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The Da Vinci Discovery Center of Science and Technology

EIN 23-2824084 · Allentown, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO BRING SCIENCE TO LIFE AND LIVES TO SCIENCE. THROUGH INQUIRY-BASED SCIENCE LEARNING EXPERIENCES, WE CHAMPION THE NEXT GENERATION AND HELP BUILD A TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC WORKFORCE. SEE SCHEDULE O.

Income
$20.7 million
Spending
$12.7 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
-28 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 69%
Employees
152
Volunteers
182
Highest pay
$168,344, exec. direct

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

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 16% 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

    10 of 20

    It owes 42% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 24 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 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. $11.0 million spent. THE DA VINCI DISCOVERY CENTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, INC. PROVIDES HANDS-ON, INQUIRY-BASED SCIENCE EDUCATION THROUGH INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS AND A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND FAMILIES. (ALSO SEE SCHEDULE O)
  2. THE DA VINCI DISCOVERY CENTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, INC. PROVIDES HANDS-ON, INQUIRY-BASED SCIENCE EDUCATION THROUGH INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS AND A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND FAMILIES. (ALSO SEE SCHEDULE O)
  3. DURING THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR THE DA VINCI SCIENCE CENTER PROVIDED STRUCTURED FIELD TRIP EXPERIENCES FOR 21,704 STUDENTS. SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS ARE A POPULAR WAY FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN TO INTERACT WITH THE DA VINCI SCIENCE CENTER. THE WORKSHOPS AND EXHIBITS ENGAGE STUDENTS BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM TO THINK LIKE SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS, OFFERING MULTIPLE AVENUES FOR LEARNING COMPLEX CONCEPTS, AND CONNECTING CLASSROOM EXPERIENCES WITH REAL-WORLD APPLICATIONS. THESE ACTIVITIES ARE CRITICAL FOR DEVELOPING STUDENTS WHO ARE PREPARED FOR CAREERS IN THE 21ST CENTURY. THESE EXPERIENCES ALSO REINFORCE CURRENT PA STEELS SCIENCE STANDARDS AND NATIONAL NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS, WHICH HELP STUDENTS IMPROVE OR MAINTAIN COMPETENCY ON STANDARDIZED TESTS. VISITING SCIENTIST LABORATORIES ARE INTERACTIVE ASSEMBLY PROGRAMS FOR UP TO 150 STUDENTS. THEY ALLOW DA VINCI SCIENCE CENTER EDUCATORS TO BRING LARGE- SCALE DEMONSTRATIONS AND APPARATUS TO SCHOOLS THAT STUDENTS WOULD NOT NORMALLY EXPERIENCE. THESE PROGRAMS CONTINUE TO MEET AN IMPORTANT NEED FOR SCHOOLS ACROSS THE REGION, KEEPING THEM ENGAGED AND INTERESTED IN SCIENCE. IN 2024-25, 7012 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN VISITING SCIENCE LABORATORIES. CLASSROOM PROGRAMS DURING THE SCHOOL DAY AND AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN CAPTURING STUDENTS' INTEREST AND INSPIRING THE FUTURE STEM WORKFORCE. THE GOALS OF THE PROGRAMS VARY BY SPECIFIC PROGRAM, BUT GENERALLY INCLUDE IMPROVING STUDENT KNOWLEDGE, INTERESTS, ATTITUDES, SKILLS, AND BEHAVIORS RELATED TO STEAM EDUCATION AND STEM CAREERS. IN ADDITION, FOR PROGRAMS DURING THE SCHOOL DAY, SCIENCE CENTER GOALS INCLUDE INSPIRING TEACHERS TO ADOPT HIGH-QUALITY STEAM TEACHING AND LEARNING PRACTICES. ALSO IN 2024-25, THE SCIENCE CENTER OUTFITTED A MOBILE FAB LAB TO BRING DIGITAL FABRICATION EQUIPMENT TO SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY SITES AND ENGAGE STUDENTS IN TECHNOLOGY EXPERIENCES DESIGNED TO SPARK CREATIVITY, PROBLEM SOLVING, AND INNOVATION. IN 2024-25, 33,976 STUDENTS IN CLASSROOM PROGRAMS ACQUIRED STEAM SKILLS AND DEEPENED UNDERSTANDING OF STEAM CONCEPTS, INCREASING THEIR SCIENCE CAPITAL. THE STEAM CAREER PATHWAYS PROGRAM IS THE SIGNATURE INITIATIVE OF THE CENTER'S COMPREHENSIVE EFFORT TO BUILD THE TALENT PIPELINE AND MEET REGIONAL DEMAND FOR A SKILLED WORKFORCE. THE PROGRAM OFFERS A SERIES OF EDUCATIONAL AND MENTORING EXPERIENCES FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, CULMINATING IN A PAID INTERNSHIP FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. THE PROGRAM SPECIFICALLY TARGETS STUDENTS WITH LIMITED ACCESS TO STEAM EXPERIENCES AND INDUSTRY SECTORS WITH A STRONG DEMAND FOR WORKERS. TARGETED SECTORS INCLUDE MANUFACTURING, HEALTHCARE, AND EDUCATION. AIMED AT ENHANCING STEAM AND JOB-READINESS SKILLS AMONG YOUTH IN NEIGHBORHOODS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHERE INCOMES ARE DISPROPORTIONALLY BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL, THE SCIENCE CENTER ACTS AS A CRUCIAL BRIDGE CONNECTING STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND EDUCATORS WITH CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND MENTORS IN LOCAL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. FOSTERING A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY ECOSYSTEM SURROUNDING STEAM CAREERS ADDRESSES THE DUAL NEEDS OF STUDENTS SEEKING CAREERS AND EMPLOYERS REQUIRING SKILLED LABOR. IN 2024-25, THE CENTER PROVIDED CAREER DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCES AT THE FOUR ALLENTOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT (ASD) MIDDLE SCHOOLS, ENROLLED STUDENTS FROM ALL THREE ASD HIGH SCHOOLS IN A 12-WEEK AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM, AND PLACED 10 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN INTERNSHIPS AT DA VINCI SCIENCE CENTER, LEHIGH VALLEY HEALTH NETWORK, AND HEALTH NETWORK LABS. ONE PARTICIPANT STATED, "I APPLIED TO THIS PROGRAM BECAUSE I NEEDED SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN. I FOUND MY DIRECTION IN LIFE THROUGH THIS PROGRAM." THE SALVAGGIO LITTLE LEARNER'S LAB SUPPORTS CURIOSITY BUILDING, LITERACY, AND KINDERGARTEN READINESS FOR PRESCHOOL YOUTH, TARGETING THOSE WITH LIMITED ACCESS TO STEAM EXPERIENCES. IN THE DEDICATED PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM ON THE LOWER LEVEL OF THE NEW SCIENCE CENTER, DA VINCI BILINGUAL INSTRUCTORS ENGAGE PRESCHOOLERS IN HANDS-ON STEAM LEARNING EXPERIENCES. PROGRAMS INCLUDE CLASSES FOR ASD PRESCHOOL AND LEARNING SUPPORT STUDENTS, FAMILY WORKSHOPS AFTER SCHOOL AND ON THE WEEKENDS, AND DAILY DROP-IN HOURS TO ENGAGE PRESCHOOLERS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS FROM LOCAL NEIGHBORHOODS IN STEAM ACTIVITIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE ISAACMAN NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE INSTITUTE, LAUNCHED IN 2022, PROVIDES LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS, PARENTS, TEACHERS, FAMILIES, ADMINISTRATORS, AND SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS TO PREPARE FOR THE ADOPTION OF NEW STATE SCIENCE STANDARDS, PA STEELS (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY AND SUSTAINABILITY), IN 2025-26. PA STEELS ARE MODELED AFTER THE NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS, DEVELOPED THROUGH A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS INVOLVING A CONSORTIUM OF STATES AND INFORMED BY THE NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL'S FRAMEWORK FOR K-12 EDUCATION. DA VINCI EDUCATORS PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR TEACHERS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT THE REGION AND MODEL BEST PRACTICES THROUGH CO TEACHING, COACHING, AND STUDENT PROGRAMS TO HELP TEACHERS IMPLEMENT THE STANDARDS WITH FIDELITY. THE INSTITUTE IS GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY RENOWNED COMMERCIAL ASTRONAUT, PILOT, AND PHILANTHROPIST JARED ISAACMAN. HONORS AND AWARDS RECEIVED BY THE DA VINCI SCIENCE CENTER INCLUDE: URBAN LAND INSTITUTE PHILADELPHIA AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN 2025 FOR AN OUTSTANDING DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN THE GREATER PHILADELPHIA REGION. LEHIGH VALLEY COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL REAL ESTATE AWARD IN 2024 RECOGNIZING DA VINCI SCIENCE CENTER AT PPL PAVILION AS THE PROJECT OF THE YEAR FOR ITS EDUCATIONAL IMPACT ON FUTURE GENERATIONS. LEHIGH VALLEY BUSINESS REAL ESTATE PROJECT AWARD IN 2025 FOR THE TOP BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IN THE REGION IN 2024. LEHIGH VALLEY BUSINESS EMPOWERING WOMEN AWARD IN 2025 FOR DEMONSTRATING DOCUMENTED RESULTS IN SUPPORTING AND EMPOWERING WOMEN IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN PA. LGBTQ+ BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD IN 2025 FOR MAKING A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN PROMOTING ACCEPTANCE OF LGBTQ+ PEOPLE IN BUSINESS AN
  4. THE DA VINCI DISCOVERY CENTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, INC. PROVIDES HANDS-ON, INQUIRY-BASED SCIENCE EDUCATION THROUGH INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS AND A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND FAMILIES. (ALSO SEE SCHEDULE O)

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 November 6, 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 December 1995.

    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 November 4, 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.