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Randall Museum Friends

EIN 94-6093483 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of Randall Museum Friends, incorporated in 1957, is to advocate on behalf of the museum and to raise additional funds to support the museum's operations, programming, and facilities.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$960,458
Spent on programs
59%
Reserves
17.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 66%
Employees
59
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$62,565, incoming ex dir

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    59% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 45 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 25

    15 of 15 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • 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, 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. $502,626 spent. Randall Classes and Summer Camps: In partnership with the Randall Museum, the Randall Museum Friends offers more than 200 classes in ceramics, woodworking, art, science, and creative technologies for all ages, from tots to adults. With a diverse array of subjects from spoon carving to laser printing, our community of participants is able to expand their creativity and discovery skills together, connect with and make new friends. Drop In programs and tots classes offer parents, caregivers and children the opportunity to learn about nature, science and develop creative skills together. The Randall Museum Friends also partners with the Museum in offering a highly regarded Summer Camp program focused on science, nature, art and technology study and physical play. Randall Museum Friends supports a camp scholarship program and financial aid for classes.
  2. $33,437 spent. Museum Exhibits, Events, Workshops, and Clubs: The Randall Museum is a nature exploration center nestled in Corona Heights Park offering free admission to interactive exhibits including Wildlife In California, Model Trains, Foundations and Geology, and Ocean exhibit. Randall Museum Friends partners with the Randall Museum to host an array of free community events, as well as community workshops and clubs. Annual community events include Bug Day, Science Fair Festival, Family Halloween, and Winter Craft Day. Community sponsored clubs connect to the Museum's diverse values for fostering creativity and discovery in the natural world and included the SF Beekeepers Association, the SF Amateur Astronomers, the SF Microscopical Society, the Mycological Society of SF, the Deutscher Musikverein of SF, Young People's Teen Musical Theater Company, and the Golden Gate Model Rail Roaders.
  3. $19,733 spent. Event Rentals: Randall Museum Friends partners with the Randall Museum in renting out two multipurpose rooms, a 200-seat theater, and outdoor patios to the public for meetings, weddings, birthday parties, and other private events. Permits are issued at three pricing levels: nonprofit aligned with Randall Museum (30% fee), other nonprofits (60% fee), and public (100% fee).
  4. $11,663 spent. Randall Field Trips and Randall on the Road: Randall Museum Friends partners with Randall Museum staff in welcoming school groups for science and animal field trips programs with a 50% discount for SF Unified School District Schools. Students learn about native California flora, fauna, geology, and indigenous peoples while interacting with live animals, real historical specimens, and outdoors in our natural park space. The Randall on the Road program increases equitable access by leading art and science activities for after school programs in community centers located in underserved neighborhoods, at Title 1 SFUSD schools and at public events in communities across the city of San Francisco. Randall on the Road after school enrichment collaborates with SFRPD Tennis and Learning Center programs at 6 recreation centers and clubhouses throughout the school year.

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

  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 October 13, 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 2025.

    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 November 1958.

    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 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.