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110 N HARRISON AVE
Lafayette CO 80026-2336
Lafayette CO | IRS ruling year: 1997 | EIN: 84-1421537
WOW! CHILDRENS MUSEUM ENGAGES ALL FAMILIES IN EDUCATIONAL, HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES THAT CONNECT CURIOUSITY, CREATIVITY AND DISCOVERY.
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: 95% Accountability & Finance, 5% 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.
Rating histories are available for a growing number of rated organizations. Check back later to see if this organization has a rating history!
The IRS is significantly delayed in processing nonprofits' annual tax filings (Forms 990). As a result, the Accountability & Finance score for Wow Childrens Museum World of Wonder Ltd. is outdated and the overall rating may not be representative of its current operations. Please check with the charity directly for any questions you may have.
Wow Childrens Museum World of Wonder Ltd. has earned a 97% for the Accountability & Finance beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
This Accountability & Finance score represents IRS Form 990 data up until FY 2019, which is the most recent Form 990 currently available to us.
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Full Credit
Partial Credit
No Credit
Not ApplicableBoard Composition - 9/9 - 25/25 ptsBoard Composition - 9/9 - 25/25 pts
Charity Navigator looks for at least 3 board members, with more than 50% of those members identified as independent (not salaried).
The presence of an independent governing body is strongly recommended by many industry professionals to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters.
Source: IRS Form 990
Independent Audit or Financial Review - Has Audit/Review - 20/20 ptsIndependent Audit or Financial Review - Has Audit/Review - 20/20 pts
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 |
|---|---|
| $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
Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed - 3/3 ptsConflict of Interest Policy - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the 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
Board Meeting Minutes - Documented - 3/3 ptsBoard Meeting Minutes - Documented - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the 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
Document Retention and Destruction - Missing - 0/3 ptsDocument Retention and Destruction - Missing - 0/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the 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
Whistleblower Policy - Listed - 3/3 ptsWhistleblower Policy - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the 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
Website - Listed - 3/3 ptsWebsite - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for a website on the 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
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 43.83% - 15/15 ptsLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 43.83% - 15/15 pts
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization’s solvency and/or long-term sustainability.
| Liabilities to Assets Ratio | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| Less than 50% | Full Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Partial Credit |
| 60% or more | No Credit |
Source: IRS Form 990
Program Expense Ratio - 80.54% - 25/25 ptsProgram Expense Ratio - 80.54% - 25/25 pts
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three 990s). This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver.
| Program Expense Percentage | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| 70% or higher | Full Credit |
| 60% - 69.9% | Partial Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Zero Points for Program Expense Score |
| Below 50% | Zero Points for Both Program Expense AND Liabilities to Assets Scores |
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
Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2019
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
Activities:
Described in section 509(a)(2) of the Code (BMF activity code: 995)
Museum, zoo, planetarium, etc. (BMF activity code: 060)
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 (Wow Childrens Museum World of Wonder Ltd.) or EIN (841421537) in the 'Search Term' field.
Not Currently Scored
Wow Childrens Museum World of Wonder Ltd. 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.
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Wow Childrens Museum World of Wonder Ltd. reported its two largest programs on its FY 2019 Form 990 as:
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
WOW! CHILDREN'S MUSEUM FEATURES EXHIBITS AND PROGRAMMING DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE CHILDREN, THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS TO PLAY, EXPLORE AND LEARN IN A WELCOMING COMMUNITY SETTING. EXHIBI ... (More)
WOW! CHILDREN'S MUSEUM FEATURES EXHIBITS AND PROGRAMMING DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE CHILDREN, THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS TO PLAY, EXPLORE AND LEARN IN A WELCOMING COMMUNITY SETTING. EXHIBITS SUCH AS MICRO U, DISCOVERY GARDEN, THE MARKET AND BANK CELEBRATE CHILDREN'S NATURAL INSTINCTS TO LEARN THROUGH DISCOVERY AND IMAGINATIVE PLAY, AND OFFER DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE EXPERIENCES FOR YOUNG LEARNERS. DROP-IN SCIENCE, ART AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS EXPAND ON THE MUSEUM'S EMPHASIS ON CURIOSITY AND COMMUNITY. WITH THEMES SUCH AS KINDERGARTEN READINESS AND GIRLS IN SCIENCE, AFTER-HOURS EVENTS OFFER CAREGIVERS SUPPORT IN WORKING WITH THEIR LITTLE ONES ON ACADEMIC, EMOTIONAL AND LIFE SKILL DEVELOPMENT. (Less)
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
WOW! CHILDREN'S MUSEUM BRINGS OUR PLAY-BASED LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES TO COMMUNITY SITES: SCHOOLS, DAYCARES, LIBRARIES AND OTHERS AROUND BOULDER COUNTY, WITH A PRIORITY ON S ... (More)
WOW! CHILDREN'S MUSEUM BRINGS OUR PLAY-BASED LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES TO COMMUNITY SITES: SCHOOLS, DAYCARES, LIBRARIES AND OTHERS AROUND BOULDER COUNTY, WITH A PRIORITY ON SERVING SITES THAT REACH LOW-INCOME STUDENTS. EDUCATION O (Less)
Wow Childrens Museum World of Wonder Ltd. has earned a 100% for the Culture & Community beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves.
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Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableConstituent Feedback - Data Available - 100/100 ptsConstituent Feedback - Data Available - 100/100 pts
100% of beacon score
This organization reported that it is collecting feedback from the constituents and/or communities it serves. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations that engage in inclusive practices, such as collecting feedback from the people and communities they serve, may be more effective.
How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Focus groups or interviews (by phone or in person), Suggestion box/email, Other means
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
With whom does your organization share the feedback you got from the people you serve?
Our staff, Our board, Our funders, Our community partners
What challenges does your organization face in collecting feedback from the people you serve?
It is difficult to find the ongoing funding to support feedback collection, Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time
Briefly describe a recent change that your organization made in response to feedback from the people you serve.
To learn from our community members and partners, we conducted a community needs assessment in 2018 to evaluate our effectiveness at reaching at-risk families and identify areas where we need to improve. The process included focus groups with low-income parents, most of whom had never visited the Museum. Their valuable feedback has shaped our current priorities in programming, hiring, and outreach. We have successfully retained Spanish speaking guest services team members and have updated all our facility signage and exhibits to be dual language, English and Spanish. We are working more closely with our community partners that serve low-income families to promote our free community events, such as Girls in Science and Kindergarten Readiness Night, to their participants.
Equity Practices - No Data Available - UnscoredEquity Practices - No Data Available - Unscored
This organization has not provided information regarding the Equity Practices it is presently implementing. As such, the organization has not earned a score on this metric. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations implementing effective equity policies and practices can enhance a nonprofit's decision-making, staff motivation, innovation, and effectiveness.
Wow Childrens Museum World of Wonder Ltd. cannot currently be evaluated by our Leadership & Adaptability methodology because we have not received data from the charity regarding its leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes.
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.
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Impact & Results
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
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