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Science Center of Iowa

EIN 42-6097912 · Des Moines, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE SCIENCE CENTER OF IOWA ENGAGES AND INSPIRES IOWANS ALONG THEIR JOURNEY OF LIFELONG SCIENCE LEARNING.

Income
$7.1 million
Spending
$7.4 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 60%
Employees
106
Volunteers
148
Highest pay
$228,476, president/ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 30 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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 September 30, 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 (4)
  1. $921,724 spent. ADMISSIONS: THE SCIENCE CENTER OF IOWA HAS BEEN PART OF THE CULTURAL COMMUNITY OF IOWA SINCE OPENING IN 1966. THE CURRENT, 117,000 SQUARE FOOT SCIENCE CENTER OF IOWA FACILITY OPENED IN DOWNTOWN DES MOINES IN 2005 AND HOUSES ENGAGING EXHIBIT AREAS WHERE VISITORS CAN EXPLORE, LEARN, AND DISCOVER THROUGH HANDS-ON INTERACTION WITH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOCUSED EXHIBITS. THE FACILITY ALSO INCLUDES AN ADDITIONAL EXHIBIT HALL THAT HOSTS BOTH TRAVELING EXHIBITS AND SPECIAL EVENTS. IN ADDITION, SCI HOUSES THE JOHN DEERE ADVENTURE THEATER FEATURING LIVE SCIENCE THEATER PERFORMANCES AND THE STAR THEATER PLANETARIUM WHICH FEATURES ASTRONOMY PROGRAMS AND SHOWS.
  2. $1.3 million spent. PRESCHOOL PROGRAM: FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS, THE SCIENCE CENTER OF IOWA'S PRESCHOOL HAS PROVIDED CHILDREN WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES, EXPLORE A VARIETY OF TOPICS AND LEARN POSITIVE SOCIAL INTERACTION SKILLS IN THE UNIQUE SCIENCE-BASED SETTING OF THE SCIENCE CENTER OF IOWA. THE LOCATION OF THE PRESCHOOL SOLIDIFIES THE SCIENCE CENTER'S COMMITMENT TO PREPARING CHILDREN FOR THEIR FUTURE EDUCATION, WHILE ALSO OFFERING THEM OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUN AS PART OF THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE. THE SCIENCE CENTER OF IOWA PRESCHOOL RECEIVED NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN (NAEYC) ACCREDITATION IN AUGUST OF 2008 AND CONTINUES TO MAINTAIN THAT CERTIFICAITON.
  3. $905,804 spent. EDUCATION: THE SCIENCE CENTER OF IOWA PROVIDES ENGAGING AND INSPIRING STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH) EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO SCHOOLS, GROUPS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THESE INTERACTIVE PROGRAMS AND DEMOSTRATIONS ARE PROVIDED DAILY TO VISITORS IN THE EXHIBIT AREAS, THEATERS, AND IN SPACES THROUGHOUT THE SCIENCE CENTER OF IOWA DESIGNATED FOR LEARNING, INCLUDING THE INNOVATION LAB. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ARE ALSO DELIVERED THROUGH SCI SUMMER CAMPS, THE SCI OUTREACH PROGRAM, AND THROUGH ADDITIONAL WORKSHOPS, EVENTS, AND CLASSES OFFERED TO PRESCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN THROUGH ADULT AUDIENCES.
  4. $2.7 million spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE A RETAIL SHOP, FACILITY RENTAL, OPERATIONS, BUILDING AND GROUNDS, AND THE PARKING GARAGE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 September 2025.

    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 October 1966.

    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 October 21, 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.