2025-08-27T14:52:21-04:00 2024-12-31 061648707 FIONDELLA MILONE & LASARACINA LLP 300 WINDING BROOK DR STE 1 GLASTONBURY CT 06033 990 2024-01-01 060896043 THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM INC CHIL 8602312824 180 MOHEGAN DRIVE WEST HARTFORD CT 06107 MICHAEL WERLE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 8602312824 2025-08-27 true false AMBER D TUCKER P01593305 8606573651 2025-08-27 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z MICHAEL WERLE 180 MOHEGAN DR WEST HARTFORD CT 06117 2633222 false X WWW.THECHILDRENSMUSEUMCT.ORG X 1927 CT TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY IN ENGAGING ITS VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS IN ACTIVITIES THAT FOSTER LIFETIME LEARNING. 17 17 66 102 0 1212637 806936 1236875 1297411 57723 68858 27764 449133 2534999 2622338 159287 0 0 1499247 1635835 0 452080 913866 1323381 2572400 2959216 -37401 -336878 5942928 4988338 3651497 2981932 2291431 2006406 X THE CHILDRENS MUSEUM GROUPS MISSION IS TO INSPIRE LIFELONG LEARNING AMONG CHILDREN AND THEIR CAREGIVERS BY PROVIDING EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING 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 REVENUEGENERATING CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE. THE MUSEUM OFFERS ONSITE 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 CHILDRENS MUSEUM PRESCHOOL, COLOCATED WITHIN THE MUSEUM LOCATION, IS A NAEYC ACCREDITED, FULL DAY, YEARROUNDLICENSED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FACILITY FOR AGES 35YRS. false false 1581905 EDUCATIONAL & ADMISSIONS: THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM WEST HARTFORD LOCATION, TEMPORARILY OCCUPYING SPACE AT 180 MOHEGAN DRIVE IN WEST HARTFORD, ENCOURAGES FAMILIES TO DISCOVER AND EXPLORE OUR MULTISENSORY EXHIBITS AND LIVE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY. THE MUSEUMS HANDON IMMERSIVE STEAM EXHIBITS PROMOTE EXPLORATION AND INQUIRY BASED LEARNING EPISODES FOCUSED ON SUPPORTING CHILD DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN AGES TWO TO AGE 8 WITH THE SUPPORT OF THEIR CAREGIVERS. CURRENT HANDSON EXHIBITS FOCUS ON SCIENCE DISCOVERY CONCEPTS, PALEONTOLOGY, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH, ENGINEERING AND NATURE. 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 MUSEUMS OUTREACH EDUCATION OFFERINGS, BY A TEAM OF INFORMAL EDUCATORS WITH SCIENCE AND EDUCATION EXPERIENCES. ROARING BROOK NATURE CENTER PROVIDES NATURAL HISTORY/ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONPROGRAMS TO CONNECTICUT COMMUNITIES. PROGRAMS INCLUDE OUTREACH AND SCHOOLVISITATIONS, AS WELL AS SCOUT, SUMMER, PRESCHOOL AND PUBLIC PROGRAMS. SERVING AS ARESOURCE TO AREA RESIDENTS WITH ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS, THE CENTER ANSWERS THOUSANDS OF NATURERELATED QUESTIONS ANNUALLY. THE CENTER RECEIVES OVER 300 INJURED OR OPHANED 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 STATEOWNEDWERNER'S WOODS PROPERTY. 613795 THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM PRESCHOOL PROVIDES A PLAYBASED PROGRAM THAT ENCOURAGES AND DEVELOPS LEARNING THROUGH EACH CHILD'S NATURAL ACTIVITIES AND IS LICENSED BY CT OFFICE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (OEC) AND ACCREDITED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN (NAEYC). EXPERTS AGREE THAT BY LEARNING THROUGH PLAY, CHILDREN WILL FIND EDUCATION TO BE A POSITIVE AND JOYOUS PROCESS. THIS FOCUS IS AT THE CORE OF THE MUSEUM PRESCHOOLS PHILOSOPHY, MISSION AND CURRICULUM. RECOGNIZING THAT ALL CHILDREN ARE DIFFERENT, EACH CHILD COMES WITH DIFFERENT STRENGTHS AND AREAS FOR GROWTH. USING PROVEN TECHNIQUES, CLASSES ARE TAILORED TO BE SENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS OF EACH INDIVIDUAL CHILD WHILE MAINTAINING AN AFFIRMING AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL. THE MUSEUM PRESCHOOL OFFERS A UNIQUE AND INNOVATIVE INTEGRATION OF PRESCHOOL PROGRAM CURRICULUM STRENGTHENED BY ACCESS TO THE RESOURCES PROVIDED BY THE ONSITE MUSEUM AND REMOTE NATURE CENTER. SUPPORTING CREATIVE PLAY, ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ARE GOALS OF THE PRESCHOOLS TEAM OF CREDENTIALED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS. 2195700 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 20 0 true 66 true false false false false false true false false false false false false false X 17 17 false false false false false false false true true false true true true true true true true true true true false X MICHAEL WERLE 8602312824 180 MOHEGAN DR WEST HARTFORD CT 06117 X MICHAEL WERLE EXECUTIVE DI 50.00 X X 0 0 0 AYESHA CLARKE CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 DEBORAH ULLMAN VICE CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 MARK MILLIGAN TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 CHERIE GRIFFITH-DUNN SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 ROBERT A CUSHMAN MD DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DAVE CALIBEY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 LUIS DIEZ-MORALES MD DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ELIZABETH GIANNETTA-RAMOS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 KIMBERLY KERSEY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 LESLIE TORRES-RODIGUEZ PHD DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JENNY GAFFNEY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MORGAN HILYARD DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ROBERT JULSON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 XAN MARIES MCGIVNEY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 LAUREN TAFRATE DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 PIETERVAN DOKKUM DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 TYRON HARRIS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 false false false 384452 422484 17397 806936 PRESCHOOL TUITION 689977 689977 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS 404509 404509 ADMISSIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS 202925 202925 1297411 61987 61987 6871 6871 6871 6871 28501 10884 17617 17617 FORGIVENESS OF LIABILITIES 411923 411923 MISCELLANOUS 19593 19593 431516 2622338 1746544 68858 1445049 1206048 134968 104033 81878 70455 6254 5169 108908 93830 8203 6875 30356 30356 76768 53561 9264 13943 3518 3518 91924 781 33216 57927 3488 1868 100 1520 54199 31644 14291 8264 376946 332373 40676 3897 2124 676 128 1320 58443 58443 96823 96594 229 EXHIBITS AND PROGRAMS 260822 260356 328 138 NON-OPERATING- MOVING EXP 211391 211391 FEES - OTHER 52138 43811 1402 6925 SERVICE FEES 4441 3703 416 322 2959216 2195700 311436 452080 419799 523225 2816316 2126860 247820 26143 19593 107918 8654 10831 32455 49952 2011183 1314565 792240 696618 323119 349040 378941 409606 903991 688145 5942928 4988338 825478 415292 24684 25818 1992317 1946637 809018 594185 3651497 2981932 X 463503 348696 1827928 1657710 2291431 2006406 5942928 4988338 X -336878 10905 40948 X false true X true false X 685954 1406060 1881674 1212637 806936 5993261 685954 1406060 1881674 1212637 806936 5993261 5993261 6625 7479 13160 56706 61987 145957 3741 1787 5753 7339 18620 6157838 1757428 0.97330 0.83230 X PART II, LINE 10 18,620 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED false false false false false false true 52200 false false 52200 false 323119 11663 349040 291348 31924 153 323119 328300 -36442 510 291348 298627 31916 2243 328300 348697 20000 33980 4050 298627 1.00000 false false 41800 41800 1040932 534011 506921 920651 772754 147897 7800 7800 696618 SPLIT INTEREST AGREEMENTS 409606 F 409606 RIGHTOF USE ASSET 587427 PREPAID UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST 63182 SECURITY DEPOSITS 37536 688145 OPERATING LEASE LIABILITY 594185 594185 X 2670673 10905 40948 51853 2618820 3518 3518 2622338 2955698 2955698 3518 3518 2959216 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, 2024 AND 2023 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 30,665 CHANGE IN UST ACCOUNT 10,283 FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION THE CHILDRENS MUSEUM GROUPS MISSION IS TO INSPIRE LIFELONG LEARNING AMONG CHILDREN AND THEIR CAREGIVERS BY PROVIDING EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING 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 REVENUEGENERATING CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE. THE MUSEUM OFFERS ONSITE 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 CHILDRENS MUSEUM PRESCHOOL, COLOCATED WITHIN THE MUSEUM LOCATION, IS A NAEYC ACCREDITED, FULL DAY, YEARROUNDLICENSED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FACILITY FOR AGES 35YRS. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A EDUCATIONAL & ADMISSIONS: THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM WEST HARTFORD LOCATION, TEMPORARILY OCCUPYING SPACE AT 180 MOHEGAN DRIVE IN WEST HARTFORD, ENCOURAGES FAMILIES TO DISCOVER AND EXPLORE OUR MULTISENSORY EXHIBITS AND LIVE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY. THE MUSEUMS HANDON IMMERSIVE STEAM EXHIBITS PROMOTE EXPLORATION AND INQUIRY BASED LEARNING EPISODES FOCUSED ON SUPPORTING CHILD DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN AGES TWO TO AGE 8 WITH THE SUPPORT OF THEIR CAREGIVERS. CURRENT HANDSON EXHIBITS FOCUS ON SCIENCE DISCOVERY CONCEPTS, PALEONTOLOGY, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH, ENGINEERING AND NATURE. 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 MUSEUMS OUTREACH EDUCATION OFFERINGS, BY A TEAM OF INFORMAL EDUCATORS WITH SCIENCE AND EDUCATION EXPERIENCES. ROARING BROOK NATURE CENTER PROVIDES NATURAL HISTORY/ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONPROGRAMS TO CONNECTICUT COMMUNITIES. PROGRAMS INCLUDE OUTREACH AND SCHOOLVISITATIONS, AS WELL AS SCOUT, SUMMER, PRESCHOOL AND PUBLIC PROGRAMS. SERVING AS ARESOURCE TO AREA RESIDENTS WITH ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS, THE CENTER ANSWERS THOUSANDS OF NATURERELATED QUESTIONS ANNUALLY. THE CENTER RECEIVES OVER 300 INJURED OR OPHANED 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 STATEOWNEDWERNER'S WOODS PROPERTY. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4B THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM PRESCHOOL PROVIDES A PLAYBASED PROGRAM THAT ENCOURAGES AND DEVELOPS LEARNING THROUGH EACH CHILD'S NATURAL ACTIVITIES AND IS LICENSED BY CT OFFICE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (OEC) AND ACCREDITED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN (NAEYC). EXPERTS AGREE THAT BY LEARNING THROUGH PLAY, CHILDREN WILL FIND EDUCATION TO BE A POSITIVE AND JOYOUS PROCESS. THIS FOCUS IS AT THE CORE OF THE MUSEUM PRESCHOOLS PHILOSOPHY, MISSION AND CURRICULUM. RECOGNIZING THAT ALL CHILDREN ARE DIFFERENT, EACH CHILD COMES WITH DIFFERENT STRENGTHS AND AREAS FOR GROWTH. USING PROVEN TECHNIQUES, CLASSES ARE TAILORED TO BE SENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS OF EACH INDIVIDUAL CHILD WHILE MAINTAINING AN AFFIRMING AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL. THE MUSEUM PRESCHOOL OFFERS A UNIQUE AND INNOVATIVE INTEGRATION OF PRESCHOOL PROGRAM CURRICULUM STRENGTHENED BY ACCESS TO THE RESOURCES PROVIDED BY THE ONSITE MUSEUM AND REMOTE NATURE CENTER. SUPPORTING CREATIVE PLAY, ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ARE GOALS OF THE PRESCHOOLS TEAM OF CREDENTIALED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS. 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 OR 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. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. 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 30,665 CHANGE IN UST ACCOUNT 10,283 TOTAL 40,948 ROARING BROOK NATURE CETNER AUXILAR 70 GRACEY ROAD CANTON CT 06019 222596568 SUPPORTING CT 501C3 11 NA false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false