Childrens Museum of the Lowcountry
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Museum is a non-profit organization whose mission is to spark imagination, stimulate curiosity and encourage problem solving through the power of play in families from all backgrounds with young children.
- Income
- $2.3 million
- Spending
- $1.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 2.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 46%
- Employees
- 26
- Volunteers
- 75
- Highest pay
- $210,031, president & ceo
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 32% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 31% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $1.6 million spent. The Children's Museum of the Lowcountry serves children from birth through age 8 and their caregivers through a variety of on-site and off-site programs. Designed for both area residents and visitors, the museum features seven indoor galleries with hands-on, inquiry-based exhibits that support early cognitive and social development. All exhibits and activities are intentionally designed to engage young children in the exploration of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM), encouraging learning through play and discovery. (Continued on Schedule O)About the Museum:Situated in a historic building in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry features seven indoor exhibit rooms and an outdoor play area, all designed using expert knowledge of how young children learn through self-directed play. The museum develops educational programs and activities specifically tailored to the developmental needs of children from birth to age 8, with a focus on supporting both cognitive and social-emotional growth.For more than 20 years, the museum has been a regional leader in creating engaging exhibits and innovative early childhood programs that foster curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving. In addition to serving young children, the museum also supports caregiversrecognizing parents as a child's first and most important teacherand provides educators with tools to enhance learning both inside and outside the classroom.To reach as many children and families as possible across South Carolina's diverse Lowcountry region, the museum actively works to remove barriers to access. These efforts include:> Offering all summer camp seats at no cost at the museum's satellite location in St. George;> Hosting twice-monthly private sessions with free admission for families with children with special needs;> Providing two Less-Than-a-Dollar Saturdays annually, one in spring and one in fall;> Participating in the Museums for All program at both locations, through which families receiving SNAP or WIC benefits pay only $3 per personup to $12 off regular admissionresulting in nearly $90,000 in savings to families annually; and> Bringing hands-on STEAM-based learning directly to schools and community events through its Mobile Museum experience, supported through grant funding.Programs:In addition to its interactive exhibits, the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry offers a robust calendar of programming that enhances the visitor experience and deepens learning through hands-on, developmentally appropriate activities. These programs are designed to engage children from birth through age 8 and support their cognitive, social, and emotional development.The museum hosts a variety of regular offerings, including:> Standards-based field trips aligned with South Carolina Department of Education curriculum standards;> Art programs that explore various media and techniques, from drawing and crafting to textile arts;> Science programs that introduce children to foundational scientific concepts through fun, accessible topics such as animal biology, forces of nature, and water power;> Creative movement and early arts classes for toddlers that promote motor skill development and self-expression;> Seasonal camps and birthday party experiences that encourage curiosity and collaboration in a joyful, play-based environment; andThe museum also regularly partners with local organizations and experts to bring special programming to families. For example, the popular Second Saturday Science series features guest presentersincluding local meteorologistswho use engaging, real-world topics like weather to introduce young children to scientific inquiry.These offerings reflect the museum's commitment to both in-house expertise and strong community partnerships, enriching the visitor experience well beyond the exhibit galleries.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1995.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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