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Sandbox a Hilton Head Area Children Museum Inc

EIN 20-0301794 · Hilton Head, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceFair55 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE SANDBOX IS DEDICATED TO THE POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN THROUGH EDUCATIONAL PLAY IN AN ATMOSPHERE THAT FOSTERS BOTH FAMILY AND COMMUNITY.

Income
$555,714
Spending
$496,920
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 69%
Employees
21
Volunteers
12

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 (1)
  1. $399,085 spent. THE SANDBOX IS AN INTERACTIVE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM AND IS THE ONLY ONE OF ITS KIND IN THE LOWCOUNTRY. THE SANDBOX FEATURES REGION-RELATED EXHIBITS AND CRAFTS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO STIMULATE CURIOSITY, EVOKE CREATIVITY AND MOTIVATE LEARNING IN CHILDREN AGED EIGHT AND UNDER. WE BELIEVE THAT CHILDREN LEARN ABOUT LOVE, TRUST AND SELF-WORTH THROUGH INTERACTIVE PLAY WITH A PARENT OR CARE GIVER. THIS IS ESPECIALLY CRITICAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHT. PLAY PROVIDES A NATURAL OPPORTUNITY FOR THESE RELATIONSHIPS TO FORM AND STRENGTHEN. WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE A STIMULATION, PROGRESSIVE SETTING FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR CARE GIVERS TO PLAY TOGETHER.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 December 2003.

    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.