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MOCO KIDSCO

EIN 45-4070908 BETHESDA, MD

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

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.