Passes our checks

Childrens Museum of Pooler

EIN 84-2755480 · Pooler, GA

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

What it says it does

To provide hands-on learning opportunities and joyful discoveries for children and the community through engaging exhibits and programming.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

Reserves
10 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 31% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

Independent board
5 of 25
0 of 4 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
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
0 of 10
Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
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, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)

$665,687 spent. Over 76,000 children and adults enjoy the Childrens Museum of Pooler each year We serve children and their families from Chatham, Effingham, Bryan, Bulloch, Toombs, Beaufort, Liberty, Laurens, Screven, Candler, Jasper counties and beyond. Our location just off I-95 and near the Hilton Head International Airport also helps to bring in visitors from all over. The Museum also hosts school field trip groups, special guest educators, educational events, and birthday parties throughout the year. Approximately 86 homeschool children attended our monthly fall classes last year, 1,506 children visited with a school field trip group, and 2,297 children attended birthday parties at the Museum. Children at CMOP have opportunities to engage in many play-based learning activities throughout the eleven permanent floor exhibits.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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 October 13, 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 November 2021.
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 October 21, 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.