Is Mid America Science Museum Legit? —…

Strengths

Strong revenue recovery post-2020, reaching $2,551,332 in 2023.
Robust and stable asset base, consistently above $7.5 million.
Very low liabilities, indicating excellent financial management and minimal debt.
Expenses generally align with or are below revenue in recent periods, suggesting efficient operations.
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating a potential commitment to directing funds to mission.

Spending Breakdown

How Mid America Science 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

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 Mid America Science Museum

Is Mid America Science Museum a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Mid America Science Museum (EIN: 202129318) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Mid America Science Museum a good charity to donate to?

Mid America Science Museum has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $4.1M. Assets: $7.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Mid America Science Museum?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Mid America Science Museum is 202129318. 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 Mid America Science Museum spend its money?

Mid America Science Museum allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Mid America Science Museum's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Mid America Science Museum's tax-exempt status using EIN 202129318 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

Mid America Science Museum demonstrates a fluctuating but generally positive financial trajectory in recent years. After a significant dip in revenue during the 2020 fiscal period ($779,031), likely due to the pandemic, the organization has shown strong recovery, with revenue reaching $2,551,332 in 2023. Expenses have remained relatively stable, hovering around $2 million annually, indicating consistent operational costs. The museum's assets have also remained robust, consistently above $7.5 million, with a peak of $9.7 million in 2017, suggesting a solid financial foundation. Liabilities are consistently low, indicating good financial management and minimal debt burden.

The organization's spending efficiency appears reasonable, with expenses generally aligning with or slightly below revenue in recent periods, leading to positive net assets. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $2,483,827 against revenues of $2,551,332. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a notable aspect of their transparency, suggesting that top leadership may be volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as 'officer compensation' on the 990, which warrants further investigation for a complete picture. However, based on the provided data, it indicates a commitment to directing funds towards the organization's mission rather than high executive salaries.

Overall, Mid America Science Museum appears to be a financially stable organization with a good track record of managing its assets and liabilities. The recovery in revenue post-2020 is a strong indicator of resilience and community support. The consistent 0% officer compensation is a positive sign for transparency, though a deeper dive into overall compensation structures would provide even greater clarity on how resources are allocated.

Is Mid America Science Museum Legit?

Verdict: Mid America Science Museum appears trustworthy

Red Flags