San Jose Childrens Discovery Museum
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY MUSEUM OF SAN JOSE INSPIRES CREATIVITY, CURIOSITY AND LIFELONG LEARNING.
- Income
- $6.1 million
- Spending
- $7.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 66%
- Reserves
- 14.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 43%
- Employees
- 61
- Volunteers
- 368
- Highest pay
- $303,378, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 14.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 6% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1566% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 2526 of 26 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 August 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 (2)
- $2.1 million spent. CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY MUSEUM OF SAN JOSE ("THE MUSEUM") IS A CALIFORNIA NONPROFIT PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION ORGANIZED IN 1982 AND INCORPORATED IN 1983. THE MUSEUM OPERATES A CHILDREN'S MUSEUM WHICH ADDRESSES THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY THROUGH PARTICIPATORY EXHIBITS AND PROGRAMS THAT ENGAGE THE SENSES AND CHALLENGE THE MIND.EXHIBITSOVER ITS 35 YEARS OF OPERATION, THE MUSEUM HAS WELCOMED MORE THAN 10.5 MILLION VISITORS. DURING THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2025, THE MUSEUM PROVIDED ENGAGING LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO OVER 223,800 FAMILY VISITORS AND 24,200 IN GROUPS. AN INCREASE OF 5% OVER THE PRIOR YEAR, ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE ONGOING RECOVERY AFTER COVID AND DIRECTED MARKETING STRATEGIES. THE MUSEUM MAINTAINED A FULL-DAY SCHEDULE ON WEEKENDS, HOLIDAYS, AND DURING THE SUMMER, OPERATING FROM 9:30 A.M. TO 4:30 P.M., AND A SHORTER WEEKDAY SCHEDULE, TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 9:30 A.M. TO 1:00 P.M.THE MAJORITY OF CDM'S EXHIBITS, WHICH FOCUS ON CHILDREN TO AGE 10 AND THEIR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS, ARE HIGHLY TACTILE AND ENCOURAGE TOUCHING, EXPLORING, MANIPULATING AND EXPERIMENTING, WHILE CUTTING ACROSS THE DISCIPLINES OF ART, SCIENCE AND THE HUMANITIES. THE WONDER CABINET SERVES THE NEEDS OF THE MUSEUM'S YOUNGEST VISITORS AS AN EARLY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT WITH EXHIBITS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT THE COGNITIVE, EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF INFANTS, TODDLERS AND PRESCHOOLERS. WHETHER CHILDREN ARE ROLEPLAYING A FIREFIGHTER ON THE AUTHENTIC FIRE ENGINE IN THE STREETS OF SAN JOSE EXHIBIT, OR USING COLORFUL PLASTIC BALLS TO STUDY HOW WATER RUSHES AND FLOWS IN WATERWAYS, THEY ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN LEARNING, INSPIRED BY THEIR OWN CURIOSITY TO INVESTIGATE HOW THINGS WORK AND TO UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE. THE AMAZING AIRMAZE EXHIBIT, WHICH SPANS TWO FLOORS INSIDE THE MUSEUM AND FEATURES SCARVES AND YARN BALLS MOVING THROUGH A SERIES OF PLEXIGLASS TUBES AND EMERGING FROM ONE OF SIX EXITS, FOSTERS PREDICTIVE LEARNING AND PROVIDES GREAT DELIGHT TO MUSEUM VISITORS.SINCE OPENING ITS DOORS IN THE SPRING OF 1990, THE MUSEUM AND ITS STAFF HAVE WORKED TO ENHANCE THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE IN ITS 28,000 SQUARE FEET OF INDOOR EXHIBITION SPACE WITH 13 DEDICATED GALLERIES, EACH HOUSING 8 TO 10 INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS THAT ADDRESS THE DISTINCTIVE NEED FOR CHILDREN TO LEARN THROUGH CONCRETE INTERACTIONS, AND AN ADJACENT OUTDOOR EXHIBIT SPACE, BILL'S BACKYARD, WHICH ESSENTIALLY DOUBLED THE MUSEUM'S EXHIBIT SPACE. EXHIBIT SIGNAGE IN ENGLISH, SPANISH AND VIETNAMESE FOCUSES VISITOR INTERACTIONS ON THE UNIQUENESS OF OUTDOOR PLAY, SUCH AS TO BUILD, ROLL, CLIMB, PLANT, AND OBSERVE TO NAME A FEW. TEN DIFFERENT LOCAL SPECIES OF ANIMALS AND INSECTS WERE CAST IN BRONZE AND PLACED APPROPRIATELY THROUGHOUT THE AREA TO ALLOW CHILDREN TO DISCOVER THEM IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT. A 7,200-GALLON RAIN-HARVEST SYSTEM IS USED TO IRRIGATE THE NATIVE LANDSCAPE AND TO TEACH VISITORS ABOUT WATER CONSERVATION AT THE SAME TIME. BY BRINGING NATURE TO CHILDREN, CDM HOPES TO CREATE A SPARK SO THAT CHILDREN WILL THEN SEEK OUT OTHER OUTDOOR OPPORTUNITIES CLOSE TO THEIR HOME AND BECOME ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS AS THEY GROW UP.IN JUNE 2025, THE MUSEUM OPENED BUBBLING UP! A NEW, IMMERSIVE BUBBLES EXHIBIT, DESIGNED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DENVER CHILDREN'S MUSEUM'S DESIGN DIVISION. THE NEW EXHIBIT IS LOCATED OUTSIDE IN BILL'S BACKYARD AND FEATURES A HIGH NUMBER OF UNIQUE ACTIVITIES. IN THE FALL, THE MUSEUM PRESENTED "DINOSAURS: LAND OF FIRE AND ICE," A TRAVELING EXHIBIT FROM THE MINNESOTA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM AS A WAY TO TEST THE SUCCESS OF HOSTING A TRAVELING EXHIBIT DURING THEFALL/WINTER MONTHS AS OPPOSED TO THE TYPICAL SUMMER TIMEFRAME, WHICH HAS BEEN SHORTENED OVER THE YEARS DUE TO CHANGING SCHOOL SCHEDULES. THE EXHIBIT WAS POPULAR AND DID HELP TO INCREASE ATTENDANCE DURING THE MONTHS OF ITS TENURE. THE MUSEUM ALSO CHOSE TO PRESENT A NEW TYPE OF TEMPORARY EXHIBIT DURING THE WINTER/SPRING MONTHS. POTENTIAL SPACE: A SERIOUS LOOK AT CHILDREN'S PLAY, WAS CREATED BY PHOTOGRAPHER/AUTHOR NANCY RICHARDS FARESE AND IS COMPRISED OF OVER 50 PHOTOGRAPHS FROM 14 DIFFERENT WORLDWIDE LOCATIONS SHOWCASING CHILDREN'S UNCANNY ABILITY TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PLAY DESPITE THE SEVERE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH THEY LIVE, SUCH AS REFUGEE CAMPS AND COMMUNITIES HIT BY NATURAL DISASTERS. MUSEUM STAFF ENHANCED THE EXPERIENCE BY REPLICATING SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES FEATURED IN THE PHOTOS.VISITOR AMENITIES WERE ADDRESSED THROUGH THE REOPENING OF FOOD SERVICE IN THE MUSEUM IN JANUARY WITH IJAVA CAFE AS THE PROPRIETOR. IN ADDITION, WITH BOARD-APPROVAL TO UTILIZE SOME RESERVE FUNDING, THE MUSEUM'S BATHROOMS WERE RENOVATED AND CARPETING ON THE SECOND FLOOR AND GRAND STAIRWAY REPLACED.IN SPRING 2025, THE MUSEUM WAS AWARDED A CITY OF SAN JOSE CAPITALIZATION AND SUSTAINABILITY GRANT (CAPSUS). THIS COMPETITIVE GRANT IS DESIGNED TO HELP ORGANIZATIONS BE MORE EFFICIENT AND SUSTAINABLE. CDM'S GRANT REQUESTED SUPPORT TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF A ZERO-EMISSION ELECTRIC RIZON STAKE BED TRUCK TO REPLACE ITS 2007 GASOLINE-POWERED FORD TRUCK. THE TOTAL COST OF THE TRUCK PURCHASE WAS OVER $176,000, BUT OFFSET BY THE $130,000 IN HVIP INNOVATIVE SMALL E-FLEET VOUCHERS APPROVED BY THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND THE CAPSUS GRANT OF $33,000. THE TOTAL COST FOR PURCHASE TO CDM WILL BE LESS THAN $20,000.CDM'S PRESENCE IN TERMINAL B AT THE MINETA SAN JOSE AIRPORT, ZOOM ZONE, WHICH OPENED IN 2021, CONTINUES TO PROVIDE AN EDUCATIONAL AND INTERACTIVE PLAY SPACE FOR VERY YOUNG CHILDREN AROUND THE THEME OF "THINGS THAT FLY." THIS SPACE HAS BEEN WELL-RECEIVED BY TRAVELING FAMILIES AND PROMOTED AS AN AIRPORT AMENITY BY CITY OF SAN JOSE (THE "CITY"). THE CITY HAS REQUESTED THAT CDM RENEW ITS LEASE FOR THIS SPACE FOR AN ADDITIONAL 5 YEARS. IN ADDITION, IN PREPARATION FOR THE MAJOR SPORTS EVENTS TO BE HOSTED IN THE BAY AREA IN 2026, THE CITY HAS ASKED CDM TO CREATE ASECOND INTERACTIVE SPACE. DISCUSSIONS HAVE BEGUN TO IDENTIFY A SUITABLE SPACE TO HOUSE A "SENSORY ROOM" EX
- $2.6 million spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMSTHE MUSEUM PROVIDES ON-SITE AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS WHICH COMPLEMENT ITS EXHIBITS AND SUPPORT VISITOR INTERACTIONS AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES. DURING THE YEAR, CDM SAW AN INCREASE IN GROUP VISITS TO THE MUSEUM, WITH OVER 24,200 SERVED, WHICH REPRESENTS 7% INCREASE IN GROUP ATTENDANCE OVER THE PRIOR YEAR AND AN ADDITIONAL 8,800 SERVED THROUGH ON-SITE OR OUTREACH PROGRAMS. IN EARLY SPRING, CDM REACTIVATED ITS BIRTHDAY PARTY PROGRAM IN THE TEAL PARTY ROOM ADJACENT TO THE MUSEUM'S FRONT ENTRANCE, WHICH HAS BEEN WELL RECEIVED BY MUSEUM VISITORS.THE MUSEUM'S MISSION CONTINUES TO SUPPORT A THREE-PRONGED APPROACH TO THE ARTS: ENGAGEMENT WITH AND VIEWING THE WORK OF PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS, EXPLORING OTHER CHILDREN'S ART, AND CREATING INDIVIDUAL WORKS OF ART IN VARIOUS FORMATS. THE ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM, HOUSED IN THE LEROY NEIMAN ARTS STUDIO, CONTINUES TO SHOWCASE LOCAL PROFESSIONAL VISUAL ARTISTS OVER A THRECMONTH RESIDENCY, LEADING CHILDREN IN ART-MAKING ACTIVITIES AND SHARING THEIR PROFESSIONAL TALENTS.THROUGH VARIOUS CULTURAL FESTIVALS, SUCH AS MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL, DIA DE LOS MUERTOS, DIWALI, MENORAHS AND MIRACLES, DIA DE LOS TRES REYES MAGOS, LUNAR NEW YEAR, CHILDREN OF THE DRAGON, AND PROUD OF MY FAMILY, AND JUNETEENTH, CDM CONTINUES TO OFFER ITS LOCAL COMMUNITY THE OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE THE REGION'S DIVERSE ETHNIC COMPOSITION. CDM'S EVENT SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM, PLAY YOUR WAY, WAS OFFERED ON THREE EVENINGS IN THE 2025 FISCAL YEAR. ADVENTURE, CDM'S OUTREACH PARTNERSHIP WITH SOMOS MAYFAIR, A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, CONTINUED FOR A SECOND YEAR BY OFFERING EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS IN THE MAYFAIR FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS, WHICH ENGAGE THE WHOLE FAMILY TO ENSURE SCHOOL READINESS, WAS UNDERWRITTEN BY THE PNC FOUNDATION.THE 2ND KRISTI YAMAGUCHI FAMILY LITERACY FESTIVAL OCCURRED IN EARLY SEPTEMBER 2024 WITH OVER 1,400 VISITORS AND SEVERAL CELEBRITY READERS IN ATTENDANCE. IN MID-SEPTEMBER, CDM LAUNCHED A MONTH-LONG HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION, FEATURING LOCAL GROUPS SUCH AS THE BOULEVARD BOMBS, A LOWRIDERS GROUP WHO DISPLAYED THEIR RIDES TO MUSEUM VISITORS, AND A LUCHA LIBRE GROUP, ALONG WITH MUSIC AND ART ACTIVITIES AND TRADITIONAL GAMES. A HALL OF FAME DISPLAY RECOGNIZED LOCAL HISPANIC INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE SANTA CLARA COMMUNITY.WITH THE CESSATION OF FEDERAL GRANT FUNDING, CDM'S 6-YEAR COLLABORATION (1 YEAR EXTENSION APPROVED BY THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION) WITH THE EXPLORATORIUM WAS TERMINATED IN JUNE, 2025. THE COLLABORATION WAS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE STEM PARTICIPATION BY LATINX AUDIENCES, LEVERAGING CDM'S DECADE LONG CCLI PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION WITH THE EXPLORATORIUM'S WORK TO REACH LATINX AUDIENCES. THE PROJECT WAS LARGELY COMPLETED WITH JUST MINOR DELIVERABLES OUTSTANDING, SUCH AS DISSEMINATING RESULTS THROUGH A WEB SITE. THE CULMINATING SUMMIT MEETING HELD IN APRIL 2025 WITH 90 PARTICIPANTS REPRESENTING 19 INFORMAL SCIENCE INSTITUTIONS, 7 NATIONAL ADVISORS, 6 VIP GUESTS AND 10 CAMBIO LEADERSHIP TEAM MEMBERS. AFTER 35 YEARS OF OPERATION, THE MUSEUM TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD UPON THE FINDINGS OF 2 PRO BONO MARKETING PARTNERSHIPS TO DEVELOP STRATEGIC MARKETING PLANS TO INCREASE ITS REACH TO VISITORS AND DONORS. THE ADOBE PROJECT FOCUSED ON CREATING PERSONAS FOR THE "FENCE-SITTERS" (THOSE PERSONS WHO FIT THE PROPENSITY TO VISIT PROFILE, BUT DO NOT VISIT CDM) AND CRAFTING POTENTIAL MARKETING MESSAGES TO REACH THESE PERSONS. THE PRO BONO TEAM FROM PWC BUILT UPON THE ADOBE FINDINGS THROUGH ANALYTICAL ANALYSES OF CDM VISITORS AND MEMBERS, AND IDENTIFIED MICROSEGMENTS IN TERMS OF THEIR PROPENSITY TO VISIT; PROPENSITY TO BECOME A MEMBER; AND PROPENSITY TO DONATE, AND THEIR GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS. NEW MARKETING MESSAGES WERE CREATED TO REACH OUT TO BOTH NEW VISITORS AND NEW DONORS. IN ADDITION, THE CREATIVE INPUT FROM THE PWC TEAM LED THE MUSEUM STAFF TO SEEK OUT BOTH A NEW MUSEUM LOGO AND A NEW WEB SITE. BOTH WERE DESIGNED BY G-W DESIGNS, BASED IN SWEDEN, LAUNCHED IN SUMMER 2025, AND WELL-RECEIVED BY STAFF, BOARD MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC.AFTER 35 YEARS OF OPERATION, THERE WILL BE SIGNIFICANT STAFF CHANGES IN THE 2025-2026 YEAR. SPRING 2024-2025, THE MUSEUM HIRED A CHIEF FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER TO ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE RETIRING DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION AND DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND COMPLIANCE. STARTING IN THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR, THE BOARD RETAINED A RECRUITMENT FIRM, SHELLI HERMAN AND ASSOCIATES, TO IDENTIFY AND HIRE A NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 August 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 April 1983.
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.