Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Sciencenter Discovery Museum

EIN 22-2470652 · Ithaca, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CULTIVATE AN ENGAGED COMMUNITY OF CURIOUS, COLLABORATIVE, CRITICAL THINKERS.

Income
$4.7 million
Spending
$3.4 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
8.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 35%
Employees
34
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$168,026, executive director

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

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 36% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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

    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. $670,315 spent. EXHIBITS:THE SCIENCENTER DISCOVERY MUSEUM IS A HANDS-ON MUSEUM, OFFERING OVER 250 INTERACTIVE SCIENCE EXHIBITS THAT INVITE FAMILIES TO EXPLORE TOPICS LIKE ENGINEERING, PHYSICS, LIVE ANIMALS, AND PHENOMENA LIKE WEATHER. EXHIBITS ARE OFFERED THROUGHOUT THE SCIENCENTER'S 36,000 SQUARE-FOOT MUSEUM, ITS 20,000 SQUARE-FOOT OUTDOOR SPACE AND A SCIENCE-THEMED MINI-GOLF COURSE. THE SCIENCENTER ALSO DESIGNS, FABRICATES, AND MANAGES RENTALS OF SCIENCE-THEMED INTERACTIVE EXHIBITIONS TO CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS IN NORTH AMERICA.
  2. $332,439 spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS:THE SCIENCENTER OFFERS ROBUST EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES, CAMPS FOR CHILDREN, FIELD TRIPS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT CENTRAL NY AND NORTHERN PA, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR EDUCATORS IN THE REGION. THE SCIENCENTER ALSO DEVELOPS COLLABORATIVE INFORMAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR A NATIONAL AUDIENCE.
  3. $658,343 spent. MUSEUM ADMISSIONS AND MEMBERSHIP:THE SCIENCENTER WELCOMES OVER 100,000 VISITORS TO EXPLORE EXHIBITS AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS AT THE MUSEUM. MORE THAN 2,600 FAMILIES HAVE AN ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP TO THE SCIENCENTER. THE SCIENCENTER WELCOMES OVER 20,000 INDIVIDUALS THROUGH ACCESS PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE FREEOR DEEPLY DISCOUNTED ADMISSION FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES.

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 November 1983.

    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.