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Childrens Museum of Denver Inc

EIN 84-0658142 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO CREATE EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCES THAT CHAMPION THE WONDER AND JOY OF CHILDHOOD.

Income
$12.5 million
Spending
$10.9 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
9.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 44%
Employees
155
Volunteers
308
Highest pay
$328,858, president an

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 35% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    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 June 30, 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 (2)
  1. $7.9 million spent. THE MUSEUM PROVIDES RICH PLAY EXPERIENCES AND A DYNAMIC LEARNING ENVIRONMENT WITH MORE THAN 20 INNOVATIVE EXHIBITS, EVER-CHANGING DAILY PROGRAMS AND EXCITING YEAR-ROUND SPECIAL EVENTS. MUSEUM STAFF ALSO TAKE EXPERIENCES INTO CLASSROOMS THROUGH OUTREACH PROGRAMMING AND REGULARLY PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY EVENTS. THESE EXPERIENCES AND PROGRAMS HELP DEVELOP SKILLS CHILDREN NEED IN THE 21ST CENTURY, SUCH AS CRITICAL THINKING AND COLLABORATION. ALL SCHOOL GROUP PROGRAMMING ALIGNS WITH COLORADO ACADEMIC STANDARDS, AND MUSEUM OFFERINGS ARE GUIDED BY THE MUSEUM'S EDUCATION FRAMEWORK, HEAD START'S CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND EARLY LEARNING FRAMEWORK, AND DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE PRACTICE. AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATION OF CHILDREN'S MUSEUMS, THE MUSEUM STAYS CURRENT ON BEST PRACTICES TO OFFER ITS GUESTS EXCEPTIONAL INFORMAL LEARNING EXPERIENCES. EXAMPLES OF MUSEUM PROGRAMS AND EXHIBITS INCLUDE: 1) THE CENTER FOR THE YOUNG CHILD, THE REGION'S ONLY DEVELOPMENTALLY-APPROPRIATE PLAY ENVIRONMENT EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO AGE THREE AND THEIR CAREGIVERS; 2) WATER, A LIVELY, STEM-RICH EXHIBIT THAT INVITES CHILDREN TO EXPERIMENT WITH WATER AND EXPLORE ITS PROPERTIES; 3) THE ART STUDIO, A NEW AREA DEDICATED TO CREATIVE WORKS USING PAINT, CLAY, FOUND MATERIALS AND OTHER MEDIA AND PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN TO WORK ALONGSIDE PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS THROUGH THE MUSEUM'S NEW ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM; 4) OUTREACH PROGRAMS, WHICH ENHANCE CURRICULUM TAUGHT IN AREA CLASSROOMS; AND 5) SCHOOL GROUP FIELD TRIPS, WHICH ALLOW STUDENTS TO EXPLORE THE MUSEUM ON THEIR OWN AND PARTICIPATE IN ON-SITE FACILITATED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. THE MUSEUM PROVIDES RICH PLAY EXPERIENCES AND A DYNAMIC LEARNING ENVIRONMENT WITH MORE THAN 20 INNOVATIVE EXHIBITS, EVER-CHANGING DAILY PROGRAMS AND EXCITING YEAR-ROUND SPECIAL EVENTS. MUSEUM STAFF ALSO TAKE EXPERIENCES INTO CLASSROOMS THROUGH OUTREACH PROGRAMMING AND REGULARLY PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY EVENTS. THESE EXPERIENCES AND PROGRAMS HELP DEVELOP SKILLS CHILDREN NEED IN THE 21ST CENTURY, SUCH AS CRITICAL THINKING AND COLLABORATION. ALL SCHOOL GROUP PROGRAMMING ALIGNS WITH COLORADO ACADEMIC STANDARDS, AND MUSEUM OFFERINGS ARE GUIDED BY THE MUSEUM'S EDUCATION FRAMEWORK, HEAD START'S CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND EARLY LEARNING FRAMEWORK, AND DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE PRACTICE. AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATION OF CHILDREN'S MUSEUMS, THE MUSEUM STAYS CURRENT ON BEST PRACTICES TO OFFER ITS GUESTS EXCEPTIONAL INFORMAL LEARNING EXPERIENCES. EXAMPLES OF MUSEUM PROGRAMS AND EXHIBITS INCLUDE: 1) THE CENTER FOR THE YOUNG CHILD, THE REGION'S ONLY DEVELOPMENTALLY-APPROPRIATE PLAY ENVIRONMENT EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO AGE THREE AND THEIR CAREGIVERS; 2) WATER, A LIVELY, STEM-RICH EXHIBIT THAT INVITES CHILDREN TO EXPERIMENT WITH WATER AND EXPLORE ITS PROPERTIES; 3) THE ART STUDIO, A NEW AREA DEDICATED TO CREATIVE WORKS USING PAINT, CLAY, FOUND MATERIALS AND OTHER MEDIA AND PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN TO WORK ALONGSIDE PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS THROUGH THE MUSEUM'S NEW ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM; 4) OUTREACH PROGRAMS, WHICH ENHANCE CURRICULUM TAUGHT IN AREA CLASSROOMS; AND 5) SCHOOL GROUP FIELD TRIPS, WHICH ALLOW STUDENTS TO EXPLORE THE MUSEUM ON THEIR OWN AND PARTICIPATE IN ON-SITE FACILITATED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.
  2. $475,618 spent. THE EXHIBITS DESIGN TEAM AT THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF DENVER AT MARSICO CAMPUS SPECIALIZES IN HELPING NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS ARTICULATE AND CRAFT WORLD-CLASS INTERACTIVE AND INFORMAL LEARNING EXPERIENCES. WE PROVIDE EXPERT ADVICE ON THE MANY DECISIONS INVOLVED WITH DESIGNING, FABRICATING, INSTALLING, AND MAINTAINING NEW MUSEUM EXHIBITS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1974.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.