Sierra Nevada Childrens Museum
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 48% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
TO INSPIRE LEARNING THROUGH CREATIVE PLAY AND DISCOVERY.
- Income
- $1.8 million
- Spending
- $656,589
- Spent on programs
- 48%
- Reserves
- 12 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 88%
- Employees
- 18
- Volunteers
- 122
- Highest pay
- $80,439, 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
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.0 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 31% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 64% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 438% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1548% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 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
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (3)
- $249,699 spent. THIS YEAR, WE MADE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES IN OUR COMMITMENT TO INCLUSIVITY BY ATTENDING A COMMUNITY SUPPORT GROUP FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. THIS INVALUABLE EXPERIENCE HAS EQUIPPED US WITH INSIGHTS ON HOW TO BETTER SERVE THESE FAMILIES. WE ALSO HAD THE PLEASURE OF HOSTING A GROUP SESSION AT KIDZONE MUSEUM, WHERE FAMILIES WERE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE AND SOCIALIZE TOGETHER. THIS EVENT FOSTERED A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT, ALLOWING US TO DEEPEN OUR UNDERSTANDING AND STRENGTHEN OUR CONNECTION WITH FAMILIES IN NEED, ENSURING OUR MUSEUM REMAINS A WELCOMING SPACE FOR EVERYONE.
- $62,425 spent. ONE OF OUR MOST EXCITING ACHIEVEMENTS HAS BEEN THE INTEGRATION OF SIERRA COMMUNITY HOUSE'S FAMILY ROOM PROGRAM INTO OUR MUSEUM. THIS REMARKABLE INITIATIVE, TAILORED FOR YOUNG CHILDREN WHO HAVE YET TO START SCHOOL, HELPS PREPARE THEM FOR THEIR EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY IN THE MOST ENGAGING AND JOYFUL WAY POSSIBLE. THROUGH MUSIC, DANCE, IMAGINATIVE PLAY, AND HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES, CHILDREN BUILD VITAL SOCIAL AND COGNITIVE SKILLS WHILE HAVING FUN IN A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT. FAMILY ROOM FOSTERS A LOVE OF LEARNING, STRENGTHENS COMMUNITY TIES, AND ENSURES EVERY CHILD HAS THE TOOLS TO THRIVE-MAKING IT A PERFECT FIT FOR OUR MUSEUM'S MISSION TO INSPIRE LEARNING THROUGH CREATIVE PLAY AND DISCOVERY. WEEKLY, AN AVERAGE OF 150 CHILDREN AND FAMILY MEMBERS PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM. HOSTED THREE SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY EVENTS: TREE FROG TREKS AND FAMILY FARM FESTIVAL. BOTH FEATURED LIVE ANIMALS AND WERE AN INTRODUCTION TO CARING FOR AND SUSTAINING OUR PLANET FOR ALL ITS PLANTS AND ANIMALS. BOTH EVENTS HAD OVER 863 ATTENDEES, AND WE PROVIDED A SPECIAL HOUR JUST FOR THOSE FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. THE THIRD EVENT WAS A FIRST FOR THE MUSEUM DAY OF THE CHILD/DA DE LOS NIOS IS A CELEBRATION OF CHILDREN. THIS EVENT ORIGINATED IN MEXICO, AND THE MUSEUM EMBRACES IT AS A WAY TO CELEBRATE ALL CHILDREN. THE FOCUS OF THIS CELEBRATION WAS HONORING AND SHARING THE HISPANIC CULTURE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. OVER 200 PEOPLE ATTENDEDWE CONTINUED WORK ON OUR CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO BUILD A LARGER, PERMANENT MUSEUM. TOTAL RAISED BY YEAR END 2025 IS $6.5 MILLION FOR THE $9 MILLION DOLLAR PHASE 1 OF THE PROJECT. WE SUBMITTED OUR PROJECT FOR A BUILDING PERMIT AND IT CURRENTLY IS PENDING. ISSUED 98 SCHOLARSHIPS TO UNDERSERVED CHILDREN AND PROVIDED 161 OUTREACH ACTIVITIES AT KIDZONE AND OFFSITE THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH SOCIAL SERVICE AND HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING: STEPP CENTER, KINGS BEACH AND TRUCKEE HEAD START, KINGS BEACH AND TRUCKEE STATE PRESCHOOLS, KINGS BEACH AND TRUCKEE LIBRARIES, SIERRA COMMUNITY HOUSE, HEALTHY BABIES, TRUCKEE READS, NEVADA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPT, TTUSD, FOX CULTURAL, NEVADA COUNTY CHILD WELFARE SERVICES, PLACER COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, NEVADA AND PLACER WIC.
- ALL OTHER - ONE OF OUR MOST EXCITING ACHIEVEMENTS HAS BEEN THE INTEGRATION OF SIERRA COMMUNITY HOUSE'S FAMILY ROOM PROGRAM INTO OUR MUSEUM. THIS REMARKABLE INITIATIVE, TAILORED FOR YOUNG CHILDREN WHO HAVE YET TO START SCHOOL, HELPS PREPARE THEM FOR THEIR EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY IN THE MOST ENGAGING AND JOYFUL WAY POSSIBLE. THROUGH MUSIC, DANCE, IMAGINATIVE PLAY, AND HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES, CHILDREN BUILD VITAL SOCIAL AND COGNITIVE SKILLS WHILE HAVING FUN IN A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT. FAMILY ROOM FOSTERS A LOVE OF LEARNING, STRENGTHENS COMMUNITY TIES, AND ENSURES EVERY CHILD HAS THE TOOLS TO THRIVE-MAKING IT A PERFECT FIT FOR OUR MUSEUM'S MISSION TO INSPIRE LEARNING THROUGH CREATIVE PLAY AND DISCOVERY.HOSTED TWO SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY EVENTS: TREE FROG TREKS AND FAMILY FARM FESTIVAL. BOTH FEATURED LIVE ANIMALS AND WERE AN INTRODUCTION TO CARING FOR AND SUSTAINING OUR PLANET FOR ALL ITS PLANTS AND ANIMALS. BOTH EVENTS HAD OVER 863 ATTENDEES, AND WE PROVIDED A SPECIAL HOUR JUST FOR THOSE FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.CONTINUED WORK ON OUR CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO BUILD A LARGER, PERMANENT MUSEUM. WE HAVE RAISED ALMOST $4.8 MILLION FOR THIS $11 MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT. WE ARE ACTIVELY WORKING WITH OUR DESIGN BUILD TEAM AND HAVE SUBMITTED PLANS TO THE TOWN OF TRUCKEE. THE PROJECT IS CURRENTLY GOING THROUGH THE CEQA PROCESS - THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT - AND WE ARE PLANNING ON BREAKING GROUND IN SPRING 2025.ISSUED 98 SCHOLARSHIPS TO UNDERSERVED CHILDREN AND PROVIDED 161 OUTREACH ACTIVITIES AT KIDZONE AND OFFSITE THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH SOCIAL SERVICE AND HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING: STEPP CENTER, KINGS BEACH AND TRUCKEE HEAD START, KINGS BEACH AND TRUCKEE STATE PRESCHOOLS, KINGS BEACH AND TRUCKEE LIBRARIES, SIERRA COMMUNITY HOUSE, HEALTHY BABIES, TRUCKEE READS, NEVADA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPT, TTUSD, FOX CULTURAL, NEVADA COUNTY CHILD WELFARE SERVICES, PLACER COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, NEVADA AND PLACER WIC.
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
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 November 6, 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 June 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 March 1997.
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 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.