Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
FROST SCIENCE INSPIRES AND CONNECTS PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS TO ENJOY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, AND TO BETTER UNDERSTAND OURSELVES AND OUR WORLD.
- Income
- $22.4 million
- Spending
- $31.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 1.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 79%
- Employees
- 347
- Volunteers
- 117
- Highest pay
- $417,646, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 41% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 25 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2525 of 25 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
7 of 7Has a 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 September 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)
- $4.7 million spent. AQUARIUM AND CONSERVATION - SEE SCHEDULE OAQUARIUM AND CONSERVATIONTHE AQUARIUM AT THE PHILLIP AND PATRICIA FROST MUSEUM OF SCIENCE (FROST SCIENCE) IS CENTRAL TO THE MUSEUM'S MISSION, CONNECTING VISITORS TO SOUTH FLORIDA'S MARINE ECOSYSTEMS THROUGH INTERACTIVE AND SCIENCE-BASED EXPERIENCES. THE AQUARIUM IS HOME TO MORE THAN 10,000 ANIMALS REPRESENTING OVER 300 SPECIES AND IS ANCHORED BY A 500,000-GALLON GULF STREAM HABITAT. ACROSS THREE LEVELS, GUESTS EXPLORE THE ADAPTATIONS OF PELAGIC SPECIES, ENGAGE WITH OCEAN SCIENCE, AND EXPERIENCE A UNIQUE UPWARD VIEW THROUGH A 31-FOOT OCULUS LENS. LIVE ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS LED BY THE HUSBANDRY TEAM FURTHER DEEPEN ENGAGEMENT AND REINFORCE CONSERVATION AWARENESS. THE MUSEUM EXTENDS ITS IMPACT BEYOND ITS WALLS THROUGH ONGOING CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION EFFORTS ACROSS MIAMI-DADE COUNTY. THROUGH MUSEUM VOLUNTEERS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT (MUVE), 775 VOLUNTEERS DEDICATED 1,700 HOURS TO COASTAL RESTORATION, PLANTING 10,134 NATIVE PLANTS, REMOVING 2,000 POUNDS OF MARINE DEBRIS, AND ENGAGING 36 PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS. THESE EFFORTS DIRECTLY CONNECT RESIDENTS TO STEWARDSHIP OF FLORIDA'S ECOSYSTEMS. CONSERVATION INITIATIVES ALSO INCLUDE REEF RESTORATION ALONG THE FLORIDA REEF TRACT, WHERE THE MUSEUM HAS SUPPORTED THE OUTPLANTING OF MORE THAN 1,000 CORALS AND THE RELOCATION OF OVER 200 DIADEMA SEA URCHINS. THE MUSEUM ALSO COLLABORATES WITH AGENCY PARTNERS TO RESPOND TO AND MITIGATE THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE MARINE SPECIES. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, THE AQUARIUM AND CONSERVATION PROGRAM ADVANCES ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND STRENGTHENS COMMUNITY RESILIENCE ACROSS SOUTH FLORIDA.
- $2.3 million spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND OUTREACH - SEE SCHEDULE OEDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND OUTREACHEDUCATION AND OUTREACH REMAIN ESSENTIAL TO THE MISSION OF THE PHILLIP AND PATRICIA FROST MUSEUM OF SCIENCE (FROST SCIENCE), EXPANDING ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY STEM LEARNING ACROSS SOUTH FLORIDA. THE OUTREACH TEAM TRAVELS OVER 2,000 MILES ANNUALLY TO BRING HANDS ON SCIENCE EXPERIENCES DIRECTLY INTO SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES, PARKS, AND COMMUNITY CENTERS. PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE FROST SCIENCE PORTABLE PLANETARIUM, WHICH TRANSFORMS COMMUNITY SPACES INTO IMMERSIVE ASTRONOMY EXPERIENCES ALIGNED WITH STATE STANDARDS AND LED BY TRAINED SCIENCE EDUCATORS. SIGNATURE INITIATIVES CONTINUE TO DRIVE IMPACT. THE STEM CHALLENGE ENGAGES MORE THAN 1,000 STUDENTS ANNUALLY AND AWARDS OVER 30 COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS. TECH LAB CLUB SERVES APPROXIMATELY 300 YOUTH ANNUALLY WITH A FOCUS ON EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES, WHILE AFTERSCHOOL ADVENTURES OPERATES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH. EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNERS ARE ENGAGED THROUGH MINI ME SCIENCE INTO THE WILD, WHICH OFFERS PLACE BASED EXPERIENCES IN NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS THROUGHOUT THE REGION. FROST SCIENCE ALSO SUPPORTS LONG TERM STUDENT SUCCESS THROUGH TARGETED PROGRAMS. THE FEDERALLY FUNDED UPWARD BOUND MATH AND SCIENCE (UBMS) PROGRAM SERVES 65 STUDENTS FROM TITLE I SCHOOLS IN A FOUR-YEAR ENRICHMENT PATHWAY, WITH MORE THAN 1,000 STUDENTS SERVED OVER ITS HISTORY AND APPROXIMATELY 95 PERCENT ENROLLING IN COLLEGE. THE YOUR SHORES PROGRAM PROVIDES STIPENDS, SCUBA CERTIFICATION, MARINE FIELD RESEARCH, AND COLLEGE READINESS SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS PURSUING STEM PATHWAYS. THE MUSEUM ADVANCES INCLUSION THROUGH ITS JUST FOR ME PROGRAM, WHICH OFFERS SENSORY FRIENDLY EXPERIENCES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM AND DIVERSE SENSORY NEEDS. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, FROST SCIENCE STRENGTHENS THE REGIONAL STEM ECOSYSTEM AND INSPIRES THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEARNERS, EDUCATORS, AND INNOVATORS.
- $11.4 million spent. EXHIBITIONS AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT - SEE SCHEDULE OEXHIBITIONS AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTEXHIBITIONS AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT DEFINE THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE AT THE PHILLIP AND PATRICIA FROST MUSEUM OF SCIENCE (FROST SCIENCE), REFLECTING THE BELIEF THAT SCIENCE IS ESSENTIAL TO UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD, ADDRESSING GLOBAL CHALLENGES, AND SHAPING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE. THROUGH IMMERSIVE AND INTERDISCIPLINARY EXPERIENCES, THE MUSEUM INSPIRES CURIOSITY, INNOVATION, AND LIFELONG LEARNING FOR AUDIENCES OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS. THE MUSEUM'S PERMANENT EXHIBITIONS EXPLORE TOPICS RANGING FROM THE EVOLUTION OF FLIGHT AND HUMAN HEALTH TO THE ECOSYSTEMS OF THE EVERGLADES AND PREHISTORIC LIFE. THE FROST PLANETARIUM ENHANCES THIS EXPERIENCE THROUGH ADVANCED 8K PROJECTION TECHNOLOGY, PRESENTING VISUALLY COMPELLING SHOWS THAT EXPLORE SPACE, EARTH SYSTEMS, AND THE FRONTIERS OF SCIENCE. ROTATING TRAVELING EXHIBITIONS FURTHER EXPAND THE MUSEUM'S OFFERINGS, BRINGING GLOBALLY RECOGNIZED CONTENT AND NEW PERSPECTIVES TO SOUTH FLORIDA. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT IS ACTIVATED THROUGH LIVE DEMONSTRATIONS, INTERACTIVE PROGRAMMING, AND ONGOING EXPERIENCES WITHIN EXHIBITION SPACES. THE MUSEUM REACHES A BROAD AND DIVERSE AUDIENCE OF RESIDENTS AND VISITORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, SUPPORTED BY A STRONG MEMBERSHIP BASE OF NEARLY 10,000 ACTIVE HOUSEHOLDS. THESE POINTS OF CONNECTION DEEPEN ENGAGEMENT WITH SCIENCE AND REINFORCE THE MUSEUM'S ROLE AS A LEADING CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL DESTINATION. TOGETHER, THESE INITIATIVES REFLECT FROST SCIENCE'S INTEGRATED MODEL OF EXHIBITIONS, RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, ADVANCING WORKFORCE READINESS, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, AND EQUITABLE ACCESS WHILE STRENGTHENING MIAMI DADE COUNTY'S POSITION AS A CENTER FOR INNOVATION AND CULTURAL VITALITY.
- $8.3 million spent. ANCILLARY SERVICES - RETAILRETAIL AT THE PHILLIP AND PATRICIA FROST MUSEUM OF SCIENCE (FROST SCIENCE) IS AN EXTENSION OF THE MUSEUM'S MISSION, OFFERING THOUGHTFULLY CURATED PRODUCTS THAT INSPIRE CURIOSITY, REINFORCE LEARNING, AND DEEPEN THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE. THE MUSEUM STORE FEATURES A WIDE ASSORTMENT OF SCIENCE FOCUSED ITEMS INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL TOYS, BOOKS, APPAREL, AND EXHIBITION RELATED MERCHANDISE THAT CONNECT DIRECTLY TO THE CONTENT AND THEMES EXPLORED THROUGHOUT THE MUSEUM. THE MUSEUM HAS PLACED A STRONG EMPHASIS ON ALIGNING ITS RETAIL STRATEGY WITH ITS VALUES BY INCREASING THE SOURCING OF PRODUCTS MADE IN THE UNITED STATES AND FROM LOCAL VENDORS, WHILE REDUCING RELIANCE ON INTERNATIONALLY PRODUCED GOODS. PARTNERSHIPS WITH SMALL BUSINESSES, INCLUDING WOMEN-OWNED AND MINORITY-OWNED ENTERPRISES, FURTHER SUPPORT A MORE SUSTAINABLE AND COMMUNITY FOCUSED RETAIL PROGRAM. MANY PRODUCT LINES ARE DEVELOPED IN HOUSE BY THE MUSEUM'S DESIGN TEAM, CREATING UNIQUE AND MISSION-DRIVEN COLLECTIONS THAT ARE EXCLUSIVE TO FROST SCIENCE. THESE INCLUDE EXHIBITION-INSPIRED ASSORTMENTS SUCH AS THE REEFLORIDA COLLECTION, AS WELL AS THE 'ADOPT AN ANIMAL' PLUSH PROGRAM, WHICH HIGHLIGHTS SPECIES REPRESENTED IN THE MUSEUM'S AQUARIUM AND ENCOURAGES CONNECTIONS TO CONSERVATION. THROUGH INTENTIONAL PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND SOURCING, THE MUSEUM'S RETAIL OPERATION ENHANCES ENGAGEMENT, SUPPORTS LOCAL AND NATIONAL MAKERS, AND EXTENDS THE IMPACT OF THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE BEYOND THE GALLERIES.OTHER PROGRAMMATIC ACTIVITIESIN ADDITION TO ITS CORE PROGRAMS, THE PHILLIP AND PATRICIA FROST MUSEUM OF SCIENCE (FROST SCIENCE) DELIVERS A RANGE OF COMPLEMENTARY ACTIVITIES THAT EXTEND ITS REACH, DEEPEN ENGAGEMENT, AND SUPPORT LONG TERM SUSTAINABILITY. THESE EFFORTS CREATE ADDITIONAL PATHWAYS FOR AUDIENCES TO CONNECT WITH SCIENCE WHILE STRENGTHENING THE MUSEUM'S ROLE AS A DYNAMIC COMMUNITY HUB. GROUP VISITS AND FIELD TRIPS PROVIDE STRUCTURED, CURRICULUM ALIGNED EXPERIENCES FOR SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND YOUTH GROUPS, OFTEN SERVING AS AN ENTRY POINT FOR FIRST TIME VISITORS. THE MUSEUM ALSO PRODUCES A ROBUST CALENDAR OF PUBLIC PROGRAMS, INCLUDING SCIENCE-BASED LECTURES, SCREENINGS, AND SIGNATURE EVENTS SUCH AS NIGHTLAB, AN ADULTS-ONLY EVENING SERIES HELD TWICE ANNUALLY THAT BLENDS SCIENCE, CULTURE, AND ENTERTAINMENT TO ENGAGE NEW AND DIVERSE AUDIENCES. PRIVATE EVENTS AND FACILITY RENTALS FURTHER ACTIVATE THE MUSEUM DURING EVENING AND OFF-PEAK HOURS, WELCOMING CORPORATE AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS INCLUDING WEDDINGS, GALAS, PRODUCT LAUNCHES, AND NONPROFIT EVENTS. THESE EXPERIENCES INTRODUCE NEW AUDIENCES TO THE MUSEUM WHILE GENERATING CRITICAL EARNED REVENUE IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT IS REINFORCED THROUGH STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS, INCLUDING TARGETED MARKETING CAMPAIGNS, DIGITAL OUTREACH, AND NEWSLETTERS THAT KEEP THE COMMUNITY INFORMED AND CONNECTED. TOGETHER, THESE PROGRAMMATIC ACTIVITIES ENHANCE VISIBILITY, EXPAND ACCESS, AND REINFORCE THE MUSEUM'S ROLE AS A LEADING CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE FOR SOUTH FLORIDA.IN ADDITION TO ITS CORE PROGRAMS, THE PHILLIP AND PATRICIA FROST MUSEUM OF SCIENCE (FROST SCIENCE) DELIVERS A RANGE OF COMPLEMENTARY ACTIVITIES THAT EXTEND ITS REACH, DEEPEN ENGAGEMENT, AND SUPPORT LONG TERM SUSTAINABILITY. THESE EFFORTS CREATE ADDITIONAL PATHWAYS FOR AUDIENCES TO CONNECT WITH SCIENCE WHILE STRENGTHENING THE MUSEUM'S ROLE AS A DYNAMIC COMMUNITY HUB. GROUP VISITS AND FIELD TRIPS PROVIDE STRUCTURED, CURRICULUM ALIGNED EXPERIENCES FOR SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND YOUTH GROUPS, OFTEN SERVING AS AN ENTRY POINT FOR FIRST TIME VISITORS. THE MUSEUM ALSO PRODUCES A ROBUST CALENDAR OF PUBLIC PROGRAMS, INCLUDING SCIENCE-BASED LECTURES, SCREENINGS, AND SIGNATURE EVENTS SUCH AS NIGHTLAB, AN ADULTS-ONLY EVENING SERIES HELD TWICE ANNUALLY THAT BLENDS SCIENCE, CULTURE, AND ENTERTAINMENT TO ENGAGE NEW AND DIVERSE AUDIENCES. PRIVATE EVENTS AND FACILITY RENTALS FURTHER ACTIVATE THE MUSEUM DURING EVENING AND OFF-PEAK HOURS, WELCOMING CORPORATE AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS INCLUDING WEDDINGS, GALAS, PRODUCT LAUNCHES, AND NONPROFIT EVENTS. THESE EXPERIENCES INTRODUCE NEW AUDIENCES TO THE MUSEUM WHILE GENERATING CRITICAL EARNED REVENUE IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT IS REINFORCED THROUGH STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS, INCLUDING TARGETED MARKETING CAMPAIGNS, DIGITAL OUTREACH, AND NEWSLETTERS THAT KEEP THE COMMUNITY INFORMED AND CONNECTED. TOGETHER, THESE PROGRAMMATIC ACTIVITIES ENHANCE VISIBILITY, EXPAND ACCESS, AND REINFORCE THE MUSEUM'S ROLE AS A LEADING CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE FOR SOUTH FLORIDA.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 September 2025.
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 September 1950.
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.
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.