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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: March 2026 Expires: March 2028

Brucemore

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
7 16
(319) 362-7375
2160 Linden Drive Southeast
Cedar Rapids, IA, 52403
https://brucemore.org/
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Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Brucemore does not meet the following 2 Standards for Charity Accountability:

Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.

Brucemore does not meet this Standard because:

  • The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.

Standard 16 (Annual Report)
Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.

Brucemore does not meet this Standard because the organization's 2025 annual report did not include:

  • A financial summary for the year ended March 31, 2025.

Brucemore meets the remaining 18 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to inspire community interaction with history, preservation, and the arts."

Year, State Incorporated:
1981, IA

Brucemore states that it works to preserve the Brucemore Estate and history of its 1880s mansion with six other historic structures, 26 acres of gardens and grounds, and other artifacts and objects of historical significance. The estate’s core programs include historic preservation, guided educational tours, artistic exploration, and outdoor activities in its public gardens. Brucemore's Artisan Studio program supports Iowa’s artistic community by mentoring emerging artists, partnering with nonprofit organizations, and hosting live events ranging from music, poetry, theatre, and dance.

For the year ended March 31, 2025, Brucemore's program expenses were:

Museum and community cultural center $1,433,048
Total Program Expenses $1,433,048

Chief Executive
David Janssen, Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*
$132,830

Chair of the Board
Lisha Coffey

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
President, Travero

Board Size
14

Paid Staff Size
18

*2024 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Membership appeals, Workplace Giving

Fundraising costs were 5% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $2,414,249, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on Brucemore's audited financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2025.

Source of Funds
Grant income $1,766,736
Investment income $347,192
National Trust Endowment income $269,044
Unrealized and realized gain on investments, net $210,461
Contributions $146,344
Membership dues $143,902
Event income $105,382
In-kind contributions $88,223
Miscellaneous income $85,186
Tour revenue $68,760
Special property use $5,653
Museum store income, net $3,497
Total Income $3,240,380

Programs: 80% Fundraising: 7% Administrative: 13%

Total Income $3,240,380
Total expenses: $1,786,473
  Program expenses $1,433,048
  Fundraising expenses $124,811
  Administrative expenses $228,614
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $1,453,907
Beginning Net Assets $19,429,743
Other Changes In Net Assets $-317,864
Ending Net Assets $20,565,786
Total Liabilities $173,096
Total Assets $20,738,882

Note 1: Noted in the above financial section, "other changes in net assets" refers to a change in beneficial interest in assets held by a community foundation ($39), loss on disposal of leasehold improvements and equipment (-$9,253), and collection expenses and items purchased but not capitalized (-$308,650).

Note 2: According to Brucemore's audited financial statements in the year ended March 31, 2025, the organization received in-kind contributions totaling $88,223 in the form of professional services ($81,891), and supplies and products ($6,332).

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

RELATED CONTENT

Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance