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The Aldrin Family Foundation Inc

EIN 54-1897591 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak30 out of 100GovernanceWeak26 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 188 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO ASSIST THE UNITED STATES IN CREATING AN EDUCATIONAL PIPELINE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF SPACE EXPLORERS, INNOVATORS AND ENTREPRENEURS. SUCH ASSISTANCE SHALL FURTHER INCLUDE FACILITATING PROGRAMS TO EDUCATE THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN THE FIELDS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WITH AN EMPHASIS ON SPACE EXPLORATION VIA THE SOLICITATION AND DISPLAY OF SPACE MEMORABILIA AT MUSEUMS AND OTHER PUBLIC VENUES.

Income
$442,011
Spending
$772,670
Spent on programs
60%
Reserves
2.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 91%
Employees
5
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$100,000, 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

Weak: 30 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (science, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 75% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 71% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    60% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 188 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

Weak: 26 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (science, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 3 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    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 (6)
  1. $352,783 spent. THE ALDRIN FAMILY FOUNDATION'S STUDENT SATELLITES IN SPACE (S-CUBED) PROGRAM IGNITES STUDENTS' PASSIONS IN STEM AND GROWS THE WORKFORCE OF THE FUTURE. STUDENTS ARE PROVIDED WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN THE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING OF A SATELLITE SPACECRAFT, HOW TO WORK SAFELY IN A LABORATORY, EXPLORE THE ETHICS OF ENGINEERING, AND PREPARE FOR A FRUITFUL CAREER OR DEGREE IN STEM.
  2. $40,527 spent. THE ALDRIN FAMILY FOUNDATION'S ROCKETS & ROVERS SUMMER CAMP IS A MULTI-WEEK CAMP FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS. DURING THE CAMP, STUDENTS GRADES 6 THROUGH 8 ENGAGE IN PROJECT-BASED LEARNING TO STRENGTHEN THEIR STEAM CONTENT KNOWLEDGE AND CAREER READINESS SKILLS. ROCKETS & ROVERS SUMMER CAMP PROVIDES STUDENTS OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGINEER AND LAUNCH THEIR OWN ROCKETS, CODE AND OPERATE A MODEL ROBOTIC SPACECRAFT, BUILD A SIMPLE SATELLITE, AND EXPLORE WHAT LIFE WOULD BE LIKE LIVING ON THE MOON.
  3. $42,003 spent. THE ORGANIZATION'S FLOOR-SIZED MAPS TURN CLASSROOMS INTO A HANDS-ON SPACE EXPLORATION ZONE WHERE STUDENTS CAN WALK ACROSS THE LUNAR SURFACE, PLAN MISSIONS TO MARS, AND THINK LIKE REAL ASTRONAUTS AND ENGINEERS. THROUGH INTERACTIVE LESSONS AND STEM ACTIVITIES, K8 STUDENTS EXPLORE THE SOLAR SYSTEM WHILE DEVELOPING CAREER-READINESS SKILLS THAT COULD ONE DAY TAKE THEM BEYOND EARTH.
  4. $12,088 spent. THE ORGANIZATION SPONSORS AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM TARGETED PRIMARILY TO FIFTH GRADERS TO MOTIVATE THEM TO EXPLORE STEM AS THEY CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION. STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN 25 HOURS OF CHALLENGING, "HANDS-ON, MINDS-ON" CURRICULUM AND ACTIVITIES IN STEM SUCH AS AVIATION AND SPACE EXPLORATION THAT MEET OR EXCEED NATIONAL STANDARDS.
  5. $11,921 spent. THE ALDRIN FAMILY FOUNDATION'S SPACE CURRICULUM COLLABORATIVE (SCC) IS A 4-DAY EDUCATOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP HOSTED ANNUALLY AT NASA'S KENNEDY SPACE CENTER VISITOR COMPLEX AND OTHER LOCATIONS AROUND THE WORLD. AT SCC, YOU CONNECT WITH OTHER PASSIONATE SPACE EDUCATORS, LEARN NEW TEACHING PERSPECTIVES, HEAR FROM EXPERT GUEST SPEAKERS, AND DEVELOP LESSONS TO IMPLEMENT IN THE CLASSROOM.
  6. $2,351 spent. THE ALDRIN FAMILY FOUNDATION'S AMBASSADOR PROGRAM IS A VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY OF K-12 EDUCATORS WHO SUPPORT OUR MISSION OF BRINGING SPACE EDUCATION INTO CLASSROOMS AND INCREASING STEAM ENGAGEMENT IN STUDENTS TO INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF SPACE EXPLORERS.

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 1999.

    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.