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Minnesota Academy of Science

EIN 41-0789356 · Saint Paul, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Minnesota Academy of Science MAS is a statewide 501c3 organization committed to advancing science, technology, engineering , and math STEM in Minnesota by connecting Minnesotans of all backgrounds with resources and opportunities to engage in STEM Learning, research, and communication, and to recognize excellence in these areas.

Income
$591,333
Spending
$389,644
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
2.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
6
Volunteers
375
Highest pay
$51,851, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 34% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 74% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 83 out of 100.

  • 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

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    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 June 30, 2026, 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 (5)
  1. $169,436 spent. The MN State Science & Engineering Fair was held in-person on Fri., March 27, 2026 in St. Paul. The event included student networking, STEM professionals judging, & public viewing of projects. Students visited 8 exhibitor booths and had free Science Museum admission. The event ended with a student social, a keynote address (by Dr. Clay Carter from the U of MN), and an award ceremony. We also had an online awards ceremony on Sun., March 29, to announce final awards. In total, 429 students particpated, representing 346 projects and 80 schools. Also, about 175 STEM professionals volunteered to judge projects and provide feedback to students, and about 30 more volunteered as special awards judges. We also had 25 general event volunteers to support staff in key roles. Efforts to increase student access to this activity included the one-day event structure, low registration costs, and fee waivers for those with financial need. We also started using a simpler Middle School project registration form to minimize the paperwork needed at that level.
  2. $91,168 spent. Our Fostering Opportunities and Relationships in STEM Education (FORSE) program brings free STEM enrichment to individuals from populations that remain underrepresented in STEM fields. To do so, we form collaborative partnerships with schools and other educational organizations serving the target populations, identifying community needs / goals, and finding ways to support each partner tailored to their specific priorities. Our 8 FORSE educational partners are public / charter schools, school districts, and after-school and summer enrichment. Combined they operate 14 schools and 4 out-of-school educational programs. From July 2025 - June 2026 FORSE supported these 8 educational partners to serve a total of 2,155 individual students.
  3. $28,788 spent. We hosted the Minnesota High School Science Bowl (Jan. 24, 2026 at Hamline University) and Middle School Science Bowl (February 21, 2026 at Minnetonka MS East) with a combined 217 students from 23 schools participating this team based quiz bowl competitions. The winning teams represented Minnesota in the National Science Bowl held in person in Washington, DC. Finally, we also host the Winchell Undergraduate Research Symposium (April 26, 2026 at Bethel University) where 77 students presented their research in Oral format or in Poster format. Twenty academic professionals judged the students, and another 6 volunteers participated in planning. Recognition awards were given to the students ranking in the top one-third after judging.
  4. $17,862 spent. Winchell Symposium
  5. $1,708 spent. Other small programs

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2026, 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 June 2026.

    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 May 1945.

    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.