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Otter Cove Childrens Museum LLC

EIN 83-3891315 · Fergus Falls, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceWeak46 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO SUPPORT THE OPTIMAL DEVELOPMENT OF OUR REGION'S CHILDREN BY INTENTIONALLY CREATING THE ENVIRONMENT FOR ABUNDANT PLAY OPPORTUNITIES THAT LAUNCH CHILDREN'S IMAGINATIONS, STIMULATE SKILL DEVELOPMENT, AND INSTILL A SENSE OF PLACE AND PURPOSE THAT LASTS A LIFETIME

Income
$328,590
Spending
$405,732
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
1.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 50%
Employees
17
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$57,374, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 60 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 46 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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, 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 (1)
  1. $292,963 spent. 265 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS WERE PURCHASED/RENEWED (ENCOMPASSING 1,050 INDIVIDUALS). 49 3-MONTH MEMBERSHIPS WERE PURCHASED/RENEWED (196 INDIVIDUALS), 5 CHILDCARE MEMBERSHIPS WERE PURCHASED/RENEWED (28 INDIVIDUALS), 230 FREE ACCESS TO PLAY MEMBERSHIPS WERE AWARDED (1,056 INDIVIDUALS), AND NUMEROUS DAILY PASSES WERE SOLD IN 2024. OTTER COVE HOSTED 51 FIELD TRIPS, 57 BIRTHDAY PARTIES, AND 5 PRIVATE RENTALS IN 2024. A TOTAL OF 27,486 VISITORS WERE SERSVED IN 2024 THROUGH PRGRAMS SUCH AS MUSIC MAKERS, HOMESCHOOL HANGOUTS AND EARLY EXPLORERS. CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THOURGH WEST-CENTRAL MN ALSO PARTICIPATE IN THE OTTER COVE ON THE GO PROGRAM AND PLAYDATES WHERE MUSEUM ACTIVITIES ARE PROUT TO COMMUNITIES IN THE REGION SO ALL KIDS HAVE A CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE OTTER COVE, EVEN WHEN THEY CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE MUSEUM.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.

    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 November 2019.

    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.