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Science Museum of Virginia Foundation Incorporated

EIN 23-7185836 · Richmond, VA

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

THE SCIENCE MUSEUM OF VIRGINIA FOUNDATION, INC. SERVES AS THE PRIVATE FUNDRAISING PARTNER OF THE SCIENCE MUSEUM OF VIRGINIA, A STATE INSTITUTION THAT WAS FOUNDED IN 1970 BY BOTH THE VIRGINIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND THE VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO "RAISE THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH." THE MUSEUM, AS A STATE SUPPORTED CULTURAL INSTITUTION, RECEIVES APPROXIMATELY 50 PERCENT OF ITS ANNUAL SUPPORT FROM THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IS RAISED BY THE FOUNDATION THROUGH CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS (ANNUAL GIFTS AND PERMANENT ENDOWMENT GIFTS), GRANTS, CAPITAL CAMPAIGN GIFTS, FUNDRAISING EVENTS AND INVESTMENT INCOME. FUNDS FROM THE FOUNDATION ARE GRANTED TO THE SCIENCE MUSEUM ON AN ANNUAL BASIS TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAMS, PROJECTS AND OPERATIONS THAT ARE AUTHORIZED AND APPROVED BY THE TRUSTEES OF THE MUSEUM.

Income
$4.0 million
Spending
$4.1 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
12 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 61%
Employees
8
Volunteers
68
Highest pay
$178,082, director of advancement

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 30 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 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 22 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 (3)
  1. $946,701 spent. NEW EXHIBIT PURCHASE AND MAINTENANCE: THE SCIENCE MUSEUM OF VIRGINIA FOUNDATION SUPPORTS HUNDREDS OF MUSEUM PERMANENT EXHIBITS AND VISITING EXHIBITS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, OFFERING VISITORS HANDS-ON OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN AND EXPERIMENT WITH SCIENCE CONCEPTS.
  2. $1.0 million spent. MUSEUM UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT: THE SCIENCE MUSEUM OF VIRGINIA'S STATEWIDE MISSION IS TO INSPIRE VIRGINIANS TO ENRICH THEIR LIVES THROUGH SCIENCE. SMVF SUPPORTS THE GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE MUSEUM BY PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR MUSEUM GENERAL OPERATIONS, INCLUDING STAFFING, MATERIALS, AND SERVICES.
  3. $708,393 spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AND OUTREACH: THE SCIENCE MUSEUM OF VIRGINIA FOUNDATION SUPPORTS MUSEUM EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING IN THE FORM OF CLASSES, ACTIVITIES, LECTURES, EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING FOR ALL AGES, AND PROVIDES FUNDING FOR GROUP MUSEUM VISITS FOR SCHOOLCHILDREN AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.

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 August 1972.

    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.