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Magic House

EIN 51-0138441 · Saint Louis, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MAGIC HOUSE, ST. LOUIS CHILDREN'S MUSEUM WILL ENGAGE ALL CHILDREN WITH HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT SPARK IMAGINATION, PIQUE CURIOSITY, ENHANCE CREATIVITY AND DEVELOP PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS WITHIN A PLACE OF BEAUTY, WONDER, JOY AND MAGIC.

Income
$9.6 million
Spending
$9.1 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
12.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 53%
Employees
251
Volunteers
230
Highest pay
$328,559, president

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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    35 of 35 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

    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 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 (3)
  1. $5.6 million spent. MUSEUM EXPERIENCE - THE MAGIC HOUSE OPENED IN 1979 TO PROVIDE AN EDUCATIONAL FACILITY FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE GREATER ST. LOUIS AREA. THE MUSEUM IS COMMITTED TO HANDS-ON LEARNING AND PROVIDES MULTI-CURRICULAR EXHIBITS FOR CHILDREN AGES 1 TO 11 YEARS WITHIN A 55,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY ON THREE ACRES OF OUTDOOR SPACE. IN 2019, THE MAGIC HOUSE OPENED A SATELLITE LOCATION IN THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS, MADE FOR KIDS, A 7,000 SQUARE FOOT MAKERSPACE WITH A STRONG FOCUS ON STEM EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AGES 4 TO 14 YEARS. ATTENDANCE AT THE MAGIC HOUSE APPROXIMATED 456,000 IN 2025. THE ATTENDANCE AT MADE FOR KIDS IN 2025 APPROXIMATED 43,000.
  2. $1.4 million spent. PUBLIC PROGRAMS - THE MAGIC HOUSE OFFERS A WIDE VARIETY OF PUBLIC PROGRAMS. THESE INCLUDE PARENT-CHILD CLASSES; ART AND CULTURAL WORKSHOPS AND PERFORMANCES; SUMMER CAMPS; SCOUT PROGRAMS; BIRTHDAY PARTIES; AND SPECIAL EVENTS SUCH AS EARTH DAY, FALL FARM FESTIVAL AND BIG TRUCK DAY.
  3. $215,205 spent. SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS - THE MAGIC HOUSE OFFERS FACILITATED FIELD TRIP PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS AGES 3 TO 14 THAT CONNECT TO CLASSROOM CURRICULUM AND MEET STATE AND NATIONAL STANDARDS. THESE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TAKE PLACE AT BOTH THE MAGIC HOUSE AND OUR SATELLITE LOCATION IN THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS, MADE FOR KIDS, AND COVER STEAM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ARTS AND MATH), SOCIAL STUDIES, AND FINANCIAL LITERACY. IN 2025, THE MAGIC HOUSE PROVIDED IN-PERSON FIELD TRIP PROGRAMS TO 32,000 STUDENTS. MAGIC HOUSE EDUCATORS ALSO SERVED STUDENTS THROUGH STEAM FAMILY NIGHTS AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS IN THEIR SCHOOLS. THROUGH THE MAGIC HOUSE'S ACCESS FOR ALL INITIATIVE, FREE ADMISSION AND INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES WERE PROVIDED TO MORE THAN 91,000 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN NEED IN 2025. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)(SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS CONTINUED): THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED BY PROVIDING MONTHLY PUBLIC FREE FAMILY NIGHTS AT BOTH LOCATIONS, FREE ADMISSION ON A DAILY BASIS TO FOSTER FAMILIES, BIG BROTHER BIG SISTER PAIRS, AND ACTIVE-DUTY MILITARY FAMILIES AND FAMILY NIGHTS FOR NOT-FOR-PROFIT YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS, FIELD TRIPS FOR UNDER-RESOURCED SCHOOLS, AND FREE MEMBERSHIPS TO FAMILIES IN THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS THROUGH THE ST. LOUIS PUBLIC LIBRARY.

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 September 1977.

    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.