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Powerhouse Science Center

EIN 68-0321106 · Sacramento, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak26 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE POWERHOUSE SCIENCE CENTER IS A DYNAMIC, REGIONAL HUB THAT ENGAGES AND INSPIRES PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO EXPLORE THE WONDERS, POSSIBILITIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF SCIENCE.

Income
$6.0 million
Spending
$6.5 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
-71 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 45%
Employees
95
Volunteers
73
Highest pay
$190,425, interim 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

Weak: 26 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 77% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 20 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

    0 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 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 (1)
  1. $5.1 million spent. OPERATION OF THE SCIENCE CENTER REQUIRES SKILLED AND DYNAMIC STAFF, WITH RELATED EXPENSES, AS WELL AS OPERATING THE BUILDING THAT HOUSES THE MUSEUM. THESE STAFF BRING THE EXCITEMENT OF STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS) TO ALL WHO VISIT, AND ALSO CONDUCT ALL OF THE FUNCTIONS REQUIRED TO OPERATE THE MUSEUM. THE MUSEUM AUDIENCE INCLUDES PAID VISITORS, SCHOOL GROUPS, SUMMER CAMPS, AND ALL ATTENDEES TO SPECIAL PROGRAMMING. OUR PROGRAMS INCLUDE FIELD TRIP PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOL GROUPS, LIVE PLANETARIUM SHOWS DELIVERED BY STAFF, SCIENCE DEMONSTRATIONS, BIRTHDAY PARTIES, MEMBER EVENTS, ADULT FOCUSED PROGRAMS, AND MORE. STAFFING ALSO INCLUDES ALL OF THE ESSENTIAL SUPPORT FUNCTIONS FOR OPERATING EVERY ASPECT OF THE MUSEUM. STAFF CREATE AND REPAIR THE HANDS-ON EXHIBITS AND DEVELOP NEW PROGRAMMING THAT MEETS EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS, AND MEET OUR HIGH STANDARDS FOR LIFELONG LEARNING FOR VISITORS OF ALL AGES. THE SCIENCE CENTER SERVES VISITORS WHO COME FROM THE ENTIRE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AS WELL AS TOURISTS FROM THROUGHOUT NORTH AMERICA AND BEYOND.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1995.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.