Carlton Observatory
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of Carlton Observatory is to promote astronomy to foster an engaged, imaginative and scientifically literate community.
- Income
- $117,402
- Spending
- $152,351
- Reserves
- 21.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 99%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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)
- $16,044 spent. Community Outreach: The Carlton Observatory has hosted multiple "Star Parties," film screenings, and other celestial-related events, and the Organization has participated in local events to build awareness, raise funds, and provide outreach to the community in support of the Organization's mission.
- $50,545 spent. Telescopes and Displays: Includes maintenance and repair of the telescopes and related equipment. In 2021, work began to set up of the display room at Evergreen Air & Space Museum. The purpose of the display rooms is to provide community education in the field of astronomy and allow the public to see the collection of telescopes acquired, and to display the future project designs of the Observatory, which will be built on a plot of land next to the Museum (which prompted the name change). The display rooms are manned by volunteers.
- $19,000 spent. Building Project: A location was agreed upon in 2021, which will be a collaboration between the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum. Architectural plans have been created, and fundraising efforts begain in 2022 to raise the money and recruit professionals with the skills needed to build the Observatory. In 2023, the board expanded and worked with consultants to create a strategy and action plan for the project. A feasibility study was done in 2024, courtesy of a grant provided by the Austin Foundation, and the Organization began preparing for the Capital Campaign at the end of the year.
- $18,005 spent. At the second annual ScienceFest, kids used their hands and minds to make science work in over 24 hands-on science demonstrations, with 352 participants.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 November 6, 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 December 2024.
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 April 2018.
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 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.