Nonprofit · EIN 04-2741645
DISCOVERY MUSEUMS INC
Tax-exempt · ACTON, MA 01720
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $4,253,185 | $4,308,073 | -$54,888 | $12,529,569 | $1,737,438 | $10,792,131 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $4,129,226 | $4,101,486 | $27,740 | $12,714,046 | $1,907,241 | $10,806,805 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $4,561,122 | $3,937,186 | $623,936 | $12,781,455 | $2,037,888 | $10,743,567 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $1,551,666
- of which government grants
- $171,112
- Program service revenue
- $2,371,421
- Investment income
- $118,364
- Net rental income
- $19,770
- Net income from sales of inventory
- $52,314
- Other revenue
- $211,734
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $304,796
- Other salaries and wages
- $2,070,718
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $2,626,749
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $1,050
- Accounting fees
- $34,000
- Occupancy
- $300,875
- Travel
- $9,242
- Depreciation
- $606,276
- Program services (functional)
- $3,035,654
- Management and general (functional)
- $793,687
- Fundraising (functional)
- $478,732
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $12,714,046
- Total assets, end of year
- $12,529,569
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $1,737,438
- Net assets, end of year
- $10,792,131
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $7,313,528
- Publicly traded securities
- $468,414
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $9,926,154
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $865,977
- Gross receipts
- $4,299,402
- Employees
- 92
- Volunteers
- 504
- Year formed
- 1981
- State of legal domicile
- MA
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MARIE BEAM | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Officer | 40 | $176,100 | $13,041 |
| TOBEY FOSSEY | SR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Highest-paid employee | 40 | $164,620 | $0 |
| BRINDHA MUNIAPPAN | SR DIR. OF THE MUSEUM EXPERIENCE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $116,767 | $0 |
| ELLEN STURGIS | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 32 | $112,905 | $2,750 |
| XUAN KONG PHD | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| LISA GIGLIO | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CHERYL BEAUDOIN | CLERK Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PAULA BENTINCK-SMITH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID COTE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHRYN DAILY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ANTHONY DIBONA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| SCOTT HARRIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| HARRY HOLLENBERG | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| HENRY HOUH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| WILLIAM HUSS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
8 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAMIRA LAWANDE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| ANDREW MAGEE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| HERBERT MASON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| J KEVIN NUGENT PHD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| SAHANA PUROHIT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| MARGARET A RAMSEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| SHELLY SHAW | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| UMAIR ZIA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 22 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MARIE BEAM | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Officer | 40 | $179,994 | $11,770 |
| TOBEY FOSSEY | SR. DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Highest-paid employee | 40 | $152,423 | $0 |
| NEIL GORDON | FORMER CEO (THRU 12/2023) Former | 0 | $135,382 | $0 |
| BRINDHA MUNIAPPAN | SR. DIRECTOR OF THE MUSEUM EXPERIENCE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $109,708 | $0 |
| XUAN KONG PHD | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| RUTH AGBAJI | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JEFFREY GLIDDEN | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CHERYL BEAUDOIN | CLERK Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PAULA BENTINCK-SMITH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID COTE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ANTHONY DIBONA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| LISA GIGLIO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| SCOTT HARRIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| HARRY HOLLENBERG | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| HENRY HOUH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| SAMIRA LAWANDE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ANDREW MAGEE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| J KEVIN NUGENT PHD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| SAHANA PUROHIT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MARGARET A RAMSEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| SHELLY SHAW | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| UMAIR ZIA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 20 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEIL | GORDON Former | 40 | $223,181 |
| MARIE BEAM | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $123,111 |
| CHERYL BEAUDOIN | CLERK Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| PAULA BENTINCK-SMITH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| ANTONY DIBONA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| JEFFREY GLIDDEN | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| HARRY HOLLENBERG | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| DR J KEVIN NUGENT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| XUAN KONG | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| MARGARET A RAMSAY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| UMAIR ZIA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| LISA GIGLIO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| ANDREW MAGEE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| RUTH AGBAJI | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| SAHANA PUROHIT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| SHELLY SHAW | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| SAMIRA LAWANDE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| DAVID COTE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| SCOTT HARRIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| HENRY HOUH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 177 MAIN ST, ACTON, MA 01720-3616
- In care of
- % KAVITA KATTI
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- XUAN KONG, 177 MAIN STREET, ACTON, MA 01720
- Signed the 990
- XUAN KONG, PRESIDENT
- Phone
- (978) 264-4200
- Website
- DISCOVERYACTON.ORG
- Return prepared by
- LEONARD MULHERIN & GREENE PC
Mission
TO SPARK DELIGHT IN LEARNING BY IGNITING CURIOSITY AND CREATIVITY IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS, AS THEY DISCOVER TOGETHER THE JOYS OF SCIENCE, NATURE, AND PLAY.
Program accomplishments
- THE MUSEUM ENCOURAGES CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND EDUCATORS TO EXPLORE THE WONDERS OF SCIENCE, NATURE, HUMANITIES, AND THE ARTS BY ENGAGING VISITORS IN POSITIVE, INNOVATIVE EXPERIENCES. THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND HANDS-ON EXHIBITS MAKE CONCEPTS TANGIBLE SO CHILDREN OF ALL AGES ARE ABLE TO CONNECT THEIR NEW UNDERSTANDING WITH REAL LIFE.Expenses $3,035,654 · revenue $2,530,841
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
- 04-2741645
- 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
- 1987
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Arts, culture and humanities (A520)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $12,529,569
- Income (IRS master file)
- $4,299,402
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $4,253,185 | $4,308,073 | $12,529,569 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $4,129,226 | $4,101,486 | $12,714,046 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $4,561,122 | $3,937,186 | $12,781,455 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $3,493,435 | $3,513,070 | $12,128,266 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 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 04-2741645).
Questions about DISCOVERY MUSEUMS INC
- What is the EIN of DISCOVERY MUSEUMS INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of DISCOVERY MUSEUMS INC is 04-2741645.
- Is DISCOVERY MUSEUMS INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1987.
- Are donations to DISCOVERY MUSEUMS INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does DISCOVERY MUSEUMS 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 DISCOVERY MUSEUMS 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 DISCOVERY MUSEUMS 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 DISCOVERY MUSEUMS INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names XUAN KONG.
- Who are the officers and directors of DISCOVERY MUSEUMS INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 23 people; 4 received compensation from the organization, the highest $176,100 (MARIE BEAM, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER).
- How much revenue does DISCOVERY MUSEUMS INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $4,253,185, expenses of $4,308,073 and total assets of $12,529,569 at year end.
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All nonprofits in ACTON · Massachusetts · Arts, culture and humanities