Grand Rapids, MI

GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC MUSEUM

EIN 20-5071420

Arts, Culture & Heritage Museums & Visual Arts Children & youth

Mission

We exist to be a living monument of artifacts, ideas and stories told through exhibitions, events, and educational programming designed to inspire, motivate and celebrate our human bond.

IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) public charity Contributions are tax-deductible

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About GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC MUSEUM

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) is a long-established public museum located on the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, with roots dating to 1854. The institution operates exhibits, the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium, a carousel pavilion and a range of public programs that focus on science, history, and culture. In recent years GRPM has pursued a major capital expansion to improve riverfront access, add gallery and public spaces, and increase program capacity while continuing robust school visits, camps, and digital learning. The Museum combines in-person exhibitions with large digital collections (250,000+ artifacts and specimens) and community-facing education initiatives, including the Museum School partnership and free/affordable school programming.

Notable achievements

Major capital expansion underway

The GRPM launched the 'Expanding Curiosity' capital campaign and has raised more than $35 million toward a $50 million goal to expand galleries, public spaces, and riverfront access; the riverfront phase reached substantial completion in late 2025.

Blockbuster traveling exhibitions

The Museum hosted major traveling shows in the past two years, including 'Sharks' (summer 2025) and 'Unseen Oceans' (2026), drawing regional audiences and expanding STEM and natural history programming.

Large, accessible digital collection

GRPM has placed its collections online, providing public access to over 250,000 artifacts and specimens and supporting remote learning, research, and digital literacy initiatives.

At a glance

Total assets: $34.0M
Annual revenue: $19.8M
Tax status: 501(c)(3)Public charity
EIN: 20-5071420
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Website: www.grpm.org
On Mahalo since: September 2026

Financial figures from the IRS Business Master File, the IRS’s registry of tax-exempt organizations.

Recognition

Charity Navigator Four-Star equivalent rating (95% score) for accountability and financial transparency.

Accredited (reaccredited) by the American Alliance of Museums; among the small percentage of U.S. museums to hold AAM accreditation.

Better Business Bureau profile showing accreditation and recognition as an established public museum and community institution.

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