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Columbia Memorial Space Science Learning Center Foundation

EIN 20-2904115 · Downey, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak20 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • 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

TO IGNITE A COMMUNITY OF CRITICAL AND CREATIVE THINKERS.

Income
$184,870
Spending
$396,168
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
-0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$255,214, president & executive dire

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

Weak: 20 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 815% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 114% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 94 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    0 of 5

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

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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)
  1. $156,308 spent. CITY OF STEM - DOZENS OF PROGRAMS OFFERED THROUGHOUT THE LA REGION DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL; REACHED AND SERVED SEVERAL THOUSAND GUESTS, SPECIFICALLY AIMED TO UNDERSERVED DEMOGRAPHIC
  2. $7,430 spent. GIRLS IN STEM CLUB - OVER 100 GIRLS ENROLLED IN THE HOME CLUB AT CMSC. HAD SEVERAL INQUIRIES ABOUT STARTING NEW CHAPTERS OF GIRLS IN STEM CLUB OUTSIDE THE HOME CLUB ALL OVER THE US AND OUT OF THE COUNTRY. CMSC HOME CLUB HOSTED SEVERAL EVENTS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC INCLUDING DRONES DAY AND SCIENCE FAIR. THIS PROGRAM IS AIMED TO THE UNDERSERVED DEMOGRAPHIC.
  3. $13,816 spent. ROCKET FEVER- ROCKET FEVER IS LOS ANGELES'S FIRST AND ONLY URBAN ROCKET FESTIVAL THAT PROVIDES FUN HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES FOR GUESTS INCLUDING THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD AND LAUNCH DIFFERENT TYPES OF ROCKETS.
  4. $118,228 spent. ALL OTHER STEM PROGRAM COSTS WHICH HELP TO PROVIDE HANDS-ON ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES FOR GUESTS

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

  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 June 2025.

    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 April 2006.

    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.