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Arts, Culture, Humanities : Museums

Museum of Science

Furthering understanding of science and technology

four stars

90.09

1 Science Park Boston, MA 02114
tel: (617) 723-2500   Web Site
EIN: 04-2103916

Board Leadership
Gwill Elaine York
Chairman

CEO
Tim Ritchie
President

 
 
  Score
(out of 100) 		Rating
Overall Score & Rating 90.09 four stars
  Financial 87.87 three stars
  Accountability & Transparency 93.00 four stars
This rating was published 02/01/2020 and includes data from FY2018, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?

Founded in 1830, the Museum of Science, Boston works to stimulate interest in and further understanding of science and technology and their importance for individuals and for society. To accomplish this educational mission, the Museum is dedicated to attracting the broadest possible spectrum of participants, and involving them in activities, exhibits and programs which will: encourage curiosity, questioning and exploration; inform and educate; enhance a sense of personal achievement in learning; respect individual interest, backgrounds and abilities; and promote life-long learning and informed and active citizenship.

Founded in 1830, the Museum of Science, Boston works to stimulate interest in and further understanding of science and technology and their importance for individuals and for society. To accomplish this educational mission, the Museum is dedicated to attracting the broadest possible spectrum of participants, and involving them in activities, exhibits and programs which will: encourage curiosity, questioning and exploration; inform and educate; enhance a sense of personal achievement in learning; respect individual interest, backgrounds and abilities; and promote life-long learning and informed and active citizenship.

Impact Information

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GlobalGiving Status
Partner Status
This organization holds GlobalGiving Partner Status. GG Rewards is the system GlobalGiving uses to reward nonprofits that demonstrate listening to the people they serve, learning, and improving their impact. Organizations receive points which translate into their Status: 52% of organizations are Partner, 22% are Leader, and the top 26% of organizations are Superstar. GlobalGiving is a trusted Impact Information partner of Charity Navigator.
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This impact information is current as of August 2020, when it was provided to us by GlobalGiving. At this time, Impact information published on this organization's page has no effect on its rating per our methodology. Further, the availability of GG Rewards information for charities on our site has no effect on Charity Navigator's evaluation of GlobalGiving.

Learn more about how we calculate the overall score and rating.

Financial

three stars

87.87

Accountability & Transparency

four stars

93.00

This rating was published 02/01/2020 and includes data from FY2018, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?
Overall Rating Chart
  Program Expenses
(Percent of the charity's total expenses spent on the programs
and services it delivers)		 79.6%
  Administrative Expenses 10.8%
  Fundraising Expenses 9.5%
  Fundraising Efficiency $0.16
  Working Capital Ratio (years) 3.08
  Program Expenses Growth 1.9%
  Liabilities to Assets 6.2%
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Museum of Science on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Museum of Science on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
Information Provided on the Form 990  
  Independent Voting Board Members
  No Material diversion of assets
  Audited financials prepared by independent accountant
  Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From related parties
  Documents Board Meeting Minutes
  Provided copy of Form 990 to organization's governing body in advance of filing
  Conflict of Interest Policy
  Whistleblower Policy
  Records Retention and Destruction Policy
  CEO listed with salary
  Process for determining CEO compensation
  Board Listed / Board Members Not Compensated
Is the following information easily accessible on the charity's website?  
  Donor Privacy Policy
  Board Members Listed
  Audited Financials
  Form 990
  Key staff listed

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Museum of Science (MA) 90.09 four stars
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OR) 92.03 four stars
Rochester Museum and Science Center (NY) 86.86 three stars
Adler Planetarium (IL) 85.36 three stars
Liberty Science Center (NJ) 91.88 four stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

REVENUE  
Contributions  
   Contributions, Gifts & Grants $25,018,316
   Federated Campaigns $0
   Membership Dues $1,821,898
   Fundraising Events $825,377
   Related Organizations $0
   Government Grants $4,465,103
Total Contributions $32,130,694
   Program Service Revenue $25,353,251
Total Primary Revenue $57,483,945
   Other Revenue $23,057,268
TOTAL REVENUE $80,541,213
   
EXPENSES  
   Program Expenses $52,185,515
   Administrative Expenses $7,462,126
   Fundraising Expenses $6,291,775
TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES $65,939,416
   
Payments to Affiliates $0
Excess (or Deficit) for the year $14,601,797
   
Net Assets $272,635,625

Program names and associated costs are listed for the top programs as reported on the charity's most recently filed Form 990. The top programs displayed will include the largest three programs, or those programs covering at least 60% of the charity's total expenses, whichever comes first.

Program Name Amount Spent % of Program Expenses
Exhibits $18,417,913 35.3%
Public Programs $13,699,902 26.3%
Education Programs $9,830,016 18.8%

Ratings History

Form 990 FYE Date Published Overall Score Overall Rating
CN 2.1
2018-06 02/01/2020 90.09 four stars
2017-06 02/01/2019 87.76 three stars
2016-06 11/01/2017 88.53 three stars
2015-06 10/01/2016 91.71 four stars
2014-06 06/01/2016 90.50 four stars
 
CN 2.0
2014-06 11/01/2015 86.72 three stars
2013-06 09/01/2014 92.15 four stars
2012-06 08/01/2013 93.21 four stars
2011-06 06/01/2012 85.40 three stars
2010-06 09/20/2011 87.27 three stars
 
CN 1.0
2009-06 11/24/2010 72.91 two stars
2008-06 10/01/2009 88.81 three stars
2007-06 03/01/2009 90.44 four stars
2006-06 07/01/2007 87.76 three stars
2005-04 07/01/2006 86.15 three stars
2004-04 05/01/2005 68.87 one star
2003-04 05/01/2004 73.57 two stars
2002-04 04/15/2003 78.94 two stars
2001-04 10/15/2002 84.20 three stars

The data displayed on this tab is provided by the IRS in the form of Publication 78 and the Business Master File (BMF).

EIN 04-2103916
Name in IRS Master File MUSEUM OF SCIENCE
NTEE Code A57
NTEE Classification Science and Technology Museums
NTEE Type Arts, Culture and Humanities
Classification Educational Organization
Subsection 501(c)(3)  (View the list of codes)
Activities (60) Museum, zoo, planetarium, etc.
Foundation Status Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public   170(b)(1)(A)(vi)
Deductibility Contributions are deductible
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).
Group Name [Not Applicable]
Ruling Date December, 1993
Filing Requirement 990 (all other) or 990EZ return
Fiscal Year End June
IRS Forms 990
(provided courtesy of Foundation Center)		 (Log In or Register Now to View Forms 990!)
  • June, 2018
  • June, 2017
  • June, 2016
  • June, 2015
  • June, 2014
Compensation % of Expenses Paid to Title
$616,848 0.93% Ioannis Miaoulis President, Director

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Museum of Science (MA) 90.09 four stars
The Franklin Institute (PA) 87.99 three stars
Science Center of Iowa (IA) 85.18 three stars
Great Lakes Science Center (OH) 86.15 three stars
Orlando Science Center (FL) 90.47 four stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

This charity has an official representative registered with Charity Navigator.

Charity Contact Info

Museum of Science
1 Science Park
Boston, MA 02114
tel: (617) 723-2500
EIN: 04-2103916

Visit Web Site

Board Leadership

Gwill Elaine York
Chairman

CEO

Tim Ritchie
President

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