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Wow Childrens Museum World of Wonder Ltd

EIN 84-1421537 · Lafayette, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WOW CHILDREN'S MUSEUM ENGAGES ALL FAMILIES IN EDUCATIONAL, HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES THAT CONNECT CURIOSITY, CREATIVITY AND DISCOVERY.

Income
$848,949
Spending
$917,132
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
2.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 60%
Employees
14
Highest pay
$93,255, executive di

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

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 38 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 11 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

    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

    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 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 (2)
  1. $631,089 spent. WOW CHILDREN'S MUSEUM FEATURES EXHIBITS AND PROGRAMMING DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE CHILDREN, THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS TO PLAY, EXPLORE AND LEARN IN A WELCOMING COMMUNITY SETTING. EXHIBITS SUCH AS MICRO U, DISCOVERY GARDEN, THE MARKET AND BANK CELEBRATE CHILDREN'S NATURAL INSTINCTS TO LEARN THROUGH DISCOVERY AND IMAGINATIVE PLAY, AND OFFER DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE EXPERIENCES FOR YOUNG LEARNERS. DROP-IN SCIENCE, ART AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS EXPAND ON THE MUSEUM'S EMPHASIS ON CURIOSITY AND COMMUNITY. WITH THEMES SUCH AS KINDERGARTEN READINESS AND GIRLS IN SCIENCE, AFTER-HOURS EVENTS OFFER CAREGIVERS SUPPORT IN WORKING WITH THEIR LITTLE ONES ON ACADEMIC, EMOTIONAL AND LIFE SKILL DEVELOPMENT.
  2. $23,839 spent. WOW CHILDREN'S MUSEUM BRINGS OUR PLAY-BASED LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES TO COMMUNITY SITES: SCHOOLS, DAYCARES, LIBRARIES AND OTHERS AROUND BOULDER COUNTY, WITH A PRIORITY ON SERVING SITES THAT REACH LOW-INCOME STUDENTS. EDUCATION OUTREACH PROGRAMS COMPLEMENT COLORADO ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS TO EXPERIENCE HANDS-ON OPPORTUNITIES EMBEDDED IN THE MUSEUM'S LEARNING FRAMEWORK, WITHOUT NEEDING TO SECURE SOMETIMES CUMBERSOME TRANSPORTATION.

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 1997.

    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.