Childrens Discovery Museum
Childrens Discovery Museum shows significant growth in revenue and assets, alongside increasing liabilities.
EIN: 10437848 · Waterville, ME · NTEE: A520 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $543K |
| Total Expenses | $414K |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| Net Assets | $99K |
| Transparency Score | 75/100 |
Is Childrens Discovery Museum Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Childrens Discovery Museum directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Childrens Discovery Museum
Childrens Discovery Museum (EIN: 10437848) is a nonprofit organization based in Waterville, ME, classified under NTEE code A520. The organization reported total revenue of $543K and total assets of $1.1M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Childrens Discovery Museum's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Childrens Discovery Museum is a small nonprofit that has been operating for 36 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 14.1%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $481K |
| Total Expenses | $414K |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$67K |
| Total Assets | $777K |
| Total Liabilities | $678K |
| Net Assets | $99K |
| Operating Margin | 13.9% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 87.3% |
| Months of Reserves | 22.5 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Childrens Discovery Museum reported a surplus of $67K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 22.5 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 87.3% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Childrens Discovery Museum's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.1%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +116.4% | +36.7% | +1.1% |
| 2022 | +11.5% | +56.4% | -5.7% |
| 2021 | -9.1% | +29.9% | +14.6% |
| 2020 | -14.2% | -26.0% | +1681.2% |
| 2019 | +68.4% | +6.0% | +715.5% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1990 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Childrens Discovery Museum with a Mission Score of 75 out of 100 (Good). 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, Childrens Discovery Museum 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.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a surplus of $67K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 87.3%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that its leadership is entirely volunteer-based or compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation, which is a strong positive for directing funds to its mission.
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 Childrens Discovery Museum's IRS 990 filings:
- High liabilities relative to assets, particularly in recent years (e.g., 2023 liabilities of $678,181 against assets of $777,011), which could indicate significant debt burden or restricted funds.
- Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided data makes a precise assessment of spending efficiency difficult.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Childrens Discovery Museum:
- Consistent revenue growth over the past decade, from $126,404 in 2014 to $480,697 in 2023.
- Significant asset growth, indicating expansion or capital investment.
- 0% officer compensation reported across all filings, suggesting volunteer leadership and efficient use of funds.
- Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, demonstrating transparency.
Frequently Asked Questions about Childrens Discovery Museum
Is Childrens Discovery Museum a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Childrens Discovery Museum (EIN: 10437848) some concerns. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Childrens Discovery Museum spend its money?
Childrens Discovery Museum directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Childrens Discovery Museum tax-deductible?
Childrens Discovery Museum is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 10437848). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Childrens Discovery Museum's spending goes to programs?
Childrens Discovery Museum directs 80% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Childrens Discovery Museum compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 75/100 (Good), Childrens Discovery Museum is above average for NTEE category A520 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Childrens Discovery Museum located?
Childrens Discovery Museum is headquartered in Waterville, Maine and files with the IRS under EIN 10437848. It is classified under NTEE code A520.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Childrens Discovery Museum have?
Childrens Discovery Museum has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends. The most recent filing shows $543K in total revenue.
What caused the significant increase in assets and liabilities between 2019 and 2020?
Between 2019 and 2020, assets jumped from $39,904 to $710,759, and liabilities increased from $2,093 to $602,868. This suggests a major capital event, such as the acquisition of a new facility or significant capital improvements, likely financed through debt or restricted grants.
How does the organization manage its high level of liabilities?
In 2023, liabilities stood at $678,181 against assets of $777,011. While the specific management strategy isn't detailed, this high ratio suggests a significant portion of assets are financed by debt or restricted funds, requiring careful financial planning and cash flow management.
What is the primary source of the organization's revenue growth?
Revenue has grown from $126,404 in 2014 to $480,697 in 2023. While the specific sources are not detailed in the provided data, this substantial increase likely comes from a combination of increased donations, grants, program fees, or successful fundraising campaigns.
Is the organization financially stable given its liabilities?
While the organization has significant liabilities, its consistent revenue growth and positive net assets (assets exceeding liabilities, though sometimes by a narrow margin) suggest a degree of stability. However, the high liability-to-asset ratio warrants close monitoring to ensure long-term solvency.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Childrens Discovery Museum showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Childrens Discovery Museum's revenue has grown by 388.4%, moving from $98K to $481K. Total assets increased by 8542.1% over the same period, from $9K to $777K. Total functional expenses rose by 317.9%, from $99K to $414K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Childrens Discovery Museum reported a surplus of $67K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $678K in liabilities against $777K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 87.3%), resulting in net assets of $99K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $481K | $414K | $777K | $678K | — | — |
| 2022 | $222K | $303K | $768K | $736K | — | — |
| 2021 | $199K | $194K | $815K | $701K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $219K | $149K | $711K | $603K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $255K | $201K | $40K | $2K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $152K | $190K | $5K | $21K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $154K | $134K | $27K | $5K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $132K | $128K | $5K | $2K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $134K | $127K | $350 | $1K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $126K | $138K | $24 | $11K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $117K | $118K | $5K | $4K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $105K | $111K | $5K | $3K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $98K | $99K | $9K | $1K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $481K, expenses of $414K, and assets of $777K (revenue +116.4% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $222K, expenses of $303K, and assets of $768K (revenue +11.5% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $199K, expenses of $194K, and assets of $815K (revenue -9.1% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $219K, expenses of $149K, and assets of $711K (revenue -14.2% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $255K, expenses of $201K, and assets of $40K (revenue +68.4% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $152K, expenses of $190K, and assets of $5K (revenue -1.3% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $154K, expenses of $134K, and assets of $27K (revenue +16.4% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $132K, expenses of $128K, and assets of $5K (revenue -1.5% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $134K, expenses of $127K, and assets of $350 (revenue +6.0% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $126K, expenses of $138K, and assets of $24 (revenue +8.1% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $117K, expenses of $118K, and assets of $5K (revenue +11.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $105K, expenses of $111K, and assets of $5K (revenue +6.9% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $98K, expenses of $99K, and assets of $9K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Childrens Discovery Museum:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Childrens Discovery Museum 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.