2024-10-31T11:50:18-05:00 2023-12-31 061253566 WALTER J MCKEEVER & COMPANY LLC PO BOX 5147 15 VALLEY DRIVE GREENWICH CT 06831 990 2023-01-01 223199269 STEPPING STONES MUSEUM FOR CHILDREN INC STEP 2038990606 303 WEST AVENUE NORWALK CT 068520184 BARBARA S KOTEEN CHAIR 2038990606 2024-10-31 1 0 DENISE C DORIA P01283182 2036228625 X 2023 2024-10-15 13:58:12Z BARBARA S KOTEEN 303 WEST AVENUE NORWALK CT 068520184 10747837 0 X WWW.STEPPINGSTONESMUSEUM.ORG X 1992 CT THE MISSION OF STEPPING STONES MUSEUM FOR CHILDREN IS TO BROADEN AND ENRICH THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN AGES TEN AND UNDER AND ENHANCE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD. THE MUSEUM SEEKS TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT INSPIRES LIFE-LONG LEARNING AND SUPPORTS PARENTS, CAREGIVERS AND EDUCATORS AS FACILITATORS OF CHILDREN'S EXPLORATIONS. 12 12 188 78 0 0 1933526 4540290 4418911 5084817 54785 46585 78334 -146665 6485556 9525027 0 0 0 0 5313139 6216346 0 0 188514 3618986 3888692 8932125 10105038 -2446569 -580011 13790786 15060072 2796678 4551634 10994108 10508438 X THE MISSION OF STEPPING STONES MUSEUM FOR CHILDREN IS TO BROADEN AND ENRICH THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN AGES TEN AND UNDER AND ENHANCE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD. THE MUSEUM SEEKS TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT INSPIRES LIFE-LONG LEARNING AND SUPPORTS PARENTS, CAREGIVERS AND EDUCATORS AS FACILITATORS OF CHILDREN'S EXPLORATIONS. 0 0 8436490 5084817 STEPPING STONES IS A PREMIER MULTIDIMENSIONAL EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE THAT PROVIDES EXCEPTIONAL AND MEANINGFUL INTERACTIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT ENRICH THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. THE MUSEUM'S LEARNING PURPOSE IS TO SPARK CHILDREN'S CURIOSITY, IMAGINATION AND INTERESTS BY ENGAGING THEM IN PLAYFUL EXPLORATION OF INTERACTIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES AND SHARED MOMENTS OF DISCOVERY WITH PARENTS, CAREGIVERS, AND EDUCATORS, EXCITING AND PREPARING THEM FOR AN INCREASINGLY COMPLEX, CHANGING AND DIVERSE FUTURE. 8436490 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 44 0 188 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 12 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 CT X X THE ORGANIZATION 2038990606 303 WEST AVENUE NORWALK CT 06850 X BARBARA S KOTEEN CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 THOMAS BUMBOLOW VICE PRESIDENT 0.30 X X 0 0 0 BARBARA BROWN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 CLIFFORD BOGUE MD DIRECTOR 0.30 X 0 0 0 SANDRA J MIKLAVE DIRECTOR 0.30 X 0 0 0 NATASHA HILL SECRETARY 0.30 X X 0 0 0 JOHN S FOSTER DIRECTOR 0.30 X 0 0 0 BETSY FALKOFF DIRECTOR 0.30 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL E WALLACE DIRECTOR 0.30 X 0 0 0 GAYLEY WOOLSTON DIRECTOR 0.30 X 0 0 0 JACQUELINE KAUFMAN TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 MICHAEL SERRAO DIRECTOR 0.30 X 0 0 0 RHONDA KIEST PRESIDENT & CEO 40.00 X 245651 0 0 CAROLYN B KNOTT VP, INTEGRATED BRAND COMMUNICATIONS 40.00 X 111766 0 0 CRISTINA MATOS VP, TEACHING & LEARNING 40.00 X 139575 0 0 MICHAEL JACABACCI VP, MUSEUM OPERATIONS 40.00 X 135063 0 0 AMANDA CONNELL VP, HUMAN RESOURCES & FINANCE 40.00 X 115468 0 0 KATHY LABIENIEC DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS 40.00 X 130681 0 0 878204 0 0 6 0 1 0 SERVICE MANAGEMENT GROUP LLC 25 CONTROLS DRIVE SHELTON CT 06484 CLEANING,JANITORIAL 262500 1 228604 4311686 1067381 4540290 EARLY LANGUAGE & LITERACY INITIAT 900099 1908739 1908739 ADMISSIONS & GROUP VISITS 900099 1245932 1245932 MEMBERSHIPS 900099 944136 944136 CAFE 900099 565568 565568 STORE 900099 236695 236695 183747 183747 5084817 26362 26362 1030893 1010670 20223 20223 20223 65475 228604 212140 -146665 -146665 9525027 5084817 0 -100080 292038 146019 97346 48673 4987925 4525955 375300 86670 520366 457745 48619 14002 416017 372847 33422 9748 402 402 16814 16814 14675 2284 10106 2285 235300 219545 13498 2257 7719 7719 241404 197464 38644 5296 23024 18395 4629 6489 6025 420 44 212416 212416 1166098 702927 463171 131624 125139 5498 987 REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE 384261 367138 14516 2607 CAFE EXPENSES-FOOD 282846 280525 2302 19 CONSULTANTS 183644 176214 84 7346 PROGRAM SUPPLIES 137222 133320 2538 1364 844754 704948 132590 7216 10105038 8436490 1480034 188514 181103 416845 252227 1559126 108102 50371 37755 160412 117672 42838 22624359 10907787 12078566 11716572 981516 1077172 33845 36736 13790786 15060072 156123 318087 131338 119306 2453938 4050000 55279 64241 2796678 4551634 X 10012592 7885872 981516 2622566 10994108 10508438 13790786 15060072 -580011 94341 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 4151123 2884357 4237579 1933526 4540290 17746875 4106184 1633003 2009406 4418911 5084817 17252321 8257307 4517360 6246985 6352437 9625107 34999196 2541500 2000500 1894749 33678 6470427 0 2541500 2000500 1894749 33678 6470427 28528769 26974 27907 17778 35546 26362 134567 26974 27907 17778 35546 26362 134567 -101272 1027115 1130870 66251 81939 2204903 8183009 5572382 7395633 6454234 9733408 37338666 0.76410 0.67210 0.00360 0.00390 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 981516 500 148457 43196 10105 1077172 1234792 500 -199424 44071 10281 981516 1166523 500 124016 45141 11106 1234792 1062934 500 156008 42901 10018 1166523 948331 2000 164881 42447 9831 1062934 1 0 16505743 6716054 9789689 3840200 3131752 708448 2278416 1059981 1218435 11716572 CASH EQUIVALENTS 51105 F EQUITIES 644517 F FIXED INCOME 381550 F 1077172 ACCRUED VACATION 64241 64241 X 9609262 94341 94341 9514921 10106 10106 9525027 10094932 0 10094932 10106 10106 10105038 PART V, LINE 4: QUASI-ENDOWMENTS ARE FUNCTIONING AS ENDOWMENTS AS THEY WERE ESTABLISHED BY THE ORGANIZATION IN RESPONSE TO DONOR FUNDS GIVEN IN MEMORY OF 3 INDIVIDUALS. THESE FUNDS ARE INVESTED WITH AN INVESTMENT INSTITUTION TO PROVIDE A REASONABLE DEGREE OF STABILITY AND PREDICTABILITY IN THE ENDOWMENT FUND. THE BOARD APPROVED INVESTMENT POLICY STIPULATES A SPEND RATE OF 4% OF THE 3 YEAR AVERAGE ASSET VALUE CALCULATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 30TH FOR THE CURRENT YEAR AND 2 PRIOR YEARS. THIS AMOUNT IS RELEASED FROM THE FUNDS TO THE ORGANIZATION FOR USE IN ITS PROGRAM SERVICES. PART X, LINE 2: THE MUSEUM IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAX UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. IN ADDITION, THE MUSEUM QUALIFIES FOR THE CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION DEDUCTION UNDER SECTION 170(B)(1)(A)(VI) AND HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED AS AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS NOT A PRIVATE FOUNDATION UNDER SECTION 509(A)(1). THE CORPORATION IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAX UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE AS A TYPE I SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION AS DEFINED UNDER SECTION 509(A)(3). CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CORPORATION ARE DEDUCTIBLE UNDER SECTION 170 OF THE CODE. THE MUSEUM BELIEVES THAT IS HAS APPROPRIATE SUPPORT FOR ANY TAX POSITIONS TAKEN, AND AS SUCH, DOES NOT HAVE ANY UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS THAT ARE MATERIAL TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; THEREFORE, THE MUSEUM HAS NOT RECORDED ANY TAX ASSETS, LIABILITIES OR RELATED ACCRUALS FOR INTEREST AND PENALTIES AS DECEMBER 31, 2023. TAX RETURNS GENERALLY ARE SUBJECT TO EXAMINATION BY THE AUTHORITIES FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS FROM THE FILING DATE. GAME ON! 102574 102574 20287 540 3069 45853 SWING INTO IT! GOLF 164268 98793 65475 14758 70482 5000 23250 1 27237 27237 2608 3942 3528 4950 13873 294079 228604 65475 37653 74964 6597 9950 82976 212140 -146665 JOE ROMANO CONTROLLER 303 WEST AVENUE NORWALK CT 068520184 X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 RHONDA KIEST PRESIDENT & CEO 245651 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 245651 0 0 0 JOHN S FOSTER DIRECTOR (2023), SIGNIFICANT DONOR ORGANIZATION ENTERED INTO A LINE OF CREDIT RELATIONSHIP TO BE USED FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE MUSEUM. CREDIT LINE INITIALLY SERVED AS BRIDGE FINANCING UNTIL PLEDGES AND DONATIONS WERE RECEIVED TO COVER CONSTRUCTION COSTS. EFFECTIVE 2012 THE LINE WAS ALSO USED TO SUPPORT EXHIBIT EXPANSION AND CREATION. TERMS OF CREDIT LINE ARE AN ARMS LENGTH TRANSACTION AND ARE BASED ON CURRENT MARKET TERMS. LINE IS GUARANTEED AND SECURED WITH COLLATERAL PROVIDED BY THE RELATED PARTY. LINE WAS PAID OFF AND CLOSED ON 9/11/2024. 0 X 2 1010670 MEAN FMV X AUCTION PRIZES-GAME ON! 21 20287 FAIR MKT VALUE-RETAI X FOOD-GAME ON! 12 10431 FAIR MKT VALUE-RETAI X AUCTION PRIZES-GOLF OUTING 18 9985 FAIR MKT VALUE-RETAI X SPEAKER FEE-GOLF OUTING 1 5000 FAIR MKT VALUE-RETAI X GOODIE BAGS-GOLF OUTING 1 4773 FAIR MKT VALUE-RETAI X AUCTION PRIZES-COMEDY NIGHT 14 2608 FAIR MKT VALUE-RETAI X PHOTOGRAPHY-COMEDY NIGHT 1 2150 FAIR MKT VALUE-RETAI X FOOD & BEVERAGE-COMEDY NIGHT 7 1378 FAIR MKT VALUE-RETAI X DOG TOYS 8 100 FAIR MKT VALUE-RETAI 0 0 0 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B A DRAFT OF THE 990 (VIA PAPER AND/OR ELECTRONIC AS REQUESTED) IS PROVIDED TO THE CONTROLLER, TREASURER AND CHAIR FOR REVIEW BEFORE FILING. THE PRESIDENT & CEO IS CONSULTED FOR REVIEW AS NECESSARY. THE APPROVED 990 IS SIGNED BY THE TREASURER OR CHAIR AND FILED. THE TREASURER REPORTS TO THE BOARD THAT THE FILING HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND COPIES OF THE COMPLETED 990 ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. REQUESTED COPIES ARE PROVIDED EITHER BY PAPER OR AS A PDF ELECTRONIC VERSION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C BOARD MEMBERS ANNUALLY COMPLETE & SIGN A CONFLICT OF INTEREST FORM WITH THE ORGANIZATION. THE FORMS ARE REVIEWED BY THE OFFICERS WHEN COMPLETED BUT THERE IS NO OFFICIAL MONITORING POLICY. ALL EMPLOYEES RECEIVE AN EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK UPON EMPLOYMENT WHICH THEY ARE REQUESTED TO REVIEW AND SIGN A FORM ACKNOWLEDING THIS HAS BEEN DONE. THE SAME PROCEDURE IS FOLLOWED WITH ALL EMPLOYEES AT THE TIME ANY UPDATES/CHANGES TO THE EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK OCCURS. THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT FOLLOWS UP TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ARE RECEIVED FROM ALL EMPLOYEES. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 BOARD MEMBERS ARE NOT COMPENSATED. COMPENSATION FOR THE PRESIDENT & CEO (KEY EMPLOYEE) IS REVIEWED & APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD. AN EXTERNAL STUDY & SURVEY REGARDING COMPENSATION FOR PRESIDENT & CEO/EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF CHILDRENS MUSEUMS COMPARABLE TO THE ORGANIZATION WAS DONE IN ORDER FOR THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO DETERMINE THE REASONABLENESS OF THE COMPENSATION FOR THE PRESIDENT & CEO. A FORMAL ANNUAL REVIEW PROCESS IS HELD FOR ALL EMPLOYEES IN WHICH THEIR PERFORMANCE IS GRADED AGAINST THEIR JOB DESCRIPTION. THE PRESIDENT & CEO, IN CONJUNCTION WITH INPUT FROM THE DIRECTORS OF VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION AND THE APPROVED BUDGET, IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING THE COMPENSATION OF OTHER EMPLOYEES. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 18 TAX RETURNS AND FORM 1023 ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST AND THROUGH GUIDESTAR FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION'S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C THE ORGANIZATION HAS A FINANCE COMMITTEE WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SELECTION OF THE AUDITOR. BASED ON THEIR RECOMMENDATION, THE TREASURER SIGNS THE AUDIT ENGAGEMENT LETTER OR EMPOWERS THE AUTHORITY TO THE CONTROLLER. THE AUDITOR WORKS DIRECTLY WITH THE CCONTROLLER TO CONDUCT THE ANNUAL AUDIT. THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OR REPRESENTATIVE MEETS WITH THE AUDITOR ANNUALLY, AT A MINIMUM, TO REVIEW THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND DISCUSS THE FINDINGS/RESULTS OF THE AUDIT. THE CONTROLLER IS ALSO REQUESTED TO ATTEND THIS MEETING ALONG WITH THE PRESIDENT & CEO. STEPPING STONES SUPPORT CORPORATION 303 WEST AVENUE NORWALK CT 06850 272860668 OPERATE FOR THE BENEFIT OF AND TO PERFORM THE SUPPORTING FUNCTIONS FOR SSM CT 501 (C)(3) 509 (A)(3) TYPE 1 N/A 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0