- Revenue 2024
- $6,446,548
- Expenses 2024
- $7,061,940
Program services were 72.1% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.
As filed
- Subsection
- 03
- NTEE code
- A52
- Classification
- 1000
- Street
- 6400 DEMOCRACY BLVD
These codes are the IRS's own and are shown exactly as filed. What each one means is in the Business Master File documentation (opens in a new tab).
Mission and programs · 2024
Mission
KID MUSEUM IS OUR REGION'S PIONEERING EXPERIENTIAL MUSEUM AND EDUCATIONAL MAKERSPACE. WE FOSTER THE "MIND OF A MAKER" IN KIDS AND YOUTH, EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION WITH THE SKILLS TO INVENT THE FUTURE.
Activities or mission (Part I)
ESTABLISHED EDUCATIONAL NONPROFIT IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C. METRO AREA THAT OFFERS HANDS-ON, MAKER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR KIDS, TEENS, FAMILIES, AND EDUCATORS. ITS UNIQUE PROGRAMS FOCUS ON ENGAGING YOUTH IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ART, AND MATH (STEAM), BUILDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND HELPING DIVERSIFY THE TALENT PIPELINE OF THE FUTURE. SINCE ESTABLISHING A PROOF-OF-CONCEPT SITE IN 2014, KID MUSEUM HAS SERVED MORE THAN 435,000 VISITORS. AT ITS TWO MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD FACILITIES, IT FOSTERS THE "MIND OF A MAKER" TO EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATION WITH THE SKILLS TO INVENT THE FUTURE. AS A LEADER IN INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO TEACHING AND LEARNING, KID PARTNERS WITH SCHOOLS AND THE COMMUNITY TO DISMANTLE STRUCTURAL INEQUITIES AND ENABLE ALL STUDENTS TO UNLOCK THEIR FULLEST CREATIVE POTENTIAL.
-
IN ITS ELEVENTH YEAR OF OPERATIONS, AND ITS FOURTH AT THE FLAGSHIP LOCATION AT BETHESDA METRO CENTER, KID MUSEUM IS OPEN SIX DAYS A WEEK, SERVING THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND EDUCATORS EACH YEAR WITH A RANGE OF INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS. ITS PROGRAMS ARE BUILT AROUND HANDS-ON, TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT BUILD SKILLS IN CODING, ENGINEERING DESIGN, AND INVENTION, AND PREPARE KIDS TO TAKE ON LIFE'S CHALLENGES WITH CREATIVITY, CURIOSITY, AND COMPASSION.1) OUT OF SCHOOL TIME PROGRAMSKID MUSEUM PROVIDES YOUTH WITH THE SKILLS AND EXPANDED MINDSET TO BECOME INNOVATORS OF THE FUTURE THROUGH ENGAGING, HANDS-ON PROGRAMMING FROM WEEK-LONG SUMMER CAMPS AND DAILY CAMPS, TO MULTI-WEEK AFTER-SCHOOL CLASSES AND MIDDLE SCHOOL MAKER NIGHTS. IN ADDITION, THE MUSEUM PROVIDES VIBRANT WEEKEND EXPERIENCES DESIGNED TO ENGAGE THE WHOLE FAMILY. IN FY25, KID MUSEUM CONTINUED ITS IN-PERSON WEEKEND PROGRAMMING, SERVING VISITORS THROUGH OPEN EXPLORE TIME, BIRTHDAY PARTIES, WORKSHOPS, AND COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS.2) SCHOOL PROGRAMSKID MUSEUM OFFERS RIGOROUS, CURRICULUM BASED PROGRAMS, WITH A SERIES OF EXPERIENCES THAT COMBINE TECHNICAL SKILLS (EG. CODING, ELECTRONICS, ENGINEERING DESIGN) WITH 21ST CENTURY LEARNING INCLUDING CRITICAL THINKING, CREATIVITY, AND COLLABORATION. THE ANNUAL INVENT THE FUTURE CHALLENGE BRINGS THESE LEARNING EXPERIENCES TO THOUSANDS OF AREA MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS. THE MUSEUM ALSO PROVIDES RIGOROUS, STANDARDS-ALIGNED CURRICULAR PROGRAMS FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS, REACHING THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS INCLUDING THOSE FROM TITLE I AND HIGH-POVERTY SCHOOLS THROUGH THE KID INVENTORS PROGRAM. IN ADDITION, KID MUSEUM REACHES THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS THROUGH SINGLE VISIT MAKER DISCOVERY FIELD TRIPS, EXPLORING HANDS-ON TECHNICAL AND BUILDING SKILLS, AS WELL AS DEEP DIVE WORKSHOPS AND OPEN BUILD EXPERIENCES IN WHICH STUDENTS PURSUE THEIR OWN PROJECT BUILDS. KID MUSEUM ALSO CONTINUED ITS PARTNERSHIPS WITH INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO BROADEN THE ACCESS AND REACH OF ITS PROGRAMS TO STUDENTS AND TEACHERS.3) TEEN PROGRAMSKID MUSEUM'S TEEN VOLUNTEER PROGRAM TRAINS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO GUIDE VISITORS THROUGH HANDS-ON EXPLORATIONS. THESE TRAINED STUDENTS THEN SERVE AS ACTIVITY FACILITATORS DURING AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS, FAMILY WEEKEND PROGRAMS, AND AT CAMPS. IN FY25, KID MUSEUM ALSO CONTINUED ITS INTENSIVE TEEN INNOVATORS PROGRAM THAT ALLOWED TEENS TO DELVE INTO STEM, MAKER, AND LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES, AS WELL AS STRENGTHEN THEIR TECH AND MAKER SKILLS. ALL COHORTS OF THE TEEN PROGRAM EXPLORE COLLEGE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN STEM AND NON-STEM FIELDS.4) EDUCATOR PROGRAMSKID MUSEUM'S PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROVIDES EDUCATORS WITH THE SKILLS, RESOURCES, AND INSPIRATION NEEDED TO SUCCESSFULLY INTEGRATE STEM-BASED MAKER EDUCATION INTO EVERYDAY CLASSROOMS. IN FY25, KID MUSEUM CONTINUED ITS MODEL FOR SUPPORTING SCHOOLS IN SYSTEMIC INTEGRATION OF MAKER LEARNING IN THE CLASSROOM. TEACHERS DELIVERED A STUDENT CURRICULUM, PARTICIPATED IN COHORT-WIDE TRAINING WORKSHOPS, AND PARTNERED WITH KID MUSEUM STAFF FOR INDIVIDUALIZED COACHING.5) COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTIN FY25, KID MUSEUM FURTHER REFINED ITS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FUNCTION, PERFORMING OUTREACH TO LOCAL AND REGIONAL COMMUNITIES AT LITTLE TO NO COST TO THE PARTICIPANTS. KID ALSO COLLABORATED WITH OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO CONTINUE TO BROADEN ITS REACH AND DEEPEN PARTNERSHIPS IN THE REGION. STUDENTS AND FAMILIES THAT ARE TRADITIONALLY UNDERREPRESENTED IN STEM PARTICIPATED IN PROGRAMS WITHIN THEIR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES AS WELL AS AT KID MUSEUM DURING THE WEEK AND WEEKENDS. KID MUSEUM ALSO BUILT OUT ITS RESEARCH AND EVALUATION FUNCTION TO FURTHER REFINE ITS IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITIES SERVED BY THESE PROGRAMS.
Expenses $5,091,315 · Grants $417 · Revenue $757,040
As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.
Officers and directors · 2024
As listed in Part VII of the 2024 return, in the order the filer printed them. Each return names its own; this is not a roster the organization keeps with us.
-
CARA LESSER
FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $186,640
- From this org
- $154,661
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $31,979
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $154,661
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $0
- Deferred
- $5,100
- Nontaxable benefits
- $26,879
- Filer's total
- $186,640
-
DAVID GOLDBERG
CHAIR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
ROBBY BREWER
VICE CHAIR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2
-
BRIAN TAFF
TREASURER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
JILL CHESSEN
SECRETARY
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
SAM ALEMAYEHU
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
GEORGES ANDRE
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
SUSAN HENDRICKSON
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
SHANIKA HOPE
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
CORINNA LATHAN
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
ALEXANDRE RENE
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
ANTONIO TIJERINO
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
JACQUELINE EYL
CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER
- Total calculated
- $151,634
- From this org
- $146,000
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $5,634
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $146,000
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $0
- Deferred
- $4,380
- Nontaxable benefits
- $1,254
- Filer's total
- $151,634
-
MONICA GOODWYN-CAUL
CHIEF PEOPLE AND CULTURE OFFICER
- Total calculated
- $151,206
- From this org
- $145,056
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $6,150
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $145,056
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $0
- Deferred
- $4,380
- Nontaxable benefits
- $1,770
- Filer's total
- $151,206
-
HOLLY CHRISTENSEN
CHIEF OPERATING OFFIER
- Total calculated
- $148,237
- From this org
- $142,250
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $5,987
- Hours/week
- 40
-
AMY KURZ
CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER
- Total calculated
- $151,582
- From this org
- $137,891
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $13,691
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $122,891
- Bonus
- $15,000
- Other
- $0
- Deferred
- $0
- Nontaxable benefits
- $13,691
- Filer's total
- $151,582
-
PHYLLIS KIM
CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
- Total calculated
- $149,352
- From this org
- $137,743
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $11,609
- 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. 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. Earlier years are each on their own filing page.
Filings
-
2024
- Revenue
- $6,446,548
- Expenses
- $7,061,940
- Contributions
- $5,569,265
- Grants paid
- $417
-
2023
- Revenue
- $6,344,212
- Expenses
- $7,135,691
- Contributions
- $4,736,830
- Grants paid
- $1,109
-
2022
- Revenue
- $7,132,751
- Expenses
- $6,614,772
- Contributions
- $3,971,766
- Grants paid
- $0
The four totals the IRS asks for on Part I of the Form 990, as filed. A dash means the figure was not present on the return — not that it was zero.
Other returns filed
-
2021 · 990
- Revenue
- $5,084,680
- Expenses
- $4,661,047
- Assets (EOY)
- $11,453,746
-
2020 · 990
- Revenue
- $3,185,373
- Expenses
- $2,254,625
- Assets (EOY)
- $1,515,612
-
2018 · 990
- Revenue
- $1,701,996
- Expenses
- $1,591,742
- Assets (EOY)
- $638,029
-
2017 · 990
- Revenue
- $1,430,510
- Expenses
- $1,261,965
- Assets (EOY)
- $351,070
-
2016 · 990
- Revenue
- $911,869
- Expenses
- $936,923
- Assets (EOY)
- $166,740
-
2015 · 990
- Revenue
- $559,303
- Expenses
- $590,886
- Assets (EOY)
- $206,150
-
2014 · 990
- Revenue
- $354,614
- Expenses
- $262,196
- Assets (EOY)
- $249,050
Nonprofiteer parses Forms 990, 990-EZ and 990-PF, in a window of recent tax years. These returns are recorded from the IRS e-file index, so their figures were extracted by that index rather than read from the return here — treat them as a different source from the filings above, not as more of the same record. A dash means the index carries no figure; Form 990-T listings carry none at all.
Form 990-N e-Postcard, tax year 2012
- Tax period
- 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012
- Principal officer
- Jill Chessen
- Mailing address
- 7979 Old Georgetown Road 10th FloorBethesda MD 20814
- Website
- www.kid-museum.org
- Doing business as
- KID Museum Inc
As filed, from the IRS e-Postcard file of 19 October 2026. The IRS publishes only each organization's most recent postcard, so earlier years are not shown. A 990-N carries no financial detail. The postcard also gives the principal officer's address, which is not shown here.
Grants made
No itemized grants to organizations. Schedule I is filed only by organizations that granted more than $5,000 to a recipient, so most filers have none.
Grants received
-
2024 For grant recipient's exempt purposes
-
2022 GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT & ADVANCEMENT GRANT
-
2022 General Support
-
$110,745
2023 Youth Services
-
$75,000
2022 GENERAL SUPPORT
-
2023 General Support
-
$50,000
2023 PUBLIC, SOCIETAL BENEFIT
-
$50,000
2024 EDUCATION
-
$50,000
2022 CULTURE & ARTS
-
$45,000
2024 ARTS AND HUMANITIES
The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.
Other IRS files
Auto-Revocation List
Not listed. The IRS publishes this list for organizations whose exemption was automatically revoked for failing to file for three consecutive years.
Publication 78
Listed as of 13 October 2026, under deductibility PC.
These are two separate IRS files on two separate schedules, shown as published and not reconciled with each other. Neither is a statement about whether a contribution is deductible today: 19,245 organizations appear in Publication 78 while the IRS's own revocation file lists them as currently revoked, more than half of those revoked before 2019. Absence from Publication 78 is evidence of nothing, and presence is not evidence either. Verify current status with the IRS before relying on it.
What this page reflects
The registration facts above come from the IRS Business Master File published 13 October 2026 and read 26 October 2026, for every organization at once. Returns through tax year 2024, the newest we have parsed for this organization.