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Explore Childrens Museum of Sun Prairie

EIN 84-3703166 · Sun Prairie, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak24 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EXPLORE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITIES, INSPIRE PARTICIPATION IN PURPOSEFUL PLAY, AND PROMOTE LIFELONG LEARNING.

Income
$382,827
Spending
$406,027
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
-1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 62%
Employees
23
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$74,092, executive director

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

Weak: 24 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 54% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 29 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    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 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)
  1. $299,586 spent. EXPLORE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF SUN PRAIRIE, INC.'S PURPOSE IS TO: TO CREATE A COMMUNITY SPACE OF MEANINGFUL CONTENT THAT INSPIRES CREATIVITY, EXPLORATION, ENGAGEMENT, SHARED LEARNING, COLLABORATION, COMMUNICATION, CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS AND FUN FOR GUESTS OF ALL AGES; TO CREATE AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION WHERE INDIVIDUALS TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOP AN UNDERSTANDING OF DIVERSE ENVIRONMENTS, AND INTERACT IN SOCIAL CONTEXTS; TO PROVIDE HANDS ON, INTERACTIVE, PLAY BASED AND DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN.EXPLORE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM HAD 39,410 CHILDREN AND THEIR CAREGIVERS VISIT; 153 PARTIES AND EVENTS TOOK PLACE AT THE MUSEUM, SERVING 3,049 GUESTS; AND 441 FAMILY/DAYCARE MEMBERSHIPS AND 30 ALL ACCESS FAMILY MEMBERSHIPS WERE ISSUED.THE ORGANIZATION EXPANDED THE ALL ACCESS PROGRAM TO ENSURE FINANCIAL CONTRAINTS ARE NOT AN OBSTACLE FOR VISITORS. DURING THE 2025 FISCAL YEAR, 700 VISITORS UTILIZED OUR ALL ACCESS PROGRAM.

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 2020.

    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.