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Stem Connection

EIN 46-5647562 · Indianapolis, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE STEM CONNECTION (TSC) IS A 501(C)(3) CORPORATION AIMED AT FACILITATING SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH EXPERIENCES AT MOORE ROAD FARM AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL SITES. TSC EDUCATES AND EMPOWERS CHILDREN AND ADULTS IN STEM PRINCIPLES THROUGH RELEVANT HANDS-ON STEM EXPERIENCES FOR AN INCREASINGLY STEM-RELATED WORKFORCE AND WORLD.

Income
$957,211
Spending
$857,308
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
2.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 86%
Employees
41
Volunteers
426
Highest pay
$92,621, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 31, 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 (4)
  1. $258,194 spent. STEM DAY CAMPS:OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH TO PARTICIPATE IN SUMMER-LONG STEM EXPERIENCES AT MOORE ROAD FARM.
  2. $184,805 spent. STEM FAMILY KITS:THE STEM CONNECTION PROVIDES PRE-PACKAGED MATERIALS FOR CHILDREN ANDFAMILIES TO CARRY OUT STEM ACTIVITIES.
  3. $207,595 spent. STEM FIELD TRIPS:OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROUPS OF STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN OUTDOOR HANDS-ON STEM ACTIVITIES AT MOORE ROAD FARM. FIELD TRIP PARTICIPANTS ENGAGE IN AT LEAST TWO STEM ACTIVITIES CONNECTED TO A CHOSEN THEME FROM THE TSC ACTIVITY MENU. ACTIVITIES CONNECT STEM TO STATE EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS BY ALIGNING TO CONTENT, PROCESS, AND EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS.
  4. $45,663 spent. OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH, EDUCATORS, AND FAMILIES TO ENGAGE IN EXTENDED STEM LEARNING THROUGH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, WEBINARS, AND VIDEOS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 December 2014.

    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.