Explore & More A Childrens Museum
Explore & More A Childrens Museum faces consistent operating deficits despite declining liabilities and zero reported officer compensation.
EIN: 161441078 · Buffalo, NY · NTEE: A520 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Explore & More A Childrens Museum Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Explore & More A Childrens Museum directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Explore & More A Childrens Museum
Explore & More A Childrens Museum (EIN: 161441078) is a nonprofit organization based in Buffalo, NY, classified under NTEE code A520. The organization reported total revenue of $5.0M and total assets of $13.9M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Explore & More A Childrens Museum's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Explore & More A Childrens 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, Explore & More A Childrens 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.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating a strong commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries.
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 Explore & More A Childrens Museum's IRS 990 filings:
- 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
The following positive indicators were identified for Explore & More A Childrens Museum:
- 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.
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) some concerns. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Explore & More A Childrens Museum spend its money?
Explore & More A Childrens Museum directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Explore & More A Childrens Museum tax-deductible?
Explore & More A Childrens Museum is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 161441078). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is Explore & More A Childrens Museum financially stable?
The museum has experienced operating deficits since 2020, with expenses exceeding revenue. For example, in 2023, expenses were $3,998,922 against revenues of $3,074,275. While liabilities have significantly decreased, the ongoing operational deficits suggest a need for improved revenue generation or cost management to achieve long-term financial stability.
How has the organization's asset base changed over time?
The organization's assets peaked at $23,720,560 in 2019 and have since declined to $12,343,221 in 2023. This could indicate the utilization of assets for operational needs or the completion of major capital projects.
What is the trend in liabilities?
Liabilities have shown a positive trend, decreasing significantly from $8,446,224 in 2019 to $729,337 in 2023, indicating improved financial leverage and reduced debt burden.
Does the organization pay its officers?
Based on the available IRS 990 filings, Explore & More A Childrens Museum consistently reports 0% officer compensation, indicating that no salaries are paid to its officers.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Explore & More A Childrens Museum showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Explore & More A Childrens Museum's revenue has grown by 593.1%, moving from $444K to $3.1M. Total assets increased by 5226.7% over the same period, from $232K to $12.3M. Total functional expenses rose by 1046.8%, from $349K to $4.0M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Explore & More A Childrens Museum reported a deficit of $925K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $729K in liabilities against $12.3M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 5.9%), resulting in net assets of $11.6M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $3.1M | $4.0M | $12.3M | $729K | — | — |
| 2022 | $2.8M | $3.3M | $14.0M | $1.5M | — | — |
| 2021 | $2.4M | $3.4M | $16.2M | $3.2M | — | — |
| 2020 | $1.9M | $3.4M | $19.5M | $5.7M | — | — |
| 2019 | $8.2M | $3.3M | $23.7M | $8.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $4.5M | $1.3M | $16.0M | $5.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $5.8M | $870K | $9.6M | $2.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $1.3M | $1.1M | $2.3M | $149K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $1.2M | $1.2M | $2.0M | $108K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $2.5M | $1.2M | $2.0M | $53K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $534K | $805K | $695K | $39K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $1.3M | $498K | $996K | $41K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $444K | $349K | $232K | $45K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $3.1M, expenses of $4.0M, and assets of $12.3M (revenue +8.6% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $2.8M, expenses of $3.3M, and assets of $14.0M (revenue +19.8% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $2.4M, expenses of $3.4M, and assets of $16.2M (revenue +23.9% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $3.4M, and assets of $19.5M (revenue -76.8% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $8.2M, expenses of $3.3M, and assets of $23.7M (revenue +81.3% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $4.5M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $16.0M (revenue -22.3% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $5.8M, expenses of $870K, and assets of $9.6M (revenue +343.9% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $2.3M (revenue +9.5% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $2.0M (revenue -51.5% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $2.5M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $2.0M (revenue +364.6% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $534K, expenses of $805K, and assets of $695K (revenue -57.9% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $498K, and assets of $996K (revenue +185.5% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $444K, expenses of $349K, and assets of $232K.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Explore & More A Childrens 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.