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Science Play-Space Initiative Spi Inc

EIN 45-4592640 · Mount Vernon, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood73 out of 100GovernanceFair59 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF SCIENCE PLAY-SPACE INITIATIVE SPI, INC. IS TO ENHANCE THE KNOX COUNTY COMMUNITY BY BRINGING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO EXPLORE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND HUMAN INTERACTION THROUGH PLAY.

Income
$131,287
Spending
$174,537
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
11.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 69%
Employees
16
Volunteers
60
Highest pay
$46,800, executive di

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

Financial health

Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 33% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

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

Governance

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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

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 (2)
  1. $116,145 spent. SPI OPERATES A COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND RECREATION CENTER WHERE FAMILIES CAN DROP IN FOR PLAY-BASED LEARNING TOGETHER DESCRIBED AS DISCOVERY PLAY; THE ACTIVITIES ARE PRESENTED THROUGH THE LENSES OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ART, AND MATH. APPROXIMATELY 7,091 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN THIS INITIATIVE.
  2. $16,380 spent. SPI FACILITATED MULTIPLE SESSIONS OF SUMMER ENRICHMENT CAMPS AT OUTDOOR VENUES THROUGHOUT JUNE AND JULY, AND IN THE WINTER LED AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVITIES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SALVATION ARMY THROUGH A WEEKLY INITIATIVE CALL CLUB CODE. SPI DESIGNS ENGAGING TABLETOP ACTIVITIES, GAMES, AND DEMONSTRATIONS FOR EXHIBITION AND ENGAGEMENT AT COMMUNITY FESTIVALS AND EVENTS. THE APPLICATION OF SPI STAFF TIME AND RESOURCES TOWARD THESE EFFORTS SUPPORTS BROADER COMMUNITY OBJECTIVES AND ADDRESSES ITS INSTITUTIONAL PRIORITY TO COLLABORATE WITH GOVERNMENT PARTNERS, OTHER AREA NON-PROFITS AND LOCAL BUSINESS. PARTICIPATION INCLUDED 1,010 INDIVIDUALS THROUGH THE ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS AND 820 INDIVIDUALS THROUGH THE OUTREACH PROGRAMS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 2012.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.