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St Louis Science Center Foundation

EIN 43-1496632 · Saint Louis, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SUPPORT THE ST. LOUIS SCIENCE CENTER AND ITS COMPREHENSIVE ARRAY OF EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAMS TO THE COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO INCREASE INTEREST, UNDERSTANDING AND ENTHUSIASM FOR STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS).

Income
$10.8 million
Spending
$9.7 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
16.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 46%
Employees
0
Volunteers
28
Highest pay
$373,441, president / ceo (as of 2/25)

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (science, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 16.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 36 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (science, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 4 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, 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)
  1. $7.4 million spent. THE SAINT LOUIS SCIENCE CENTER FOUNDATION PROVIDES FACILITIES AND DIRECT FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE OPERATIONS OF THE SAINT LOUIS SCIENCE CENTER. EACH YEAR, THE FOUNDATION SECURES CONTRIBUTED REVENUE TO SUPPORT THE SCIENCE CENTER'S MISSION TO INSPIRE EVERYONE TO BE CURIOUS AND ENGAGED IN SCIENCE. WELCOMING MORE THAN 640,000 GUESTS ANNUALLY, THE SCIENCE CENTER OFFERS DYNAMIC, ACCESSIBLE PROGRAMMING FOR LEARNERS OF ALL AGES INCLUDING HUNDREDS OF INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, TEEN INITIATIVES LIKE YOUTH EXPLORING SCIENCE, AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS SUCH AS STL FOR ALL. SIGNATURE PROGRAMS LIKE SCIFEST, ESPORTS ENRICHMENT, AND SUMMERTIME SCIENCE CAMPS FOSTER HANDS-ON STEM LEARNING.CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE OANCHORED BY DESTINATIONS LIKE THE JAMES S. MCDONNELL PLANETARIUM AND THE OMNIMAX THEATER, THE SCIENCE CENTER SERVES AS A VITAL REGIONAL HUB FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT.

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

  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 December 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 May 1989.

    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.