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Fort Lauderdale FL | IRS ruling year: 1979 | EIN: 59-1709542
Organization Mission
The mission of the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) is to provide experiential pathways to lifelong learning in science for children and adults. Originally ope ... (More)
The mission of the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) is to provide experiential pathways to lifelong learning in science for children and adults. Originally opened in 1977 as the Discovery Center, MODS serves more than 400,000 visitors each year and is the primary destination for school field trips in Broward County (serving approximately 90,000 students on school-sponsored field trips). Visitors explore the impressive 145,000 SF facility and discover an open-air grand atrium, 30 interactive permanent exhibits, quarterly traveling exhibits, an outdoor science park, a live animal collection, a schedule of science shows, demonstrations, lectures and special presentations in the 100-seat Keller Science Theater, a large array of programs designed to serve diverse audiences, well as a full menu of educational documentary and cutting-edge films in the 300 seat IMAX Theater. (Less)
Great
This charity's score is 97%, earning it a Four-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence.
This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores, weighted as follows: 80% Accountability & Finance, 10% Leadership & Adaptability, 10% Culture & Community. Learn more about our criteria and methodology.
We recognize that not all metrics and beacons equally predict a charity’s success. The percentage each beacon contributes to the organization’s overall rating depends on the number of beacons an organization has earned.
Use the tool below to select different beacons to see how the weighting shifts when only one, two, or three beacons are earned.
Charity Navigator's ratings previously did not consider Leadership & Adaptability, Culture & Community, or Impact & Results. The historic rating mainly reflects a version of today’s Accountability and Finance score. More information on our previous rating methodologies can be found on our rating methodology page.
| Date Published | Overall Rating | ||
| 12/1/2020 | | ||
| 8/1/2019 | | ||
| 8/1/2018 | | ||
| 12/1/2017 |  | ||
| 11/1/2016 | | ||
| 6/1/2016 | | ||
| 10/1/2015 | | ||
This organization received multiple star ratings within this fiscal year, due to an update to its Accountability and Transparency data and/or the receipt of an amended Form 990. | |||
| 12/22/2014 | | ||
| 9/1/2013 | | ||
| 6/1/2012 |  | ||
| 9/20/2011 | | ||
| 11/24/2010 | | ||
| 10/1/2009 | | ||
| 6/1/2008 | | ||
| 6/1/2007 | | ||
| 9/1/2006 | | ||
| 6/1/2005 | | ||
Score
Most Recent Fiscal Year:
FY 2021
This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
Learn more
Full Credit
Partial Credit
No CreditMajority Independent Board Members - 100% independent members8 out of 8 points Majority Independent Board Members - 100% independent members8 out of 8 points
Industry professionals strongly recommend an independent governing body to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters. We check to see that a majority of board members are identified as independent on their tax form.
Source: IRS Form 990
Independent Board Size - 33 independent members7 out of 7 points Independent Board Size - 33 independent members7 out of 7 points
Industry professionals strongly recommend an independent governing body to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters. For most organizations, we check to see if the organization has at least three independent board members. For large, donor-funded organizations, we check to see if the organization has at least five independent board members
Source: IRS Form 990
Financial Statements - Audit and Oversight Committee15 out of 15 points Financial Statements - Audit and Oversight Committee15 out of 15 points
An Audit, Review, or Compilation provides important information about financial accountability and accuracy. Organizations are scored based on their Total Revenue Amount:
| Total Revenue Amount | Expectation to Receive Credit |
| $2 million or higher and 40% or higher donor support | Expected to complete an audit and have an audit oversight committee |
| $1 million or higher | Expected to complete an audit |
| $500,000 - $1 million | Expected to complete an audit, review, or compilation |
| Less than $500,000 | No expectation (removed from scoring methodology) |
Source: IRS Form 990
Material Diversion of Assets - None10 out of 10 points Material Diversion of Assets - None10 out of 10 points
A diversion of assets — any unauthorized conversion or use of the organization's assets other than for the organization's authorized purposes, including but not limited to embezzlement or theft — also can seriously call into question a charity's financial integrity. We review the charity's most recent IRS Form 990 to see if the charity has reported any diversion of assets.
Source: IRS Form 990
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditWebsite Listed on Tax Form - Listed2 out of 2 points Website Listed on Tax Form - Listed2 out of 2 points
Charity Navigator looks for a website on the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency metric.
Nonprofits act in the public trust and reporting publicly on activities is an important component.
Source: IRS Form 990
Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed4 out of 4 points Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed4 out of 4 points
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy protects the organization and by extension those it serves, when it is considering entering into a transaction that may benefit the private interest of an officer, director and/or key employee of the organization.
Source: IRS Form 990
Whistleblower Policy - Listed4 out of 4 points Whistleblower Policy - Listed4 out of 4 points
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy outlines procedures for handling employee complaints, as well as a confidential way for employees to report financial or other types of mismanagement.
Source: IRS Form 990
Document Retention and Destruction - Listed4 out of 4 points Document Retention and Destruction - Listed4 out of 4 points
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy establishes guidelines for the handling, backing up, archiving and destruction of documents. These guidelines foster good record keeping procedures that promote data integrity.
Source: IRS Form 990
Documents Board Meeting Minutes - Yes2 out of 2 points Documents Board Meeting Minutes - Yes2 out of 2 points
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the IRS Form 990 that the organization has this process in place as an accountability and transparency measure.
An official record of the events that take place during a board meeting ensures that a contemporaneous document exists for future reference.
Source: IRS Form 990
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditTax Form Posted on Nonprofit's Website - Missing0 out of 4 points Tax Form Posted on Nonprofit's Website - Missing0 out of 4 points
For almost all charities, we check the charity's IRS Form 990 to see if it discloses that the Form 990 is available on the charity's website. As with the audited financial statement, donors need easy access to this financial report to help determine if the organization is managing its financial resources well.
Source: IRS Form 990
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditLiabilities to Assets: Ratio - 2.27%15 out of 15 points Liabilities to Assets: Ratio - 2.27%15 out of 15 points
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent IRS Form 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization's solvency and/or long-term sustainability.
Source: IRS Form 990
Program Expense: Ratio - 81.28%25 out of 25 points Program Expense: Ratio - 81.28%25 out of 25 points
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three IRS Forms 990). This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver.
Source: IRS Form 990
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
Presented here are up to five of this organization's highest compensated employees. This compensation data includes salary, cash bonuses, and expense accounts and is displayed exactly how it is reported to the IRS. The amounts do not include nontaxable benefits, deferred compensation, or other amounts not reported on Form W-2. In some cases, these amounts may include compensation from related organizations. Read the IRS policies for compensation reporting
Joseph Cox, President/ce
$263,087
Meredith Feder, Dep.dir.stra
$212,323
Hilary Winiger, Dirgrants&go
$105,026
Catherine Nonnenmacher, Vp Finance/c
$60,273
Johnathan Robertson, Secretary
Compensation not entered
Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2021
Below are some key data points from the Exempt Organization IRS Business Master File (BMF) for this organization. Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website
Foundation Status:
Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15)
Affiliation:
Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations). (BMF affiliation code: 3)
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage finance and accountability data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to search for this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available). Simply enter the organization's name (Museum of Discovery and Science) or EIN (591709542) in the 'Search Term' field.
Not Currently Scored
Museum of Discovery and Science cannot currently be evaluated by our Impact & Results methodology because either (A) it is eligible, but we have not yet received data; (B) we have not yet developed an algorithm to estimate its programmatic impact; (C) its programs are not direct services; or (D) it is not heavily reliant on contributions from individual donors.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
Score
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves.
Learn more
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditConstituent Feedback - Data Available100/100 points Constituent Feedback - Data Available100/100 points
30% of beacon score
This organization reported that it is collecting feedback from the constituents and/or communities it serves. The methodology leveraged for Constituent Feedback is based on The Core Principles of Constituent Feedback, which describes listening and responding well to feedback. Charity Navigator participates in a consortium with other feedback experts and leading nonprofit infrastructure platforms to drive Constituent Feedback's advancement, promotion, and data collection.
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
What challenges does your organization face in collecting feedback from the people you serve?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Equity Practices - Data Available97/100 points Equity Practices - Data Available97/100 points
70% of beacon score
This organization's score of 97 is a passing score. The organization reported that it is implementing 13 Equity Practices.
This assessment demonstrates the importance of implementing practices that contribute positively to an organization's overall culture, both internally and with respect to community engagement. Furthermore, equity centered frameworks and similar approaches have drawn much attention from donors, experts, and sector leaders who underscore its value to the nonprofit's overall health and capacity for mission success. Currently, the Equity Strategies Checklist assessment consists of practices and policies that promote racial equity in their operations and programs (per the Equity Strategies checklist administered by Candid). As we refine our DEI assessment, Charity Navigator partners with DEI consultants and field experts to broaden and deepen this work.
| Equity Practices (7/7) | |
We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race. | |
We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and/or portfolios. | |
We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization/'s programs, portfolios, and the populations served. | |
We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support. | |
We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders. | |
We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured | |
We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. | |
| Equity Policies and Procedures (6/7) | |
We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity. | |
We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions. | |
We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization. | |
We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board. | |
We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability. | |
We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team. | |
We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. | |
Score
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization's mission.
Learn more
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditMission 10/10 points Mission 10/10 points
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission
The mission of the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) is to provide experiential pathways to lifelong learning in science for children and adults. Originally opened in 1977 as the Discovery Center, MODS serves more than 400,000 visitors each year and is the primary destination for school field trips in Broward County (serving approximately 90,000 students on school-sponsored field trips). Visitors explore the impressive 145,000 SF facility and discover an open-air grand atrium, 30 interactive permanent exhibits, quarterly traveling exhibits, an outdoor science park, a live animal collection, a schedule of science shows, demonstrations, lectures and special presentations in the 100-seat Keller Science Theater, a large array of programs designed to serve diverse audiences, well as a full menu of educational documentary and cutting-edge films in the 300 seat IMAX Theater.
Vision 10/10 points Vision 10/10 points
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
The Museum’s vision is a society where people of all ages engage with science and discovery to stren
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Goals 20/20 points Goals 20/20 points
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: Engage Our Community & Expand Our Impact • Refresh early childhood education • Boost resiliency to the impact of climate change • Optimize diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion (DEAI)
Goal Type: New program(s) based on observed changes in needs among our constituencies/communities served.
Goal Two: Ensure Financial Stability • Increase and diversify our sources of financial support, strengthening our institution and its economic impact on our community.
Goal Type: Invest in the capacity of our organization (financial, management, technical, etc.).
Goal Three: Drive Workforce Development • Impact future career paths through exposure to south Florida’s top industries. • Incorporate emerging technology and experiences to shape our community’s workforce.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Leadership Development 15/15 points Leadership Development 15/15 points
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
Describe an investment in leadership
MODS continued to invest in leadership development during COVID. The Museum paid for 15 staff from all departments to attend sessions of the Association of Science-Technology Centers Virtual 2020 Annual Conference in October 2020. The conference was entitled “New Frontiers in Science, Technology, Learning and Community Engagement Toward a More Equitable Tomorrow.” Staff also attended the 2021 American Alliance of Museums Virtual Conference in June 2021 entitled “Resilient, Together.” Both conferences strengthened staff’s leadership skills by presenting relevant topics in the museum field. Other opportunities during the past 12-18 months included skill development through training on the Museum’s new Blackbaud cloud software and participation in paid online Creative Engineering courses led by Mark Rober, former NASA engineer and inventor at Apple.
Mobilizing for Mission 15/15 points Mobilizing for Mission 15/15 points
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
This organization mobilizes for mission in the following ways:
Strategic Partnerships
Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
Thought Leadership
Raising Awareness
Community Building
Policy Advocacy
What are this organization’s external mobilizaton efforts?
Collaboration is an enduring value of MODS. The Museum works with dozens of organizations, universities and non-profits to develop educational initiatives and workforce opportunities including Broward County Public Schools, Florida International University, Florida Atlantic University, Children’s Services Council and Early Learning Coalition, to name a few. Our 2020-2025 Strategic Plan and Inclusivity Initiative were developed with thought and community leaders from across the region. Students with disabilities from Arc Broward prepare food for our Café. On a national level we partner with GlaxoSmithKline and the Franklin Institute to deliver science to at-risk youth. Our CEO sits on the national board of the Association of Children’s Museums setting and sharing policies for the museum field. We raise awareness of our mission through 400,000 annual visitors, 68,000 email subscribers, 44,800 followers on Facebook and Instagram and 428,400 unique users annually on our webpage.
Adaptability Story 30/30 points Adaptability Story 30/30 points
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
COVID, of course, and its impact on Museum visitation and programming was the greatest external change and challenge in the last year. Major financial decisions were made immediately by the Museum’s Leadership team and Trustees. A cost control plan was developed, reducing our budget from $8.5 to $5.4 million, reducing staff by 60%, reaching out to long-standing donors who responded in force, applying for loans and grants from the Small Business Administration and CARES Act grants. Food, medicines and supplies for the Museum’s live animals were pre-purchased in case of failure in the shipping and supply chain. A massive cleaning effort was undertaken by staff including replacement of a/c filters, carpet cleaning and electrostatic spraying of exhibit areas and IMAX theater. Virtual programs were developed in partnership with an extensive list of donors including Broward Public Schools, Save Our Seas Foundation, International Hurricane Research Center, Community Foundation of Broward and AIDS Healthcare Foundation, including a virtual ribbon cutting for our new Sprouting STEM Early Childhood Learning Lab powered by PNC Grow Up Great. Virtual Professional Development Workshops attracted teachers from as far away as Hong Kong and Australia and virtual Educator Nights prepared teachers for their return to on-site field trips. Serving the needs of our community was at the forefront of our response in the last year. Accessibility initiatives were expanded including free admission for active military and first responders and their families, programs for the LGBTQ+ and autism community, a donor-funded e-learning program (with meals and aftercare) for at-risk children in grades K-5 whose families receive SNAP benefits and free or discounted admission for low-income families and social service agencies. Through solid leadership and decision-making MODS adapted to external changes and emerged strong by addressing the educational and cultural needs of its community.
Impact & Results
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
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