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Wonderlab-Museum of Science Health & Technology Inc

EIN 35-1956521 · Bloomington, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE WONDERLAB MUSEUM OF SCIENCE, HEALTH AND TECHNOLOGY IS A PREMIER CENTER FOR INFORMAL SCIENCE EDUCATION AND DISCOVERY. WONDERLAB PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN, TO EXPERIENCE THE WONDER AND EXCITEMENT OF SCIENCE THROUGH HANDS-ON EXHIBITS AND PROGRAMS THAT STIMULATE CURIOSITY, ENCOURAGE EXPLORATION, FOSTER LIFELONG LEARNING AND EXPLORE CONNECTIONS TO THE ARTS AND EVERYDAY LIFE.

Income
$637,930
Spending
$410,463
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
28.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 82%
Employees
54
Volunteers
268
Highest pay
$24,636, executive director

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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 28.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 36% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 75% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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 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. $347,678 spent. THE WONDERLAB MUSEUM PROVIDES INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS, ACTIVITIES AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH. PRIOR TO MARCH 2020, THE ORGANIZATION SERVED OVER 85,000 VISITORS AT ITS MUSEUM IN DOWNTOWN BLOOMINGTON AND AT OFF-SITE EXPERIENCES. AFTER A STEEP DECLINE IN ATTENDANCE DURING THE YEARS OF THE PANDEMIC, ATTENDANCE IS MOVING STRONGLY TOWARD PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS. THE ORGANIZATION SERVED 80,909 VISITORS (CHILDREN, ADULTS, INFANTS) AT THE MUSEUM. IN-PERSON OUTREACH PROGRAMS DURING THAT TIME REACHED AN ADDITIONAL 10,468 CHILDREN AND ADULTS. DURING THE SUMMER OF 2024, THE ORGANIZATION OFFERED 31 DIFFERENT WEEK-LONG SESSIONS OF WONDERCAMP (A HANDS-ON, IN-PERSON SUMMER SCIENCE ENRICHMENT EXPERIENCE) PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES FOR 479 REGISTERED CAMPERS. THE ORGANIZATION'S VISITORS ARE PRIMARILY FROM SOUTH CENTRAL INDIANA.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 September 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.