Mainframe Studios is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Des Moines, Iowa, registered in 2014, with $1,662,532 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it C+.
Revenue (FY2024)
$1.7M
▲ 8.8% vs prior year
Arts & Culture median: $159K
Expenses (FY2024)
$2.0M
Net assets
$9.6M
Employees
—
Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. Not scored for Mainframe Studios— this filing type doesn't report it, and the rating simply skips it (never counts it against the organization). See the exact thresholds →
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For Mainframe Studios: 58 mo reserves · -19% margin earns a C+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. Not scored for Mainframe Studios— this filing type doesn't report it, and the rating simply skips it (never counts it against the organization). See the exact thresholds →
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For Mainframe Studios: 2 of 5 disclosure signals earns a C on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Revenue declined from $3.6M (FY2020) to $1.7M (FY2024) across 5 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Operating margin
-19.3%
Spent more than it raised in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$9.8M
Total liabilities
$255K
Net assets
$9.6M
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,662,532▲8.8% | $1,982,601▼1.4% | $9,553,336▼3.2% | $9,808,236▼3.1% | 990 |
| 2023 | $1,527,994▼53.0% | $2,009,905▲28.9% | $9,873,405▼4.7% | $10,125,236▼6.6% | 990 |
| 2022 | $3,251,639▲189% | $1,559,009▲24.0% | $10,355,316▲19.6% | $10,836,605▲20.9% | 990 |
| 2021 | $1,124,336▼69.2% | $1,257,441▲36.0% | $8,660,025▼1.5% | $8,963,700▼2.4% | 990 |
| 2020 | $3,646,448 | $924,730 | $8,793,130 | $9,188,448 | 990 |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
87 grants to Mainframe Studios totaling $2.9M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community Fdn of Greater Des Moines | Operating grant cycle 2024 - first quarter payment | 2024 | $125,000 |
| Prairie Meadows Race Track & Casino Inc | First friday public programming | 2024 | $30,000 |
| Community Fdn of Greater Des Moines | Grant distribution as a passthrough gift for the benefit of mainframe studios | 2024 | $15,000 |
| Community Fdn of Greater Des Moines | Grant distribution | 2023 | $25,000 |
| Community Fdn of Greater Des Moines | Rooftop sculpture piece | 2023 | $18,000 |
| Community Fdn of Greater Des Moines | Grant distribution | 2023 | $15,000 |
| Community Fdn of Greater Des Moines | 2023 campaign | 2023 | $10,000 |
| Community Fdn of Greater Des Moines | Grant distribution $1 million match | 2022 | $250,000 |
| Community Fdn of Greater Des Moines | Grant distribution | 2022 | $100,000 |
| Community Fdn of Greater Des Moines | Cultural enrichment grant | 2022 | $42,600 |
| Community Fdn of Greater Des Moines | Grant distribution for the purpose of the alex brown residency program | 2022 | $32,819 |
| Community Fdn of Greater Des Moines | Grant distribution for purpose of alex brown residency program | 2022 | $32,096 |
| Community Fdn of Greater Des Moines | Grant distribution | 2022 | $25,000 |
| Community Fdn of Greater Des Moines | Grant distribution | 2022 | $15,000 |
| Community Fdn of Greater Des Moines | Grant distribution | 2022 | $15,000 |
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Data for Mainframe Studios (EIN 46-1637111) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.