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Catawba Science Center Inc

EIN 56-1073440 · Hickory, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood79 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO CHANGE LIVES AND INSPIRE LEARNING THROUGH SCIENCE AND WONDER

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
26.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 51%
Employees
88
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$104,816, executive director

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: 79 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 26.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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 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 (3)
  1. $995,579 spent. REVENUES AND EXPENSE IN CONJUNCTION WITH CURRICULUM ALIGNED, SCIENCE EDUCATION DEVELOPED FOR PUBLIC, PRIVATE AND HOMESCHOOL AUDIENCES. THESE HANDS-ON, INQUIRY-BASED LEARNING EXPERIENCES ARE ALIGNED WITH THE COMMON CORE AND ESSETNIAL STANDARDS CURRENTLY BEING USED WITHIN THE NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL SYSTEM. EXPENSES RELATED TO THE SERVICE MAY INCLUDE SALARIES, BENEFITS AND RELATED PAYROLL TAXES, EQUIPMENT, UTILITIES AND BUILDING EXPENSES, ETC. REQUIRE TO DELIVER EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
  2. $96,346 spent. REVENUES AND EXPENSES IN CONJUNCTION WITH ON-SITE SCIENCE EDUCATION EXPERIENCES PROVIDED LOCATED WITHIN THE EXHIBIION HALLS AND CLASSROOMS AT THE HICKROY SITE. THIS SECTION REFERS TO THE ON-SITE SCIENCE EDUCATION DELIVERED THROUGH INFORMAL, INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS AND EXPERIENES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
  3. $513,847 spent. REVENUES AND EXPENSES IN CONJUNCTION WITH INTERACTIVE SCIENCE PROGRAMS OFFERED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, THE RENTAL OF SCIENCE EXHIBITIONS TO OTHER MUSEUMS, MISCELLANEOUS INCOME AND EXPENSES DIRECTED TOWARDS THE GENERAL OPERATIONS OF CATWABA SCIENCE CENTER.

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 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 June 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 November 1974.

    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.