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
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Explore & More A Childrens Museum is mapped to EIN 161441078.
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| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $5.0M |
| Total Expenses | $4.0M |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| Net Assets | $11.6M |
| Transparency Score | 75/100 |
Search Intent Cockpit
Explore & More A Childrens Museum Form 990, Revenue, CEO Pay, and IRS Filing Signals
Explore & More A Childrens Museum is surfaced here as a decision-ready nonprofit financial profile, not just a charity listing. The page consolidates IRS Form 990 revenue, expenses, assets, tax-exempt classification, executive compensation, mission score, red flags, and year-by-year filing history so donors, researchers, journalists, and grant teams can answer the common search questions around Explore & More A Childrens Museum in one place.
Form 990 Filing Summary
13 filing years are available, with latest revenue of $3.1M and expenses of $4.0M.
Revenue and Expenses
Explore & More A Childrens Museum reported $3.1M in revenue and $4.0M in expenses, a deficit of $925K.
Executive Compensation
Officer, director, trustee, and key employee pay is reviewed from IRS 990 compensation disclosures when present.
Charity Score and Red Flags
75/100 mission score, 2 red flags, and 3 strengths are shown from structured and AI review.
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 →
IRS 990 Data Cockpit
Where the Money Comes From and Where It Goes
Revenue Source Mix
Revenue-source line items are not available on the stored filing yet. Future ingestion now preserves contribution, program-revenue, and investment-income fields when ProPublica provides them.
Expense Deployment
| Program services | $3.2M (80%) |
Across stored filings, Explore & More A Childrens Museum shows contribution history pending. Next enrichment targets: revenue-source fields, IRS BMF classification.
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| Decision Lens | Signal | What to Inspect Next |
|---|---|---|
| Legitimacy | Some Concerns | Good filing record; 2 red flags identified |
| Mission spend | 80% to programs | Excellent |
| Financial durability | Grade B | 13 stored filing years |
| Peer context | Compare with Healthy Capital District Initiative | New York and Arts & Culture context |
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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.
Organization Overview
Explore & More A Childrens Museum is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 32 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 17.5%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $3.1M |
| Total Expenses | $4.0M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-924,647 |
| Total Assets | $12.3M |
| Total Liabilities | $729K |
| Net Assets | $11.6M |
| Operating Margin | -30.1% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 5.9% |
| Months of Reserves | 37.0 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Explore & More A Childrens Museum reported a deficit of $925K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 37.0 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 5.9% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Explore & More A Childrens Museum's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.5%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +8.6% | +22.7% | -12.0% |
| 2022 | +19.8% | -3.8% | -13.2% |
| 2021 | +23.9% | +0.9% | -17.2% |
| 2020 | -76.8% | +2.4% | -17.7% |
| 2019 | +81.3% | +152.0% | +48.5% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1994 |
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 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.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $925K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 5.9%.
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?
Explore & More A Childrens Museum (EIN: 161441078) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in New York. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 75/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $5.0M. 2 red flags identified. 3 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.
How does Explore & More A Childrens Museum spend its money?
Explore & More A Childrens Museum directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
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.
What percentage of Explore & More A Childrens Museum's spending goes to programs?
Explore & More A Childrens Museum directs 80% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Explore & More A Childrens Museum compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 75/100 (Good), Explore & More A Childrens 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 Explore & More A Childrens Museum located?
Explore & More A Childrens Museum is headquartered in Buffalo, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 161441078. It is classified under NTEE code A520.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Explore & More A Childrens Museum have?
Explore & More A Childrens 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 $5.0M in total revenue.
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.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Explore & More A Childrens Museum:
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.