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Eureka Mcconnell Science Museum

EIN 20-1641549 · Grand Jct, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO INSPIRE A PASSION AND RESPECT FOR MATH AND SCIENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

Income
$2.9 million
Spending
$2.9 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
20.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
116
Volunteers
45
Highest pay
$95,461, executive di

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 20.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    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

    10 of 10

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

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 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 (3)
  1. $2.1 million spent. EDUCATION: THE EUREKA MCCONNELL SCIENCE MUSEUM'S "EDUCATION" PROGRAMS ARE THE MEANS BY WHICH WE PROVIDE OUR DIRECT STEAM EDUCATION TO ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND THEIR TEACHERS. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE INQUIRY-BASED, HANDS-ON EXTRACURRICULAR EXPERIENCES (IN CLASS MATH TUTORING, AFTER-SCHOOL STEAM, CAMPS DURING SCHOOL BREAKS, AND FIELD TRIPS). EUREKA PROVIDES OVER 95 SUMMER STEAM CAMPS ON THE CMU CAMPUS AND OVERNIGHT ACROSS COLORADO. THESE PROGRAMS ARE A WEEK LONG AND REACH OVER 2,200 STUDENTS. THE EUREKA ALSO RUNS A FULL DAY UNIVERSAL PRESCHOOL LOCATED ON THE NEW EMERSON SCHOOL CAMPUS. EUREKA ALSO RUNS A HALF DAY MOBILE PRESCHOOL THAT OPERATES OUT OF A BUS AND VISITS A MOBILE HOME VILLAGE IN CLIFTON, CO. EUREKA OFFERS OVER 10 ADULT TRAVELING STEAM PROGRAMS EACH YEAR FOR PARTICIPANTS FROM 55-95YRS OLD. EDUCATION: THE EUREKA MCCONNELL SCIENCE MUSEUM'S "EDUCATION" PROGRAMS ARE THE MEANS BY WHICH WE PROVIDE OUR DIRECT STEAM EDUCATION TO ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND THEIR TEACHERS. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE INQUIRY-BASED, HANDS-ON EXTRACURRICULAR EXPERIENCES (IN CLASS MATH TUTORING, AFTER-SCHOOL STEAM, CAMPS DURING SCHOOL BREAKS, AND FIELD TRIPS). EUREKA PROVIDES OVER 95 SUMMER STEAM CAMPS ON THE CMU CAMPUS AND OVERNIGHT ACROSS COLORADO. THESE PROGRAMS ARE A WEEK LONG AND REACH OVER 2,200 STUDENTS. THE EUREKA ALSO RUNS A FULL DAY UNIVERSAL PRESCHOOL LOCATED ON THE NEW EMERSON SCHOOL CAMPUS. EUREKA ALSO RUNS A HALF DAY MOBILE PRESCHOOL THAT OPERATES OUT OF A BUS AND VISITS A MOBILE HOME VILLAGE IN CLIFTON, CO. EUREKA OFFERS OVER 10 ADULT TRAVELING STEAM PROGRAMS EACH YEAR FOR PARTICIPANTS FROM 55-95YRS OLD.
  2. $408,430 spent. EXHIBITS: THE EUREKA MCCONNELL SCIENCE MUSEUM PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS AND DISPLAYS THAT ENGAGE STUDENTS OF ALL AGES IN ASKING QUESTIONS AND EXPERIENCING SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES IN A "HANDS-ON" MANNER. THE EXHIBITS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FIVE DAYS A WEEK, AND ARE AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS AND SPECIAL GROUPS BY APPOINTMENT. THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 100 EXHIBITS ON THE FLOOR AT ANY ONE TIME. EXHIBITS ARE CHANGED AND UPDATED OFTEN BY VOLUNTEERS.
  3. $270,572 spent. THE REMAINDER OF OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS CONSIST OF "EVENTS- AND "COMMUNITY OUTREACH." SCHEDULED EVENTS INCLUDE "FAMILY SCIENCE NIGHTS", DURING WHICH FAMILIES FROM THROUGHOUT THE REGION ARE INVITED TO EXPLORE THE MUSEUM AND TO PARTICIPATE IN HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES THAT ARE DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY TO FIT THE THEME FOR THE EVENING. THESE PROGRAMS ARE INTENDED TO ENGAGE PARENTS, CHILDREN, AND GRANDPARENTS IN VARIOUS FACETS OF SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY. COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITIES INCLUDE PROVIDING HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES FOR LOCAL AND REGIONAL COMMUNITY FAIRS AND EVENTS AND PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AT LOCAL AND REGIONAL SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES. MANY OF THESE OUTREACH PROGRAMS ARE PROVIDED AT NO COST TO THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.

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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since August 2005.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.