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Discovery Science Center of Los Angeles

EIN 45-5191270 · Santa Ana, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE INSPIRE AND EDUCATE YOUNG MINDS THROUGH ENGAGING SCIENCE-BASED PROGRAMS AND EXHIBITS TO CREATE A MEANINGFUL IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE.

Income
$9.4 million
Spending
$8.0 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
0 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 46%
Employees
104
Volunteers
173
Highest pay
$761,338, chief executive officer

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

Financial health

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 49% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 17 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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.

  • 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 June 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 (3)
  1. $5.4 million spent. DISCOVERY SCIENCE CENTER - TO PROVIDE A WORLD CLASS, HANDS-ON EDUCATIONAL SCIENCE CENTER DESIGNED TO INSPIRE A FASCINATION WITH SCIENCE AND MATH AND LAY A FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE ACHIEVEMENT IN THESE AREAS.
  2. $881,796 spent. EDUCATION OUTREACH - OUR GOAL IS TO COMPLEMENT ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM WITH HANDS ON INSTRUCTION IN SCIENCE AND INSPIRE CHILDREN TO PURSUE FURTHER EDUCATION IN SCIENCE. THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SERVES OVER 350,000 CHILDREN IN THE ORANGE COUNTY, RIVERSIDE, SAN BERNADINO, SAN DIEGO, VENTURA, AND LOS ANGELES AREAS. DISCOVERY CUBE CONNECT - THE CUBE STUDIOS WAS CREATED TO VIRTUALIZE OUR INTERACTIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND PROVIDE IN CLASS AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND WATER AND WASTE AGENCIES.
  3. FIELD TRIPS TO DISCOVERY SCIENCE CENTER - PROVIDE SCIENCE FIELD TRIPS TO ALMOST 68,000 STUDENTS IN THE LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT AND LOCAL PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO COMPLEMENT THE CALIFORNIA ELEMENTARY EDUCATION CURRICULUM.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 June 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 August 2012.

    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.