2026-09-14T12:38:02-04:00 2025-12-31 061648707 FIONDELLA MILONE & LASARACINA LLP 300 WINDING BROOK DR STE 1 GLASTONBURY CT 06033 990 2025-01-01 060896043 THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM INC CHIL 8607264007 8 WILCOX ST SIMSBURY CT 06070 MELISSA DINUNNO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 8602312824 2026-09-14 true AMBER D TUCKER P01593305 8606573651 2026-09-14 2025 X MELISSA DINUNNO 8 WILCOX ST SIMSBURY CT 06070 2570916 false X WWW.THECHILDRENSMUSEUMCT.ORG X 1927 CT TO INSPIRE LIFE-LONG LEARNING AMONG CHILDREN AND THEIR CAREGIVERS BY PROVIDING ENGAGING EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PROGRAMS COVERING STEAM, HEALTH, NATURE, AND THE ENVIRONMENT. 11 11 58 100 0 806936 1098245 1297411 1340672 68858 70442 449133 45574 2622338 2554933 0 0 1635835 1702576 0 175081 1323381 1153584 2959216 2856160 -336878 -301227 4988338 4379744 2981932 2599316 2006406 1780428 X THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM GROUP'S MISSION IS TO INSPIRE LIFELONG LEARNING AMONG CHILDREN AND THEIR CAREGIVERS BY PROVIDING EXPERIENTIALL EARNING OPPORTUNITIES COVERING STEAM, HEALTH, NATURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT. WITH A FOCUS ON AT NEED COMMUNITIES THE MUSEUM GROUP STRIVES TO FIND PATHWAYS TO PERSONAL, ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND TO FOSTER AN APPRECIATION OF THE NATURAL WORLD WITH A GOAL OF DEVELOPING CURIOUS, CONFIDENT AND INNOVATIVE CHILDREN, CREATING THE BASIS FOR SUCCESSFUL ADULTS. THE MUSEUM GROUP HAS THREE DISTINCT BUT COMPLEMENTARY LINES OF REVENUE-GENERATING CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE. THE MUSEUM OFFERS INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN, LIVE ANIMALS AND AN EXTENSIVE SELECTION OF STEAM EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT ARE OFFERED WITHIN COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT CONNECTICUT AND NEIGHBORING STATES. THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM PRESCHOOL, CO-LOCATED WITHIN THE MUSEUM LOCATION, IS A NAEYC ACCREDITED, FULL DAY, YEAR-ROUND LICENSED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FACILITY FOR AGES 3-5YRS. false false 1288273 427912 EDUCATIONAL & ADMISSIONS: THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM WEST HARTFORD LOCATION, TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED SPACE AT 180 MOHEGAN DRIVE IN WEST HARTFORD, ENCOURAGED FAMILIES TO DISCOVER AND EXPLORE OUR MULTISENSORY EXHIBITS AND LIVE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY. THE MUSEUMS HANDS-ON IMMERSIVE STEAM EXHIBITS PROMOTED EXPLORATION AND INQUIRY BASED LEARNING EPISODES FOCUSED ON SUPPORTING CHILD DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN AGES TWO TO AGE 8 WITH THE SUPPORT OF THEIR CAREGIVERS. HANDSON EXHIBITS FOCUSED ON SCIENCE DISCOVERY CONCEPTS, PALEONTOLOGY, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH, ENGINEERING AND NATURE. 753641 750616 THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM PRESCHOOL PROVIDES A PLAYBASED PROGRAM THAT ENCOURAGES LEARNING THROUGH EACH CHILD'S NATURAL ACTIVITIES. IT IS LICENSED BY CT OFFICE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (OEC) AND ACCREDITED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN (NAEYC). RECOGNIZING THAT CHILDREN HAVE DIFFERENT STRENGTHS AND AREAS FOR GROWTH, CLASSES USE PROVEN TECHNIQUES TAILORED TO INDIVIDUAL NEEDS WHILE MAINTAINING AN AFFIRMING AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT. THE PRESCHOOL OFFERS A UNIQUE INTEGRATION OF CURRICULUM WITH RESOURCES FROM THE ONSITE MUSEUM AND REMOTE NATURE CENTER. SUPPORTING CREATIVE PLAY, ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ARE GOALS OF THE PRESCHOOL'S CREDENTIALED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS. 314719 162144 THE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY HOUSES OVER 100 ANIMALS, PRIMARILY UNWANTED PETS AND DISPLACED ANIMALS THAT CANNOT BE RELEASED BACK INTO THE WILD. THE ANIMAL RESOURCES ARE VIEWED BY MUSEUM ATTENDEES ONSITE AND USED EXTENSIVELY TO SUPPORT THE EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAMS THE MUSEUM OFFERS WITHIN COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT CONNECTICUT AND INTO NEIGHBORING STATES. ADDITIONAL STEM TOPICS COVERING PHYSICS, ENGINEERING, CHEMISTRY, GEOLOGY, PALEONTOLOGY, BIOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT ARE OFFERED THROUGH THE MUSEUM'S OUTREACH EDUCATION OFFERINGS, BY A TEAM OF INFORMAL EDUCATORS WITH SCIENCE AND EDUCATION EXPERIENCES. 10348 ROARING BROOK NATURE CENTER PROVIDES NATURAL HISTORY/ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO CONNECTICUT COMMUNITIES. PROGRAMS INCLUDE OUTREACH AND SCHOOL VISITATIONS, AS WELL AS SCOUT, SUMMER, PRESCHOOL AND PUBLIC PROGRAMS. SERVING AS A RESOURCE TO AREA RESIDENTS WITH ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS, THE CENTER ANSWERS THOUSANDS OF NATURE RELATED QUESTIONS ANNUALLY. THE CENTER RECEIVES OVER 300 INJURED OR ORPHANED NATIVE ANIMALS EACH YEAR FOR REHABILITATION. THE GOAL IS TO RELEASE ANIMALS BACK INTO THE WILD, HOWEVER, PERMANENTLY INJURED WILDLIFE MAY BE HOUSED AT THE CENTER AND THE COLLECTION INCLUDES A VARIETY OF RAPTORS, SMALL MAMMALS, REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS. ANIMALS ARE USED TO PROMOTE KNOWLEDGE OF BEHAVIORS, ADAPTATIONS WITHIN CONNECTICUT FAUNA. THE CENTER MAINTAINS WILDFLOWER TRAILS, A NATIVE PLANT BUTTERFLY GARDEN AND SERVES AS STEWARD FOR FIVE MILES OF TRAILS ON THE ADJACENT 158 ACRE STATE OWNED WERNER'S WOODS PROPERTY. 10348 2366981 true true false true false false false false false true true true false true true true true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true false false false true 18 0 true 58 true false false false false false true false false false false false false false X 11 11 false false false false false false false true true false true true true true true true true true true true false X MELISSA DINUNNO 8607264007 8 WILCOX ST SIMSBURY CT 06070 AYESHA CLARKE CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 MORGAN HILYARD VICE CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 MARK MILLIGAN TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 JENNY GAFFNEY SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 ROBERT A CUSHMAN MD DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 LUIS DIEZ-MORALES MD DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 CHERIE GRIFFITH-DUNN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ROBERT JULSON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 KIMBERLY KERSEY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 LAUREN TAFRATE DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 TYRON HARRIS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 CHARLES HERBERT DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MELISSA DINUNNO EXECUTIVE DI 40.00 X 130197 0 7846 130197 7846 1 false false false 490790 607455 4488 1098245 PRESCHOOL TUITION 750616 750616 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS 427912 427912 ADMISSIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS 162144 162144 1340672 68095 68095 7140 4793 2347 2347 2347 26149 11190 14959 14959 MISCELLANEOUS 30615 30615 30615 2554933 1386246 70442 1453929 1236076 152204 65649 132606 92485 31861 8260 116041 98793 11840 5408 2560 2560 79200 57250 9948 12002 49625 675 1500 47450 2627 1636 67 924 132516 78595 43377 10544 402545 340262 50883 11400 1781 1188 579 14 48487 35153 6061 7273 90409 90090 319 EXHIBITS AND PROGRAMS 282519 281760 58 701 FEES - OTHER 56501 48920 2346 5235 SERVICE FEES 4814 4098 495 221 2856160 2366981 314098 175081 523225 346905 2126860 2043467 26143 28673 107918 36937 10831 6970 49952 46397 2083292 1403450 696618 679842 349040 402071 409606 454110 688145 334372 4988338 4379744 415292 426141 25818 23139 1946637 1891002 594185 259034 2981932 2599316 X 348696 -79525 1657710 1859953 2006406 1780428 4988338 4379744 X -301227 44585 -3867 34531 X false true X true false X 1406060 1881674 1212637 806936 1098245 6405552 1406060 1881674 1212637 806936 1098245 6405552 248160 6157392 7479 13160 56706 61987 68095 207427 1787 5753 7339 14879 6627858 3154864 0.92900 0.97330 X PART II, LINE 10 14,879 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED false false false false false false false false true 24000 24000 false 349040 57476 406516 323119 25921 349040 291348 31924 153 323119 328300 -36442 510 291348 298627 31916 2243 328300 1.00000 false false 41800 41800 1087579 578159 509420 946113 817491 128622 7800 7800 679842 SPLIT INTEREST AGREEMENTS 454110 F 454110 RIGHT OF USE ASSET 243627 PREPAID UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST 53209 SECURITY DEPOSITS 37536 334372 OPERATING LEASE LIABILITY 259034 259034 X 2630182 44585 34531 79116 2551066 3867 3867 2554933 2856160 2856160 2856160 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 3, PART X THE MUSEUM IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION EXEMPT FROM INCOME TAXES UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. THE MUSEUM ACCOUNTS FOR UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF FASB ASC 740, INCOME TAXES, WHICH PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK FOR HOW COMPANIES SHOULD RECOGNIZE, MEASURE, PRESENT AND DISCLOSE UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS IN THEIR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. UNDER FASB ASC 740, THE MUSEUM MAY RECOGNIZE THE TAX BENEFIT FROM AN UNCERTAIN TAX POSITION ONLY IF IT IS MORE LIKELY THAN NOT THAT THE TAX POSITION WILL BE SUSTAINED ON EXAMINATION BY THE TAXING AUTHORITIES, BASED ON THE TECHNICAL MERITS OF THE POSITION. THE TAX BENEFITS RECOGNIZED IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FROM SUCH POSITION ARE MEASURED BASED ON THE LARGEST BENEFIT THAT HAS A GREATER THAN 50% LIKELIHOOD OF BEING REALIZED UPON ULTIMATE SETTLEMENT. THE MUSEUM DOES NOT HAVE ANY UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2025 AND 2024 AND DID NOT RECORD ANY PENALTIES OR INTEREST ASSOCIATED WITH UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS. SCHEDULE D, PAGE 4, PART XI, LINE 2D CHANGE IN SPLIT INTEREST AGREEMENTS 44,504 CHANGE IN UST ACCOUNT -9,973 FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM GROUP'S MISSION IS TO INSPIRE LIFELONG LEARNING AMONG CHILDREN AND THEIR CAREGIVERS BY PROVIDING EXPERIENTIALL EARNING OPPORTUNITIES COVERING STEAM, HEALTH, NATURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT. WITH A FOCUS ON AT NEED COMMUNITIES THE MUSEUM GROUP STRIVES TO FIND PATHWAYS TO PERSONAL, ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND TO FOSTER AN APPRECIATION OF THE NATURAL WORLD WITH A GOAL OF DEVELOPING CURIOUS, CONFIDENT AND INNOVATIVE CHILDREN, CREATING THE BASIS FOR SUCCESSFUL ADULTS. THE MUSEUM GROUP HAS THREE DISTINCT BUT COMPLEMENTARY LINES OF REVENUE-GENERATING CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE. THE MUSEUM OFFERS INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN, LIVE ANIMALS AND AN EXTENSIVE SELECTION OF STEAM EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT ARE OFFERED WITHIN COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT CONNECTICUT AND NEIGHBORING STATES. THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM PRESCHOOL, CO-LOCATED WITHIN THE MUSEUM LOCATION, IS A NAEYC ACCREDITED, FULL DAY, YEAR-ROUND LICENSED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FACILITY FOR AGES 3-5YRS. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4D ROARING BROOK NATURE CENTER PROVIDES NATURAL HISTORY/ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO CONNECTICUT COMMUNITIES. PROGRAMS INCLUDE OUTREACH AND SCHOOL VISITATIONS, AS WELL AS SCOUT, SUMMER, PRESCHOOL AND PUBLIC PROGRAMS. SERVING AS A RESOURCE TO AREA RESIDENTS WITH ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS, THE CENTER ANSWERS THOUSANDS OF NATURE RELATED QUESTIONS ANNUALLY. THE CENTER RECEIVES OVER 300 INJURED OR ORPHANED NATIVE ANIMALS EACH YEAR FOR REHABILITATION. THE GOAL IS TO RELEASE ANIMALS BACK INTO THE WILD, HOWEVER, PERMANENTLY INJURED WILDLIFE MAY BE HOUSED AT THE CENTER AND THE COLLECTION INCLUDES A VARIETY OF RAPTORS, SMALL MAMMALS, REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS. ANIMALS ARE USED TO PROMOTE KNOWLEDGE OF BEHAVIORS, ADAPTATIONS WITHIN CONNECTICUT FAUNA. THE CENTER MAINTAINS WILDFLOWER TRAILS, A NATIVE PLANT BUTTERFLY GARDEN AND SERVES AS STEWARD FOR FIVE MILES OF TRAILS ON THE ADJACENT 158 ACRE STATE OWNED WERNER'S WOODS PROPERTY. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B THE FORM 990 WAS REVIEWED BY MEMBERS OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AND MADE AVAILABLE TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES PRIOR TO FILING. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C PERIODICALLY, BOARD MEMBERS ARE SENT STATEMENTS REQUIRING THEM TO DISCLOSE ANY CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, REGARDLESS OF MATERIALITY. THE STATEMENTS ARE REVIEWED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND BOARD CHAIR. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A THE BOARD USED SURVEY DATA ON COMPARABLE SALARIES FROM THE AMERICAN ALLIANCE OF MUSEUMS, AS WELL AS DATA COLLECTED BY NONPROFIT CONSULTANTS, TO DETERMINE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S SALARY. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15B THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE FULL BOARD OF TRUSTEES, WHICH ALSO ACTS AS THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE, HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO ANNUALLY REVIEW AND APPROVE THE PRESIDENT, OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION, WHICH PROCESS AND APPROVAL IS DOCUMENTED. THE COMMITTEE REVIEWS COMPARABLE COMPENSATION FROM SIMILAR AREA NOTFORPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 DOCUMENTS AND POLICIES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9 CHANGE IN SPLIT INTEREST AGREEMENTS 44,504 CHANGE IN UST ACCOUNT -9,973 TOTAL 34,531 ROARING BROOK NATURE CENTER AUXILAR 70 GRACEY ROAD CANTON CT 06019 222596568 SUPPORTING CT 501C3 11 NA false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false