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Discovery Center of Springfield Inc

EIN 43-1568214 · Springfield, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

A SCIENCE CENTER BASED MUSEUM PROVIDING HANDS-ON EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES TO ALL PEOPLE THROUGH INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS, SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS AND VIDEO CONFERENCING NATIONWIDE, YOUTH AND ADULTS LEARN MORE ABOUT LIVING THROUGH SCIENCE FACTS.

Income
$2.6 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
-2.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 61%
Employees
102
Volunteers
500
Highest pay
$100,667, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 30% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 28 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 (3)
  1. $1.1 million spent. MUSEUM DISCOVERY CENTER PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS TO COMBINE FUN AND LEARNING WHILE INTERACTING WITH REAL LIFE EXHIBITS. THESE INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS COMBINE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ARTS, HUMANITIES, AND HEALTH TO STIMULATE YOUNG AND MATURE MINDS. VISITORS ARE ENGAGED IN EXPERIMENTS AND EXPERIENCES THAT ARE FUN AND ENCOURAGE ASKING THE QUESTIONS OF "HOW?- AND "WHY?". EXHIBITS ARE KEPT CURRENT AND RELEVANT FOR THE INQUIRING MINDS OF TODAY.
  2. $611,142 spent. EDUCATION DISCOVERY CENTER EDUCATION PROGRAMS EXIST TO HELP CLASSROOM EDUCATORS, HOME SCHOOL EDUCATORS, SCOUT LEADERS, OR COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES COORDINATORS WITH ACCESS TO THE HIGHEST QUALITY SCIENCE LEARNING EXPERIENCES POSSIBLE. WHILE DCS IS A COMMON CHOICE FOR FIELD TRIPS, WE ALSO HAVE A WIDE VARIETY OF SCIENCE EXPERIENCES THAT CAN BE BROUGHT TO SCHOOL SITES. BECAUSE FUNDS FOR ENRICHMENT EXPERIENCES ARE LIMITED, WE CONSTANTLY STRIVE TO MAKE SURE OUR PROGRAMS ARE THE HIGHEST QUALITY, MEET MISSOURI GLES AND NATIONAL SCIENCE STANDARDS, AND GIVE STUDENTS ACCESS TO HANDS-ON SCIENCE LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT GENERATE EXCITEMENT FOR LEARNING SCIENCE CONTENT. STIMULATING SUMMER WORKSHOP THEME EVENTS AND PARENT CHILD WORKSHOPS ALSO BRING THE FUN AND EXCITEMENT OF SCIENCE TO THE MINDS AND HEARTS OF TODAY'S YOUTH. EDUCATION DISCOVERY CENTER EDUCATION PROGRAMS EXIST TO HELP CLASSROOM EDUCATORS, HOME SCHOOL EDUCATORS, SCOUT LEADERS, OR COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES COORDINATORS WITH ACCESS TO THE HIGHEST QUALITY SCIENCE LEARNING EXPERIENCES POSSIBLE. WHILE DCS IS A COMMON CHOICE FOR FIELD TRIPS, WE ALSO HAVE A WIDE VARIETY OF SCIENCE EXPERIENCES THAT CAN BE BROUGHT TO SCHOOL SITES. BECAUSE FUNDS FOR ENRICHMENT EXPERIENCES ARE LIMITED, WE CONSTANTLY STRIVE TO MAKE SURE OUR PROGRAMS ARE THE HIGHEST QUALITY, MEET MISSOURI GLES AND NATIONAL SCIENCE STANDARDS, AND GIVE STUDENTS ACCESS TO HANDS-ON SCIENCE LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT GENERATE EXCITEMENT FOR LEARNING SCIENCE CONTENT. STIMULATING SUMMER WORKSHOP THEME EVENTS AND PARENT CHILD WORKSHOPS ALSO BRING THE FUN AND EXCITEMENT OF SCIENCE TO THE MINDS AND HEARTS OF TODAY'S YOUTH.
  3. $305,571 spent. THE DISCOVERY SCHOOL PROGRAM STARTED AS A RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY NEEDS FOR IN-PERSON FORMAL EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE. THIS ACCREDITED EDUCATION PROGRAM HELPS STUDENTS EITHER MEET GRADE LEVEL EXPECTATIONS ACCORDING TO THE MISSOURI LEARNING STANDARDS, OR MOVE BEYOND THEIR AGE-ASSIGNED GRADE IN ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on December 15, 2021 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on December 15, 2021.

    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 July 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 June 2023.

    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.