Black Hills Childrens Museum
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
By building a childrens museum, we invest in the next generation, offering a dynamic environment that supports early childhood development, family bonding, and lifelong learning.
- Income
- $41,669
- Spending
- $123,204
- Reserves
- 36.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 73%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 December 31, 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)
- $123,204 spent. n 2025, the Black Hills Children's Museum (BHCM) made significant progress toward its mission of creating a dynamic, hands-on learning environment for children and families in the Black Hills region. This year focused on strengthening organizational infrastructure, advancing capital campaign readiness, and building momentum with community stakeholders. Key accomplishments include: Advanced Capital Campaign Readiness: Continued progress toward the capital campaign by refining case for support materials, strengthening donor strategy, and working closely with campaign consultants to prepare for major gift cultivation. Strengthened Organizational Structure: Clarified roles and responsibilities across board leadership, contracted support, and operations. Expanded the Director of Operations role to better support coordination, systems development, and campaign infrastructure. Expanded Strategic Partnerships: Deepened relationships with community leaders, local government, businesses, and regional partners. Continued collaboration with the City of Box Elder on facility planning and long-term development alignment. Refined Vision for Museum Experience: Advanced planning for museum layout, exhibits, and programming priorities, ensuring alignment with best practices in children's museums and a strong focus on play-based, educational experiences. Increased Governance and Board Development Efforts: Strengthened board engagement, clarified expectations, and began building a more sustainable governance model to support future growth. Built Operational and Policy Foundations: Developed and refined key policies and procedures to support financial oversight, fundraising, and organizational accountability, including the adoption of a Conflict of Interest Policy to ensure transparency and ethical decision-making. Maintained Strong Campaign Momentum Through Leadership Efforts: Provided consistent leadership in weekly campaign and operations meetings, coordinating across consultants, staff, and board members to ensure continued progress and alignment. Overall, 2025 has been a pivotal year of building the internal capacity, partnerships, and strategic clarity necessary to successfully launch a capital campaign and bring the BHCM vision to life. These efforts have positioned the organization for the next phase of growth, including expanded fundraising, leadership development, and project execution.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 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 February 2023.
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.