MAINFRAME STUDIOS

EIN: 461637111 501(c)(3) Arts, Culture & Humanities

DES MOINES, IA

Total Revenue
$1,662,532
Total Expenses
$1,982,601
Total Assets
$9,808,236
Net Assets
$9,553,336
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Financial Vulnerability Assessment (Tuckman-Chang)

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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
2012
Legal Domicile
IA
Principal Officer
JOHN MCGOWAN
Phone
5152164253
Tax Period
2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31

MAINFRAME STUDIOS, founded in 2012, is a community nonprofit in the Arts, Culture & Humanities sector that reported $1.7M in total revenue in fiscal year 2024. Revenue grew 9% year-over-year, indicating healthy expansion. Expenses of $2.0M exceeded revenue, resulting in a 19% operating deficit.

Mission

Mainframe Studios is a financially self-sustaining nonprofit providing affordable workspaces to advance equity and opportunities in the arts. It is the largest nonprofit art studio building in the nation.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $1,695,484 Revenue: $1,435,742

In 2024, Mainframe completed its second full year operating at 99% capacity. Creative workspaces are used by over 200 artists and 8 arts related nonprofits. Mainframe maintained a wait list of over...

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In 2024, Mainframe completed its second full year operating at 99% capacity. Creative workspaces are used by over 200 artists and 8 arts related nonprofits. Mainframe maintained a wait list of over 85 applicants. Income from affordable rents generated enough revenue to cover operating costs. An additionl 4650 square foot event rental space provides a place for weddings, conferences, workshops, corporate parties and fundraisers to rent for a rental fee. Our second floor common area serves as a learning space where professional development sessions are regularly offered to help artists and their small businesses thrive. In June 2024, Mainframe took over management of Studio 108 to provide flexible arts and culture education space that is used for K-12 art field trips. The space is rented to dance groups on evenings and weekends to generate additional rental income and address community needs.

Program 2
Expenses: $26,539 Revenue: $0

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 2,400 attendees each month with over...

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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 2,400 attendees each month with over 14,000 people attending. That accounts for a sizable community impact and a total of 176,000 visitor experiences each year. The festive, free First Friday Studio events feature a unique and new experience for audiences each month. These include exhibitions in 4 gallery spaces, arts activities, and special guests and performances relating to 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. Artists/tenants open their studios to connect with new customers and community members to help further their careers and artistic practices. Artists/tenants also develop and lead professional development sessions each week to improve business skills and accelerate their careers. Artists/tenants helped redesign the website to promote Mainframe, their studios and classes, and public events. Mainframe also self publishes a bi-annual studio director and gift guide that includes stories about our artists and partners.

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Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

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Financial Overview (2024)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $213,364
Program Service Revenue $1,435,742
Investment Income $7,972
Other Revenue $5,454
TOTAL REVENUE $1,662,532

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $0
Salaries & Benefits $213,502
Fundraising Expenses $10,674
Program Expenses $1,722,023
Other Expenses $1,769,099
TOTAL EXPENSES $1,982,601

Year-over-Year Comparison

2024 2023 Change
Revenue $1,662,532 $1,527,994 +0.1%
Expenses $1,982,601 $2,009,905 0.0%
Net Income $-320,069 $-481,911 -0.3%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Governance

Voting Members
9
Independent Members
9
Employees
4
Volunteers
13

Governance Policies

Conflict of Interest Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

Operated a School
Operated a Hospital
Provided First Class Travel
Reported Conflict of Interest
Reported Asset Diversion
Excess Benefit Transaction
Made Political Expenditures
Engaged in Lobbying
Operated Donor Advised Fund
Maintained Art Collections
Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
4
$0
Total Directors
9
$0
Key Employees
1
$0
Highest Compensated
0
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
John McGowan President 10.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Sarah Young Vice President 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Michael Trettin Treasurer 3.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Jill Wells Secretary 0.50
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Justin Mandelbaum Director 0.25
Director
$0 $0 $0
David Schmitz Director 0.25
Director
$0 $0 $0
Meredith Hubbell Stahl Director 0.25
Director
$0 $0 $0
Dr Kelly Baum Director 0.25
Director
$0 $0 $0
Gretchen Bohling Director 0.25
Director
$0 $0 $0
Jeff Chelesvig Director 0.25
$0 $0 $0
Julia Franklin-Jones Executive Director 50.00
Key Emp
$0 $0 $0
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2025 No data No data No data No data
2024 $1,662,532 $1,982,601 $9,808,236 $-320,069
2023 $1,527,994 $2,009,905 $10,125,236 $-481,911
2022 $3,251,639 $1,559,009 $10,836,605 $1,692,630
2021 $1,124,336 $1,257,441 $8,963,700 $-133,105
2020 $3,646,448 $924,730 $9,188,448 $2,721,718
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