Childrens Museum Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MUSEUM TRANSFORMS COMMUNITIES THROUGH INNOVATIVE, CHILD-CENTERED LEARNING BY PROVIDING EVIDENCE-BASED PARENTING, LITERACY AND STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS) PROGRAMS AND EXHIBITS.
- Income
- $22.2 million
- Spending
- $16.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 3.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 69%
- Employees
- 305
- Volunteers
- 1,864
- Highest pay
- $284,997, chief executive officer
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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 55% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2544 of 44 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 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)
- $11.0 million spent. The Museum employs credentialled educators who manage thirteen bilingual (English/Spanish) exhibit galleries, an on-site branch of the Houston Public Library, and programming that changes weekly. These exhibits/programs are focused on the development of literacy and engagement in hands-on, inquiry-based investigations of science, technology, engineering, and math (i.e., the STEM disciplines). The museum served 658,000 visitors. Over one-third of the visitors receive free admission via weekly free family nights and the open doors free museum admission passes distributed to low-income families by community-based partners at 1,060+ locations across Greater Houston. (Expenses $ including grants of $)(Revenue $- 136,020) The Gift Shop - The Gift Shop sells an array of unique, educational toys and games for children aged birth to 12 years old. Merchandise sold includes stimulating science and math products that are related to the visitor's experience in the Museum. Many items are used in the exhibits and programs throughout the Museum. All products relate to the Museum's exhibits and programs. The Cafe - The Cafe offers nutritious food for any time of the day so visitors can enjoy a healthy and affordable meal without having to leave the Museum. S.E.C.R.E.T - A fee-based interactive experience designed to take a child's (8 and over) museum experience to the next level. Using state-of-the art technology, kids report to duty and are assigned a S.E.C.R.E.T. mission. The museum combines radio frequency identification (RFID) technology with hands-on educational elements that encourage problem solving, critical thinking, data analysis, programming and teamwork which helps the visitor to solve puzzles, discover hidden agendas and thwart the villains' schemes.
- $1.7 million spent. Community outreach programs serving low-income families in under-resourced neighborhoods include a) programs that increase the quality of experiential learning opportunities for children participating in after school centers and summer camps; and b) programs that equip parents to engage their children in learning at home using inexpensive and readily available supplies. In FY25, these programs achieved attendance of 136,836 through outreach at 333 locations across Greater Houston. All programing is provided free of charge to participants in collaboration with partners that include Title I schools, afterschool centers, community centers, healthcare clinics, low-income housing apartments, library branches and faith-based organizations.
- $299,307 spent. Visitor services including facilitation of exhibits and programs, volunteers, service support, and conveniences including parking. (Expenses $ including grants of $)(Revenue $- 136,020) The Gift Shop - The Gift Shop sells an array of unique, educational toys and games for children aged birth to 12 years old. Merchandise sold includes stimulating science and math products that are related to the visitor's experience in the Museum. Many items are used in the exhibits and programs throughout the Museum. All products relate to the Museum's exhibits and programs. The Cafe - The Cafe offers nutritious food for any time of the day so visitors can enjoy a healthy and affordable meal without having to leave the Museum. S.E.C.R.E.T - A fee-based interactive experience designed to take a child's (8 and over) museum experience to the next level. Using state-of-the art technology, kids report to duty and are assigned a S.E.C.R.E.T. mission. The museum combines radio frequency identification (RFID) technology with hands-on educational elements that encourage problem solving, critical thinking, data analysis, programming and teamwork which helps the visitor to solve puzzles, discover hidden agendas and thwart the villains' schemes.
- The Gift Shop - The Gift Shop sells an array of unique, educational toys and games for children aged birth to 12 years old. Merchandise sold includes stimulating science and math products that are related to the visitor's experience in the Museum. Many items are used in the exhibits and programs throughout the Museum. All products relate to the Museum's exhibits and programs. The Cafe - The Cafe offers nutritious food for any time of the day so visitors can enjoy a healthy and affordable meal without having to leave the Museum. S.E.C.R.E.T - A fee-based interactive experience designed to take a child's (8 and over) museum experience to the next level. Using state-of-the art technology, kids report to duty and are assigned a S.E.C.R.E.T. mission. The museum combines radio frequency identification (RFID) technology with hands-on educational elements that encourage problem solving, critical thinking, data analysis, programming and teamwork which helps the visitor to solve puzzles, discover hidden agendas and thwart the villains' schemes.
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
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 June 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 November 1982.
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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