Friends of Arlingtons David M Brown Planetarium
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH THE ORGANIZATION IS ORGANIZED IS TO SUPPORT THE RENOVATION AND CONTINUED USE OF ARLINGTON'S DAVID M BROWN PLANETARIUM, TO PROMOTE AWARENESS AND COMMUNITY USE OF THE FACILITY, AND PROVIDE GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS TO FUND STEM EDUCATION.
- Income
- $48,626
- Spending
- $33,620
- Reserves
- 55.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 50%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 (1)
- $21,517 spent. FUNDING THE DAVID M. BROWN SCHOLARSHIP. THIS PROGRAM WASESTABLISHED IN 2012 AND IS ADMINISTERED BY THE ARLINGTONCOMMUNITY FOUNDATION. THE FIRST SCHOLARSHIP WAS AWARDED IN 2013. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVED INCREASING THE SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT FUNDED TO $9,000 BEGINNING WITH SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED IN 2025. NEW SCHOLARSHIPS ARE FOR $2,250 TO BE AWARDED ANNUALLY FOR UP TO FOUR YEARS. EXISTING SCHOLARSHIPS REMAINED AT $2,000 TO BE AWARDED FOR UP TO FOUR YEARS. IN SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING TO THE ARLINGTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WITH WHICH THE FRIENDS HAS AN AGREEMENT TO ADMINISTER THE SCHOLARSHIP.FUNDING TEACHER GRANTS. THE FRIENDS ESTABLISHED A GRANTS FOR TEACHERSPROGRAM IN 2015, WHICH PROVIDES SMALL GRANTS (UP TO $500 EACH) TO ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS (APS) TEACHERS TO ASSIST THEM IN OBTAINING TRAINING IN STEM TEACHING. THE PROGRAM IS JOINTLY ADMINISTERED BY APS AND THE FRIENDS. DURING 2025, THE FRIENDS PROVIDED $6,454 IN TEACHER GRANTS.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2010.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.