National Atomic Museum Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 51 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE NATIONAL ATOMIC MUSEUM FOUNDATION (THE FOUNDATION) WAS FORMED IN 1992 TO PROVIDE THE CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NUCLEAR SCIENCE & HISTORY (THE MUSEUM). THE MUSEUM IS THE NATION'S ONLY CONGRESSIONALLY-CHARTERED MUSEUM OF NUCLEAR SCIENCE & HISTORY. THE FOUNDATION OWNS AND OPERATES THE MUSEUM, COMPENSATES STAFF, DEVELOPS BROAD PUBLIC, PRIVATE, AND VOLUNTEER SUPPORT FOR THE MUSEUM, AND PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE MUSEUM'S PROGRAMS, EXHIBITS, AND COLLECTIONS. FOUNDATION MEMBERSHIP IS OPEN TO ANY PERSON OR ORGANIZATION THAT MEETS ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. THE MAIN SOURCES OF SUPPORT AND REVENUE OF THE FOUNDATION ARE GOVERNMENTAL CONTRACTS WITH SNL, CONTRIBUTIONS FROM VARIOUS INDIVIDUALS, FOUNDATIONS, AND BUSINESS ENTERPRISES, SALES FROM THE MUSEUM STORE, MUSEUM ADMISSIONS, PROGRAM SERVICES REVENUE, MEMBERSHIPS, AND EVENT REVENUES.
- Income
- $2.8 million
- Spending
- $2.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 2.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 62%
- Employees
- 50
- Volunteers
- 59
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 51 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2519 of 19 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 (3)
- $1.4 million spent. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NUCLEAR SCIENCE & HISTORY IS THE NATION'S ONLY CONGRESSIONALLY CHARTERED MUSEUM OF NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND HISTORY. IT INCLUDES OPERATION OF THE MUSEUM GIFT STORE WHICH SELLS ITEMS THAT FEATURE THE HISTORY OF ATOMIC ENERGY AND NUCLEAR PHYSICS.
- $480,849 spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS- CONSIST OF LEARNING TOURS, CLASSROOM PROGRAMS, NUCLEAR SCIENCE WEEK, STUDENT AND TEACHER WORKSHOPS, SCIENCE CAMPS, AND STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS).
- $69,341 spent. GENERAL PROGRAMS- MARKETING, PUBLIC RELATIONS, AND FACILITY RENTALS PROMOTING THE MUSEUM AND ITS PROGRAMS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 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 September 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 February 1993.
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.