Quick charity verification for Explore & More A Childrens Museum (EIN: 161441078)
Verdict: Explore & More A Childrens Museum appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$5.0MRevenue
$13.9MAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits since 2020 (e.g., 2023 revenue $3,074,275 vs. expenses $3,998,922)
Significant decline in assets from peak in 2019 ($23,720,560) to 2023 ($12,343,221)
Strengths
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating strong financial stewardship regarding executive pay.
Significant reduction in liabilities from $8,446,224 in 2019 to $729,337 in 2023, improving balance sheet health.
History of substantial revenue generation in certain periods (e.g., $8,229,516 in 2019, $5,842,061 in 2017) suggesting strong fundraising capabilities for specific projects.
Spending Breakdown
How Explore & More A Childrens Museum allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
5%
Fundraising
Within typical range
How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.
How to Interpret This Report
What Red Flags Mean
Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.
What Mission Score Measures
The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.
Using This Data for Donation Decisions
Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Explore & More A Childrens Museum
Is Explore & More A Childrens Museum a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Explore & More A Childrens Museum (EIN: 161441078) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Explore & More A Childrens Museum a good charity to donate to?
Explore & More A Childrens Museum has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $5.0M. Assets: $13.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Explore & More A Childrens Museum?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Explore & More A Childrens Museum is 161441078. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.
What is a Mission Score?
The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.
How does Explore & More A Childrens Museum spend its money?
Explore & More A Childrens Museum allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Explore & More A Childrens Museum's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Explore & More A Childrens Museum's tax-exempt status using EIN 161441078 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.
AI Transparency Report
Explore & More A Childrens Museum demonstrates a mixed financial picture. While the organization has consistently reported zero officer compensation, indicating good transparency regarding executive pay, its financial health has shown some volatility. Revenue in 2023 was $3,074,275, which was less than its expenses of $3,998,922, resulting in a deficit. This trend of expenses exceeding revenue has been consistent since 2020, suggesting potential operational challenges or significant investment periods. The organization's assets have also seen a decline from a peak of $23,720,560 in 2019 to $12,343,221 in 2023, while liabilities have decreased from $8,446,224 in 2019 to $729,337 in 2023, which is a positive sign for its balance sheet health. The significant fluctuations in revenue and assets over the past decade, particularly the large revenue spikes in 2019 and 2017, suggest periods of major capital campaigns or specific project funding, followed by more stable, albeit sometimes deficit-ridden, operational years. Further detail on program spending breakdown would enhance the assessment of spending efficiency.