Passes our checks

St Louis Aquarium at Union Station Foundation

EIN 36-4892546 · St Louis, MO

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

What it says it does

TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY THROUGH ACCESS AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS, SERVING AS THE REGION'S RECOGNIZED VOICE FOR WATER STEWARDSHIP.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Weak: 29 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

Reserves
0 of 35
Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20
It owes 20% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15
Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15
Income fell 18% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 15
63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

Independent board
25 of 25
11 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15
Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8
Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7
Reports no 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.
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 December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)

$423,464 spent. THE FOUNDATION WILL MAINTAIN A CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION CENTER WITHIN THE AQUARIUM IN UNION STATION AND PROVIDE FREE AQUARIUM FIELD TRIPS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO TITLE I SCHOOLS AND OTHER UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. THE CENTER WILL OFFER FREE HANDS-ON, STEM-BASED AND AQUATIC-THEMED EXHIBITS AND INTERACTIVES FOR KIDS (AND ADULTS) TO LEARN ABOUT THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER WATERSHED, WATER CONSERVATION, AS WELL AS PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR VISITORS TO GET INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY'S WATER-THEMED RECREATION AND VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES. THE CENTER WILL ALSO INCLUDE A FLEXIBLE SPACE FOR TEMPORARY EXHIBITS, A CLASSROOM, AND WORKSHOPS FOR THE PUBLIC PRESENTED BY LOCAL NONPROFITS, FURTHERING OUR EDUCATION AND CONVERSATION REACH INTO THE COMMUNITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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 2024.
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 July 2019.
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.