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North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum

Surf Ballroom & Museum

Learn about this cause: What are the reviews? Is it Legit? Do I like the mission? What is the CEO's salary?

EIN: 261160215 ✦ Clear lake, IA ✦ Designated as a 501(c)(3)

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Overview

What is North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum?

The North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum, located in Clear Lake, Iowa, is a dedicated nonprofit organization focusing on preserving and showcasing the historical Surf Ballroom. Their mission involves operating and maintaining the venue while providing numerous educational programs to visitors and fans, emphasizing various music genres, particularly big band and rock and roll music. Through their efforts, they aim to educate generations about music's development during the last century. The organization employs an education director who conducts workshops, classes, and special events, as well as offering piano and guitar lessons. They also provide tours, seminars, and musical programs for the public, showcasing music performed at the Surf Ballroom and throughout America. In 2022, they hosted motorcoach tours, welcomed museum visitors, and organized concerts with an estimated attendance of over 27,000. The Music Enrichment Center, a primary feature of the Surf Ballroom, offers hands-on learning opportunities to students through the Instrument Petting Zoo, guitar and piano lessons, and music therapy sessions. Collaborations with local educational institutions further expand their reach and impact. By providing engaging, interactive educational programs, the North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum fosters a love for music and history, inspiring generations through the power of music.


Official website here: www.surfballroom.com

What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?

Rating from Charity Navigator: 81% (Three-Star out of Four Star rating)

The North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum has received an 81% rating, reflecting a solid performance primarily in accountability and finance. The charity boasts a high program expense ratio of approximately 93%, indicating that a significant portion of its funding is directed toward its mission-driven activities rather than administrative costs. Furthermore, the organization has a fully independent board and has implemented essential governance policies, contributing positively to its accountability score.

The organization demonstrates a strong commitment to transparency, having no material diversion of assets and maintaining listed policies for conflict of interest and whistleblower protections. The presence of detailed board meeting minutes further enhances its accountability measures. Overall, these strengths highlight the nonprofit's dedication to responsible management and effective use of resources.

However, while the accountability and finance aspects are well-covered, the overall score is based solely on this one beacon, which may limit insights into other operational facets such as program impact and community engagement. This means potential donors and supporters might want to seek additional information about the museum's programs and outcomes to assess the full scope of its effectiveness.


This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.

Is North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum legitimate?

North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.


Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:

Executive Compensation: $96,487
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $302,034

For more financial information, click here


Official website here: www.surfballroom.com

What is the mission statement of North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum?

The North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum's mission is centered around providing cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities. They achieve this by operating a museum, employing an education director for educational programs, and hosting various tours, seminars, and musical programs. The museum collects, archives, and preserves musical artifacts for future generations, conducts educational programs, and provides numerous tours and musical programs for the public. They also offer music enrichment programs, including an instrument petting zoo, music lessons, and music therapy, reaching out to schools and students in the area. The center strives to share the story of the historic Surf Ballroom and inspire generations through music.


Official website here: www.surfballroom.com

Who is the CEO of North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum?

Laurie Lietz is the Executive Di of North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum.


Official website here: www.surfballroom.com

What is the revenue of North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum?

North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum's revenue in 2022 was $2,060,715.


Official website here: www.surfballroom.com

Who are the executives of North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum and what are their salaries?

The average compensation at North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum during 2022 was $6,038. There are 66 employees and 150 volunteers at North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum.


Here are 5 key members and their salaries:


Laurie Lietz (Executive Di)
  • Compensation: $96,487
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Shane Cooney (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Jeff Nicholas (President)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Dale Snyder (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Paul Stevenson (Sec/Treas)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0


Official website here: www.surfballroom.com

Where can I find the form 990 for North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum?

North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.


Official website here: www.surfballroom.com

Learn more at the official website: www.surfballroom.com

Mission Statement of North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum

The North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum, as an organization, is committed to providing cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities. Its mission is to preserve and share the history of music, with a particular focus on big band and rock and roll, through various programs and initiatives. The center achieves this mission in several ways.

Firstly, the North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum operates a museum where it collects, archives, and preserves musical artifacts for future generations. This allows individuals to understand and appreciate the evolution of music over the past century. The center also employs an education director who conducts educational programs both at the museum and in the local community. These programs include classroom visits, school tours, piano and guitar lessons, summer programming, and special events.

Secondly, the center provides numerous tours, seminars, and musical programs for the public. These events demonstrate the music performed at the center and in America during the past 65+ years. The North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum is also home to the Music Enrichment Center, which provides engaging, hands-on, lifelong learning opportunities to students of all ages in the greater North Iowa area. The center offers programs such as the Instrument Petting Zoo, where students can gain hands-on experience with various instruments, and music therapy sessions for children and adults.

In addition, the North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum strives to use its platform to provide individuals with ample educational and cultural opportunities. It offers continuing education classes in partnership with North Iowa Area Community College, and it has developed beneficial partnerships with various community organizations. The center's educational outreach facility has allowed it to bring music education to the community in diverse ways.

In summary, the North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of music, providing educational programs and experiences, and using its platform to offer individuals ample opportunities for lifelong learning and cultural enrichment.

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Impact




October, 2024

The North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum significantly enriches the community by providing cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities centered around music. By operating and preserving the historical Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, the center attracts a diverse audience and plays a pivotal role in celebrating and promoting various music genres, particularly big band and rock and roll.

One of the center's remarkable impacts is its educational programming. With initiatives like the "Rave On" curriculum and the Music Enrichment Center, it fosters an appreciation for music history among students. In 2022 alone, outreach efforts reached over 1,660 students through on-site and classroom programs, underscoring the center's commitment to music education. The classroom visits, summer programs, and special events not only teach students about important figures in music history, like Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens, but also engage them through hands-on experiences.

The Instrument Petting Zoo, a unique initiative allowing students to interact with various instruments, reached nearly 550 students and cultivated a passion for music by demystifying the instruments and fostering creativity. Music therapy programs, which serve both children and adults, offer therapeutic outlets through music, helping individuals achieve various cognitive and social goals.

The center also strengthens community ties through partnerships with local libraries, schools, and other organizations. These collaborations enhance educational outreach and offer platforms for residents to participate in and share their talents through classes, workshops, and events.

Moreover, the Surf Ballroom serves as a vibrant venue for concerts and special events, hosting over 31 performances in 2022 alone and drawing thousands of visitors from both the states and abroad. This not only enriches the local cultural landscape but also boosts tourism, making Clear Lake a hub for musical heritage and cultural engagement.

In summary, the North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum makes a profound impact on the region by preserving music history, providing educational programs, promoting community engagement, and creating opportunities for lifelong learning, ultimately inspiring future generations through the power of music.




This information is meant to be a general summary of North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.


Financials

This financial information is from Propublica.

Revenue
$2,060,715 (2022)
Expenses
$2,031,424 (2022)
Efficiency

Other financial information:

This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2022.

  • Investment Income: $27
  • Program Service Revenue: $1,879,342
  • Gross Receipts: $2,120,799

Assets and Liabilities:

  • Total Assets: $3,125,237
  • Total Liabilities: $696,126
  • Net Assets: $2,429,111

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Programs

Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.

ADMISSIONS AND MERCHANDISE

Revenue

$1,817,805

LEGACY CLUB

Revenue

$61,537

Organization Details

Founding Year

2007

Principal Officer

Laurie Lietz

Main Address

460 NORTH SHORE DRIVE, CLEAR LAKE, IA, 50428

NTEE Category

Code: A20 - Arts

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