Childrens Museum of Oak Park Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO SPARK CURIOSITY AND CREATIVITY IN ALL YOUNG CHILDREN THROUGH POSITIVE, PLAY-BASED LEARNING EXPERIENCES.
- Income
- $765,916
- Spending
- $753,598
- Spent on programs
- 71%
- Reserves
- 6.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 44%
- Employees
- 22
- Volunteers
- 165
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.1 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 29% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 16% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1571% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 2517 of 17 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 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)
- $531,497 spent. WONDER WORKS CHILDREN'S MUSEUM HAS INSTILLED A LIFELONG LOVE OF LEARNING IN ITS VISITORS FOR OVER THREE DECADES. OUR 6,400 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY CONTAINS NINE INTERACTIVE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR EXHIBITS WHICH INSPIRE PLAY-BASED LEARNING EXPERIENCES IN THE ARTS, MATH, MUSIC, SCIENCE, AND LITERACY THAT ARE ALIGNED WITH ILLINOIS EARLY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS. FOCUSING ON AGES 0-8 AND THEIR FAMILIES, OUR GOAL IS TO OFFER NOVEL AND INVIGORATING EXPERIENCES THAT SCHOOLS AND INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES DO NOT HAVE THE LUXURY TO PROVIDE (SEE SCHEDULE O FOR 2025). IN 2025, WONDER WORKS INTRODUCED A NEW EXHIBIT TO PROMOTE BUILDING STEM EXPERIMENTATION: THE MAGNET ZONE WHICH INCLUDES MAGNETIC PANELS ON TWO WALLS FEATURING MANIPULATIVES THAT ENCOURAGE STEM AND EARLY LITERACY EXPLORATION. WE COMBAT INEQUITY THROUGH MULTIPLE ACCESS PROGRAMS, WHICH REMOVE ATTENDANCE BARRIERS FOR FAMILIES WITH LOW INCOME, SENSORY AND ACCESSIBILITY NEEDS, TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS, AND THOSE WHO RECEIVE SUPPORT FROM SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES. MUSEUM FREE DAYS AND OUTREACH EVENTS ALSO ENSURE THAT OUR PROGRAMS ARE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN DENIED ACCESS. THE MUSEUM ALSO ENHANCED ITS DAILY OFFERINGS WITH SPECIAL PROGRAMMING IN MUSIC, DANCE, SCIENCE, YOGA, SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING, AND TOUCH AND LEARN ANIMAL AND INSECT ENCOUNTERS. THE MUSEUM IS AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE PARTIES, PARTIES DURING MUSEUM OPEN HOURS, AND FIELD TRIPS. WONDER WORKS CONTINUES TO EVOLVE AND PUSH THE BOUNDARIES OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, SUPPORTING OUR SOCIETY'S YOUNGEST MEMBERS.
Source: Form 990 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 November 6, 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 June 1992.
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 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.