Reading Science Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE READING SCIENCE CENTER EXISTS TO FOSTER A LOVE OF SCIENCE THROUGH EXCITING AND EXPERIENTIAL STEM EDUCATION FOR THE GREATER READING COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY OUR YOUTH.
- Income
- $724,740
- Spending
- $574,770
- Spent on programs
- 72%
- Reserves
- 1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 80%
- Employees
- 22
- Volunteers
- 0
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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 51% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1572% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2521 of 21 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.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $412,726 spent. READING SCIENCE CENTER IS A SAFE AND VIBRANT LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR FAMILIES AND STUDENTS FROM BERKS COUNTY AND BEYOND. THE CENTER HOUSES OVER 50 HANDS-ON EXHIBITS ENCOURAGING CHILDREN TO DISCOVER THE WONDERS OF SCIENCE AT THEIR OWN PACE. ADDITIONALLY, FIELD TRIPS FOR SCHOOLS ARE HOSTED PROVIDING SCIENCE EXPLORATION THROUGH THEIR INTERACTIVE STATIONS AND EXHIBITS AS WELL AN HOUR LONG SCIENCE INVESTIGATION LED BY EDUCATORS ON TOPICS SUCH AS PH, ELECTRIC CIRCUITS, STATES OF MATTER, TOOLS OF A SCIENTIST, THE SCIENCE OF GLOW, BIOME HABITATS, VISCOSITY, ETC. STUDENTS LEARN THE VOCABULARY OF SCIENCE, AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD. THEY EACH PERFORM THEIR OWN INVESTIGATION AND TAKE HOME ELEMENTS OF THE LESSON FOR FURTHER INQUIRY. ALL LESSONS ARE ALIGNED WITH PENNSYLVANIA STATE SCIENCE CURRICULUM STANDARDS.IN ADDITION TO THEIR IN-HOUSE PROGRAMMING, READING SCIENCE CENTER TRAVELS TO READING SCHOOL DISTRICT CLASSROOMS FOR SUMMER PROGRAMMING, AS WELL AS AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR. THE CENTER PRODUCES THEIR OWN SIGNATURE SISTERS IN STEM AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR GIRLS IN GRADES FOUR THROUGH SIX DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE AND EMPOWER THESE FUTURE INNOVATORS TO PURSUE CAREERS IN STEM.THE CENTER ALSO HOSTS THEIR OWN ANNUAL COMMUNITY SCIENCE CELEBRATION CALLED CELEBRATE SCIENCE DAY". THIS EVENT BRINGS TOGETHER SCIENCE ACTIVITIES FROM A VARIETY OF INSTITUTIONS AND INDUSTRY PARTNERS TO SHOW THE APPLICATIONS OF SCIENCE IN SPACE, HEALTH, SAFETY, GEOLOGY, ANIMALS, PLANTS, ELECTRICITY AND MORE. THE EVENT IS OFFERED FREE TO THE PUBLIC.
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
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 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 March 2019.
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.