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Stepping Stones Museum for Children Inc

EIN 22-3199269 · Norwalk, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF STEPPING STONES MUSEUM FOR CHILDREN IS TO BROADEN AND ENRICH THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN AGES TEN AND UNDER AND ENHANCE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD. THE MUSEUM SEEKS TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT INSPIRES LIFE-LONG LEARNING AND SUPPORTS PARENTS, CAREGIVERS AND EDUCATORS AS FACILITATORS OF CHILDREN'S EXPLORATIONS.

Income
$13.8 million
Spending
$10.7 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
-0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 64%
Employees
184
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$253,062, president & ceo (retired 9/30/24)

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

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 44% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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 8% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (1)
  1. $8.9 million spent. STEPPING STONES IS A PREMIER MULTIDIMENSIONAL EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE THAT PROVIDES EXCEPTIONAL AND MEANINGFUL INTERACTIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT ENRICH THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. THE MUSEUM'S LEARNING PURPOSE IS TO SPARK CHILDREN'S CURIOSITY, IMAGINATION AND INTERESTS BY ENGAGING THEM IN PLAYFUL EXPLORATION OF INTERACTIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES AND SHARED MOMENTS OF DISCOVERY WITH PARENTS, CAREGIVERS, AND EDUCATORS, EXCITING AND PREPARING THEM FOR AN INCREASINGLY COMPLEX, CHANGING AND DIVERSE FUTURE.

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 2025.

    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 April 1997.

    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.