Michigan Science Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE MICHIGAN SCIENCE CENTER IS TO INSPIRE CURIOUS MINDS OF ALL AGES TO DISCOVER, EXPLORE AND APPRECIATE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH IN A CREATIVE, DYNAMIC LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.
- Income
- $8.9 million
- Spending
- $6.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- -1.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 65%
- Employees
- 105
- Volunteers
- 25
- Highest pay
- $357,540, president and ceo
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
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 32% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 34% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2525 of 25 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $3.2 million spent. DURING THE YEAR, THE MICHIGAN SCIENCE CENTER WELCOMED 128,246 VISITORS, OFFERING HANDS-ON EXHIBITS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING THAT INSPIRE CURIOSITY AND ENGAGEMENT WITH SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH (STEM). THROUGH ADMISSIONS, WE ADVANCE OUR MISSION TO PROVIDE A CREATIVE AND DYNAMIC LEARNING ENVIRONMENT WHERE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES DISCOVER AND APPRECIATE STEM.
- $551,803 spent. THE MICHIGAN SCIENCE CENTER DELIVERED EDUCATION PROGRAMS, OUTREACH INITIATIVES, WORKSHOPS, AND CAMPS THAT SERVED 50,706 PARTICIPANTS. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS INCLUDING TRAVELING SCIENCE PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY OUTREACHWE EXTENDED HANDS-ON STEM LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND OUR MUSEUM WALLS, ENGAGING DIVERSE AUDIENCES AND SUPPORTING OUR MISSION TO INSPIRE DISCOVERY, EXPLORATION, AND APPRECIATION OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH.
- $269,854 spent. FACILITY RENTALS ALLOWS COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, SUCH AS THE UNITED WAY AND BLACK TECH SATURDAY, THE OPPORTUNITY RENT THE FACILITY TO PROVIDE EXPERIENCES/FIELD TRIPS FOR STUDENTS. IN ADDITION, IT ALLOWS FOR A UNIQUE CORPORATE MEETING SPACE AS WELL AS THEMED EVENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
- $445,945 spent. FACILITY RENTALS ALLOWS COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, SUCH AS THE UNITED WAY AND BLACK TECH SATURDAY, THE OPPORTUNITY RENT THE FACILITY TO PROVIDE EXPERIENCES/FIELD TRIPS FOR STUDENTS. IN ADDITION, IT ALLOWS FOR A UNIQUE CORPORATE MEETING SPACE AS WELL AS THEMED EVENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2012.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.