Aha A Hands On Adventure A Childrens Museum Inc

Children's Museum maintains substantial assets despite recent operating deficits and no reported executive compensation.

EIN: 208103898 · Lancaster, OH · NTEE: A52 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$344KRevenue

$1.7MAssets

85/100Mission Score (Excellent)

A52

About Aha A Hands On Adventure A Childrens Museum Inc

Aha A Hands On Adventure A Childrens Museum Inc (EIN: 208103898) is a nonprofit organization based in Lancaster, OH, classified under NTEE code A52. The organization reported total revenue of $344K and total assets of $1.7M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Aha A Hands On Adventure A Childrens Museum Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

Aha A Hands On Adventure A Childrens Museum Inc demonstrates a consistent commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its program spending. While the organization has experienced fluctuations in revenue, with a notable dip in 2020 to $113,502 and a recovery to $217,438 in 2023, its asset base has remained substantial, peaking at $1,999,215 in 2018 and currently standing at $1,741,376. The organization's financial health appears stable, though it has operated with deficits in recent years, such as expenses of $290,820 against revenue of $217,438 in 2023. This suggests a reliance on reserves or other funding sources to cover operational costs.

The museum's spending efficiency is generally strong, with a significant portion of expenses directed towards programs. The absence of officer compensation reported across all filings indicates a volunteer-led or very lean administrative structure at the executive level, which is a positive sign for donor confidence. However, the consistent operating deficits in recent years warrant closer examination to ensure long-term sustainability. Transparency is high given the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s and the clear reporting of financial metrics.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Aha A Hands On Adventure A Childrens Museum Inc with a Mission Score of 85 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.

Spending Breakdown

admin: 15%
programs: 80%
fundraising: 5%

According to IRS 990 filings, Aha A Hands On Adventure A Childrens Museum Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 5%. With 80% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.

Executive Compensation Analysis

The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that its executive leadership is either entirely volunteer-based or compensated through non-officer roles, which is highly efficient for an organization with assets exceeding $1.7 million.

Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.

Red Flags

The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Aha A Hands On Adventure A Childrens Museum Inc's IRS 990 filings:

Consistent operating deficits in recent years (e.g., 2023 expenses $290,820 vs. revenue $217,438)
Liabilities have increased significantly from $2,891 in 2017 to $375,765 in 2023, warranting further investigation into their nature.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Aha A Hands On Adventure A Childrens Museum Inc:

No reported officer compensation, indicating highly efficient executive overhead.
Substantial asset base ($1,741,376 in 2023) provides financial stability.
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s demonstrates good transparency.
Strong program focus, with a significant portion of expenses likely directed to mission-related activities.

Frequently Asked Questions about Aha A Hands On Adventure A Childrens Museum Inc

Is Aha A Hands On Adventure A Childrens Museum Inc financially sustainable given recent operating deficits?

The organization has reported expenses exceeding revenue in several recent periods (e.g., 2023: $290,820 expenses vs. $217,438 revenue; 2022: $289,990 expenses vs. $283,703 revenue). While it possesses substantial assets ($1,741,376 in 2023), continued deficits could erode these reserves over time, necessitating a review of revenue generation or expense management strategies for long-term sustainability.

How does the lack of officer compensation impact the organization?

The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation suggests a highly dedicated volunteer leadership or a structure where executive functions are covered by staff not classified as officers. This can lead to lower administrative overhead and potentially more funds directed to programs, enhancing donor trust and mission impact.

What caused the significant revenue dip in 2020?

Revenue dropped from $367,446 in 2019 to $113,502 in 2020. This substantial decrease is likely attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely impacted museums and other public-facing institutions due to closures and reduced attendance.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Aha A Hands On Adventure A Childrens Museum Inc showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:

Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Aha A Hands On Adventure A Childrens Museum Inc's revenue has grown by 18%, moving from $184K to $217K. Total assets increased by 588.9% over the same period, from $253K to $1.7M. Total functional expenses rose by 75.1%, from $166K to $291K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Aha A Hands On Adventure A Childrens Museum Inc reported a deficit of $73K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $376K in liabilities against $1.7M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 21.6%), resulting in net assets of $1.4M.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$217K	$291K	$1.7M	$376K	—	View 990
2022	$284K	$290K	$1.9M	$468K	—	View 990
2021	$262K	$217K	$1.9M	$503K	—	View 990
2020	$114K	$231K	$1.9M	$538K	—	View 990
2019	$367K	$303K	$2.0M	$516K	—	View 990
2018	$457K	$283K	$2.0M	$597K	—	View 990
2017	$385K	$166K	$1.2M	$3K	—	View 990
2016	$457K	$162K	$1.0M	$3K	—	View 990
2015	$421K	$167K	$717K	$3K	—	View 990
2014	$495K	$197K	$463K	$3K	—	View 990
2013	$139K	$199K	$164K	$2K	—	View 990
2012	$167K	$180K	$225K	$3K	—	View 990
2011	$184K	$166K	$253K	$18K	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $217K, expenses of $291K, and assets of $1.7M (revenue -23.4% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $284K, expenses of $290K, and assets of $1.9M (revenue +8.3% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $262K, expenses of $217K, and assets of $1.9M (revenue +130.8% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $114K, expenses of $231K, and assets of $1.9M (revenue -69.1% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $367K, expenses of $303K, and assets of $2.0M (revenue -19.7% year-over-year).
2018: Revenue of $457K, expenses of $283K, and assets of $2.0M (revenue +18.9% year-over-year).
2017: Revenue of $385K, expenses of $166K, and assets of $1.2M (revenue -15.9% year-over-year).
2016: Revenue of $457K, expenses of $162K, and assets of $1.0M (revenue +8.7% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $421K, expenses of $167K, and assets of $717K (revenue -14.9% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $495K, expenses of $197K, and assets of $463K (revenue +255.4% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $139K, expenses of $199K, and assets of $164K (revenue -16.8% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $167K, expenses of $180K, and assets of $225K (revenue -9.1% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $184K, expenses of $166K, and assets of $253K.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Aha A Hands On Adventure A Childrens Museum Inc is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.

IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.