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Delmarva Discovery Center & Museum Inc

EIN 52-2118540 · Pocomoke City, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO FOSTER APPRECIATION OF DELMARVA'S UNIQUE NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE THROUGH EDUCATION, EXPLORATION AND ENJOYMENT.

Income
$323,477
Spending
$350,837
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 41%
Employees
20
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$55,000, coo

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: 60 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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, 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 (1)
  1. $350,837 spent. THE DELMARVA DISCOVERY CENTER & MUSEUM IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, YEAR ROUND. WE WELCOME VISITORS OF ALL AGES TO EXPLORE OUR 16,000 SQUARE FEET OF UNIVERSALLY-ACCESSIBLE EXHIBITS FEATURING THE NATURAL AND CULTURAL HISTORIES OF DELMARVA. ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR EXHIBITS IS THE WALLY GORDON RIVER OTTER HABITAT WHERE OUR TWO PLAYFUL OTTERS, MAC AND TUCK, FROLIC IN THEIR 6,000 GALLON AQUARIUM AND EXTENSIVE LAND AREA. ANOTHER IS OUR TOUCH POOL WHERE VISITORS GET AN UP-CLOSE LOOK - AND TOUCH - OF HORSESHOE CRABS, WHELKS, EELS, AND OTHER MARINE CREATURES OF DELMARVA. OTHER ATTRACTIONS INCLUDE A WALK-THROUGH REPLICA STEAMBOAT, NATIVE AMERICAN EXHIBIT, LIFE-SIZE BEAVER LODGE, DECOY SHED, BOAT BUILDING DISPLAY, AND A VARIETY OF ADDITIONAL LIVE ANIMALS. AN ADJACENT NATURE TRAIL OFFERS EXCELLENT HIKING AND BEAVER AND BIRD WATCHING OPPORTUNITIES.WE ALSO OFFER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOL GROUPS, SCOUTS, SUMMER CAMPS, AND OTHER YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS. FOR ADULT GROUPS, WE OFFER GUIDED TOURS OF OUR EXTENSIVE EXHIBITS. IN ADDITION, WE HOST A VARIETY OF PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND SPECIAL EVENTS.

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? 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 December 2024.

    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 April 2001.

    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.