 · management and general $10,218 · fundraising $8,515

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $393,772 · program services $307,142 · management and general $47,253 · fundraising $39,377

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $2,482,117 · program services $2,057,995 · management and general $197,350 · fundraising $226,772

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $179,771 · program services $176,166 · management and general $1,600 · fundraising $2,005

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $12,173 · program services $9,495 · management and general $1,461 · fundraising $1,217

  • 15 · Royalties

    total $28,873 · program services $22,521 · management and general $3,465 · fundraising $2,887

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $1,505,137 · program services $1,414,829 · management and general $30,103 · fundraising $60,205

  • 17 · Travel

    total $263,748 · program services $217,419 · management and general $39,555 · fundraising $6,774

  • 20 · Interest

    total $202,411 · program services $190,267 · management and general $4,048 · fundraising $8,096

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $4,568,266 · program services $4,294,170 · management and general $91,365 · fundraising $182,731

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $327,739 · program services $255,636 · management and general $39,329 · fundraising $32,774

  • 24a · Other expenses: EQUIPMENT RENTAL/MAINT.

    total $578,294 · program services $567,472 · management and general $3,269 · fundraising $7,553

  • 24b · Other expenses: HONORARIA

    total $562,950 · program services $536,417 · fundraising $26,533

  • 24c · Other expenses: PRINTING & PUBLICATIONS

    total $542,657 · program services $335,345 · management and general $101,093 · fundraising $106,219

  • 24d · Other expenses: POSTAGE & SHIPPING

    total $413,062 · program services $318,159 · management and general $16,379 · fundraising $78,524

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $1,693,012 · program services $1,198,241 · management and general $158,595 · fundraising $336,176

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $18,862,786 · end of year $24,525,495

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $10,467,811 · end of year $7,817,074

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $3,661,187 · end of year $1,978,988

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $516,640 · end of year $467,040

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $351,276 · end of year $415,287

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $149,300,253

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $80,226,156

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $69,142,208 · end of year $69,074,097

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $14,547,098 · end of year $18,438,384

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    beginning of year $193,434,818 · end of year $208,229,991

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $2,604,287 · end of year $646,043

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $1,226,547 · end of year $1,180,598

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $668,594 · end of year $926,013

  • 23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable

    beginning of year $15,474,374 · end of year $12,954,394

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $1,237,132 · end of year $83,282

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $78,679,943 · end of year $83,629,409

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $216,301,521 · end of year $232,818,703

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

SEE SCHEDULE O.

  • COLLECTION 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, AND SAFEGUARD THESE WORKS FOR POSTERITY. SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS, PUBLICATIONS, AND PUBLIC PROGRAMS FEATURE NEW RESEARCH ON THE MUSEUM'S PERMANENT COLLECTION AND CATALYZE DIALOGUES THAT ADDRESS QUESTIONS OF CONTEMPORARY CULTURAL RELEVANCE.

    Expenses $15,976,662 · Revenue $6,407,940

  • 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 KNOWLEDGE TO THE MUSEUM EDUCATION FIELD. THE THINKING THROUGH ART K-12 PROGRAM, KNOWN FOR ITS EMPHASIS ON CLOSE LOOKING AND INTERPRETATION, HAS PRODUCED RESEARCH ON HOW IN-DEPTH EXPERIENCES WITH ART HELPED BOSTON STUDENTS DEVELOP SIGNIFICANTLY MORE CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS THAN STUDENTS IN CONTROL SCHOOLS WITHOUT THE PROGRAM. WORKING WITH LOCAL ARTISTS, PERFORMERS, CULTURAL LEADERS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, THE MUSEUM WORKS TO BUILD MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL RELATIONSHIPS. FIRST FREE THURSDAYS, A SUCCESSFUL EVENING PROGRAM FOR YOUNG ADULTS, HAS BECOME A MODEL FOR MUSEUMS AROUND THE COUNTRY IN ENGAGING YOUNG, LOCAL AUDIENCES. NEIGHBORHOOD SALON LUMINARIES AND STUDIO ARTIST PROGRAMS BUILD COMMUNITY WITH LOCAL ARTISTS AND CREATIVES, CONNECTING THEM WITH THE MUSEUM, THE STAFF, COLLECTION, AND RESOURCES, INFORMING FUTURE PROGRAM CO-CREATION AND ARTISTIC RESPONSES TO THE GARDNER. EXHIBITION INTERPRETATION AND PROGRAMMING FEATURE A VARIETY OF PERSPECTIVES, CREATING MULTIPLE ENTRY POINTS FOR VISITORS. THE GARDNER AMBASSADORS PAID INTERNSHIP PROVIDES PRACTICAL, COMPENSATED JOB PATHWAYS FOR LOCAL COMMUNITY AND STATE (UMASS BOSTON) COLLEGE STUDENTS, EMPHASIZING BOTH PERSONAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS GROUNDING THEIR LEARNING IN THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE.

    Expenses $2,363,648 · Revenue $941,800

  • 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, WHILE THE COMMISSIONING OF NEW WORKS CELEBRATES THE INNOVATIVE PERSPECTIVES OF CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS. THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT PRESENTS MULTIDISCIPLINARY PERFORMANCES THAT RESPOND TO THE MUSEUM'S COLLECTION AND EXHIBITIONS THROUGH DANCE, MUSIC, SPOKEN WORD, AND THEATER.

    Expenses $1,200,216 · Revenue $554,922

  • LANDSCAPE & HORTICULTURE - IN BUILDING THE MUSEUM, THE FIRST PUBLIC INSTITUTION ON THE NEWLY CONSTRUCTED BACK BAY FENS, ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER CONTRIBUTED TO A CONCEPTION OF THE CITY AS SHAPED BY LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE. THE MUSEUM REMAINS COMMITTED TO BEING A PREEMINENT CULTURAL VENUE FOR LANDSCAPE AND ITS ROLE IN THE CONTEMPORARY CITY. THE LANDSCAPE DEPARTMENT CURATES EXHIBITIONS AND CONVENES PUBLIC PROGRAMS ON TOPICS OF SOCIETAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE FOR CONTEMPORARY BOSTON. THESE PROGRAMS PRESENT OUR AUDIENCES WITH THE MOST PRESSING CHALLENGES OF THE DAY, AS WELL AS THE ROLE OF DESIGN AND PLANNING IN ADDRESSING THOSE CHALLENGES. THE MUSEUM MAINTAINS A VARIED LIVING PLANT COLLECTION, WITH MANY SPECIES DESCENDING FROM THE FOUNDER'S OWN ERA. ADDITIONALLY, THE HORTICULTURE DEPARTMENT PROPAGATES THOUSANDS OF PLANTS EACH YEAR FOR SEASONAL DISPLAYS IN ITS ICONIC COURTYARD. THE MONK'S GARDEN, HORTICULTURE WORKSHOPS, AND OTHER PROGRAMMING FURTHER BRING THE ART OF HORTICULTURE TO LIFE AS PART OF THE MUSEUM EXPERIENCE.

    Expenses $1,170,831 · Revenue $242,537

  • CONTEMPORARY ART - THE ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM IS ONE OF THE OLDEST IN THE COUNTRY, BEGINNING IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE MUSEUM WHEN GARDNER'S FRIEND JOHN SINGER SARGENT STAYED IN AN APARTMENT ON THE GROUND FLOOR. SINCE 1992 THE MUSEUM HAS INVITED ARTISTS FROM ALL CREATIVE DISCIPLINES AND BACKGROUNDS TO ONCE AGAIN STAY ON THE PREMISES TO RESEARCH, WORK AND RESPOND TO THE COLLECTION, OFFERING FRESH PERSPECTIVES ON GARDNER'S CREATION. IN 2012, THE MUSEUM AMPLIFIED ITS COMMITMENT TO THIS PROGRAM BY OPENING TWO PURPOSE BUILT APARTMENTS FOR ARTISTS IN THE NEW WING. THESE ARTISTS OFTEN RETURN MULTIPLE TIMES TO FIND INSPIRATION, TO ENJOY THE GIFT OF TIME AND TO STAY CONNECTED TO THE MUSEUM IN MEANINGFUL WAYS. THANKS TO THE NEW STRATEGIC PLAN, THE CONTEMPORARY DEPARTMENT HAS CONTINUED TO FORGE DYNAMIC NEW CONNECTIONS BETWEEN MUSEUM AUDIENCES, LIVING ARTISTS AND THE COLLECTION, WHILE EXPANDING THE FOCUS ON SPECIFIC THEMATIC EXHIBITION PROJECTS AND COMMISSIONS, WHICH CONNECT GARDNER'S TOTAL WORK OF ART TO RELEVANT ISSUES OF CONTEMPORARY CULTURE.

    Expenses $711,011 · Revenue $242,537

As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Peggy Fogelman

    NORMA JEAN CALDERWOOD DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $665,413
    From this org
    $645,902
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $19,511
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $623,402
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $22,500
    Deferred
    $9,900
    Nontaxable benefits
    $9,611
    Filer's total
    $665,413

  • Gwill York

    PRESIDENT, BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    4

  • Allison Achtmeyer

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Gregory Beecher

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Taylor Bodman

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Linda Cabot

    SECRETARY, BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Rebecca Gardner Campbell

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • James Canales

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Kate Chertavian

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • Matt Consigli

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Roann Costin

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Denise Dupre

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Chandler Evans

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Melissa Fetter

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Nancy Gardiner

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Benjamin Gomez

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Paula Johnson

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Alyce Lee

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Yuchun Lee

    TREASURER, BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Lisa Leiden

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Richard Lim

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Steve Locke

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Prashanth Mahendra-Rajah

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Farhad Nanji

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Vicki Sato

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Katherine Chapman Stemberg

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Rev Dr Gloria White-Hammond

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Clifford Rust

    CHIEF FINAN. & ADMIN. OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $287,172
    From this org
    $264,275
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $22,897
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $254,275
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $10,000
    Deferred
    $7,708
    Nontaxable benefits
    $15,189
    Filer's total
    $287,172

  • Rebecca Ehrhardt

    CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $290,120
    From this org
    $254,914
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $35,206
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $243,914
    Bonus
    $1,000
    Other
    $10,000
    Deferred
    $6,928
    Nontaxable benefits
    $28,278
    Filer's total
    $290,120

  • George Steel

    ABRAMS CURATOR OF MUSIC

    Total calculated
    $197,378
    From this org
    $161,466
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $35,912
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $160,466
    Bonus
    $1,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $4,794
    Nontaxable benefits
    $31,118
    Filer's total
    $197,378

  • Michael Holland

    DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES & CAP. PROJ.

    Total calculated
    $188,342
    From this org
    $154,995
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $33,347
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $153,995
    Bonus
    $1,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $4,851
    Nontaxable benefits
    $28,496
    Filer's total
    $188,342

  • Anthony Amore

    DIRECTOR OF SECURITY

    Total calculated
    $169,622
    From this org
    $154,317
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $15,305
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $153,317
    Bonus
    $1,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $4,643
    Nontaxable benefits
    $10,662
    Filer's total
    $169,622

  • Sherry Haber

    DIRECTOR OF RETAIL

    Total calculated
    $164,712
    From this org
    $154,971
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $9,741
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $121,389
    Bonus
    $33,582
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $118
    Nontaxable benefits
    $9,623
    Filer's total
    $164,712

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Independent compensation consultant
  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Written employment contract
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 7
IN CALENDAR YEAR 2023, SENIOR MANAGEMENT MEMBERS ELECTED AND APPROVED DISCRETIONARY BONUSES PAID TO ALL ACTIVE EMPLOYEES BASED ON EACH EMPLOYEE'S SCHEDULED HOURS.

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Taxable family on this return

Schedule R Parts I, III and IV, as filed. These record ownership and control, not shared board members or money moved.

Related corporations and trusts

Part IV: related organizations taxable as a corporation or trust.

  • CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST

    T · CHARITABLE TRUST · MA · controlled entity

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
7 May 2025
IRS schema version
2023v6.0
Source object
202531299349300818

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