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Kenneth C Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

EIN 36-2167797 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (the Museum), a 501(c)(3) corporation, is the largest science museum in the Western hemisphere and home to thousands of artifacts. For 90 years, the Museum has been a premier destination in Chicago, Illinois. The Museum's mission is to inspire the inventive genius in everyone, and its vision is rooted in the Museum's historic rotunda engraving: Science discerns the laws of nature, industry applies them to the needs of humankind. The Museum welcomes over 1.4 million guests annually and is the top Chicago museum field trip destination for students. Through its education programs, the Museum engages over half a million participants annually in science education programs.

Income
$66.4 million
Spending
$62.3 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
32.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 33%
Employees
417
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$923,879, president & ceo/trustee

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 32.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    84 of 85 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 (4)
  1. $35.6 million spent. Griffin MSI features world-class permanent exhibitions that inspire and excite guests and imbue interest in STE(A)M. In Science Storms, guests can experience the extraordinary science behind some of nature's most powerful and compelling phenomena. Visitors can step aboard the U-505 Submarine to learn about the only German U-boat captured during World War II, surrounded by historic artifacts and interactive activities. Guest can also take a real hoist 50 feet down to the Coal Mine, a reproduction of an Illinois mineshaft that first opened along with the Museum in 1933. One of the Musuem's newest acquisitions which debuted in 2024, the Space X Dragon, is featured in the Henry Crown Space Center, where guests can explore and understand the cosmos. And the Griffin Studio is an immersive multimedia space offering state-of-the-art technology to host dynamic and ever-changing exhibits.
  2. $8.6 million spent. Educational Programs and Activities. Education at the museum occurs both inside the museum walls, and the community and schools surrounding the museum and beyond. Hands-on student programming such as labs, STEAM clubs, Girls in STEM events, career showcases, teacher professional development, maker space training, and camps are some of the ways the museum approaches reaching students and their ecosystem to ensure STEAM opportunities and exposure is at the forefront of what the museum does to prepare them for skills needed beyond school.
  3. $7.0 million spent. Museum and Operations, which include Program Support Services and Exhibit Maintenance. These expenses support the Museum's mission of inspiring the inventive genius in everyone by providing guests and teachers with integrated learning experiences and programming that is centered on exciting and interactive exhibits that help explain how science directly impacts our daily lives.
  4. $1.4 million spent. Retail and supporting services represent various program offerings that enhance the guest experience. These include the museum store, food services, and parking services.

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 April 1938.

    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.