Childrens Creativity Museum
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The childrens creativity museum (CCM) is a hands-on, multimedia arts and technology museum for children. Its mission is to nurture creativity and collaboration in all children and families. We believe that creative expression, innovation, and critical thinking are core to fostering the next generation.
- Income
- $2.6 million
- Spending
- $2.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- -0.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 59%
- Employees
- 43
- Volunteers
- 18
- Highest pay
- $164,412, dir of stem
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
Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 41% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 16% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2517 of 17 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 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 (4)
- $1.2 million spent. Creativity Museum and Creativity Theater:The Childrens Creativity Museum (CCM) was founded originally as Zeum through a downtown San Francisco community redevelopment effort in the 1990s. Our 25+ years operating at the cross-section of art, design, and innovation infuses a look - and please touch! experience rarely found in museums. By providing a safe environment for children, youth, and families to engage in play-based learning, explore their curiosities, and tackle hands-on design challenges, we build essential creative confidence and collaboration skills.CCM proudly connects with children and families in our community through school field trips (serving primarily Title I schools for free), (continued on Schedule O)
- $628,891 spent. Networks and Outreach:CCM works with colleagues at local, state, and national levels to expand opportunities for children and youth typically underrepresented in the arts and sciences. Nationally, we help lead NASAs National Informal STEM Education Network (NISE Net), serve as a founding member of the LEGO Playful Learning Museum Network, jointly manage howtosmile.org and its online STEM activities for all ages, and advise on a range of projects using analog and digital technology to engage children and caregivers in art-and-science learning. Regionally, we facilitate a community of practice to leverage the power of play in museums throughout Northern California. Locally, we amplify the voices of AAPI communities in partnership with the SOMA Pilipinas Filipino Cultural Heritage District. (continued on Schedule O)
- $44,534 spent. Historic Carousel:Originally destined for downtown San Francisco in 1906, Yerba Buena's Looff carousel enjoyed nearly six decades as a signature ride at Playland at the Beach along the Citys western edge. Now in residence on the corner of 4th & Howard, the carousel has served as a Yerba Buena landmark since 1998. The carousel, renamed in 2014 in honor of San Francisco Redevelopment Commissioner and civil rights advocate LeRoy King, operates on weekends and select holidays throughout the year.
- Creativity Museum and Creativity Theater(continued from Form 990 Page 2)discounted group visits for youth-serving organizations such as YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs, and free festivals in our courtyard, Creativity Theater, and adjacent carousel plaza. When our community gathers to play, creativity and collaboration follows regardless of race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, or income.Networks and Outreach(continued from Form 990 Page 2)We regularly participate in neighborhood festivals, local outreach events, online webinars, and nationwide conferences to promote joyful, open-ended learning.
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 June 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 November 4, 2026.
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