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Friends of Nc State Museum of Natural Sciences

EIN 56-1240806 · Raleigh, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FRIENDS OF THE NC STATE MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCES SUPPORTS THE MUSEUM IN ITS MISSION TO ILLUMINATE THE NATURAL WORLD AND INSPIRE ITS CONSERVATION.

Income
$6.7 million
Spending
$7.3 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
6.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 26%
Employees
128
Volunteers
34
Highest pay
$431,563, executive director & ceo

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: 82 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% 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 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    27 of 27 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $768,553 spent. MUSEUM STORES: FRIENDS OF THE NCMNS OPERATES TWO PERMANENT STORES AND ONE TEMPORARY FEATURED EXHIBITION STORE TO ENHANCE AND EXTEND THE MUSEUM VISITORS' EXPERIENCE. MERCHANDISE INCLUDES EDUCATIONAL SCIENCE ITEMS, MUSEUM SOUVENIRS, AND SCIENCE-THEMED ART AND JEWELRY. A PORTION OF PROCEEDS DIRECTLY SUPPORTS MUSEUM PROGRAMS AND EXHIBITS.
  2. $745,291 spent. EDUCATIONAL MOVIES AND EVENTS: FRIENDS OF THE NCMNS OPERATES EDUCATIONAL MOVIES AND EVENTS ON BEHALF OF THE MUSEUM. THESE EVENTS AND MOVIES ENHANCE THE MUSEUM'S PERMANENT EXHIBITS WITH A CHANGING ARRAY OF NEW AND COMPELLING SCIENCE TOPICS, BRING IN NEW AND REPEAT VISITATION, ENGAGE DIVERSE GROUPS OF VISITORS AND FURTHER THE MUSEUM'S MISSION TO ILLUMINATE THE NATURAL WORLD AND INSPIRE ITS CONSERVATION.
  3. $369,345 spent. FACILITY USE: FRIENDS OF THE NCMNS SUPPORTS THE MUSEUM AND PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL CONTENT BY OFFERING USE OF THE MUSEUM FOR PRIVATE EVENTS. GUESTS OF THE EVENT ENJOY MUSEUM EXHIBITS AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR EXPANDED PROGRAMMING DURING THEIR EVENT.
  4. CONTRIBUTION TO THE MUSEUM: FRIENDS OF THE NCMNS SUBMITS 7% OF THE QUARTERLY (ADJUSTED) GROSS SALES FROM THE MUSEUM STORE TO THE MUSEUM FOR USE BY THE MUSEUM. FUNDS ARE ADMINISTERED BY THE MUSEUM DIRECTOR TO MEET NEEDS WITHIN THE MUSEUM NOT COVERED UNDER THE MUSEUM'S OPERATIONAL BUDGET.

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 November 6, 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 September 1979.

    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 November 4, 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.