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Nonprofiteer
← CHILDRENS MUSEUM OF THE LOWCOUNTRY

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by CHILDRENS MUSEUM OF THE LOWCOUNTRY.

Totals

Total revenue
$2,293,754
Total expenses
$1,908,558
Contributions and grants received
$1,048,304
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$1,056,101
Investment income
$51,696
Other revenue
$137,653
Total assets, end of year
$4,785,410
Total liabilities, end of year
$459,158
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$4,326,252
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$1,551,141
Management and general expenses
$261,396
Fundraising expenses
$96,021
Program service expenses (Part III)
$1,551,141

Program services were 81.3% 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.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $125,000

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $923,304

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $26,900

  • 2a · Program service revenue: Admissions

    total $546,845 · related or exempt $546,845

  • 2b · Program service revenue: Educational Programs

    total $286,950 · related or exempt $286,950

  • 2c · Program service revenue: Memberships

    total $158,560 · related or exempt $158,560

  • 2d · Program service revenue: Birthday Parties

    total $63,746 · related or exempt $63,746

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $51,696 · excluded $51,696

  • 6a · Gross rents

    real property $19,500 · personal property $42,704

  • 6b · Less rental expenses

    real property $0 · personal property $0

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $19,500 · personal property $42,704

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $62,204 · unrelated business $42,704 · excluded $19,500

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $95,753

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $42,725

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $53,028 · related or exempt $53,028

  • 11a · Other revenue: Other Income

    total $22,421 · excluded $22,421

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $22,421

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $163,131 · program services $61,174 · management and general $61,174 · fundraising $40,783

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $752,233 · program services $703,907 · management and general $48,326

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $23,041 · program services $19,354 · management and general $2,765 · fundraising $922

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $63,359 · program services $53,222 · management and general $7,603 · fundraising $2,534

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $71,331 · program services $59,620 · management and general $8,533 · fundraising $3,178

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $3,148 · management and general $3,148

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $5,200 · management and general $5,200

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $26,104 · fundraising $26,104

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $143,783 · program services $80,621 · management and general $62,015 · fundraising $1,147

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $56,664 · program services $55,954 · management and general $710

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $93,967 · program services $75,208 · management and general $11,113 · fundraising $7,646

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $8,818 · program services $8,306 · management and general $307 · fundraising $205

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $212,044 · program services $177,002 · management and general $26,038 · fundraising $9,004

  • 17 · Travel

    total $2,130 · program services $1,960 · management and general $106 · fundraising $64

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $38,778 · program services $33,902 · management and general $4,876

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $147,798 · program services $135,974 · management and general $7,390 · fundraising $4,434

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $4,088 · management and general $4,088

  • 24a · Other expenses: Exhibit and program sup

    total $69,706 · program services $69,507 · management and general $199

  • 24b · Other expenses: Dues and subscriptions

    total $14,067 · program services $13,246 · management and general $821

  • 24c · Other expenses: Miscellaneous

    total $9,168 · program services $2,184 · management and general $6,984

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $2,164,079 · end of year $916,344

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $274,799 · end of year $467,738

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $827 · end of year $20,600

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $21,327 · end of year $25,994

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $5,392,270

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $2,037,536

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $1,670,316 · end of year $3,354,734

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $101,818 · end of year $68,998

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $88,474 · end of year $90,160

  • 24 · Unsecured notes and loans payable

    end of year $300,000

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $1,854,540 · end of year $3,684,235

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $2,086,516 · end of year $642,017

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

The Museum is a non-profit organization whose mission is to spark imagination, stimulate curiosity and encourage problem solving through the power of play in families from all backgrounds with young children.

Activities or mission (Part I)

To spark imagination, stimulate curiosity and encourage problem solving through the (See Schedule O) power of play in families from all backgrounds with young children.

  • The Children's Museum of the Lowcountry serves children from birth through age 8 and their caregivers through a variety of on-site and off-site programs. Designed for both area residents and visitors, the museum features seven indoor galleries with hands-on, inquiry-based exhibits that support early cognitive and social development. All exhibits and activities are intentionally designed to engage young children in the exploration of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM), encouraging learning through play and discovery. (Continued on Schedule O)About the Museum:Situated in a historic building in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry features seven indoor exhibit rooms and an outdoor play area, all designed using expert knowledge of how young children learn through self-directed play. The museum develops educational programs and activities specifically tailored to the developmental needs of children from birth to age 8, with a focus on supporting both cognitive and social-emotional growth.For more than 20 years, the museum has been a regional leader in creating engaging exhibits and innovative early childhood programs that foster curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving. In addition to serving young children, the museum also supports caregiversrecognizing parents as a child's first and most important teacherand provides educators with tools to enhance learning both inside and outside the classroom.To reach as many children and families as possible across South Carolina's diverse Lowcountry region, the museum actively works to remove barriers to access. These efforts include:> Offering all summer camp seats at no cost at the museum's satellite location in St. George;> Hosting twice-monthly private sessions with free admission for families with children with special needs;> Providing two Less-Than-a-Dollar Saturdays annually, one in spring and one in fall;> Participating in the Museums for All program at both locations, through which families receiving SNAP or WIC benefits pay only $3 per personup to $12 off regular admissionresulting in nearly $90,000 in savings to families annually; and> Bringing hands-on STEAM-based learning directly to schools and community events through its Mobile Museum experience, supported through grant funding.Programs:In addition to its interactive exhibits, the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry offers a robust calendar of programming that enhances the visitor experience and deepens learning through hands-on, developmentally appropriate activities. These programs are designed to engage children from birth through age 8 and support their cognitive, social, and emotional development.The museum hosts a variety of regular offerings, including:> Standards-based field trips aligned with South Carolina Department of Education curriculum standards;> Art programs that explore various media and techniques, from drawing and crafting to textile arts;> Science programs that introduce children to foundational scientific concepts through fun, accessible topics such as animal biology, forces of nature, and water power;> Creative movement and early arts classes for toddlers that promote motor skill development and self-expression;> Seasonal camps and birthday party experiences that encourage curiosity and collaboration in a joyful, play-based environment; andThe museum also regularly partners with local organizations and experts to bring special programming to families. For example, the popular Second Saturday Science series features guest presentersincluding local meteorologistswho use engaging, real-world topics like weather to introduce young children to scientific inquiry.These offerings reflect the museum's commitment to both in-house expertise and strong community partnerships, enriching the visitor experience well beyond the exhibit galleries.

    Expenses $1,551,141 · Revenue $1,109,129

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Alexis Carrico

    Chair

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Steve Hufford

    Treasurer

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jonathan DiOrio

    Secretary

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Leslie Norris

    Vice-Chair

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Susan Sellew

    Vice-Chair

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jasmine Woodard-Rose

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Kristina Mauger

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Ruth Taylor

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Ken Grimes

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Candice Cline

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Susanna Darby

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Kris King

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • David Winkler Resigned

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Karen Coltrane

    President & CEO

    Total calculated
    $210,031
    From this org
    $203,914
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $6,117
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $183,914
    Bonus
    $20,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $6,117
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $210,031

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. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Written employment contract
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
19 August 2025
IRS schema version
2024v5.2
Source object
202513039349302031

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