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Fort Bend Childrens Discovery Center LLC

EIN 46-5472437 · Houston, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE FORT BEND CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY CENTER IS TO TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES THROUGH INNOVATIVE, CHILD-CENTERED LEARNING.

Income
$871,235
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
9.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 54%
Employees
0
Volunteers
286
Highest pay
$284,997, 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

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 41% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% 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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    44 of 44 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

    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 (5)
  1. $867,608 spent. THE FORT BEND CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY CENTER (FBCDC) EMPLOYS CREDENTIALLED EDUCATORS WHO MANAGE FIVE BILINGUAL (ENGLISH/SPANISH) EXHIBIT GALLERIES AND PROGRAMMING THAT CHANGES WEEKLY. THESE EXHIBITS/PROGRAMS ARE FOCUSED ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF LITERACY AND ENGAGEMENT IN HANDS-ON, INQUIRY-BASED INVESTIGATIONS OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ARTS/DESIGN AND MATH (I.E.,THE STEAM DISCIPLINES). IN FY 2025 FBCDC SERVED 96,857, down 571 FROM THE PRIOR YEAR. IN 2025 21% OF VISITORS RECEIVED FREE ADMISSION VIA OPEN DOORS FREE ADMISSION PASSES DISTRIBUTED TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES BY COMMUNITY-BASED PARTNERS. AT 100+ LOCATIONS ACROSS FORT BEND COUNTY. OUTCOMES OF MUSEUM VISITS ARE EVALUATED ANNUALLY WITHIN A PROCESS OF CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT. VISITORS MIRROR FORT BEND'S DIVERSITY WITH AN ATTENDANCE THAT IS 34% ANGLO, 24% AFRICAN AMERICAN, 22% ASIAN AMERICAN, AND 20% HISPANIC/LATINO. AT 100+ LOCATIONS ACROSS FORT BEND COUNTY. OUTCOMES OF MUSEUM VISITS ARE EVALUATED ANNUALLY WITHIN A PROCESS OF CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT. VISITORS MIRROR FORT BEND'S DIVERSITY WITH AN ATTENDANCE THAT IS 34% ANGLO, 24% AFRICAN AMERICAN, 22% ASIAN AMERICAN, AND 20% HISPANIC/LATINO. WHILE CLOSED, FBCDC, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF HOUSTON, SWITCHED TO AN ONLINE FORMAT SO THAT THE CHILDREN IT SERVES CAN CONTINUE TO ACCESS LEARNING CONTENT. (Expenses $ including grants of $)(Revenue $ 15,130) Other museum merchandise.
  2. $42,504 spent. The Open Doors Partner Network of over 100 community and faith-based partners in Fort Bend County helps ensure families that might have difficulty affording admission are provided Free Family Passes to visit during any time the Discovery Center is open to the public. This enables over 10% of the annual audience to visit at no cost. HEALTHCARE CLINICS, LOW-INCOME HOUSING APARTMENTS, LIBRARY BRANCHES AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. THESE PARTNERSHIPS INCREASE COLLECTIVE IMPACTS WHILE REMOVING BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION AND EMPLOYING BEST-PRACTICE APPROACHES THAT ENABLE CHILDREN OF LOW-INCOME FAMILIES TO DEVELOP ASPIRATIONAL GOALS FOR SCHOOL COURSEWORK AND CAREERS. ALL PROGRAMS ARE EVALUATED ANNUALLY, WITH TARGETS SET FOR OUTPUTS AND OUTCOMES.
  3. $41,871 spent. VISITOR SERVICES INCLUDING FACILITATION OF EXHIBITS AND PROGRAMS, VOLUNTEERS, SERVICE SUPPORT, AND CONVENIENCES INCLUDING PARKING. (Expenses $ including grants of $)(Revenue $ 15,130) Other museum merchandise.
  4. Other museum merchandise.
  5. OTHER MUSEUM MERCHANDISE. EXPENSES $ 0. INCLUDING GRANTS OF $ 0. REVENUE $ 15,130.

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 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 June 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 June 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.