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Bergstrom-Mahler Museum reports budget shortfalls and declining revenue to council
Summary
At a council meeting, Alderman Bruno read an executive director memo saying the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass is facing reduced donations and lower program revenue; spring fund drive target is conservative and federal grant opportunities are uncertain.
Alderman Bruno reported to the council June 4 that the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass is experiencing declining donations, lower earned revenue and program participation, and uncertainty about federal grant opportunities. He read excerpts from Executive Director Amy Morfield's financial summary that said cash flow had been a concern since January 2025 and that spring fund-drive receipts were lagging prior-year levels.
The memo read at the meeting said the museum was "nearing our conservative goal of $25,000 for our spring fund drive" but noted that in the prior year the museum raised over $56,000. The report also said applications for large federal grants will not be reviewed because the agencies "have either been shuttered or are in the process of being shuttered," and that the local community foundation is prioritizing basic-needs groups, reducing the museum's grant prospects.
Alderman Bruno asked councilmembers to review the printed report and noted the museum's board is taking a cautious approach to its next year's budget in response to the revenue shortfall. No council action or funding appropriation was taken at the June 4 meeting; the report was transmitted to the council as part of committee reports.
