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Cheshire Childrens Museum

EIN 26-4353786 · Keene, NH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceFair59 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ENRICH THE COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING UNIQUE HANDS ON EXPERIENCES FOR CHILDREN THAT IGNITE THEIR CREATIVITY & AWAKEN THEIR CURIOSITY. OUR DYNAMIC EXHIBITS & PROGRAMS WILL INTEGRATE THE ARTS, SCIENCE, MATH & LITERATURE FOR CHILDREN TO DISCOVER & LEARN THROUGH THE POWER OF PLAY.

Income
$278,192
Spending
$269,284
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
3.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 72%
Employees
18
Volunteers
27

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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 59 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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.

  • 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. $220,935 spent. SERVE FAMILIES & ORGANIZATIONS IN THE MONADNOCK REGION. PROVIDE FREE ADMISSIONS TO LOCAL SERVICE AGENCIES. WE BELIEVE THE MUSEUM HAS A UNIQUE ROLE TO PLAY IN STRENGTHENING FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY. WHILE OUR PRIMARY FOCUS IS ALWAYS CHILD-LED PLAY AND DEVELOPMENT, WE ALSO INTENTIONALLY SERVE AS A VALUABLE THIRD PLACE FOR PARENTS. WE AIM TO FACILITATE POSITIVE FAMILY EXPERIENCES (PFE): ACCESSIBLE, STRESS-FREE MOMENTS WHERE CHILDREN AND THEIR ADULT CAREGIVERS CAN CONNECT DEEPLY. YOUR SUPPORT HELPS US DELIVER THIS VALUE BY ENSURING WE CAN REMAIN A GLIMMER OF HOPE AND JOY AND A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT. INVESTING IN THE MUSEUM MEANS INVESTING IN FAMILY WELL-BEING AND RESILIENCE - A VITAL FUNCTION ALONGSIDE OUR CORE EDUCATIONAL MISSION. SERVE FAMILIES & ORGANIZATIONS IN THE MONADNOCK REGION. PROVIDE FREE ADMISSIONS TO LOCAL SERVICE AGENCIES. WE BELIEVE THE MUSEUM HAS A UNIQUE ROLE TO PLAY IN STRENGTHENING FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY. WHILE OUR PRIMARY FOCUS IS ALWAYS CHILD-LED PLAY AND DEVELOPMENT, WE ALSO INTENTIONALLY SERVE AS A VALUABLE THIRD PLACE FOR PARENTS. WE AIM TO FACILITATE POSITIVE FAMILY EXPERIENCES (PFE): ACCESSIBLE, STRESS-FREE MOMENTS WHERE CHILDREN AND THEIR ADULT CAREGIVERS CAN CONNECT DEEPLY. YOUR SUPPORT HELPS US DELIVER THIS VALUE BY ENSURING WE CAN REMAIN A GLIMMER OF HOPE AND JOY AND A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT. INVESTING IN THE MUSEUM MEANS INVESTING IN FAMILY WELL-BEING AND RESILIENCE - A VITAL FUNCTION ALONGSIDE OUR CORE EDUCATIONAL MISSION.

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 January 2010.

    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.