Disable all preview features

Arts, Culture, Humanities : Museums

Museum of Discovery and Science

Providing experiential pathways to lifelong learning in science

four stars

92.47

401 Southwest Second Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
tel: (954) 713-0942   Web Site
EIN: 59-1709542

Board Leadership
Kenneth Stiles
Chairman

CEO
Joseph Cox
President/CEO

 
 
  Score
(out of 100) 		Rating
Overall Score & Rating 92.47 four stars
  Financial 91.98 four stars
  Accountability & Transparency 93.00 four stars
This rating was published 08/01/2019 and includes data from FY2018, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?

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.

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.

Impact Information

data icon
GuideStar is Charity Navigator's trusted partner in sharing information on how this organization seeks impact.  GuideStar has recognized this organization with a Platinum Seal of Transparency for voluntarily and publicly sharing information about how they measure their progress and results.  Learn More about Impact Information.
Reported Results
Total in 2018
Number of teachers trained
460
This organization has earned a GuideStar's Platinum Seal of Transparency by voluntarily sharing the measures of progress and results they use to pursue their mission. Organizations earn Platinum Seals by selecting from a catalog of over 900 expert recognized metrics or by creating a new metric that best fits their work. This information is reported by the organization and displayed publicly on their GuideStar Nonprofit Profile. With over 1.6 million Nonprofit Profiles, 9 million annual visitors and over 200 data partners, GuideStar is the world's leading source of information about nonprofit organizations. A nonprofit itself, GuideStar is dedicated to providing better data for better decisions for a better world.
This impact information is current as of March 2020, when it was provided to us by GuideStar. At this time, Impact information published on this organization's page has no effect on its rating per our methodology.

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

Financial

four stars

91.98

Accountability & Transparency

four stars

93.00

This rating was published 08/01/2019 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)		 85.8%
  Administrative Expenses 9.0%
  Fundraising Expenses 5.0%
  Fundraising Efficiency $0.10
  Working Capital Ratio (years) 3.00
  Program Expenses Growth 2.5%
  Liabilities to Assets 1.7%
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Museum of Discovery and Science on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Museum of Discovery and 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 Discovery and Science (FL) 92.47 four stars
Science Museum Oklahoma (OK) 97.15 four stars
New York Hall of Science (NY) 90.21 four stars
South Florida Science Center and Aquarium (FL) 90.83 four stars
COSI Center of Science and Industry (OH) 87.66 three stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

REVENUE  
Contributions  
   Contributions, Gifts & Grants $2,606,220
   Federated Campaigns $0
   Membership Dues $267,588
   Fundraising Events $860,918
   Related Organizations $0
   Government Grants $1,319,159
Total Contributions $5,053,885
   Program Service Revenue $4,488,787
Total Primary Revenue $9,542,672
   Other Revenue $244,402
TOTAL REVENUE $9,787,074
   
EXPENSES  
   Program Expenses $8,125,621
   Administrative Expenses $856,240
   Fundraising Expenses $536,110
TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES $9,517,971
   
Payments to Affiliates $0
Excess (or Deficit) for the year $269,103
   
Net Assets $30,803,203

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
Collections & Exhibits $3,496,342 43.0%
Theater & Visitors $3,222,102 39.7%
Educational Programs $1,407,177 17.3%

Ratings History
Museum of Discovery and Science has received 2 consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator.

Form 990 FYE Date Published Overall Score Overall Rating
CN 2.1
2018-09 08/01/2019 92.47 four stars
2017-09 08/01/2018 96.64 four stars
2016-09 12/01/2017 85.58 three stars
2015-09 11/01/2016 84.73 three stars
2014-09 06/01/2016 86.02 three stars
 
CN 2.0
2014-09 10/01/2015 84.34 three stars
2013-09 12/22/2014 84.87 three stars
2012-09 09/01/2013 84.65 three stars
2011-09 06/01/2012 79.38 two stars
2010-09 09/20/2011 88.20 three stars
 
CN 1.0
2009-09 11/24/2010 91.89 four stars
2008-09 10/01/2009 92.44 four stars
2007-09 06/01/2008 92.67 four stars
2006-09 06/01/2007 88.12 three stars
2005-09 09/01/2006 84.12 three stars
2004-09 06/01/2005 78.25 two 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 59-1709542
Name in IRS Master File MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY AND SCIENCE INC
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.
(62) Historical site, records or reenactment
(296) Community center
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 March, 1979
Filing Requirement 990 (all other) or 990EZ return
Fiscal Year End September
IRS Forms 990
(provided courtesy of Foundation Center)		 (Log In or Register Now to View Forms 990!)
  • September, 2018
  • September, 2017
  • September, 2016
  • September, 2015
  • September, 2014
Compensation % of Expenses Paid to Title
$267,883 2.81% Kim L. Cavendish President, CEO

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Museum of Discovery and Science (FL) 92.47 four stars
Pacific Science Center (WA) 85.86 three stars
The Tech Museum of Innovation (CA) 95.79 four stars
Mid-America Science Museum (AR) 93.07 four stars
New York Hall of Science (NY) 90.21 four stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

This charity has an official representative registered with Charity Navigator.

Charity Contact Info

Museum of Discovery and Science
401 Southwest Second Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
tel: (954) 713-0942
fax: (954) 467-0046
EIN: 59-1709542

Visit Web Site

Board Leadership

Kenneth Stiles
Chairman

CEO

Joseph Cox
President/CEO

please wait...

    • I want to donate to Museum of Discovery and Science

      $
      next

    • Frequency

      back
      next

    • Would you like us to email someone and CC you?

      This email identifies you as the donor but does not specify the amount of your gift.
      back
    A donation of to has been added to your Giving Basket!

    Basket Total:
    Check Out Now or Continue Researching

Join Our Mailing List

Join over 400,000 other informed givers and get updates on charity ratings, new features, hot topics, and tips for donating.

As seen on