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NELSON MUSEUM OF THE WEST

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Plain text NELSON MUSEUM OF THE WEST. furp.org, nonprofit organization profile, tax years 2020–2025. https://furp.org/org/830320528. Retrieved 2026-10-21.

APA furp.org. (n.d.). NELSON MUSEUM OF THE WEST [Nonprofit organization profile; tax years 2020–2025]. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://furp.org/org/830320528

MLA “NELSON MUSEUM OF THE WEST.” furp.org, tax years 2020–2025, https://furp.org/org/830320528. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

Retrieved 2026-10-21; covers tax years 2020–2025. Data: furp.org, CC BY 4.0.

2025 · Form 990 · revenue $77K · expenses $50K · assets $1.9M

EIN
83-0320528
Address
1714 CAREY AVE, CHEYENNE, WY 82001-4420
Website
www.nelsonmuseum.com
NTEE code
A50
Subsection
501(c)(3)
Ruling year
1998
Cross-check
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer

Mission

The mission of the Nelson Museum of the West is to build an important collection of Military, Cowboy and Native American artifacts, Western Art and Natural History material and to share this collection with the public in a way to educate them as to the history of the Old West.

Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).

People paid by the organization

None of the 10 people listed on these returns reported compensation from the organization. They are listed below.

Officers and directors, no compensation reported

10 people listed on the returns with $0 (or no amount) in every compensation column: current people first. Hours are as filed on the latest return each person appears on.

NameLatest titleYearsHrs/wk (latest)CompensationOrganizations
Robert Todd Nelson Director2020-2025 1 $0 reported 1
Jerry Johnston Director of Military Affairs and Vice President2020-2025 2 $0 reported 1
Bob Baker Director of Volunteers2020-2025 5 $0 reported 1
Bob Mathews Chairman of Local Events2020-2025 2 $0 reported 1
Charla Nelson Director of Scholarships and Publicity and Secretary2020-2025 3 $0 reported 1
Elizabeth Nelson Treasurer2021-2025 4 $0 reported 1
Vicky Nelson Director2022-2025 2 $0 reported 1
Aaron Wagner Director2022-2025 1 $0 reported 1
Bruce Moats (former) Legal Counsel2020-2022 0 $0 reported 1
Elizabeth Nelso (former) Treasurer2020 2 $0 reported 1

People by year

2025 · 9 people listed · none paid · 1 employee · 6 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Robert Nelson President and Chief Executive Officer30 $0$0$0 $01
Jerry Johnston Director of Military Affairs and Vice President2 $0$0$0 $01
Bob Baker Director of Volunteers5 $0$0$0 $01
Bob Mathews Chairman of Local Events2 $0$0$0 $01
Charla Nelson Director of Scholarships and Publicity and Secretary3 $0$0$0 $01
Elizabeth Nelson Treasurer4 $0$0$0 $01
Robert Todd Nelson Director1 $0$0$0 $01
Vicky Nelson Director2 $0$0$0 $01
Aaron Wagner Director1 $0$0$0 $01
2024 · 9 people listed · none paid · 4 employees · 10 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Robert Nelson President and Chief Executive Officer24 $0$0$0 $01
Jerry Johnston Director of Military Affairs and Vice President2 $0$0$0 $01
Bob Baker Director of Volunteers5 $0$0$0 $01
Bob Mathews Chairman of Local Events2 $0$0$0 $01
Charla Nelson Director of Scholarships and Publicity and Secretary3 $0$0$0 $01
Elizabeth Nelson Treasurer4 $0$0$0 $01
Robert Todd Nelson Director1 $0$0$0 $01
Vicky Nelson Director2 $0$0$0 $01
Aaron Wagner Director1 $0$0$0 $01
2023 · 9 people listed · none paid · 4 employees · 20 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Robert Nelson President and Chief Executive Officer24 $0$0$0 $01
Jerry Johnston Director of Military Affairs5 $0$0$0 $01
Bob Baker Director of Volunteers15 $0$0$0 $01
Bob Mathews Chairman of Local Events2 $0$0$0 $01
Charla Nelson Director of Scholarships and Publicity3 $0$0$0 $01
Elizabeth Nelson Treasurer4 $0$0$0 $01
Robert Todd Nelson Director1 $0$0$0 $01
Vicky Nelson Director1 $0$0$0 $01
Aaron Wagner Director1 $0$0$0 $01
2022 · 10 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 15 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Robert Nelson President and Chief Executive Officer24 $0$0$0 $01
Jerry Johnston Director of Military Affairs10 $0$0$0 $01
Bob Baker Director of Volunteers10 $0$0$0 $01
Bob Mathews Chairman of Local Events2 $0$0$0 $01
Bruce Moats Legal Counsel0 $0$0$0 $01
Charla Nelson Director of Scholarships and Publicity3 $0$0$0 $01
Elizabeth Nelson Treasurer4 $0$0$0 $01
Robert Todd Nelson Director1 $0$0$0 $01
Vicky Nelson Director1 $0$0$0 $01
Aaron Wagner Director1 $0$0$0 $01
2021 · 7 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 25 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Robert Nelson President and Chief Executive Officer24 $0$0$0 $01
Jerry Johnston Director of Military Affairs10 $0$0$0 $01
Bob Baker Director of Volunteers10 $0$0$0 $01
Bob Mathews Chairman of Local Events2 $0$0$0 $01
Bruce Moats Legal Counsel0 $0$0$0 $01
Charla Nelson Director of Scholarships and Publicity3 $0$0$0 $01
Elizabeth Nelson Treasurer4 $0$0$0 $01
2020 · 7 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 12 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Robert Nelson President and Chief Executive Officer24 $0$0$0 $01
Jerry Johnston Director of Military Affairs10 $0$0$0 $01
Bob Baker Director of Volunteers4 $0$0$0 $01
Bob Mathews Chairman of Local Events2 $0$0$0 $01
Bruce Moats Legal Counsel0 $0$0$0 $01
Charla Nelson Director of Scholarships and Publicity2 $0$0$0 $01
Elizabeth Nelso Treasurer2 $0$0$0 $01

Highest-paid independent contractors

No independent contractors reported.

Who gave

Contributor names are not public for this form type.

Public charities filing Form 990 or 990-EZ report large donors on Schedule B, but the IRS withholds their names and addresses from public copies. Private foundations (990-PF) are different: their contributors are public.

Finances

Newest first. Each filing: its name on one row, its figures on the row beneath. Greyed filings are superseded by a later return for the same period and are left out everywhere else on this page.

RevenueExpensesAssetsNet assetsContributionsProgram revenueOfficer payEmployeesVolunteers
2025 · Form 990 period ending 2025-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$77,015$50,295 $1,855,502$1,855,502 $80,261$6,025 $016
2024 · Form 990 period ending 2024-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$88,332$57,465 $1,828,782$1,828,782 $84,147$8,421 $0410
2023 · Form 990 period ending 2023-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$66,421$79,562 $1,797,915$1,797,915 $66,119$9,015 $0420
2022 · Form 990 period ending 2022-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$97,766$30,727 $1,811,056$1,811,056 $100,035$7,350 $0015
2021 · Form 990 period ending 2021-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$154,992$24,861 $1,744,017$1,744,017 $177,675$7,766 $0025
2020 · Form 990 period ending 2020-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$58,361$93,125 $1,613,886$1,613,886 $55,214$2,968 $0012

Funders of this organization

3 grantors reported grants to this organization, $50,250 in all, tax years 2019 to 2022. Exact: the grantor wrote this organization's EIN. Fuzzy: the grantor wrote only a name (foundations' 990-PF has no EIN field), matched to the same or a near-identical name in the same state; the name as filed is shown. From the latest return for each grantor and year, so amended returns aren't counted twice. CSV

GrantorTypeMatchYears givenGrantsTotalLatest yearLatest year's amountGrants
DAYTON FOUNDATION DAF sponsor Fuzzy filed as “NELSON MUSEUM OF THE WEST” 2020 1$25,000 2020$25,000
show
MARY H STORER FOUNDATION Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “NELSON MUSEUM OF THE WEST” 2019 1$25,000 2019$25,000
show
JOANNIDES FAMILY FOUNDATION Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “NELSON MUSEUM OF THE WEST” 2022 1$250 2022$250
show

Similar organizations

Ranked without any AI: same NTEE code first, then the same NTEE group; then revenue within 2x, 5x or 10x; then the same state; then similar name and mission text. Same state only · More (100)

OrganizationStateNTEELatest revenueLatest expensesTop-paid titleTop payWhy similar
HAMSFORK MUSEUMWYA50 $94,336$23,432 TREASURER$0 Same NTEE code A50, revenue within 2x, same state, similar mission
HOOFPRINTS OF THE PASTWYA50 $84,833$74,316 DIRECTOR$8,848 Same NTEE code A50, revenue within 2x, same state
ROCKPILE MUSEUM ASSOCIATIONWYA50 $111,634$84,302 TREASURER$0 Same NTEE code A50, revenue within 2x, same state
MESSENGERS OLD WEST MUSEUMWYA50 $137,079$508 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code A50, revenue within 2x, same state
BIG HORN BASIN DINOSAUR AND GEOSCIENCE MUSEUMWYA50 $72,402$14,528 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code A50, revenue within 2x, same state
WIND RIVER CULTURAL CENTERS FOUNDATIONWYA50 $45,254$10,860 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code A50, revenue within 2x, same state
CENTRAL WYOMING CHILDRENS CENTER FOR ART TECHNOLOGY & SCIENCEWYA50 $92,292$60,715 DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code A50, revenue within 2x, same state
VETERANS HISTORY MUSEUM OF THE CAROLINASNCA50 $91,721$54,476 President$0 Same NTEE code A50, revenue within 2x, similar mission
FRIENDS OF NEVADA STATE MUSEUM LAS VEGASNVA50 $55,158$63,733 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code A50, revenue within 2x, similar mission
SIERRA MONO MUSEUMCAA50 $57,981$75,757 President$0 Same NTEE code A50, revenue within 2x, similar mission
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICANCOVERLET INCPAA50 $99,794$68,611 CURATOR & MU$9,923 Same NTEE code A50, revenue within 2x
THE SANCTUARY MUSEUM INCOHA50 $99,252$96,017 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code A50, revenue within 2x
PIONEER OIL MUSEUM OF NEW YORK INCNYA50 $123,071$77,638 Executive$0 Same NTEE code A50, revenue within 2x
FRIENDS OF THE BAKER HERITAGE MUSEUMORA50 $85,500$86,788 President$0 Same NTEE code A50, revenue within 2x
OMD MUSEUMCAA50 $90,260$99,102 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER$0 Same NTEE code A50, revenue within 2x
JEWISH MUSEUM OF FLORIDA INCFLA50 $114,962$355,993 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & SECRETARY$20,665 Same NTEE code A50, revenue within 2x
BALLOON MUSEUM INCNCA50 $95,000$75,075 EXECUTIVE DI$66,667 Same NTEE code A50, revenue within 2x
THE TOY MUSEUM OF NYNYA50 $61,146$80,835 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$11,919 Same NTEE code A50, revenue within 2x, similar name
NEW MUSEUM OF PORTSMOUTH INCNHA50 $125,250$244,103 CHAIR$0 Same NTEE code A50, revenue within 2x
MUSEUM OF THE COURAGEOUS INCNYA50 $40,644$56,428 CEO$30,000 Same NTEE code A50, revenue within 2x
KOSHARE INDIAN MUSEUM INCCOA50 $89,322$112,369 MANGER$50,000 Same NTEE code A50, revenue within 2x, similar mission
INDIANA MUSEUM OF ARTINA50 $62,500$40,000 TREASURER$0 Same NTEE code A50, revenue within 2x
SALTY DOG MUSEUMOHA50 $112,038$110,185 BOARD MEMBER$0 Same NTEE code A50, revenue within 2x
MUSEUM OF HOUNDS AND HUNTING NORTH AMERICA INCVAA50 $129,059$152,304 Treasurer$0 Same NTEE code A50, revenue within 2x
WILDERNESS WILDLIFE MUSEUMPAA50 $58,785$72,431 CHAIRMAN THRU OCTOBER$0 Same NTEE code A50, revenue within 2x

Who funds organizations like this

Grantors that funded the 100 most similar organizations. Ranked by total given to them. Foundations (990-PF) and donor-advised fund sponsors only. Same matching as Funders above (by EIN, or by name for foundations).

GrantorTypeTotal givenGrantsOrganizations fundedYearsWhich ones
DOROTHY FIELDER BROWN IRREVOCABLE TR Private foundation$1,044,1445 12019–2025 MUSEUM OF BROADCAST COMMUNICATIONS
BLUE GRASS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC DAF sponsor$692,45116 12010–2024 BLUEGRASS HERITAGE MUSEUM INC
PENNSYLVANIA AUTOMOTIVE ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$635,00016 12010–2025 PA MUSEUMS
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND DAF sponsor$431,63028 112016–2024 C GRIER BEAM TRUCK MUSEUM; MUSEUM OF PUBLIC RELATIONS; JEWISH MUSEUM OF FLORIDA INC; LAKES REGION MODEL TRAIN MUSEUM and 7 more
GREATER MIAMI JEWISH FEDERATION DAF sponsor$375,86115 12009–2024 JEWISH MUSEUM OF FLORIDA INC
DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING DAF sponsor$327,30019 112014–2024 INDIANA MUSEUM OF ART; BIG HORN BASIN DINOSAUR AND GEOSCIENCE MUSEUM; GUNTERSVILLE MUSEUM & CULTURAL CENTER ASSOCIATION; NEW MUSEUM OF PORTSMOUTH INC and 7 more
1440 VENTURES FOUNDATION Private foundation$301,0002 12023–2024 MCCORMICK SCHOOL MUSEUM INC
AMERICAN ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$220,0002 22024–2024 HEART OF TEXAS COUNTRY MUSIC MUSEUM INC; THE FRIENDS OF THE NORTH CAROLINA MARITIME MUSEUM AT SOUTHPORT
WYOMING COMMUNITY FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$194,6212 12023–2024 HAMSFORK MUSEUM
RAYMOND JAMES CHARITABLE ENDOWMENT FUND DAF sponsor$162,0005 22019–2023 THE FRIENDS OF THE NORTH CAROLINA MARITIME MUSEUM AT SOUTHPORT; WESTERN SKY AVIATION WARBIRD MUSEUM INC
LONGHILL CHARITABLE FOUNDATION INC Private foundation$130,0006 12020–2025 WHARTON STUDIO MUSEUM
GREATER CINCINNATI FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$126,0003 12017–2019 SALTY DOG MUSEUM
NATIONAL MACHINERY FOUNDATION INC Private foundation$125,75017 12011–2022 AMERICAN CIVIL WAR MUSEUM OF OHIOINC
THE AYCO CHARITABLE FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$125,0002 12019–2024 LAKES REGION MODEL TRAIN MUSEUM
JUNEAU COMMUNITY FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$110,0002 12015–2017 FRIENDS OF THE ALASKA STATE LIBRARY ARCHIVES AND MUSEUM

The full list · all similar organizations

Where the money went

Every expense line on each return, biggest first: Form 990 Part IX (with its program, management and fundraising columns), 990-EZ Part I, or 990-PF Part I. Event marks lines the organization itself describes as events. “Events” in each summary adds those lines, conferences and meetings, and the direct costs of fundraising events. Unusual is not the same as improper. Many of these patterns have ordinary explanations. Check the filing.

2025 · Form 990 · $50,295 spent · pay $31,329 · grants $2,600 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Other salaries and wages $28,179$28,179$0$0 56.0%
Office expenses $5,413$5,413$0$0 10.8%
Insurance $4,719$0$4,719$0 9.4%
Payroll taxes $3,150$3,150$0$0 6.3%
Grants to US individuals $2,600$2,600-- 5.2%
Advertising and promotion $2,321$2,321$0$0 4.6%
Occupancy $1,236$852$384$0 2.5%
Fees: accounting $1,175$0$1,175$0 2.3%
Payments to affiliates $754$0$754$0 1.5%
Fees: other services $748$448$300$0 1.5%
Total$50,295100%

View the filing

2024 · Form 990 · $57,465 spent · pay $34,339 · grants $2,280 · events $78
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Other salaries and wages $31,127$31,127$0$0 54.2%
Royalties $7,713$7,713$0$0 13.4%
Office expenses $6,153$6,153$0$0 10.7%
Advertising and promotion $3,780$3,780$0$0 6.6%
Payroll taxes $3,212$3,212$0$0 5.6%
Grants to US individuals $2,280$2,280-- 4.0%
Fees: accounting $2,050$0$2,050$0 3.6%
Payments to affiliates $646$0$646$0 1.1%
Fees: other services $222-$222$0 0.4%
Information technology $204$204$0$0 0.4%
Conferences, conventions and meetings $78$0$78$0 0.1%
Total$57,465100%

View the filing

2023 · Form 990 · $79,562 spent · pay $38,675 · grants $2,340 · events $10
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Other salaries and wages $35,048$35,048$0$0 44.1%
Occupancy $17,845$17,845$0$0 22.4%
Advertising and promotion $6,539$6,539$0$0 8.2%
Insurance $4,719$0$4,719$0 5.9%
Office expenses $4,193$4,193$0$0 5.3%
Payroll taxes $3,627$3,627$0$0 4.6%
Fees: accounting $2,919$0$2,919$0 3.7%
Grants to US individuals $2,340$2,340-- 2.9%
Payments to affiliates $1,103$0$1,103$0 1.4%
Fees: other services $750$0$750$0 0.9%
Information technology $409$409$0$0 0.5%
Other (as described)Secretary of State Filing Fee $60$0$60$0 0.1%
Conferences, conventions and meetings $10-$10$0 0.0%
Total$79,562100%

View the filing

2022 · Form 990 · $30,727 spent · pay $0 · grants $1,840 · events $69
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Insurance $11,482$11,482$0$0 37.4%
Office expenses $7,060$7,060$0$0 23.0%
Occupancy $6,355$6,355$0$0 20.7%
Advertising and promotion $3,593$3,593$0$0 11.7%
Grants to US individuals $1,640$1,640-- 5.3%
Grants to US organizations and governments $200$200-- 0.7%
Information technology $175$175$0$0 0.6%
All other expenses $100$0$100$0 0.3%
Conferences, conventions and meetings $69-$69$0 0.2%
Fees: accounting $41$0$41$0 0.1%
Travel $12$0$12$0 0.0%
Total$30,727100%

View the filing

2021 · Form 990 · $24,861 spent · pay $0 · grants $2,160 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Office expenses $7,407$7,407$0$0 29.8%
Insurance $4,290$4,290$0$0 17.3%
Occupancy $3,531$3,531$0$0 14.2%
Advertising and promotion $3,361$3,361$0$0 13.5%
Other (as described)IRS Penalty $2,941$0$2,941$0 11.8%
Grants to US individuals $2,160$2,160-- 8.7%
Other (as described)Dues $1,086$0$1,086$0 4.4%
Other (as described)Secretary of State Filings $85$0$85$0 0.3%
Total$24,861100%

View the filing

2020 · Form 990 · $93,125 spent · pay $0 · grants $1,820 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Fees: other services $66,544$66,544-- 71.5%
Insurance $8,630$8,630-- 9.3%
Occupancy $8,352$8,352-- 9.0%
Office expenses $4,811$4,811-- 5.2%
Grants to US individuals $1,820$1,820-- 2.0%
Advertising and promotion $1,735$1,735-- 1.9%
Other (as described)Dues $1,208$1,208$0$0 1.3%
Other (as described)Secretary of State Filing $25$25$0$0 0.0%
Total$93,125100%

View the filing