New York Hall of Science
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
NYSCI'S MISSION IS TO NURTURE GENERATIONS OF PASSIONATE LEARNERS, CRITICAL THINKERS, AND ACTIVE CITIZENS THROUGH DESIGN MAKE PLAY - AN APPROACH TO LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT THAT IS DEEPLY ROOTED IN RESEARCH ON STEM LEARNING AND GUIDES THE CREATION OF LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT ENCOURAGE CRITICAL THINKING, CREATIVITY, AND AGENCY. NYSCI'S SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC AS A CULTURAL INSTITUTION THAT PROVIDES CREATIVE, PLAYFUL OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING ANCHORS AND INSPIRES ALL NYSCI'S WORK. THE INSTITUTION HAS DEVELOPED INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS TO EXTEND LEARNING FAR BEYOND THE MUSEUM WALLS, AND ITS EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF PARTNERSHIPS DEEPENS AND BROADENS ITS IMPACT, BOTH LOCALLY AND AROUND THE WORLD.
- Income
- $24.8 million
- Spending
- $28.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 3.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 53%
- Employees
- 339
- Volunteers
- 136
- Highest pay
- $374,861, interim pres. & ceo, thru 10/2024
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 15% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2535 of 35 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 (4)
- $9.0 million spent. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT: NYSCI IS A DYNAMIC LABORATORY FOR LEARNING. COLLABORATIVE TEAMS OF LEARNING SCIENTISTS, EDUCATORS, DESIGNERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS CARRY OUT AND APPLY RESEARCH TO BUILD NEW KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HOW DIVERSE LEARNERS INTERPRET AND ENGAGE WITH INFORMAL STEM LEARNING EXPERIENCES, AND HOW TO DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT INNOVATIVE, INCLUSIVE AND ENGAGING APPROACHES TO CREATIVE STEM LEARNING FOR THOSE LEARNERS. NYSCI'S RESEARCH INFORMS THE DESIGN OF OUR EXHIBITS, PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH, COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND EDUCATORS, AND OUR DIGITAL APPS AND GAMES. BEYOND NYSCI, THIS WORK IS BUILDING AN EVIDENCE BASE FOR SUCCESSFUL INFORMAL STEM EDUCATION WITH DIVERSE AUDIENCES AND CONTRIBUTING TO NATIONAL CONVERSATIONS ADVOCATING FOR INVESTMENTS IN QUALITY STEM EDUCATION FOR ALL.WITH SUPPORT THROUGH RESEARCH GRANTS FROM THE U.S. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, AND PRIVATE SUPPORTERS, NYSCI RESEARCHERS ARE INVESTIGATING TOPICS RANGING FROM HOW TO DESIGN EXHIBITS THAT ARE INVITING AND ENGAGING FOR FAMILY GROUPS FROM DIVERSE CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC BACKGROUNDS, TO TESTING THE EFFICACY OF A CIVIC SCIENCE CURRICULA AND PROFESSIONAL LEARNING TO IMPROVE SCIENCE ACHIEVEMENT OF MIDDLE GRADE STUDENTS. THIS RESEARCH HELPS NYSCI CREATE INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES AND EDUCATORS; OFFER EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNERS TO DISCOVER THE IMPACT THEY CAN HAVE ON THE WORLD AROUND THEM; DESIGN PLAYFUL, INVITING PATHWAYS INTO UNDERSTANDING COMPLEX SYSTEMS LIKE THE ENVIRONMENT, CITIES, AND DIGITAL NETWORKS; AND INSPIRE A DIVERSE GENERATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE TO PURSUE CAREERS IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH.
- $8.2 million spent. MUSEUM EXPERIENCES:NYSCI IS NEW YORK CITY'S ONLY HANDS-ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER, WELCOMING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF VISITORS ANNUALLY. IN FY25, NYSCI CONTINUED TO PROVIDE DYNAMIC, INQUIRY-BASED LEARNING EXPERIENCES THROUGH MORE THAN 200 INTERACTIVE EXHIBITIONS, ALONG WITH LARGE-SCALE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES, HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS, DESIGN LAB ACTIVITIES, MAKER SPACE PROGRAMS, AND ACADEMIC CONVENINGS THAT BRING TOGETHER EDUCATORS, RESEARCHERS, AND STEM LEADERS.NYSCI OFFERS PROGRAMS THAT SERVE LEARNERS OF ALL AGES AND LEVELS OF SCIENTIFIC INTEREST-FROM TODDLERS AND FAMILIES TO ADULT LEARNERS AND EMERGING STEM PROFESSIONALS. SIGNATURE INITIATIVES INCLUDE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY; YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND WORKFORCE PATHWAYS THAT PROVIDE PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT AND MENTORSHIP FOR HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS AS EXPLAINERS, WHO FACILITATE INTERACTIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES ON THE MUSEUM FLOOR; THE FAMILY ACCESS INITIATIVE, WHICH EXPANDS ACCESS TO INCLUSIVE PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES FOR NEURODIVERSE LEARNERS AND THEIR FAMILIES; AND THE ANNUAL STEM EXPO, WHICH CONNECTS YOUTH TO EDUCATIONAL PATHWAYS AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS.
- $4.3 million spent. EDUCATION:THE NEW YORK HALL OF SCIENCE (NYSCI) ADVANCES EDUCATIONAL EQUITY BY DESIGNING LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT ARE CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE, COMMUNITY-INFORMED, AND ACCESSIBLE TO LEARNERS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS. THROUGH STRUCTURED PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND FAMILIES AND MULTI-YEAR LEARNING PATHWAYS, NYSCI SUPPORTS THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENTIFIC LITERACY, PROBLEM-SOLVING ABILITY, COLLABORATION, AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS ESSENTIAL FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND LONG-TERM SUCCESS.AS A CONTINUING TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCATION (CTLE)-CERTIFIED PROVIDER APPROVED BY NYSED, NYSCI OFFERS CUSTOMIZED WORKSHOPS AND ON-SITE COACHING THAT EQUIP EDUCATORS WITH STEM CONTENT KNOWLEDGE, PEDAGOGICAL TOOLS, AND CURRICULUM MATERIALS ALIGNED WITH STATE AND NATIONAL STANDARDS. PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE PRE-K STEM ENRICHMENT, URBAN ADVANTAGE AND THE KERLIN EARLY CHILDHOOD STEAM INSTITUTE WITH BANK STREET COLLEGE ENABLES NYSCI TO REACH HUNDREDS OF EDUCATORS - FROM PARAPROFESSIONALS TO NEW TEACHERS EVERY YEAR.IN ADDITION TO OUR PRE-K STEM ENRICHMENT PROGRAM THAT FOCUSES ON EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNERS AND THEIR FAMILIES, ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS AND CAMPS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR THAT ARE DESIGNED TO ENGAGE THEM IN HANDS-ON INVESTIGATIONS AND INQUIRY DRIVEN LEARNING ROOTED IN REAL WORLD CONTEXTS. THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO USE LABORATORY TOOLS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES SUCH AS BRAIN COMPUTING INTERFACES TO CREATE EEG HEADSETS AND BUILD FOUNDATIONAL STEM COMPETENCIES WHILE ENCOURAGING STUDENTS TO DEVELOP SOLUTIONS TO REAL-WORLD PROBLEMS THAT MATTER TO THEM. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN CREDIT BEARING APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM TO LEARN AND PRACTICE TEACHING SCIENCE TO YOUNGER STUDENTS AT NYSCI OR OTHER DESIGNATED COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS.NYSCI ALSO WORKS CLOSELY WITH LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 24, TO ENSURE PROGRAMS REFLECT EVOLVING COMMUNITY PRIORITIES. THROUGH COORDINATED PLANNING GROUPS AND ONGOING NEEDS ASSESSMENTS, NYSCI CO-DESIGNS INITIATIVES THAT RESPOND TO SCHOOL AND FAMILY NEEDS SUCH AS PARENT ORIENTATION WORKSHOPS, EDUCATOR OPEN HOUSE EVENTS, THE DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE CURRICULA SUCH AS OUR STEAM STORIES AND STEAMPLAY ACTIVITY GUIDES. A STANDING FAMILY ADVISORY COMMITTEE COMPOSED OF LOCAL PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS PROVIDES REGULAR INPUT TO GUIDE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND INSTITUTIONAL PRACTICES.
- $2.0 million spent. EACH YEAR APPROXIMATELY 100 YOUNG PEOPLE PARTICIPATE IN NYSCI'S SIGNATURE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, THE SCIENCE CAREER LADDER. ON AVERAGE, EXPLAINERS WORK AT NYSCI FOR 2.25 YEARS AS MUSEUM FACILITATORS, FOSTERING FUN AND INCLUSIVE STEM LEARNING BY RECOGNIZING AND GUIDING VISITORS' INTERESTS, NURTURING THEIR CURIOSITY AND ENCOURAGING AGENCY IN APPROACHING STEM-BASED ACTIVITIES, CHALLENGES, AND QUESTIONS THROUGHOUT THE MUSEUM. THEY ALSO HOLD RESIDENCIES AND FELLOWSHIPS WITH DESIGNERS, ENGINEERS, RESEARCHERS, AND ARTISTS TO CO-CREATE EXHIBITS, PROGRAMS, ONLINE CONTENT AND ENGAGING ACTIVITIES FOR NYSCI'S AUDIENCES. IN THE PROCESS, EXPLAINERS ACQUIRE COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE; STEM LITERACY, KNOWLEDGE, AND HABITS OF MIND; AND EXPERIENCE WITH INQUIRY-BASED TEACHING AND LEARNING. THEY ENGAGE IN THE KIND OF DEEPER THINKING AND DISCOVERY THAT IS THE BEDROCK FOR DEVELOPING THE SKILLS, AGENCY AND CONFIDENCE TO SUCCEED IN COLLEGE AND IN THE 21ST CENTURY TECHNOLOGY WORKFORCE. OVER THE LAST THREE DECADES, 95 PERCENT OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROGRAM HAVE GONE ON TO COLLEGE, WITH 70 PERCENT DECLARING MAJORS IN STEM. IN THIS YEAR'S COHORT, 93% RESIDED IN QUEENS, AND 86% WERE PEOPLE OF COLOR AS DEFINED BY NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS (NYC DCLA).
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1964.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 21, 2026.
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