GREAT LAKES MUSEUM OF SCIENCE ENVIRONMENT AND TECHNOLOGY

Financials

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 September 30, 2025, highest compensation first.

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)

601 ERIESIDE AVE, CLEVELAND, OH 44114-1021

Principal officer (990 for 2024)

DR KIRSTEN M ELLENBOGEN, 601 ERIESIDE AVENUE, CLEVELAND, OH 44114

Signed the 990

DR KIRSTEN ELLENBOGEN, PRESIDENT & CEO

Phone

(216) 694-2000

Website

WWW.GREATSCIENCE.COM

Return prepared by

CIUNI & PANICHI INC

Mission

OUR MISSION IS TO MAKE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH (STEM) COME ALIVE, AND OUR VISION IS A COMMUNITY WHERE ALL PEOPLE VALUE STEM TO INFORM DECISION MAKING AND ENRICH LIVES. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)GUIDING PRINCIPLES: WE HELP PEOPLE LEARN STEM BY DOING STEM AND BELIEVE THAT IT IS BEST LEARNED THROUGH REAL SCIENTIFIC CHALLENGES. WE CULTIVATE CREATIVE, INNOVATIVE, CRITICAL THINKERS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY. WE SUPPORT A LEARNING CULTURE THAT ENCOURAGES CURIOSITY AND EXPERIMENTATION. WE BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER BY CREATING WELCOMING, FUN, AND HIGH-QUALITY GUEST EXPERIENCES. WE STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY IMPACT BY COLLABORATING WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND CONNECTING TO STEM RESOURCES IN OUR REGION. WE ENSURE OUR FUTURE BY MAINTAINING OUR LONG-TERM FISCAL AND STAFF SUSTAINABILITY.

Program accomplishments

• EDUCATION: THIS YEAR, GREAT LAKES SCIENCE CENTER (GLSC) CONTINUED EXPANDING ACCESS TO OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMS, WORKING WITH A WIDER RANGE OF CLEVELAND AREA SCHOOLS.THERE WERE A NUMBER OF PROGRAM HIGH POINTS THIS YEAR. GLSC WORKED WITH PARTNERS ACROSS THE STATE TO LAUNCH THE INAUGURAL OHIO SPACE WEEK, CELEBRATING OHIO'S CONTRIBUTIONS, PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE, TO THE AERONAUTICS AND SPACE INDUSTRIES. EVENTS INCLUDED HOW SPACE TECHNOLOGY AFFECTS EVERYTHING FROM NATIONAL SECURITY TO TRANSPORTATION TO SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. STUDENTS, PROFESSIONALS, AND THE PUBLIC ENGAGED IN INTERACTIVE OFFERINGS, PANEL DISCUSSIONS, AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)THE PUBLIC HIGHLIGHT OF OHIO SPACE WEEK WAS DISCOVERY DAYS AT GLSC SEPTEMBER 12 AND 13 WHERE SCHOOL GROUPS AND THE PUBLIC ENJOYED FREE ADMISSION TO GLSC. 4,555 VISITORS PARTICIPATED DURING THE TWO-DAY EVENT FOR FREE. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NASA GLENN RESEARCH CENTER, WE HOSTED NASA ASTRONAUTS SUNITA "SUNI" WILLIAMS AND DOUG WHEELOCK FOR SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND MEET-AND-GREETS WITH VISITORS.THIS YEAR WAS THE CELEBRATION OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR STEAMSHIP WILLIAM G. MATHER, INCLUDING SPECIALIZED TOURS AND A PUBLIC BIRTHDAY PARTY FEATURING MATHER TRIVIA, CUPCAKES, AND A GIANT BIRTHDAY CARD FOR THE PUBLIC TO SIGN. FROM RADAR TO AUTOMATED BOILER SYSTEMS, THIS FLAGSHIP STEAMSHIP RECEIVED SEVERAL NEW TECHNOLOGIES DURING ITS 55 YEARS IN SERVICE ON THE GREAT LAKES, HELPING TO TRANSPORT ENOUGH IRON ORE TO EARN IT THE NICKNAME "THE SHIP THAT BUILT CLEVELAND'". VISITORS COULD EXPLORE THE MATHER ON SELF-GUIDED, GUIDED, AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES HARD HAT TOURS, WHICH PROVIDE A LOOK INTO THE LIFE OF GREAT LAKES SAILORS WHO CREWED THE MATHER.ALSO NEW THIS YEAR IS GLSC FOR ME, A SPECIAL TWO-HOUR PERIOD EACH SUNDAY MORNING THAT PROVIDES A MORE WELCOMING EXPERIENCE FOR FAMILIES WITH SENSORY PROCESSING OR MOBILITY ISSUES. ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT IS AVAILABLE FOR GUESTS TO BORROW, AND EXHIBITS WITH HIGH STIMULATION SOUNDS OR LIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF FOR THE PROGRAM TIME. EDUCATION IS PARTNERING WITH A VARIETY OF ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDED ENHANCED PROGRAMMING, AND ADAPTIVE TOOLS THAT MAKE THE EXHIBITS EVEN MORE ACCESSIBLE.OFFSITE PROGRAMMING GREW THIS YEAR, WITH AN INCREASE IN OFFSITE WORKSHOPS AND BIG SCIENCE SHOWS AS WELL AS AN INCREASE IN PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY EVENTS. MORE THAN 6,964 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN A GLSC OUTREACH PROGRAM IN THEIR SCHOOL, ACROSS 111 LOCATIONS IN 34 DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES.GLSC'S ROBOTICS INITIATIVE SERVED MORE THAN 175 STUDENTS IN OUR YEAR-ROUND AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAM, PROVIDING TRAINING, MENTORSHIP, CURRICULUM, TOOLS, AND RESOURCES TO PARTICIPATE IN FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITIONS. IN JANUARY, GLSC HOSTED A KICK-OFF EVENT FOR THE COMPETITION SEASON FEATURING AN INTERNATIONAL LIVE STREAM OF THE FIRST ROBOTICS CHALLENGE REVEAL FOR THE NEW SEASON. FROM THERE, OUR SIX TEAMS BEGAN BUILDING AND COMPETING A SHORT TIME LATER IN THE BUCKEYE REGIONAL COMPETITION. THE STUDENTS EXCELLED, WINNING A NUMBER OF AWARDS THIS YEAR, INCLUDING THE RISING ALL-STAR AWARD OF THE FINGER LAKES REGIONAL COMPETITION PRESENTED TO TEAM #9643 LADY VOLTAGE, THE FIRST ALL-GIRLS DISTRICT-WIDE TEAM. A TEAM MEMBER OF #8140, THE ROBOMANIACS, WAS NAMED THE DEAN'S LIST AWARD FINALIST AT THE BUCKEYE REGIONAL, WHICH RECOGNIZES THE LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATION OF THE MOST OUTSTANDING STUDENTS AND INCLUDES A TRIP TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION IN HOUSTON, TEXAS.AS PART OF THE SUMMER PROJECT OF OUR ROBOTICS INITIATIVE, HANDS ACROSS BORDERS, STUDENTS EMBARKED ON A TEN-DAY HUMANITARIAN MEDICAL MISSION TO LATACUNGA, ECUADOR. THE PROGRAM IS IN CLOSE PARTNERSHIP WITH MED ACCESS INTERNATIONAL, A US-BASED INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION THAT RUNS HUMANITARIAN MEDICAL MISSIONS TO COUNTRIES IN THE CARIBBEAN AND SOUTH AMERICA. STUDENTS AND MENTORS WORKED CLOSELY WITH MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS USING SKILLS THEY GAINED THROUGH THE ROBOTICS INITIATIVE TO CREATE 10 3-D PRINTED PROSTHETIC DEVICES THAT HAD BEEN PRE-ORDERED FOR SPECIFIC PATIENTS, AS WELL AS AN ADDITIONAL 15 PROSTHETIC DEVICES FOR WALK- IN PATIENTS-ALL PROVIDED TO PATIENTS WITHOUT CHARGE.GLSC'S 4TH ANNUAL MANUFACTURING DAY PROGRAM PROVED TO BE THE LARGEST ONE YET, WITH MORE THAN 600 STUDENTS FROM 26 MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS ATTENDING A FULL BUILDING CELEBRATION OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING. THIRTEEN COMPANIES WORKED WITH GLSC FOR MONTHS TO DEVELOP COMPELLING HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES, SHOWING UP WITH MORE THAN 300 VOLUNTEERS. WITH ACTIVITIES LIKE ENGINEERING FLUID SYSTEMS AND DRIVING ROBOTS, TO MENTORING LUNCHES AND CAREER PANELS, STUDENTS COULD SEE THEMSELVES IN THE ADVANCED MANUFACTURING CAREERS OF THE FUTURE.INSPIRED BY THE SUCCESS OF MANUFACTURING DAY, NEW THIS YEAR WAS OUR SUMMER OF INNOVATION. THIS INITIATIVE AIMED TO FURTHER DEEPEN GLSC'S STEM INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS BY ENGAGING OUR FAMILY AUDIENCE WITH EXPERIENCES LED BY STEM PROFESSIONALS FROM ACROSS NORTHEAST OHIO. THROUGH THIS SUMMER OF SPECIAL PROGRAMMING, FAMILIES COULD EXPLORE FOUR THEMES DESIGNED TO EMPHASIZE THE REGION'S ECONOMY-DRIVING INDUSTRIES: CONSTRUCTION, TECHNOLOGY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND AEROSPACE.CONTINUING PROGRAMS THIS YEAR INCLUDE OUR CLEVELAND CREATES ENGINEERING DESIGN PROGRAM THAT SERVES STUDENTS IN GRADES 6, 7, AND 8 AND THEIR TEACHERS THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH CLEVELAND METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT. ALSO, DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, OUR GROW UP GREAT WITH SCIENCE PROGRAM PROVIDES STEM-BASED EDUCATION TO PRESCHOOLERS FROM LOW-INCOME CLEVELAND HOUSEHOLDS THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL HEAD START CENTERS. PROGRAMMING REACHES CHILDREN THROUGH OUTREACH EXPERIENCES AND SCIENCE DEMONSTRATIONS IN THE CLASSROOM, FIELD EXPERIENCES TO GLSC, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR EDUCATORS. ACROSS ALL SCHOOL PROGRAMS, 30,343 STUDENTS VISITED THIS YEAR FROM 457 SCHOOLS. OF THESE, 17,916 STUDENTS (59%) VISITED AS PART OF A FREE FIELD TRIP.EACH WINTER BREAK AND SUMMER, OUR CAMP CURIOSITY PROGRAM USES CUSTOM CURRICULUM AND EXPERT TEACHERS TO ENGAGE STUDENTS FROM K-6TH GRADE IN FUN, INQUIRY-BASED, ACTIVE LEARNING CENTERED ON THE INVESTIGATION AND RESOLUTION OF MESSY REAL-WORLD PROBLEMS. A TOTAL OF 2,384 CAMPERS PARTICIPATED THIS YEAR. 153 OF THOSE CAMPERS RECEIVED FULL CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS FOR A TOTAL OF 753 DAYS, EACH SCHOLARSHIP INCLUDING BEFORE- AND AFTER-CARE, TWO MEALS, AND SNACKS.
  Expenses $1,095,501 · grants $36,000 · revenue $642,301
• EXHIBITS: THIS YEAR GLSC UNVEILED A NEW EXHIBITION, HANDLE WITH CARE, PRESENTED BY THE RON AND LYDIA HARRINGTON FAMILY FOUNDATION AND A FULL TRANSFORMATION OF SCIENCE PHENOMENA, ACROSS THE ENTIRE SECOND FLOOR OF EXHIBITS. HANDLE WITH CARE INVITES OUR YOUNGEST VISITORS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS TO EXPLORE THE POWER OF EMPATHY, CREATIVITY, AND IMAGINATION THROUGH PLAY. GROUNDED IN THE LATEST RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY, THIS IMMERSIVE PLAY-BASED EXPERIENCE ENCOURAGES CHILDREN TO EXPERIMENT, COLLABORATE, AND PROBLEM-SOLVE WHILE INTRODUCING EARLY STEM CONCEPTS AND FOUNDATIONAL ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES IN A JOYFUL, HANDS-ON WAY. THROUGHOUT THE EXHIBITION, CHILDREN PRACTICE EMPATHY BY IDENTIFYING EMOTIONS IN OTHERS AND RESPONDING THOUGHTFULLY, (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)SELECTING EXHIBIT PIECES WITH EXPRESSIVE ICONS AND VOCABULARY WORDS TO ASSEMBLE A PERSONALIZED "CARE PACKAGE" FOR SOMEONE IN NEED. FROM THERE THEY BOX, SORT, AND "SHIP," THEIR CREATIONS THROUGHOUT THE EXHIBITION, USING THEIR IMAGINATION TO BUILD STORIES AND EXTEND THEIR LEARNING EXPERIENCE. THE EXHIBITION HAS EXTENSIVE SUPPORT FROM INDIVIDUALS AND CORPORATIONS ACROSS THE REGION. SOME OF THE SUPPORT THAT WAS EXPECTED TO BE RECOGNIZED IN THIS FISCAL YEAR WAS DELAYED DUE TO PAYMENT TIMING.AS PART OF THE CELEBRATION OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE STEAMSHIP WILLIAM G. MATHER, GLSC DESIGNED AND BUILT A NEW EXHIBITION, STEAM AND STEEL: PROPELLING THE FUTURE OF THE GREAT LAKES. INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS ALLOWED THE PUBLIC TO SEE THE TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS THAT HELPED MAKE GREAT LAKES SHIPPING FASTER, SAFER, AND MORE COST-EFFECTIVE. FROM LIDAR TO RADAR AND AUTOMATED BOILER SYSTEMS, THE EXHIBIT MADE FREIGHTER TECHNOLOGIES OF YESTERYEAR AND TOMORROW COME ALIVE. ONCE THE TEMPORARY EXHIBITION CLOSED AT THE END OF THE SUMMER, MANY OF THE INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS WERE INSTALLED IN THE PERMANENT GALLERY IN THE MATHER'S HOLD AS IT STARTS OFF ITS SECOND CENTURY.THIS YEAR WE ALSO HAD THE TEMPORARY TRAVELING EXHIBITION, DOGS: A SCIENCE TAIL! THE HIGHLY INTERACTIVE EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS THE DYNAMIC BOND BETWEEN HUMANS AND DOGS. EXPERIENCES ARE DESIGNED TO HELP THE PUBLIC GAIN A NEW APPRECIATION FOR THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SKILLS OF OUR FAVORITE CANINES, HOW THEY SEE, SMELL, AND HEAR. THE PUBLIC CAN TEST THEMSELVES AGAINST THE SLOWEST AND FASTEST BREEDS OF DOGS, AND MUCH MORE. EDUCATION CREATED NEW CART ACTIVITIES TO COMPLEMENT THE EXHIBITION, AS WELL AS COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS WITH SHELTERS, HOSPITALS, AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO BRING IN DOGS FOR SPECIAL PROGRAMMING.IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE ACTIVITIES, GLSC CONTINUES TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR PERMANENT EXHIBIT GALLERIES. IN OUR NASA GLENN VISITOR CENTER, WE WORKED WITH NASA TO ADD MORE AUTHENTIC ARTIFACTS, INCLUDING ONES THAT HAVE BEEN TO SPACE. GLSC'S NASA GLENN VISITOR CENTER IS ONE OF ONLY 11 CONGRESSIONALLY DESIGNATED NASA VISITOR CENTERS IN THE COUNTRY. THE CENTER INCLUDES THREE GALLERIES THAT ALLOW OUR GUESTS TO EXPERIENCE AVIATION AND AEROSPACE INNOVATION THROUGH INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS, FASCINATING ARTIFACTS, AND A VAST COLLECTION OF NASA MEDIA.
  Expenses $1,080,301
• VISITATION AND MEMBERSHIP: TOTAL ATTENDANCE THIS YEAR WAS 251,202. FREE DAYS INCREASED FROM OUR TYPICAL 4 TO A TOTAL OF 7 THIS YEAR, WITH 43,527 PEOPLE VISITING FOR FREE. GLSC FURTHERS ITS MISSION AND STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS FOR MEMBERSHIP AND MARKETING USING A DATA-INFORMED DECISION-MAKING PROCESS. MARKETING EFFORTS INCLUDE A MIX OF EARNED, OWNED, AND PAID MEDIA INITIATIVES, DESIGNED TO REACH CORE AND SPECIALLY IDENTIFIED AUDIENCES RELIABLY AND EFFICIENTLY. GLSC MARKETING IS USING INCREASINGLY DATA-DRIVEN MARKETING APPROACHES. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)DIGITAL AD SPEND CONTINUES TO BE THE MOST DATA-DRIVEN AND COST-EFFECTIVE ADVERTISING PLATFORM. THE MARKETING TEAM HAS BEEN WORKING TO EXPAND CAPABILITIES IN SHORTFORM VIDEO CONTENT AS WELL AS INTERACTIVE DIGITAL ADS. THIS HAS HELPED INCREASE OUR FOLLOWERS ON TIK TOK THIS YEAR. MARKETING IS ALSO INCREASING THE NUMBER AND VARIATIONS OF EACH AD. FOR SEVERAL YEARS WE WOULD TYPICALLY RUN 4-5 VERSIONS (DIFFERENT PHOTOS, VARIATIONS IN COPY) AND THIS YEAR WE INCREASED THAT TO 6-8 VERSIONS, WITH PLANS TO INTRODUCE EVEN GREATER VARIATION NEXT YEAR.GLSC SERVED 4,913 MEMBER HOUSEHOLDS THIS YEAR, WITH A RENEWAL RATE OF 31%, AN INCREASE OVER PRIOR YEARS. OUR HIGHEST-LEVEL FAMILY MAX MEMBERSHIP REMAINS THE MOST FREQUENT MEMBERSHIP LEVEL PURCHASED, MAKING UP 45% OF MEMBER PURCHASES. MEMBER ATTENDANCE REMAINED STEADY, WITH 43,548 MEMBER VISITS IN 2025, 21% OF OUR TOTAL ATTENDANCE.
  Expenses $704,484 · revenue $1,772,267
• COMBINATION OF OMNIMAX AND GUEST SERVICES.
  Expenses $5,455,405 · revenue $356,515

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 September, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

IRS record

EIN

31-1258416

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

1993

Accounting year ends

September

Files

Form 990 or 990-EZ

Category (NTEE)

Science and technology (U300)

Assets (IRS master file)

$35,240,355

Income (IRS master file)

$9,699,519

Filing history

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 31-1258416).

Questions about GREAT LAKES MUSEUM OF SCIENCE ENVIRONMENT AND TECHNOLOGY

What is the EIN of GREAT LAKES MUSEUM OF SCIENCE ENVIRONMENT AND TECHNOLOGY?

The employer identification number (EIN) of GREAT LAKES MUSEUM OF SCIENCE ENVIRONMENT AND TECHNOLOGY is 31-1258416.

Is GREAT LAKES MUSEUM OF SCIENCE ENVIRONMENT AND TECHNOLOGY tax-exempt?

Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1993.

Are donations to GREAT LAKES MUSEUM OF SCIENCE ENVIRONMENT AND TECHNOLOGY tax-deductible?

Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).

Which annual return does GREAT LAKES MUSEUM OF SCIENCE ENVIRONMENT AND TECHNOLOGY 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 GREAT LAKES MUSEUM OF SCIENCE ENVIRONMENT AND TECHNOLOGY due?

The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending September 30, 2026) is due February 16, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.

When did GREAT LAKES MUSEUM OF SCIENCE ENVIRONMENT AND TECHNOLOGY last file with the IRS?

The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended September 2025.

Who is the principal officer of GREAT LAKES MUSEUM OF SCIENCE ENVIRONMENT AND TECHNOLOGY?

The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 names DR KIRSTEN M ELLENBOGEN.

Who are the officers and directors of GREAT LAKES MUSEUM OF SCIENCE ENVIRONMENT AND TECHNOLOGY?

The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 lists 55 people; 4 received compensation from the organization, the highest $201,162 (KIRSTEN M ELLENBOGEN PHD, PRESIDENT & CEO).

How much revenue does GREAT LAKES MUSEUM OF SCIENCE ENVIRONMENT AND TECHNOLOGY have?

On its 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $9,507,885, expenses of $10,360,448 and total assets of $35,240,355 at year end.

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