Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Childrens Playhouse Inc

EIN 27-0065653 · Boone, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Childrens Playhouse builds community by engaging children from birth to age 8 in educational play while offering friendly support to parents and caregivers. It serves as an informal town square for the High Country, a unique place where out-of-towners and locals, experienced parents and eager first-timers, and people of all classes are brought together to share the joy of playful learning with their children. Stimulating arts and science-based programs, enticing play areas, and informative parenting resources all support this mission.

Income
$285,287
Spending
$326,256
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
15.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 49%
Employees
21
Volunteers
90
Highest pay
$66,118, executive director

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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    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

    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 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. $108,445 spent. Programs for Visitors and Members: The Playhouse is open for play Tuesday through Saturday for over 43.5 hours per week year round, providing 2,218.5 hours of play and bonding. Total attendance for the fiscal year was 18,949 visits from adults and children, with 71% coming from member families and 29% from nonmembers. The Playhouse offered 262 individual music, art, and STEM programs for kids. 90 volunteers and 4 interns from Appalachian State University gained service learning experiences.
  2. $86,428 spent. Scholarship Membership Program: The Childrens Playhouse awarded 117 free or reduced rate memberships to low-income families, 12 to first- time parents, 5 to social service agencies, and 2 to military families. Altogether, these sponsored memberships accounted for 34% of the total memberships.
  3. $20,643 spent. Outreach: The Playhouse held the 10th BuildFest, a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) festival for kids 2-12 on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Watauga High School. The event featured more than 100 hands-on acitivites, physics and magic shows, and attracted 1704 attendees and 208 volunteers. The Playhouse had 18 other outreach events including Saturday morning Kids Corner activities at the Watauga County Farmers Market, the Back to School Festival, Fairy Day, library events, parent meetings, and a science program visit to Valle Crucis Elementary School. The museum also provided space for 49 meetings of the Babes on Blankets support group and three meetings of Hablememos Chicas.

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 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 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 February 2005.

    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.