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Nonprofiteer
← MARGARET WOODBURY STRONG MUSEUM

Form 990 for tax year 2025

Filed by MARGARET WOODBURY STRONG MUSEUM.

Totals

Total revenue
$22,452,727
Total expenses
$23,414,705
Contributions and grants received
$12,393,864
Grants paid
$15,750
Program service revenue
$8,696,801
Investment income
$1,213,087
Other revenue
$148,975
Total assets, end of year
$255,600,614
Total liabilities, end of year
$52,043,461
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$203,557,153
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$20,325,532
Management and general expenses
$2,106,491
Fundraising expenses
$982,682
Program service expenses (Part III)
$20,325,532

Program services were 86.8% 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

    $3,071,976

  • 1c · Fundraising events

    $550,962

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $685,720

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $8,085,206

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $117,230

  • 2a · Program service revenue: ADMISSIONS

    total $6,151,397 · related or exempt $6,151,397

  • 2b · Program service revenue: AMUSEMENTS

    total $936,733 · related or exempt $936,733

  • 2c · Program service revenue: PARKING

    total $795,478 · related or exempt $734,323 · unrelated business $61,155

  • 2d · Program service revenue: EDUCATIONAL

    total $363,018 · related or exempt $363,018

  • 2f · All other program service revenue

    total $450,175 · related or exempt $450,175

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $635,872 · excluded $635,872

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $4,414,179

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

    securities $3,836,964

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $577,215

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $577,215 · excluded $577,215

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $6,431

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

    $550,962

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $185,387

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total -$178,956 · excluded -$178,956

  • 11a · Other revenue: COMMISSIONS FROM RETAIL OPERATION

    total $294,932 · related or exempt $294,932

  • 11b · Other revenue: DEACCESSION OF COLLECTION ITEMS

    total $32,999 · related or exempt $32,999

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $327,931

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $15,750 · program services $15,750

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $602,356 · management and general $602,356

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $8,142,794 · program services $6,876,059 · management and general $606,726 · fundraising $660,009

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $509,042 · program services $419,167 · management and general $55,640 · fundraising $34,235

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $883,216 · program services $830,980 · management and general $22,539 · fundraising $29,697

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $644,864 · program services $531,008 · management and general $70,486 · fundraising $43,370

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $92,979 · management and general $92,979

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $68,035 · management and general $68,035

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $30,000 · management and general $30,000

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $364,005 · program services $191,507 · management and general $139,914 · fundraising $32,584

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $974,048 · program services $974,048

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $398,562 · program services $349,167 · management and general $12,413 · fundraising $36,982

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $352,726 · program services $314,578 · management and general $21,577 · fundraising $16,571

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $1,716,024 · program services $1,678,225 · management and general $21,342 · fundraising $16,457

  • 17 · Travel

    total $83,098 · program services $58,800 · management and general $11,174 · fundraising $13,124

  • 20 · Interest

    total $2,303,121 · program services $2,024,187 · management and general $245,057 · fundraising $33,877

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $5,220,312 · program services $5,129,278 · management and general $53,382 · fundraising $37,652

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $308,325 · program services $302,948 · management and general $3,153 · fundraising $2,224

  • 24a · Other expenses: EXHIBITS

    total $514,763 · program services $514,763

  • 24b · Other expenses: MISCELLANEOUS

    total $110,212 · program services $34,594 · management and general $49,718 · fundraising $25,900

  • 24c · Other expenses: COLLECTION ACQUISITIONS

    total $80,473 · program services $80,473

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $75,328 · end of year $14,172

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $3,925,687 · end of year $2,980,856

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $5,687,379 · end of year $4,873,114

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

    $162,128,466

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

    $59,575,415

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $106,333,473 · end of year $102,553,051

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    beginning of year $128,409,324 · end of year $141,908,700

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $3,860,414 · end of year $3,270,721

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $1,729,200 · end of year $1,830,406

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $2,998,746 · end of year $2,832,276

  • 20 · Tax-exempt bond liabilities

    beginning of year $41,645,028 · end of year $38,574,378

  • 24 · Unsecured notes and loans payable

    beginning of year $8,009,010 · end of year $6,766,718

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $2,637,953 · end of year $2,039,683

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $77,423,172 · end of year $80,032,995

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $113,848,496 · end of year $123,524,158

Mission and programs · 2025

Mission

AS AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION FOCUSED ON AMERICAN CULTURAL HISTORY, THE STRONG EXPLORES PLAY IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE LEARNING, CREATIVITY, AND DISCOVERY. THE MUSEUM ACCOMPLISHES THIS THROUGH EXHIBITIONS, PROGRAMS, PUBLICATIONS, AND OTHER ACTVITIES THAT ENGAGE, ENTERTAIN AND ENLIGHTEN DIVERSE AUDIENCES, ESPECIALLY FAMILIES, CHILDREN, AND EDUCATORS.

Activities or mission (Part I)

WE STUDY AND EXPLORE PLAY TO ILLUMINATE THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE IN ALL ITS RICH DIVERSITY AND THE BROADER HUMAN STORY. THROUGH PLAY, WE ENCOURAGE LEARNING , NURTURE CREATIVITY, PROMOTE DISCOVERY, AND TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF PEOPLE OF ALL AGES.

  • EXHIBITS AND EDUCATION - AS AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION FOCUSED ON AMERICAN CULTURAL HISTORY, THE STRONG EXPLORES PLAY IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE LEARNING, CREATIVITY, AND DISCOVERY. THE MUSEUM ACCOMPLISHES THIS THROUGH EXHIBITIONS, PROGRAMS, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT ENGAGE, ENTERTAIN, AND ENLIGHTEN DIVERSE AUDIENCES, ESPECIALLY FAMILIES, CHILDREN, AND EDUCATORS. (639,386 SERVED)

    Expenses $10,844,153 · Revenue $7,901,323

  • CURATORIAL AND COLLECTIONS- TO SUPPORT THE MISSION, THE MUSEUM COLLECTS, PRESERVES, AND RESEARCHES OBJECTS, MANUSCRIPTS, AND OTHER MATERIALS THAT REFLECT AND DOCUMENT THE IMPORTANCE OF PLAY, PARTICULARLY AS IT REFLECTS AND ILLUMINATES THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE AND WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON TOYS AND OTHER ARTIFACTS RELATED TO PLAY. (639,386 SERVED)

    Expenses $3,658,110 · Grants $15,750 · Revenue $32,999

  • GUEST AND MEMBERSHIP SERVICES- TO SUPPORT THE MISSION, THE MUSEUM PLACES GREAT EMPHASIS ON GUEST SERVICES AND THE WAY IN WHICH GUESTS ARE HOSTED AND GUIDED DURING THEIR VISIT. THE MUSEUM CONSIDERS GUEST SERVICES TO BE A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF THE VISITORS' EXPERIENCE WHICH ENHANCES THEIR ABILITY TO LEARN, CREATE AND DISCOVER. (639,386 SERVED)

    Expenses $5,823,269 · Revenue $1,029,255

As filed on the 2025 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • KARTHIK BALA

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • KENNETH GLAZER

    BOARD CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • NAN HILDEBRANDT

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • REENA MEHTA

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • HILDA ROSARIO ESCHER

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DAWN WILLIAMS-FULLER

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • BONNIE ERICKSON

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • WAYDE HARRISON

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • TOM KALINSKE

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • BENJAMIN MUDRICK

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • RACHEL DEGUZMAN

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MICHAEL J CICERO

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • CARLA ENGELBRECHT EDD

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DAVID J BURNS

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • BERNARD BIRNBAUM

    IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • CECILIA GRIFFIN GOLDEN

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • AARON C NEWMAN

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • LAURA SAXBY LYNCH

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • ALEX DELMONTE

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JOY RYEN PLOTNIK ESQ

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • ERIKA J DUTHIERS

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MEE F WING

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MARTIN JARZEBOWSKI

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DEBORAH STENDARDI

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JOEL FRATER

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • ZEKE DUDA

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • STEVE M DUBNIK

    PRESIDENT/CEO

    Total calculated
    $400,759
    From this org
    $358,247
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $42,512
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $358,247
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $28,283
    Nontaxable benefits
    $14,229
    Filer's total
    $400,759

  • PETER BRIGGS

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • IRINA BENOIT

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DEBORAH BRUNDAGE

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • LEO OLEBE

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • KYLE SAYERS

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DON JAMES

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • ALEX RHEINWALD

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • KARL ROSENGREN

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • TRUDY QUARTLEY

    SVP FOR FINANCE & FACILITI

    Total calculated
    $223,435
    From this org
    $199,420
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $24,015
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $199,420
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $16,406
    Nontaxable benefits
    $7,609
    Filer's total
    $223,435

  • SARA POE

    SVP FOR MARKETING & GUEST

    Total calculated
    $177,427
    From this org
    $164,057
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $13,370
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $164,057
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $13,125
    Nontaxable benefits
    $245
    Filer's total
    $177,427

  • JON-PAUL DYSON

    SVP FOR EXHIBITS & INTERPR

    Total calculated
    $188,199
    From this org
    $156,233
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $31,966
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $156,233
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $13,125
    Nontaxable benefits
    $18,841
    Filer's total
    $188,199

  • LISA FEINSTEIN

    SVP FOR STRATEGIC PARTNERS

    Total calculated
    $226,790
    From this org
    $202,775
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $24,015
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $202,775
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $16,406
    Nontaxable benefits
    $7,609
    Filer's total
    $226,790

  • CHRIS BENSCH

    VP OF COLLECTIONS & CHIEF

    Total calculated
    $158,442
    From this org
    $140,899
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $17,543
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $140,899
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $11,484
    Nontaxable benefits
    $6,059
    Filer's total
    $158,442

  • LAURIE PHELPS

    VP FOR GUEST SERVICES & SE

    Total calculated
    $165,471
    From this org
    $135,146
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $30,325
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $135,146
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $11,484
    Nontaxable benefits
    $18,841
    Filer's total
    $165,471

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

  • 1a · Health or social club dues or initiation fees
  • 1b · Written policy on the line-1a expenses
  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 2 · Substantiation required before reimbursing expenses
  • 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
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 1A
THE MUSEUM PROVIDES A MEMBERSHIP TO THE GENESEE VALLEY CLUB FOR THE PRESIDENT/CEO. THE PRESIDENT/CEO DOCUMENTS BUSINESS USE OF THIS MEMBERSHIP TO THE MUSEUM.

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 partnerships

Part III: related organizations taxable as a partnership, with the filer's share.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2025
Filed
14 September 2026
IRS schema version
2025v4.2
Source object
202602599349300015

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