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Challenger Learning Center of Arizona

EIN 86-0851830 · Phoenix, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO INSPIRE, EXCITE AND TO EDUCATE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES ABOUT THE MYSTERIES AND WONDERS OF SPACE AND THE UNIVERSE IN WHICH WE LIVE. CHALLENGER SPACE CENTER USES SIMULATED SPACE MISSIONS, SPACE-AGE TECHNOLOGY AND ARTIFACT EXHIBIT, AND HANDS-ON EXPERIMENTS TO IMMERSE CHILDREN AND ADULTS IN STEM EDUCATION.

Income
$216,532
Spending
$477,110
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
9.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 52%
Employees
12
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$55,000, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 120% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 41% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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.

  • 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, 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 (1)
  1. $384,444 spent. EARTH AND SPACE EXPEDITION CENTER INCREASED SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING FIELD TRIPS AND CAMPS FOR THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS AS WELL AS PROVIDING COMMUNITY EVENTS LIKE FAMILY STARGAZING NIGHTS, SAFE SOLAR ECLIPSE VIEWING EXPERIENCES AND MANY OTHER BENEFICIAL OPPORTUNITIES. THE MUSEUM WAS IN OPERATION THROUGHOUT ALL OF FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 OFFERING OUR GUESTS OPPORTUNITIES TO VIEW SPACE ARTIFACTS AS WELL AS COLLECTIONS FROM ASU OF METEORITES AND PLANETARIUM SHOWS. WE ALSO HELD SUMMER CAMPS FOR EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT DURING THE SUMMER.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 February 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.