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Buehler Challenger & Science Center Foundation Inc

EIN 22-3180605 · Paramus, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceFair56 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BUEHLER CHALLENGER & SCIENCE CENTER, LOCATED ON THE CAMPUS OF BERGEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE, EDUCATES ITS STUDENTS IN THE AREAS OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH (STEM) BY WAY OF THEIR PARTICIPATION IN SIMULATED SPACE MISSIONS USING HIGH-TECH SIMULATORS AND WHICH PROGRAMS ARE FACILITATED BY MISSION COMMANDERS WHO ARE HIGHLY QUALIFIED, CERTIFIED, ENTHUSIASTIC TEACHERS. STUDENTS FROM A VARIETY OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS COMPRISING RACIALLY DIVERSE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY AND PENNSYLVANIA VISIT THE CENTER, TOGETHER WITH THEIR REGULAR TEACHERS, TO TAKE PART IN A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINING SPACE MISSIONS. THE CENTER OPERATES A NUMBER OF SUMMER CAMP SPACE PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS RANGING FROM PRE-K THROUGH GRADE 12, PROVIDING THEIR STUDENTS WITH LESSONS IN SCIENCE AND COMPASSION. THE CENTER WILL BE CELEBRATING ITS 30TH ANNIVERSARY IN OCTOBER OF 2024.

Income
$876,947
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
2.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 51%
Employees
31
Volunteers
6
Highest pay
$143,090, dir. of education & science center

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

Fair: 55 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 56 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
  1. $1.0 million spent. CREATE AND MAINTAIN AN EDUCATIONAL FACILITY FOR STUDENTS TO SIMULATE LEARNING IN THE AREAS OF SCIENCE AND SPACE EXPLORATION THROUGH HANDS ON SIMULATED SPACE FLIGHT.

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 2023.

    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 December 2024.

    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.