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Nonprofiteer
← CHILDRENS MUSEUM INC

Form 990 for tax year 2025

Filed by CHILDRENS MUSEUM INC.

Totals

Total revenue
$2,554,933
Total expenses
$2,856,160
Contributions and grants received
$1,098,245
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$1,340,672
Investment income
$70,442
Other revenue
$45,574
Total assets, end of year
$4,379,744
Total liabilities, end of year
$2,599,316
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$1,780,428
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$2,366,981
Management and general expenses
$314,098
Fundraising expenses
$175,081
Program service expenses (Part III)
$2,366,981

Program services were 82.9% 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)

    $490,790

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $607,455

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $4,488

  • 2a · Program service revenue: PRESCHOOL TUITION

    total $750,616 · related or exempt $750,616

  • 2b · Program service revenue: EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

    total $427,912 · related or exempt $427,912

  • 2c · Program service revenue: ADMISSIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS

    total $162,144 · related or exempt $162,144

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $68,095 · excluded $68,095

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $7,140

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $4,793

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $2,347

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $2,347 · excluded $2,347

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $26,149

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $11,190

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $14,959 · related or exempt $14,959

  • 11a · Other revenue: MISCELLANEOUS

    total $30,615 · related or exempt $30,615

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $30,615

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $1,453,929 · program services $1,236,076 · management and general $152,204 · fundraising $65,649

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $132,606 · program services $92,485 · management and general $31,861 · fundraising $8,260

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $116,041 · program services $98,793 · management and general $11,840 · fundraising $5,408

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $2,560 · management and general $2,560

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $79,200 · program services $57,250 · management and general $9,948 · fundraising $12,002

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $49,625 · program services $675 · management and general $1,500 · fundraising $47,450

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $2,627 · program services $1,636 · management and general $67 · fundraising $924

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $132,516 · program services $78,595 · management and general $43,377 · fundraising $10,544

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $402,545 · program services $340,262 · management and general $50,883 · fundraising $11,400

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $1,781 · program services $1,188 · management and general $579 · fundraising $14

  • 20 · Interest

    total $48,487 · program services $35,153 · management and general $6,061 · fundraising $7,273

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $90,409 · program services $90,090 · management and general $319

  • 24a · Other expenses: EXHIBITS AND PROGRAMS

    total $282,519 · program services $281,760 · management and general $58 · fundraising $701

  • 24b · Other expenses: FEES - OTHER

    total $56,501 · program services $48,920 · management and general $2,346 · fundraising $5,235

  • 24c · Other expenses: SERVICE FEES

    total $4,814 · program services $4,098 · management and general $495 · fundraising $221

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $523,225 · end of year $346,905

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $2,126,860 · end of year $2,043,467

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $26,143 · end of year $28,673

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $107,918 · end of year $36,937

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $10,831 · end of year $6,970

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $49,952 · end of year $46,397

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

    $2,083,292

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

    $1,403,450

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $696,618 · end of year $679,842

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $349,040 · end of year $402,071

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    beginning of year $409,606 · end of year $454,110

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $688,145 · end of year $334,372

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $415,292 · end of year $426,141

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $25,818 · end of year $23,139

  • 23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable

    beginning of year $1,946,637 · end of year $1,891,002

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $594,185 · end of year $259,034

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $348,696 · end of year -$79,525

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $1,657,710 · end of year $1,859,953

Mission and programs · 2025

Mission

THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM GROUP'S MISSION IS TO INSPIRE LIFELONG LEARNING AMONG CHILDREN AND THEIR CAREGIVERS BY PROVIDING EXPERIENTIALL EARNING OPPORTUNITIES COVERING STEAM, HEALTH, NATURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT. WITH A FOCUS ON AT NEED COMMUNITIES THE MUSEUM GROUP STRIVES TO FIND PATHWAYS TO PERSONAL, ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND TO FOSTER AN APPRECIATION OF THE NATURAL WORLD WITH A GOAL OF DEVELOPING CURIOUS, CONFIDENT AND INNOVATIVE CHILDREN, CREATING THE BASIS FOR SUCCESSFUL ADULTS. THE MUSEUM GROUP HAS THREE DISTINCT BUT COMPLEMENTARY LINES OF REVENUE-GENERATING CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE. THE MUSEUM OFFERS INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN, LIVE ANIMALS AND AN EXTENSIVE SELECTION OF STEAM EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT ARE OFFERED WITHIN COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT CONNECTICUT AND NEIGHBORING STATES. THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM PRESCHOOL, CO-LOCATED WITHIN THE MUSEUM LOCATION, IS A NAEYC ACCREDITED, FULL DAY, YEAR-ROUND LICENSED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FACILITY FOR AGES 3-5YRS.

Activities or mission (Part I)

TO INSPIRE LIFE-LONG LEARNING AMONG CHILDREN AND THEIR CAREGIVERS BY PROVIDING ENGAGING EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PROGRAMS COVERING STEAM, HEALTH, NATURE, AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

  • EDUCATIONAL & ADMISSIONS: THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM WEST HARTFORD LOCATION, TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED SPACE AT 180 MOHEGAN DRIVE IN WEST HARTFORD, ENCOURAGED FAMILIES TO DISCOVER AND EXPLORE OUR MULTISENSORY EXHIBITS AND LIVE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY. THE MUSEUMS HANDS-ON IMMERSIVE STEAM EXHIBITS PROMOTED EXPLORATION AND INQUIRY BASED LEARNING EPISODES FOCUSED ON SUPPORTING CHILD DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN AGES TWO TO AGE 8 WITH THE SUPPORT OF THEIR CAREGIVERS. HANDSON EXHIBITS FOCUSED ON SCIENCE DISCOVERY CONCEPTS, PALEONTOLOGY, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH, ENGINEERING AND NATURE.

    Expenses $1,288,273 · Revenue $427,912

  • THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM PRESCHOOL PROVIDES A PLAYBASED PROGRAM THAT ENCOURAGES LEARNING THROUGH EACH CHILD'S NATURAL ACTIVITIES. IT IS LICENSED BY CT OFFICE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (OEC) AND ACCREDITED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN (NAEYC). RECOGNIZING THAT CHILDREN HAVE DIFFERENT STRENGTHS AND AREAS FOR GROWTH, CLASSES USE PROVEN TECHNIQUES TAILORED TO INDIVIDUAL NEEDS WHILE MAINTAINING AN AFFIRMING AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT. THE PRESCHOOL OFFERS A UNIQUE INTEGRATION OF CURRICULUM WITH RESOURCES FROM THE ONSITE MUSEUM AND REMOTE NATURE CENTER. SUPPORTING CREATIVE PLAY, ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ARE GOALS OF THE PRESCHOOL'S CREDENTIALED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS.

    Expenses $753,641 · Revenue $750,616

  • THE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY HOUSES OVER 100 ANIMALS, PRIMARILY UNWANTED PETS AND DISPLACED ANIMALS THAT CANNOT BE RELEASED BACK INTO THE WILD. THE ANIMAL RESOURCES ARE VIEWED BY MUSEUM ATTENDEES ONSITE AND USED EXTENSIVELY TO SUPPORT THE EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAMS THE MUSEUM OFFERS WITHIN COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT CONNECTICUT AND INTO NEIGHBORING STATES. ADDITIONAL STEM TOPICS COVERING PHYSICS, ENGINEERING, CHEMISTRY, GEOLOGY, PALEONTOLOGY, BIOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT ARE OFFERED THROUGH THE MUSEUM'S OUTREACH EDUCATION OFFERINGS, BY A TEAM OF INFORMAL EDUCATORS WITH SCIENCE AND EDUCATION EXPERIENCES.

    Expenses $314,719 · Revenue $162,144

  • ROARING BROOK NATURE CENTER PROVIDES NATURAL HISTORY/ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO CONNECTICUT COMMUNITIES. PROGRAMS INCLUDE OUTREACH AND SCHOOL VISITATIONS, AS WELL AS SCOUT, SUMMER, PRESCHOOL AND PUBLIC PROGRAMS. SERVING AS A RESOURCE TO AREA RESIDENTS WITH ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS, THE CENTER ANSWERS THOUSANDS OF NATURE RELATED QUESTIONS ANNUALLY. THE CENTER RECEIVES OVER 300 INJURED OR ORPHANED NATIVE ANIMALS EACH YEAR FOR REHABILITATION. THE GOAL IS TO RELEASE ANIMALS BACK INTO THE WILD, HOWEVER, PERMANENTLY INJURED WILDLIFE MAY BE HOUSED AT THE CENTER AND THE COLLECTION INCLUDES A VARIETY OF RAPTORS, SMALL MAMMALS, REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS. ANIMALS ARE USED TO PROMOTE KNOWLEDGE OF BEHAVIORS, ADAPTATIONS WITHIN CONNECTICUT FAUNA. THE CENTER MAINTAINS WILDFLOWER TRAILS, A NATIVE PLANT BUTTERFLY GARDEN AND SERVES AS STEWARD FOR FIVE MILES OF TRAILS ON THE ADJACENT 158 ACRE STATE OWNED WERNER'S WOODS PROPERTY.

    Expenses $10,348

As filed on the 2025 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Ayesha Clarke

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Morgan Hilyard

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mark Milligan

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jenny Gaffney

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Robert A Cushman MD

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Luis Diez-Morales MD

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Cherie Griffith-Dunn

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Robert Julson

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Kimberly Kersey

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Lauren Tafrate

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Tyron Harris

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Charles Herbert

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Melissa Dinunno

    EXECUTIVE DI

    Total calculated
    $138,043
    From this org
    $130,197
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $7,846
    Hours/week
    40

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.

Related organizations on this return

Schedule R Part II: tax-exempt organizations related to the filer by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2025
Filed
14 September 2026
IRS schema version
2025v4.0
Source object
202632579349300428

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