Form 990 for tax year 2025

Totals

Total revenue

$1,591,593

Total expenses

$1,291,368

Contributions and grants received

$853,375

Grants paid

$0

Program service revenue

$771,494

Investment income

-$14,090

Other revenue

-$19,186

Total assets, end of year

$3,199,298

Total liabilities, end of year

$701,584

Net assets or fund balances, end of year

$2,497,714

Program services expenses (Part IX)

$1,003,555

Management and general expenses

$189,233

Fundraising expenses

$98,580

Program service expenses (Part III)

$1,003,555

Program services were 77.7% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Mission and programs · 2025

• GALLERY - In 2025, The Powerhouse continued to serve Southwest Colorado with engaging, hands-on, science-focused experiences while advancing plans for the future of our exhibits and spaces. Even as we look ahead, we remain deeply committed to delivering high-quality, interactive learning opportunities for the families we serve today. This year, we welcomed We Are Water, a new exhibit exploring water in the Four Corners region. On long-term loan, this exhibit will remain an offering in our space for years to come. Our calendar of programs also expanded, with continued success in our Parents Night Out events and the addition of more special event days. Notably, our Noon Years Eve celebration set a new attendance record, welcoming more than 500 visitors in a single day as we rang in the new year with a balloon drop at noon. Our early childhood programming saw strong growth, particularly in Toddler Enrichment Classes. We now offer a range of sessionsincluding gardening, art, music, dance, and yogadesigned to support development through play and exploration. In 2025, The Powerhouse reached a milestone of more than 1,000 member households, the highest in our history. We also welcomed a record 31,584 visitors through our doors, including children and families attending specialty events, field trips, birthday parties, and engaging in free exploration throughout the museum. Ensuring access remains central to our mission: through our Open Doors Initiative, approximately 7% of visitors participated through reduced-cost or free access programs, helping ensure that all families can experience The Powerhouse.

  Expenses $411,797 · Revenue $338,482

• EDUCATION - In 2025, The Powerhouse continued to deliver engaging, hands-on science experiences to youth and families across Southwest Colorado through a combination of in-museum programming and expanded regional outreach. Building on the success of prior years, our educational offerings remained strong and consistent, with continued growth in participation and geographic reach. Our Camp Discovery program served over 650 students, providing high-quality STEAM learning opportunities both onsite and in surrounding communities. In addition to our Durango-based camps, we ran camps in Cortez, Pagosa Springs and on Fort Lewis Colleges campus, increasing access for families across the region. We also partnered with Durango Montessori to bring science education directly into the classroom, bringing our Powerhouse style of learning to students grades K-5. The San Juan Regional Science Fair, led by The Powerhouse through a partnership with San Juan BOCES, remained a cornerstone program inspiring curiosity, critical thinking, and scientific inquiry among local students. From the Science Fair, 15 students advanced to the State Science Fair, demonstrating the strength and potential of emerging scientists in Southwest Colorado. In collaboration with Durango School District 9-R, we also supported team-based STEM learning through Destination Imagination and FIRST LEGO League, helping create a more connected and comprehensive ecosystem of opportunities for young learners across the region. Together, these efforts highlight a strong network of partners committed to expanding access to high-quality STEM experiences. The Powerhouse remained committed to reducing barriers to participation through its financial aid program, ensuring that museum access, camps, and educational programming were available to families across Southwest Colorado regardless of financial circumstance. In 2025, financial assistance supported participation in Camp Discovery and other youth programs, helping ensure that cost was not a limiting factor for engagement in high-quality STEAM learning experiences. This support reflects our ongoing commitment to accessibility and inclusion, and to creating meaningful opportunities for all learners in our community.

  Expenses $403,076 · Revenue $359,374

• STRATEGIC INITIATIVES - In 2025, The Powerhouse advanced several key priorities outlined in its Strategic Plan, with a focus on exhibit planning, campus and facility improvements, and the development of an early childhood education center. These efforts reflect a coordinated approach to strengthening both current programming and long-term sustainability. A major milestone was the groundbreaking of WonderLab Early Learning, an employee-sponsored childcare program developed in partnership with local businesses. Construction began in the final quarter of 2025 with a full renovation of the Carlton Family Science Education Center and is expected to be completed in April 2026. To support program launch, The Powerhouse hired an Associate Director of Education to lead curriculum development, registration, and program planning. The Powerhouse also initiated design work for the redevelopment of the Boiler Room, focusing on financial feasibility and building strong Board and community support. This project is intended to expand functional program space within the existing footprint, improving the museums ability to serve visitors and grow its offerings. In addition, The Powerhouse completed and formally adopted its Museum Master Plan, a community-informed roadmap for future development. As part of this process, the organization established the Transformers Advisory Council, composed of local business leaders and community stakeholders, and engaged a consultant to conduct a feasibility study. Based on this work, the Council recommended moving forward with plans to enhance the facility, expand outdoor spaces, and revitalize exhibitspositioning The Powerhouse for continued growth and increased community impact. As these strategic initiatives move forward, The Powerhouse remains focused on strengthening its role as a responsive and community-centered organization. This work is grounded in a commitment to serving families and children across Southwest Colorado, while ensuring that programs, spaces, and experiences remain accessible, inclusive, and reflective of the community we serve.

  Expenses $123,425

• VENUE RENTALS - The Powerhouse continued to rent our gallery and outdoor plaza for events hosted by local nonprofits, conferences, weddings, and celebrations of life. Our gallery continued to host monthly events, including the Green Business Roundtable by San Juan Citizens Alliance and Musically Speaking by San Juan Symphony, bringing together community members for engaging discussions and presentations.

  Expenses $65,257 · Revenue $73,638

As filed on the 2025 return.

Listed in Part VII

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Provenance

Return type

form_990

Tax year

2025

Filed

20 May 2026

IRS schema version

2025v4.1

Source object

202601469349300310

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