National Space Science & Technology Institute
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The corporation is organized and shall be operated exclusively for scientific, research, educational and public outreach purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. A. Developing a variety of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) informal and formal education programs aimed at educating students, teachers, and the public in Earth and space science and other related matters, both in person and remotely. B. Developing and Operating a mobile STEM resource center equipped with telescopes and other technology to permit both hands-on and remote STEM instruction and research.
- Income
- $94,159
- Spending
- $90,495
- Reserves
- 2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 81%
- Highest pay
- $9,400, technical assistant
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (science, under $250k).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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, 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)
- In 2025, NSSTI deployed MESO, our mobile STEM laboratory/observatory designed to provide informal and formal education relating to Earth and space sciences, to 44 schools and other public venues (libraries, educational centers). MESO is a "science center on wheels," that engaged and excited over 3800 students, teachers, and the public with inquiry-based hands-on educational and research activities focused on solar activity, weather, climate, atmospheric and space sciences, renewable energy, scientific instrumentation and science methodology. MESO Deployment Name MESO Deployment Date Aerolabs - Littleton 1/21/2025 Aerolabs - Parker 1/28/2025 Aerolabs - Peyton 2/11/2025 Aerolabs - Boulder 2/13/2025 Aerolabs - CastleRock 2/12/2025 Aerolabs - NorthGate 2/14/2025 Aerolabs - NorthGate 2/19/2025 Aerolabs - NorthGate 2/20/2025 Aerolabs - Miliken 2/28/2025 Future Fest Denver 4/26/2025 Bear Creek 2/19/2025 ECOC 1/25/2025 Penrose Elementary 5/1/2025 Palmer HS 3/2/2025 Talbott STEAM Inovation School 4/10/2025 City of Boulder - Water Festival 5/12/2025 Canon Exploritory School 5/1/2025 MESO Camp 6/3-6/21/25 MESO Camp 6/3-6/21/25 Pinnacle Charter School 4/29/2025 Arapahoe Library - Koelbel 6/7/2025 Lake County Intermediate School 4/23/2025 Bauder Elem 5/5/2025 MESO Camp 6/3/25-6/21/25 MESO Camp 6/3/25-6/21/25 MESO Camp 6/3/25-6/21/25 Aerolab - Colorado Military Academy 4/4/2025 Aerolab - Leadville 4/24/2025 Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) 6/20/2025 Mueller State Park 6/21/2025 Arapahoe Library - Smoky Hill 6/15/2025 Colorado Springs Charter Academy 5/14/2025 Denver Astro Society Chamberlain Observ 7/12/2025 The Ranch - Larimer 8/1/25-8/5/25 Home School Academy aka Academy District 20 10/1/2025 Dark Sky Salida 10/17/2025 Aerolab Brush aka Freemont 1A 9/16/2025 Aerolab Littleton 9/23/2025 Aerolabs - Parker 10/7/2025 Aerolabs - Northgate 10/8/2025 Space Academy Homeschool 9/12/2025 Broomfield Art & Hunamities 10/4/2025 Buckley SFB aka Griffiss Institute 6/27/2025 Oak Creek Elem aka District 2 Harrison Schools 5/13/2025
Source: Form 990EZ 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 April 1998.
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.