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Homewood Science Center

EIN 81-1288818 · Homewood, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 48% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE HOMEWOOD SCIENCE CENTER IS ORGANIZED EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 501(C)3 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, INCLUDING DEVELOPING AND OPERATING A COMMUNITY SCIENCE CENTER TO ADVANCE LEARNING FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES IN THE AREAS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.

Income
$407,006
Spending
$303,686
Spent on programs
48%
Reserves
21.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 53%
Employees
0
Volunteers
167
Highest pay
$87,974, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 47% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    48% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    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 December 31, 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 (5)
  1. $94,870 spent. HOMEWOOD SCIENCE CENTER DELIVERS NGSS-ALIGNED FIELD TRIPS FOR PREK8 STUDENTS, PROVIDING HANDS-ON, INQUIRY-BASED STEM LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT COMPLEMENT CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION. IN 2025, THE CENTER EXPANDED ITS FIELD TRIP OFFERINGS AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS, DELIVERING PROGRAMS SUCH AS ROLLER COASTER ENGINEERING, GREEN LAB, AND POLLINATOR STUDIES. THESE EXPERIENCES DEEPEN STUDENTS UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS WHILE BUILDING CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS. IN 2025, THE PROGRAM SERVED 5,422 STUDENTS, A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE FROM PRIOR YEARS.
  2. $30,000 spent. HOMEWOOD SCIENCE CENTERS STEM SATURDAYS PROVIDE FREE, HANDS-ON STEM LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN, DESIGNED TO SPARK CURIOSITY AND BUILD EARLY SCIENCE AND MATH SKILLS. IN 2025, STEM SATURDAYS WERE OFFERED WEEKLY AND FEATURED INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS, GUEST STEM PROFESSIONALS, AND FACILITATED ACTIVITIES SUCH AS ENGINEERING CHALLENGES AND EARLY MATH EXPLORATION THROUGH MATH MAGIC. THE PROGRAM STRENGTHENS EARLY STEM IDENTITY AND SUPPORTS FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IN LEARNING, PARTICULARLY FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. IN 2025, STEM SATURDAYS SERVED 3,979 HOUSEHOLD VISITS, REPRESENTING CONTINUED GROWTH AND STRONG REPEAT PARTICIPATION.
  3. $6,488 spent. THE CONSERVATION ECOLOGY INTERNSHIP ENGAGES MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS IN HANDS-ON ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HABITAT RESTORATION AT THE IZAAK WALTON PRESERVE. PARTICIPANTS CONDUCT FIELD RESEARCH, CONTRIBUTE TO BIODIVERSITY EFFORTS, AND LEARN ABOUT ECOSYSTEM DYNAMICS ALIGNED WITH NGSS STANDARDS. THE PROGRAM BUILDS ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND INTRODUCES STUDENTS TO STEM CAREER PATHWAYS RELATED TO CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY. IN 2025, THE PROGRAM SERVED INSERT NUMBER STUDENTS, WITH PARTICIPANTS COMPLETING HANDS-ON RESTORATION AND SCIENTIFIC OBSERVATION PROJECTS.
  4. $14,595 spent. THE GIRLS STEAM CELEBRATION IS AN ANNUAL CAREER EXPLORATION EVENT DESIGNED TO INSPIRE MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS TO PURSUE INTERESTS AND CAREERS IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ARTS, AND MATH. IN 2025, STUDENTS ENGAGED WITH MORE THAN 30 WOMEN PROFESSIONALS REPRESENTING DIVERSE STEAM FIELDS, TOURED PRAIRIE STATE COLLEGE, AND PARTICIPATED IN HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES AND VISION- BUILDING EXERCISES. THE PROGRAM ADDRESSES GENDER GAPS IN STEM BY INCREASING AWARENESS, CONFIDENCE, AND ACCESS TO ROLE MODELS AND CAREER PATHWAYS. THE EVENT SERVED STUDENTS FROM MULTIPLE MIDDLE SCHOOLS, WITH PARTICIPATION CONTINUING TO GROW TOWARD A GOAL OF 100 STUDENTS ANNUALLY.
  5. THE GIRLS STEAM CELEBRATION IS AN ANNUAL CAREER EXPLORATION EVENT DESIGNED TO INSPIRE MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS TO PURSUE INTERESTS AND CAREERS IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ARTS, AND MATH. IN 2025, STUDENTS ENGAGED WITH MORE THAN 30 WOMEN PROFESSIONALS REPRESENTING DIVERSE STEAM FIELDS, TOURED PRAIRIE STATE COLLEGE, AND PARTICIPATED IN HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES AND VISION- BUILDING EXERCISES. THE PROGRAM ADDRESSES GENDER GAPS IN STEM BY INCREASING AWARENESS, CONFIDENCE, AND ACCESS TO ROLE MODELS AND CAREER PATHWAYS. THE EVENT SERVED STUDENTS FROM MULTIPLE MIDDLE SCHOOLS, WITH PARTICIPATION CONTINUING TO GROW TOWARD A GOAL OF 100 STUDENTS ANNUALLY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 May 2016.

    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.

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