Nonprofit · EIN 22-3199269
STEPPING STONES MUSEUM FOR CHILDREN INC
Tax-exempt · NORWALK, CT 06850
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $9,055,331 | $9,890,547 | -$835,216 | $13,911,462 | $1,075,002 | $12,836,460 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $13,750,464 | $10,734,655 | $3,015,809 | $14,655,941 | $1,063,045 | $13,592,896 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $9,525,027 | $10,105,038 | -$580,011 | $15,060,072 | $4,551,634 | $10,508,438 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $3,808,884
- Program service revenue
- $5,166,332
- Investment income
- $70,738
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $34,836
- Net income from fundraising events
- -$368,425
- Other revenue
- $9,377
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $340,253
- Other salaries and wages
- $5,152,351
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $6,616,632
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $4,535
- Accounting fees
- $19,977
- Travel
- $2,342
- Depreciation
- $786,295
- Program services (functional)
- $8,187,267
- Management and general (functional)
- $1,402,607
- Fundraising (functional)
- $300,673
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $14,655,941
- Total assets, end of year
- $13,911,462
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $1,075,002
- Net assets, end of year
- $12,836,460
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $11,245,984
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $10,986,941
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $1,849,519
- Gross receipts
- $11,460,847
- Employees
- 162
- Volunteers
- 182
- Year formed
- 1992
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRANKLIN VAGNONE | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Key employee | 40 | $184,840 |
| AMANDA CONNELL | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Key employee | 40 | $155,413 |
| CRISTINA MATOS | VP, TEACHING & LEARNING Highest-paid employee | 40 | $145,559 |
| MICHAEL JACABACCI | VP, MUSEUM OPERATIONS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $142,241 |
| KATHY LABIENIEC | DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROJEC Highest-paid employee | 40 | $136,591 |
| CAROLYN B KNOTT | VP, INTEGRATED FUNDRAISING Highest-paid employee | 40 | $116,134 |
| BARBARA S KOTEEN | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| MICHAEL SERRAO | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| JACQUELINE KAUFMAN | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| CLIFFORD BOGUE MD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 |
| SANDRA J MIKLAVE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 |
| MICHAEL E WALLACE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 |
| JOHN S FOSTER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 |
| BETSY FALKOFF | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 |
| BARBARA BROWN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 |
4 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GAYLEY WOOLSTON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 |
| THOMAS BUMBOLOW | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 |
| G PATRICK FOX | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 |
| NATASHA HILL | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 19 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHONDA KIEST | PRESIDENT & CEO (RETIRED 9/30/24) Key employee | 40 | $253,062 |
| CRISTINA MATOS | VP, TEACHING & LEARNING Highest-paid employee | 40 | $143,199 |
| MICHAEL JACABACCI | VP, MUSEUM OPERATIONS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $140,006 |
| KATHY LABIENIEC | DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROJEC Highest-paid employee | 40 | $134,449 |
| AMANDA CONNELL | VP,HR & INTERIM EXEC DIR (10/1/24) Highest-paid employee | 40 | $124,561 |
| CAROLYN B KNOTT | VP, INTEGRATED FUNDRAISING & MARKETING Highest-paid employee | 40 | $114,020 |
| BARBARA S KOTEEN | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| THOMAS BUMBOLOW | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 0.3 | $0 |
| BARBARA BROWN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CLIFFORD BOGUE MD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 |
| SANDRA J MIKLAVE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 |
| NATASHA HILL | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 0.3 | $0 |
| JOHN S FOSTER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 |
| BETSY FALKOFF | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 |
| MICHAEL E WALLACE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 |
| GAYLEY WOOLSTON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 |
| JACQUELINE KAUFMAN | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| MICHAEL SERRAO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 |
| G PATRICK FOX | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 18 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHONDA KIEST | PRESIDENT & CEO Key employee | 40 | $245,651 |
| CRISTINA MATOS | VP, TEACHING & LEARNING Highest-paid employee | 40 | $139,575 |
| MICHAEL JACABACCI | VP, MUSEUM OPERATIONS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $135,063 |
| KATHY LABIENIEC | DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $130,681 |
| AMANDA CONNELL | VP, HUMAN RESOURCES & FINANCE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $115,468 |
| CAROLYN B KNOTT | VP, INTEGRATED BRAND COMMUNICATIONS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $111,766 |
| BARBARA S KOTEEN | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| THOMAS BUMBOLOW | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 0.3 | $0 |
| BARBARA BROWN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CLIFFORD BOGUE MD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 |
| SANDRA J MIKLAVE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 |
| NATASHA HILL | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 0.3 | $0 |
| JOHN S FOSTER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 |
| BETSY FALKOFF | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 |
| MICHAEL E WALLACE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 |
| GAYLEY WOOLSTON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 |
| JACQUELINE KAUFMAN | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| MICHAEL SERRAO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 303 WEST AVE, NORWALK, CT 06850-4002
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- BARBARA S KOTEEN, 303 WEST AVENUE, NORWALK, CT 068504002
- Signed the 990
- BARBARA S KOTEEN, CHAIR
- Phone
- (203) 899-0606
- Website
- WWW.STEPPINGSTONESMUSEUM.ORG
- Return prepared by
- WALTER J MCKEEVER & COMPANY LLC
Mission
THE MISSION OF STEPPING STONES MUSEUM FOR CHILDREN IS TO BROADEN AND ENRICH THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN AGES TEN AND UNDER AND ENHANCE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD. THE MUSEUM SEEKS TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT INSPIRES LIFE-LONG LEARNING AND SUPPORTS PARENTS, CAREGIVERS AND EDUCATORS AS FACILITATORS OF CHILDREN'S EXPLORATIONS.
Program accomplishments
- STEPPING STONES IS A PREMIER MULTIDIMENSIONAL EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE THAT PROVIDES EXCEPTIONAL AND MEANINGFUL INTERACTIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT ENRICH THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. THE MUSEUM'S LEARNING PURPOSE IS TO SPARK CHILDREN'S CURIOSITY, IMAGINATION AND INTERESTS BY ENGAGING THEM IN PLAYFUL EXPLORATION OF INTERACTIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES AND SHARED MOMENTS OF DISCOVERY WITH PARENTS, CAREGIVERS, AND EDUCATORS, EXCITING AND PREPARING THEM FOR AN INCREASINGLY COMPLEX, CHANGING AND DIVERSE FUTURE.Expenses $8,187,267 · revenue $5,544,134
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
- 22-3199269
- 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
- 1997
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Arts, culture and humanities (A520)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $13,911,462
- Income (IRS master file)
- $11,460,847
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $9,055,331 | $9,890,547 | $13,911,462 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $13,750,464 | $10,734,655 | $14,655,941 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2023 | $9,525,027 | $10,105,038 | $15,060,072 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $6,485,556 | $8,932,125 | $13,790,786 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | 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 22-3199269).
Questions about STEPPING STONES MUSEUM FOR CHILDREN INC
- What is the EIN of STEPPING STONES MUSEUM FOR CHILDREN INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of STEPPING STONES MUSEUM FOR CHILDREN INC is 22-3199269.
- Is STEPPING STONES MUSEUM FOR CHILDREN INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1997.
- Are donations to STEPPING STONES MUSEUM FOR CHILDREN INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does STEPPING STONES MUSEUM FOR CHILDREN 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 STEPPING STONES MUSEUM FOR CHILDREN 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 STEPPING STONES MUSEUM FOR CHILDREN 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 STEPPING STONES MUSEUM FOR CHILDREN INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names BARBARA S KOTEEN.
- Who are the officers and directors of STEPPING STONES MUSEUM FOR CHILDREN INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 19 people; 6 received compensation from the organization, the highest $184,840 (FRANKLIN VAGNONE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER).
- How much revenue does STEPPING STONES MUSEUM FOR CHILDREN INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $9,055,331, expenses of $9,890,547 and total assets of $13,911,462 at year end.
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