Museum of Make Believe
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Educational Purpose: Educating the public about the arts through exhibitions, research, and public programming. Public Benefit: Operating primarily for public education or charitable purposes, such as maintaining a public art collection.
- Income
- $156,943
- Spending
- $95,938
- Reserves
- 8.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 100%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 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 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 (1)
- The Museum of Make Believe, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts and education organization based in Laguna Beach, California, expanded its community impact significantly during the reporting period. During this year, the organization successfully opened its first permanent immersive exhibit space, providing a unique, story-driven artistic environment designed to inspire creativity and imagination among visitors of all ages. The Museum strengthened its educational outreach by hosting more than forty homeschool and public school groups, offering interactive, arts-based learning experiences aligned with its mission to promote storytelling, creativity, and youth development. In addition, the organization served over 15,000 guests from across California, demonstrating strong community engagement and growing regional visibility. Visitors experienced immersive exhibits, participatory storytelling, and creative programming designed to foster imagination and emotional connection to the arts. Through these efforts, the Museum of Make Believe continued to expand access to arts education, support local creative culture, and provide meaningful experiential learning opportunities for children, families, and school communities.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 2020.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.