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Des Moines Childrens Museum

EIN 82-0923204 · Wdm, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO BUILD THE FOUNDATION OF LIFELONG LEARNING BY PROMOTING THE POWER OF PLAY.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$443,077
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
-26.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
16
Volunteers
156
Highest pay
$49,829, executive dir.

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

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 20% 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

    5 of 20

    It owes 53% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 75% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 328% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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

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

    9 of 9 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 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 (1)
  1. $350,920 spent. DES MOINES CHILDRENS MUSEUM CREATES SAFE PLACES THAT ENCOURAGE CHILD-LED PLAY. THE ORGANIZATION HELPS GENERATE AN EXPERIENCE OF PURPOSEFUL, MEANINGFUL PLAY TO ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO LEARN AND BUILD THEIR EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SKILLS.IN 2025, THE ORGANIZATION SERVED OVER 65,200 VISITORS IN THE MUSEUM. THE ORGANIZATION HOSTS A VARIETY OF WEEKLY EVENTS THAT INCLUDES CRAFTY LABS AND S.T.E.A.M. PROGRAMMING AS WELL AS SENSORY PROGRAMMING FOCUSED ON AMAZING YOUNG LEARNERS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PROVIDES FOR A VARIETY OF SUMMER CAMPS OFFERING HALF DAY CAMPS FOR AGES 4-7 AND 7-9.THE ORGANIZATION HAS ALSO FOCUSED ON EVENT PROGRAMMING AT COMMUNITY EVENTS UNDER "MUSEUM WITHOUT WALLS" WHERE COMMUNITY PARTNERS WERE SHOWCASED. THE ORGANIZATION IS PROUD TO STILL OFFER FREE AND REDUCED ADMISSION BY PARTICPATING IN MUSEUMS FOR ALL AND IOWA'S ADVENTURE PASS.

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 April 2017.

    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.

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.