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Passes our checks

Talcott Mountain Science Center for Student Involvement Inc

EIN 06-0860469 · Avon, CT

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak20 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

INSPIRING TODAY'S CHILDREN TO INVENT TOMORROW.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
-7.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 60%
Employees
69
Volunteers
35
Highest pay
$142,042, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 20 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 179% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 32% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (2)
  1. $961,293 spent. THE TALCOTT MOUNTAIN SCIENCE CENTER PROVIDES STEM EDUCATION THROUGH OUTREACH PROGRAMS TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACROSS CONNECTICUT, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR EDUCATORS, AND WEEKEND, VACATION, AND SUMMER PROGRAMS SERVING STUDENTS IN GRADES K-12. THE SCIENCE CENTER WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND PARTNERS WITH SCIENCE-RICH INSTITUTIONS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. IT IS A MEMBER OF THE CONNECTICUT SCIENCE SUPERVISORS ASSOCIATION, THE CONNECTICUT SCIENCE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION, AND THE EARTH SCIENCE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION, AND IS A NATIONAL GLOBE PARTNER.
  2. $1.3 million spent. TALCOTT MOUNTAIN ACADEMY IS A PRIVATE INDEPENDENT DAY SCHOOL SERVING GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS IN GRADES K-8 AND REPRESENTS THE CENTER'S PRIMARY SOURCE OF OPERATING REVENUE THROUGH TUITION AND RELATED FEES. SINCE 1983, TMA HAS OFFERED AN INTEGRATED CURRICULUM EMPHASIZING SCIENCE, MATH, AND STEM WHILE UNIQUELY INCORPORATING LIBERAL AND FINE ARTS. THE DIVERSE STUDENT BODY IS RACIALLY AND CULTURALLY MIXED WITH A STUDENT-TO-TEACHER RATIO OF LESS THAN 8:1, PREPARING INTELLECTUALLY ENGAGED YOUNG PEOPLE FOR A FULL AND PRODUCTIVE LIFE IN A TECHNOLOGICALLY ORIENTED WORLD.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1970.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.