National Indo American Museum

What it reported doing in 2025

The National Indo-American Museum (NIAM) is the repository of the Indian American narrative. NIAM serves as a hub for the entire spectrum of the Indian American experience, keeping its stories alive and relevant, using fresh and innovative ways to connect with audiences. NIAM engages generations of visitors of all communities in exploring the rich cultural heritage, long immigrant history and important contemporary developments that shape the lives of millions of Americans of Indian origin. Documenting, collecting and sharing the evolving Indian American story, NIAMs exhibitions, programs and publications nurture appreciation for the commonalities that bring together people of diverse ethnicities. Using its stories to advocate for justice, diversity and tolerance, NIAM changes the concept of museums as passive receptacles for the past to one of museums as active forces for the better in their communities.Outreach Programs:------------------Ethnic Dialogue programs attract hundreds of school and university students, and adult groups each year. First voice presenters open a window into the life of the community, and explore common ground shared by Americans of all ethnicities. Programs are tailored to interests of your group and can be conducted off site or at our Living Museum the Devon Avenue ethnic marketplace. NIAMs Gandhi Peace Program began with the goal of bringing Mahatma Gandhis peace and non-violence teachings to underprivileged schools in Chicago. As 2019 was the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhi, the program came to fruition at a meaningful time. The program was celebrated by the Indian Consulate that year in the historic Swami Vivekananda room at the Art Institute of Chicago. The curriculum caters to Grades 2-5 and encompasses Gandhis incredible story but also teaches children the practice of meditation along with an art and writing component.The Ralla Klepak Foundation presents Cultural Rhythms Program specifically to introduce Indian American identity and our classical and folk dances to underprivileged kids enrolled in Chicago Public Schools and schools in the neighboring suburbs. The program is delivered at local schools to give them the opportunity to experience Indian dance styles from the convenience of their own space. In addition there is an initial lecture on the Indian American subcontinent and geography and the session wraps up with enjoying the vast Indian cuisine. Its our philosophy that this program doesnt just teach students about Indian culture but experience it themselves.Arts Programs:--------------Sunday Arts Series is a program designed to showcase various artists and art forms. This program links to NIAMs mission by maintaining, sustaining, and promoting the rich cultural history embedded in Indian Arts.Livewire is NIAMs open mic monthly program where everyone is welcome to share their talent. Performers include professional and amateur storytellers, singers, songwriters, actors and poets. While the spotlight is on a featured performer, anyone eager to engage with the audience or recount an anecdote is encouraged to take the stage. A Taste of India provides an insiders tour of Indian flavors and spices, accompanied by a specially prepared tasting of choice dishes and delicacies that explore the diversity of Indias regional cuisines.Exhibitions:------------Desi Roots and Wings defines Desi Americans and the circumstances that led them to leave their motherland through photos, clothing, objects, and stories. Spanning more than 375 years, the exhibit opens with Roots, which narrates the little-known history of those who arrived from 1620 to World War I and documents their struggles to adapt and assimilate. These new immigrants participated in American wars and fought for freedom. Desi Roots and Wings includes the Beyond Bollywood exhibit developed in conjunction with the Smithsonian, NIAM, The Field Museum and Chicago Community Trust. The traveling exhibit now has a permanent home at the National

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 100%; rating input score 100
• Program expense ratio: 87.3%; rating input score 87
• Fundraising efficiency: $25.82 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 70; 70th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 3 of 7 controls in place; rating input score 43
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -149.2%; rating input score 14; 14th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 17.58; rating input score 78; 78th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0; rating input score 66; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 0%; rating input score 58; 58th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -11.5% per year; rating input score 0; 25th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: -33.4% per year; rating input score 0; 12th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 17.2% per year; rating input score 100; 87th percentile among comparable filings