Sarah Axelson Operations Manager/Marketing Communications + Design | Official Website
Sarah Axelson Operations Manager/Marketing Communications + Design | Official Website
This appropriation represents state-level funding authorized by lawmakers, reflecting what was approved in the budget, not necessarily disbursed. The funds cover only State of Illinois support and exclude federal, local, or other public sources.
Founded in 1913, Rockford Art Museum states that its mission is: “The mission of Rockford Art Museum is to foster creativity and build community through visual arts.”
You can learn more about the organization at its website.
In its most recent IRS Form 990 filing filing for tax year 2024, the organization reported $764,649 in total revenue. Of that, $332,505 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 43.5% of total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $595,806 in contributions overall. It also reported $162,152 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, Rockford Art Museum had $10,488,600 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $10,810,400, indicating a 3.1% growth in overall holdings.
According to its filing, public funding to Rockford Art Museum surged in the last year. The group received $82,200 in government grants in 2023, compared to $332,505 in 2024—an increase of 304.5% year-over-year.
However, a Chicago City Wire analysis found that IRS filings frequently contain discrepancies when compared with publicly disclosed government grant reports and budgets.
Rockford Art Museum is one of hundreds of nonprofits across Illinois that receive substantial support from state taxpayers while also fundraising privately.
In 2025, Illinois lawmakers introduced House Bill 1266, also known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Act. The proposal would create a new oversight body within the Office of the Auditor General tasked with identifying cost-saving measures, reviewing agency performance, and advising on audit priorities. If passed, DOGE could bring additional scrutiny and performance evaluation to taxpayer-funded organizations.
According to ProPublica, Illinois has more than 78,000 active tax-exempt organizations, including nearly 60,000 classified as charitable nonprofits. In their most recent IRS filings, these groups reported a combined revenue exceeding $156 billion.
| Term | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2024 | Anne C Boccignone | Support Grou |
| 2024-2024 | Carrie Johnson | Executive Di |
| 2024-2024 | Dana C Martin | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Daniel G Saavedra | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | David M Boccignone | Past Preside |
| 2024-2024 | Donald Zwiefelhofer | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Gregory Harlan | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Holly Squicciarini | Secretary |
| 2024-2024 | Jack Wheeler | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | James Robert Bennett | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Jerry R Kortman | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | John Holevas | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Jordan Robert Calgaro | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Keri Benhoff | President |
| 2024-2024 | Lisa Lindman | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Matthew Herbig | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Richard Behr | Trustee Emer |
| 2024-2024 | Rob Funderburg | Trustee Emer |
| 2024-2024 | Stephen M Pitkin | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Steven J Bois | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Todd Fischer | Trustee |
| Year | Name | Title | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Linda Kay Dennis | Executive Director | - |
| 2024 | Sabrina Tassoni | Store Associate | - |
| 2024 | Scott Prine | Chairman, Greenwich Village Art Fair | - |
| 2018 | Aimee L Floto | Executive Director | - |
| 2014 | Gerald Vernon Abitz | Graphic Art Coordinator | - |
| 2012 | Leslie A Arbetman | Adjunct Art Instructor | - |
| 2012 | Samantha A Ryan | Graphic Design Intern | - |
| 2010 | Jennifer R Licary | Design Intern | - |
| 2001 | Jessica A Fichtner | Museum Assistant | - |
| 1998 | Catherine Marie Christensen | Public Relations Director | - |
| - | Carrie Breitbac | Education Director | - |
| - | Carrie Breitbach | Education Director | - |
| - | Jerry Abitz | Graphic Art Coordinator | - |
| - | Jessica J. Caddell | Curator | - |
| - | Jessica J. Caddell | Curator | - |
| - | Joshua Jones | Registrar | - |
| - | Joshua Jones | Registrar | - |
| - | Linda Dennis | Executive Director | - |
| - | Linda Dennis | Executive Director | - |
| - | Melissa Seipel | Graphic Art Director | - |
| - | Nancy E. Sauer | Office Manager | - |
| - | Nancy E. Sauer | Office Manager | - |
| - | Sarah Bursley Mcnamara | Community Relations Coordinator | - |
| - | Sarah Bursley Mcnamara | Community Relations Coordinator | - |
| - | Stacey Sauer | Education Coordinator | - |
| - | Stacey Sauer | Education Coordinator | - |
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