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Baltimore Underground Science Space

EIN 46-0738285 · Baltimore, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

See page 1, Part I, 1.

Income
$194,664
Spending
$178,666
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
3
Volunteers
80
Highest pay
$840, director

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: 63 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 55% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 61% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 92% 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

    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.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $56,686 spent. ADULT COURSES AND SEMINARS: BUGSS served 424 attendees at its adult courses and seminars. Our goal is to make science accessible to the general public by bridging the gap between professionals and the people that science is intended to serve. We hosted workshops on computer programming, bioart and personal genotyping, and revived our short, lab-skills courses, hosting 6 courses to build practical skills. We also hosted 10 seminars on topics including astrobiology, genetic engineering for neurological diseases, nanoscale medicine, spider-web building, sustainable food production, the science of cacao, epidemiology and the science of brewing and distilling.
  2. $28,604 spent. IGEM: BUGSS mentored its ninth consecutive team competing in the International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) competition. Our East Coast BioCrew team consisted of 29 high school students and 6 mentors, who met at BUGSS throughout the spring and summer to work on a project with significant environmental and cultural importance. The team's goal was to engineer Lactococcus bacteria to produce the main flavor-and-smell compounds in chocolate, thereby reducing the environmental degradation brought about by the modern chocolate-production industry and reducing the use of exploitative and child labor. Students consulted with experts in genetic engineering and chocolate production and used this information to refine their project. Additionally, they consulted the community to determine the interest and willingness to buy their ultimate product, and educated children and adults about synthetic biology and chocolate through a series of courses and seminars at the BUGSS lab. The team attended the 2024 iGEM Jamboree in Paris, France, where their work was awarded a bronze medal by a panel of expert judges.
  3. $27,508 spent. YOUTH COURSES AND SCHOOL PROGRAMS: BUGSS engaged in a large and diverse number of classes, camps and workshops for students from kindergarten through high school. We served 115 students in 11 classes held at the BUGSS lab on topics including climate change, the human brain, genetic engineering, food science and chemistry. In addition, we hosted 12 events for homeschooled students and our nonprofit partners STEMcx and Latino Educational Advancement Fund. We further hosted a 4-week camp for elementary-age students, who were enrolled in the STEMcx program. Finally, we expanded our internship programs to include weeks-long programs for high school students, who were part of Merit Health Leadership Academy and Building STEPS, and two semester-long internship programs for college students, from schools across the Baltimore region.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2015 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2015.

    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 2025.

    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 November 2015.

    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.