Nonprofit · EIN 06-0896043
CHILDRENS MUSEUM INC
Also known as ROARING BROOK NATURE CENTER
Tax-exempt · SIMSBURY, CT 06070
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $2,554,933 | $2,856,160 | -$301,227 | $4,379,744 | $2,599,316 | $1,780,428 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $2,622,338 | $2,959,216 | -$336,878 | $4,988,338 | $2,981,932 | $2,006,406 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $2,534,999 | $2,572,400 | -$37,401 | $5,942,928 | $3,651,497 | $2,291,431 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $1,098,245
- of which government grants
- $490,790
- Program service revenue
- $1,340,672
- Investment income
- $70,442
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $2,347
- Net income from sales of inventory
- $14,959
- Other revenue
- $45,574
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Other salaries and wages
- $1,453,929
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $1,702,576
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $2,560
- Accounting fees
- $79,200
- Occupancy
- $402,545
- Depreciation
- $90,409
- Program services (functional)
- $2,366,981
- Management and general (functional)
- $314,098
- Fundraising (functional)
- $175,081
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $4,988,338
- Total assets, end of year
- $4,379,744
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $2,599,316
- Net assets, end of year
- $1,780,428
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $679,842
- Publicly traded securities
- $402,071
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- -$79,525
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $1,859,953
- Gross receipts
- $2,570,916
- Employees
- 58
- Volunteers
- 100
- Year formed
- 1927
- State of legal domicile
- CT
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MELISSA DINUNNO | EXECUTIVE DI Officer | 40 | $130,197 | $7,846 |
| AYESHA CLARKE | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MORGAN HILYARD | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARK MILLIGAN | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JENNY GAFFNEY | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBERT A CUSHMAN MD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LUIS DIEZ-MORALES MD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHERIE GRIFFITH-DUNN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBERT JULSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KIMBERLY KERSEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LAUREN TAFRATE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TYRON HARRIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHARLES HERBERT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 18 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL WERLE | EXECUTIVE DI Trustee or director, Officer | 50 | $0 |
| AYESHA CLARKE | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| DEBORAH ULLMAN | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| MARK MILLIGAN | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| CHERIE GRIFFITH-DUNN | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| ROBERT A CUSHMAN MD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DAVE CALIBEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| LUIS DIEZ-MORALES MD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ELIZABETH GIANNETTA-RAMOS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KIMBERLY KERSEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| LESLIE TORRES-RODIGUEZ PHD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JENNY GAFFNEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MORGAN HILYARD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ROBERT JULSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| XAN MARIES MCGIVNEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| LAUREN TAFRATE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PIETERVAN DOKKUM | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| TYRON HARRIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 20 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL WERLE | Executive Dir. Officer | 50 | $48,000 |
| DAVE CALIBEY | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| Jenny Gaffney | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Morgan Hilyard | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Robert Julson | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Elizabeth Gannetta-Ramos | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ROBERT A CUSHMAN MD | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Ayesha Clarke | Chairperson Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 |
| Xan Maries McGivney | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Kimberly Kersey | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JUDY ROSENTHAL | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DEBORAH ULLMAN | Vice Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| Leslie Torres-Rodriguez PhD | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Dr Luis Diez-Morales | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MARK MILLIGAN | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| Lauren Tafrate | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Cherie Griffith-Dunn | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Pieter van Dokkum | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Bree Pelczar | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Sabrina Tucker-Barrett | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 8 WILCOX ST STE 1, SIMSBURY, CT 06070-2256
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- MELISSA DINUNNO, 8 WILCOX ST, SIMSBURY, CT 06070
- Signed the 990
- MELISSA DINUNNO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Phone
- (860) 726-4007
- Website
- WWW.THECHILDRENSMUSEUMCT.ORG
- Return prepared by
- FIONDELLA MILONE & LASARACINA LLP
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.
Program accomplishments
- 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.Expenses $1,288,273 · revenue $427,912
- 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.Expenses $753,641 · revenue $750,616
- 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.Expenses $314,719 · revenue $162,144
- 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.Expenses $10,348
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 06-0896043
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Group exemption
- Exempt since
- 1989
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Arts, culture and humanities (A560)
- Group exemption
- 9182 (1 member organizations)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $4,988,338
- Income (IRS master file)
- $2,633,222
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $2,554,933 | $2,856,160 | $4,379,744 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $2,622,338 | $2,959,216 | $4,988,338 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $2,534,999 | $2,572,400 | $5,942,928 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $3,055,900 | $2,584,650 | $6,156,476 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | $2,561,597 | $2,042,588 | $3,378,947 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 06-0896043).
Questions about CHILDRENS MUSEUM INC
- What is the EIN of CHILDRENS MUSEUM INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of CHILDRENS MUSEUM INC is 06-0896043.
- Is CHILDRENS MUSEUM INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1989.
- Are donations to CHILDRENS MUSEUM INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Group exemption).
- Which annual return does CHILDRENS MUSEUM INC file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of CHILDRENS MUSEUM INC due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did CHILDRENS MUSEUM INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of CHILDRENS MUSEUM INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names MELISSA DINUNNO.
- Who are the officers and directors of CHILDRENS MUSEUM INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 13 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $130,197 (MELISSA DINUNNO, EXECUTIVE DI).
- How much revenue does CHILDRENS MUSEUM INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $2,554,933, expenses of $2,856,160 and total assets of $4,379,744 at year end.
Organizations in its group exemption (1)
- ROARING BROOK NATURE CTR AUXILIARY EIN 22-2596568 · CANTON, CT · last filed 990-EZ for 2025
Other nonprofits in SIMSBURY
- SIMSBURY HIGH SCHOOL HALL OF FAME INC EIN 99-4400326 · last filed 990-N for 2024
- HUDSON UNION SOCIETY INC EIN 22-3834700 · last filed 990 for 2020
- GANN HISTORICAL SOCIETY & LIBRARY INC EIN 43-1736760 · last filed 990-N for 2024
- GENS FAMILY PROJECT EIN 33-2081715 · last filed 990-N for 2025
- SIMSBURY LIGHT OPERA COMPANY INC EIN 06-6056225 · last filed 990-N for 2024
- TRUSTEES OF WESTMINSTER SCHOOL INC EIN 06-0646960 · last filed 990 for 2025
- MCLEAN AFFILIATES INC EIN 26-1960246 · last filed 990 for 2025
- ETHEL WALKER SCHOOL INC EIN 06-0689699 · last filed 990 for 2025
All nonprofits in SIMSBURY · Connecticut · Arts, culture and humanities