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Nonprofit · EIN 52-1926756

ASSOCIATION OF SCIENCE-TECHNOLOGY CENTERS INCORPORATED

Tax-exempt · WASHINGTON, DC 20009

Financials

$5.4M$5.5M2023$11.4M$6M2024
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of ASSOCIATION OF SCIENCE-TECHNOLOGY CENTERS INCORPORATED by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
December 31, 2024990$11,437,803$5,978,752$5,459,051$10,402,054$2,710,080$7,691,974
December 31, 2023990$5,435,417$5,526,443-$91,026$4,667,192$2,589,068$2,078,124
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$8,588,778
of which government grants
$489,844
Program service revenue
$2,619,519
Investment income
$199,436
Net gain from sales of assets
$91,615
Other revenue
$30,070

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$375,044
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$498,470
Other salaries and wages
$1,769,596
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$2,778,334
Professional fundraising fees
$0
Legal fees
$393
Accounting fees
$42,785
Occupancy
$211,496
Travel
$118,313
Depreciation
$14,700
Program services (functional)
$5,342,955
Management and general (functional)
$635,797

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$4,667,192
Total assets, end of year
$10,402,054
Total liabilities, end of year
$2,710,080
Net assets, end of year
$7,691,974
Publicly traded securities
$6,380,765
Net assets without donor restrictions
-$991,183
Net assets with donor restrictions
$8,683,157
Gross receipts
$13,195,188
Employees
23
Volunteers
21
Year formed
1995
State of legal domicile
MD

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, 2024, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
CHRISTOFER NELSONPRESIDENT AND CEO
Officer
40$325,000$37,267
ERICA KIMMERLINGSENIOR ADVISOR FOR SCIENCE
Highest-paid employee
40$126,000$38,176
MELISSA BALLARDDIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS
Highest-paid employee
40$121,562$38,071
ROSE HENDRICKSASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF OMMU
Highest-paid employee
40$108,702$35,244
ADAM FAGENDIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Highest-paid employee
40$123,658$18,560
KALIE SACCODIRECTOR OF MEMBER STRATEGY
Highest-paid employee
40$119,231$22,363
FRANCES BURGCHIEF OF STAFF
Officer
40$103,722$31,911
WILLIAM HARRISIMMD PAST CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
TIM RITCHIECHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
CURT SIMMONSMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0$0
FREDERIC BERTLEYMEMBER-AT-LARGE THRU 09/29/24
Trustee or director
2$0$0
ROBERT FIRMHOFERSECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
RENA DORPHMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0$0
JOANN NEWMANMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0$0
CHRISTIAN GREERMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0$0
14 more people on this return
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
DOUGLAS JONESMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0
ANDRES ROLDANMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0
TARA MACDOUGALLMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0
MARIA EMILIA BEYER RUIZMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0
ADALENE SPIVYTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0
SAM DEANMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0
ERIN GRAHAMCHAIR ELECT
Trustee or director
2$0
LORI BETTISON-VARGAMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0
SARA SCHAPIROMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0
MICHELLE CROWLMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0
ROBIN GOSEMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0
JASON CRYANMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0
CHIEKO ASAKAWAMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0
ASHLEY LAROSEMEMBER-AT-LARGE FROM 09/30/24
Trustee or director
2$0
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 30 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
CHRISTOFER NELSONPRESIDENT AND CEO
Officer
40$316,966$35,727
MELISSA BALLARDDIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS
Highest-paid employee
40$112,778$37,065
FRANCES BURGCHIEF OF STAFF
Officer
40$103,722$31,539
JULIAN BOAITEYDIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND AD
Highest-paid employee
40$111,550$22,296
ADAM FAGENDIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Highest-paid employee
40$114,143$18,987
LARRY DUBINSKIIMMED. PAST CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
WILLIAM HARRISIMMD PAST CHAIR AS OF 10/10/2023
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
TIM RITCHIECHAIR AS OF 10/10/2023
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
CURT SIMMONSMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0$0
FREDERIC BERTLEYMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0$0
ROBERT FIRMHOFERSECRETARY AS OF 10/10/2023
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
RENA DORPHMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0$0
JOANN NEWMANSECRETARY THRU 10/10/23
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
CATHERINE HORNETREASURER THRU 10/10/23
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
TRACY CALOGHEROSMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0$0
CHRISTIAN GREERMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0$0
MARILEE JENNINGSMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0$0
DOUGLAS JONESMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0$0
ANDRES ROLDANMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0$0
TARA MACDOUGALLMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0$0
MARIA EMILIA BEYER RUIZMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0$0
ADALENE SPIVYTREASURER AS OF 10/10/2023
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
SAM DEANMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0$0
ERIN GRAHAMCHAIR ELECT AS OF 10/10/2023
Trustee or director
2$0$0
LORI BETTISON-VARGAMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0$0
SARA SCHAPIROMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0$0
MICHELLE CROWLMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0$0
ROBIN GOSEMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0$0
JASON CRYANMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0$0
CHIEKO ASAKAWAMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Trustee or director
2$0$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
2000 FLORIDA AVE NW STE 300, WASHINGTON, DC 20009-1231
In care of
% BONNIE VANDORN
Principal officer (990 for 2024)
CHRISTOFER NELSON, 818 CONNECTICUT AVENUE NW SUITE 700, WASHINGTON, DC 20006
Signed the 990
CHRISTOFER NELSON, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Phone
(202) 783-7200
Return prepared by
GORFINE SCHILLER & GARDYN PA

Mission

THE ASSOCIATION OF SCIENCE-TECHNOLOGY CENTERS (ASTC) IS A PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION WITH A VISION OF INCREASED UNDERSTANDING OF-AND ENGAGEMENT WITH-SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AMONG ALL PEOPLE AND A MISSION TO CHAMPION AND SUPPORT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTERS AND MUSEUMS. FOUNDED IN 1973, ASTC CHAMPIONS AND SUPPORTS MORE THAN 500 SCIENCE CENTERS, TECHNOLOGY MUSEUMS, NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUMS, CHILDREN'S MUSEUMS, AND OTHER STEM-RICH, PLACE-BASED INSTITUTIONS, SUCH AS NATURE CENTERS, AQUARIUMS, PLANETARIUMS, ZOOS, AND BOTANICAL GARDENS THROUGHOUT NORTH AMERICA AND IN NEARLY 50 COUNTRIES-AS WELL AS NEARLY 200 OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT SHARE AN INTEREST IN SCIENCE LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT.

990 for the year ended December 31, 2024

Program accomplishments

  • BUILD A MORE EQUITABLE AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE - -PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT MEMBERS TO PREPARE AND LEAD WITH THEIR COMMUNITIES - BUILDS CAPACITY AMONG SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTERS AND MUSEUMS AND ALLIED ORGANIZATIONS FOR LEADING WITH THEIR COMMUNITIES ON CRITICAL ISSUES OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. THROUGH LARGELY GRANT-SUPPORTED EFFORTS, ASTC DEVELOPS AND DEPLOYS PROGRAMS TO UNDERSTAND AND SCALE NEW APPROACHES TO PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT IN SCIENCE AND INFORMAL SCIENCE LEARNING AMONG OUR MEMBERS. ASTC ALSO INVESTS IN RESEARCH TO HELP OUR MEMBERS RECOGNIZE AND ACT ON MARKET AND SOCIETAL TRENDS AFFECTING THEIR BUSINESSES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES. -ADVANCE EQUITABLE ENGAGEMENT IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - BRINGS TOGETHER INSTITUTIONS RICH IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH (STEM) THAT SERVE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AROUND THE GLOBE, AND THAT RECOGNIZE THAT DIVERSITY, ACCESSIBILITY, INCLUSION, AND EQUITY ARE PARAMOUNT VALUES. INVESTS IN ACTION FOR THE FIELD IN SUPPORT OF THESE VALUES INCLUDING OUR DIVERSITY AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FELLOWS PROGRAM, COLLABORATIVE SUPPORT OF THE CULTURAL COMPETENCE LEARNING INSTITUTE, AND MULTIPLE PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON BROADENING PARTICIPATION IN OUR FIELD AND IN STEM AROUND THE WORLD. HELPS ASTC MEMBERS THROUGH THESE EQUITY AND DIVERSITY PROGRAMS TO BECOME MORE WELCOMING, INCLUSIVE, AND ACCESSIBLE INSTITUTIONS, WITH AN AIM TO INCREASE THE DIVERSITY OF THOSE WHO VISIT AND WORK IN MUSEUMS; STEM; AND ENSURE THESE PLACE-BASED INSTITUTIONS REMAIN RELEVANT TO THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE AND SUPPORTIVE OF THE GOALS AND PRIORITIES OF THOSE COMMUNITIES.
    Expenses $3,138,202
  • STRENGHEN MEMBERS AND THEIR CAPACITY - -ASTCS ANNUAL CONFERENCE - HOSTS ONE OF THE PREMIER PROFESSIONAL-DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GLOBAL SCIENCE-CENTER COMMUNITY, WHERE, EACH YEAR, 1,500 TO 2,000 INDIVIDUALS REPRESENTING SCIENCE CENTERS AND MUSEUMS FROM ACROSS THE WORLD, INFORMAL SCIENCE EDUCATORS, AND COMPANIES COLLABORATING WITH THE MUSEUM FIELD GATHER. OFFERS GENERAL SESSIONS, CONCURRENT SESSIONS, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS AT THIS ANNUAL CONVENING. -PUBLICATIONS AND COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE - KEEPS MEMBERS APPRISED OF TRENDS, PRACTICES, PERSPECTIVES, AND NEWS OF SIGNIFICANCE TO THE SCIENCE-MUSEUM FIELD THROUGH A DIGITAL MAGAZINE AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS. PROVIDES RESOURCES, TIMELY INFORMATION AND ONLINE COMMUNITIES AND FORUMS THAT PROMOTE THE SHARING OF SUCCESSFUL PRACTICES THROUGH ONLINE COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE. -WORKSHOPS, WEBINARS, AND OTHER CONVENINGS - PROVIDES LEARNING AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES FOR MUSEUM AND SCIENCE ENGAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS ON A RANGE OF TOPICS. -RESEARCH SERVICES - TRACKS AND ANALYZES TRENDS AND COMPILES DATA, INFORMATION, AND STATISTICS FOR THE SCIENCE MUSEUM FIELD.
    Expenses $1,585,881 · revenue $2,619,519
  • CHAMPION AND SUPPORT SCIENCE ENGAGEMENT - -ADVOCACY AND PUBLIC RELATIONS - ADVANCES THE INTERESTS OF SCIENCE CENTERS, INFORMAL SCIENCE LEARNING, AND SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND ENGAGEMENT BROADLY WITHIN THE U.S. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. ENCOURAGES MUSEUM VISITORSHIP THROUGH PUBLIC RELATIONS EFFORTS AND A RECIPROCAL FREE ADMISSION PROGRAM. -PUBLIC AWARENESS AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT - CONDUCTS OUTREACH TO NORTH AMERICAN AND INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH, BUSINESS, TECHNOLOGY, AND EDUCATION ORGANIZATIONS TO POSITION THE SCIENCE MUSEUM FIELD AS A POTENTIAL PARTNER FOR CONNECTING THE PUBLIC TO SCIENCE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO GLOBAL ISSUES. -COLLABORATING ACROSS THE SCIENCE-ENGAGEMENT ECOSYSTEM - SUPPORTS A GROWING NETWORK OF LEADERS IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ENGAGEMENT NETWORKS TO FOSTER A MORE ROBUST ECOSYSTEM OF ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE ENGAGING THE PUBLIC IN STEM. -INTERNATIONAL NETWORK AND MEMBER COLLABORATIONS - WORKS WITH NATIONAL AND REGIONAL SCIENCE CENTER NETWORKS OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES TO SUPPORT SCIENCE CENTERS AND MUSEUMS WORLDWIDE.
    Expenses $508,842 · grants $375,044 · revenue $23,531
  • LEGACY PROJECTS -LEGACY PROJECTS REPRESENT MULTI-YEAR FUNDED PROJECTS THAT ASTC DOES NOT ANTICIPATE CONTINUING. WHILE THESE PROJECTS ADVANCE ASTC'S MISSION AND SUPPORT OUR WORK WITH OUR MEMBERS, THEY MAY NOT FALL INTO ONE OF ASTC'S NEW STRATEGIC PILLARS.
    Expenses $110,030

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 yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025December 31, 2025May 15, 2026Not on file
2024December 31, 2024May 15, 2025990 on file
2023December 31, 2023May 15, 2024990 on file

IRS record

EIN
52-1926756
Tax-exempt status
501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
Foundation status
Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
Donations deductible (Pub 78)
Public charity, 50% deduction limit
Exempt since
1995
Accounting year ends
December
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Assets (IRS master file)
$10,402,054
Income (IRS master file)
$13,195,188

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990December 2024$11,437,803$5,978,752$10,402,054XML
990-TDecember 2024–––IRS
990December 2023$5,435,417$5,526,443$4,667,192XML
990-TDecember 2023–––IRS
990December 2022$3,969,572$6,197,096$3,753,587IRS
990-TDecember 2022–––IRS
990December 2021–––IRS
990-TDecember 2021–––IRS
990December 2020–––IRS
990-TDecember 2020–––IRS
990March 2019–––IRS
990March 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 52-1926756).

Questions about ASSOCIATION OF SCIENCE-TECHNOLOGY CENTERS INCORPORATED

What is the EIN of ASSOCIATION OF SCIENCE-TECHNOLOGY CENTERS INCORPORATED?
The employer identification number (EIN) of ASSOCIATION OF SCIENCE-TECHNOLOGY CENTERS INCORPORATED is 52-1926756.
Is ASSOCIATION OF SCIENCE-TECHNOLOGY CENTERS INCORPORATED tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1995.
Are donations to ASSOCIATION OF SCIENCE-TECHNOLOGY CENTERS INCORPORATED tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does ASSOCIATION OF SCIENCE-TECHNOLOGY CENTERS INCORPORATED 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 ASSOCIATION OF SCIENCE-TECHNOLOGY CENTERS INCORPORATED due?
The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending December 31, 2025) is due May 15, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did ASSOCIATION OF SCIENCE-TECHNOLOGY CENTERS INCORPORATED last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2024.
Who is the principal officer of ASSOCIATION OF SCIENCE-TECHNOLOGY CENTERS INCORPORATED?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 names CHRISTOFER NELSON.
Who are the officers and directors of ASSOCIATION OF SCIENCE-TECHNOLOGY CENTERS INCORPORATED?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 lists 29 people; 7 received compensation from the organization, the highest $325,000 (CHRISTOFER NELSON, PRESIDENT AND CEO).
How much revenue does ASSOCIATION OF SCIENCE-TECHNOLOGY CENTERS INCORPORATED have?
On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 it reported revenue of $11,437,803, expenses of $5,978,752 and total assets of $10,402,054 at year end.

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