Nonprofit · EIN 39-1691578
DISCOVERY WORLD LTD
Tax-exempt · MILWAUKEE, WI 53202
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $15,677,245 | $8,781,127 | $6,896,118 | $55,440,237 | $1,263,874 | $54,176,363 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $7,692,362 | $8,985,856 | -$1,293,494 | $48,248,410 | $1,294,115 | $46,954,295 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $7,505,313 | $8,620,464 | -$1,115,151 | $50,429,159 | $2,388,336 | $48,040,823 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $10,397,710
- Program service revenue
- $4,498,277
- Investment income
- $676,548
- Net rental income
- -$146,716
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $95,680
- Net income from fundraising events
- $96,695
- Net income from sales of inventory
- $36,344
- Other revenue
- $104,710
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $50,000
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $479,302
- Other salaries and wages
- $3,317,085
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $4,620,241
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $17,036
- Accounting fees
- $46,177
- Occupancy
- $566,223
- Depreciation
- $2,262,344
- Program services (functional)
- $7,263,905
- Management and general (functional)
- $1,033,272
- Fundraising (functional)
- $483,950
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $48,248,410
- Total assets, end of year
- $55,440,237
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $1,263,874
- Net assets, end of year
- $54,176,363
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $34,468,307
- Publicly traded securities
- $3,880,643
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $41,812,825
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $12,363,538
- Gross unrelated business income
- -$75,934
- Gross receipts
- $17,618,687
- Employees
- 127
- Volunteers
- 247
- Year formed
- 2004
- State of legal domicile
- WI
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN EMMERICH | CEO AND PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 55 | $226,683 | $28,927 |
| CARL SCHOETTEL | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Officer | 55 | $152,340 | $31,831 |
| NICOLE BRAY | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 55 | $100,280 | $4,125 |
| BRUCE KEYES | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHAD MELNICK | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LORI RICHARDS | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HEATHER HIPKE | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KELLEN KASPER | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SARAH ALT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ADAM BELLMER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHAD CUNDIFF | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DIRK DEBBINK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KAREN DETTMER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STAN DILLON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MUSTAFA EMIR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
31 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOSHUA GIMBEL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOHN GOLLER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KARL GOUVERNEUR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| RUTH HARPER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SHERYL HOPKINS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SHERRY HUSA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BRIAN KAGE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| WARD KOMOROWSKI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PATRICK KRESSIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KATHERINE LAMACCHIA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MARY JO LAYDEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MELISSA MCCORD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| TERENCE MCMAHON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| RYAN MICHALSKI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BRUCE MILNE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JAMES MUNDSCHAU | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| TESSA MYERS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| AMIT NANAVATI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOEL PHILLIPS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ADONICA RANDALL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| NEIL RIEGELMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MITUL RUSTAGI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| TERE SACKERSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ELIZABETH SCALF | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MOLLY SCHWEIGER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JEFF SIPPEL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ROGER SMITH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PHILLIP STOLLENWERK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| HUSSIEN TALB | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BENJAMIN WAGNER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KAREN BAUER | ROTATED OFF BOARD DURING 2025 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 44 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRYAN WUNAR | CEO AND PRESIDENT-THRU NOVEMBER 15 Trustee or director, Officer | 55 | $216,163 | $27,455 |
| CARL SCHOETTEL | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Officer | 55 | $141,347 | $30,223 |
| JAMES KARLS | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER - THRU SEPTEMBER 19 Officer | 55 | $129,127 | $27,011 |
| JOHN EMMERICH | CEO AND PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 55 | $123,009 | $23,839 |
| THERESE SCHNEIDER | VP EXTERNAL AFFAIRS Officer | 55 | $106,191 | $4,940 |
| BRUCE KEYES | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHAD MELNICK | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LORI RICHARDS | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HEATHER HIPKE | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KELLEN KASPER | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KAREN BAUER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ADAM BELLMER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHAD CUNDIFF | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DIRK DEBBINK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KAREN DETTMER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STAN DILLON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MUSTAFA EMIR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOSHUA GIMBEL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN GOLLER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KARL GOUVERNEUR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RUTH HARPER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SHERRY HUSA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRIAN KAGE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WARD KOMOROWSKI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHERINE LAMACCHIA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARY JO LAYDEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TERENCE MCMAHON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RYAN MICHALSKI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRUCE MILNE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TESSA MYERS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| AMIT NANAVATI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOEL PHILLIPS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ADONICA RANDALL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NEIL RIEGELMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MITUL RUSTAGI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TERE SACKERSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MOLLY SCHWEIGER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ROGER SMITH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PHILLIP STOLLENWERK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HUSSIEN TALB | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BENJAMIN WAGNER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NICOLE COOK | ROTATED OFF BOARD DURING 2024 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| VARUN LAROYIA | ROTATED OFF BOARD DURING 2024 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KATIE MULDOON | ROTATED OFF BOARD DURING 2024 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 50 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRYAN WUNAR | CEO AND PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 55 | $205,380 | $26,759 |
| CARL SCHOETTEL | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Officer | 55 | $137,611 | $29,432 |
| JAMES KARLS | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 55 | $113,384 | $28,647 |
| JOHN EMMERICH | VP EXHIBITS AND AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT Officer | 55 | $108,530 | $22,769 |
| THERESE SCHNEIDER | VP EXTERNAL AFFAIRS Officer | 55 | $108,462 | $5,084 |
| TERENCE MCMAHON | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRUCE KEYES | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOE PFAFF | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LORI RICHARDS | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KATIE MULDOON | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HEATHER HIPKE | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KRIS BARITT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KAREN BAUER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ADAM BELLMER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NICOLE COOK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHAD CUNDIFF | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DIRK DEBBINK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KAREN DETTMER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MUSTAFA EMIR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOSHUA GIMBEL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN GOLLER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KARL GOUVERNEUR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RUTH HARPER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAYNE HLADIO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SHERRY HUSA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRIAN KAGE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KELLEN KASPER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WARD KOMOROWSKI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| VARUN LAROYIA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARY JO LAYDEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHAD MELNICK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARK METZENDORF | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RYAN MICHALSKI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN MILLER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRUCE MILNE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TESSA MYERS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| AMIT NANAVATI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOEL PHILLIPS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ADONICA RANDALL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NEIL RIEGELMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL SCHULTZ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MOLLY SCHWEIGER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JON SIMONS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ROGER SMITH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JON SPIGEL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PHILLIP STOLLENWERK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HUSSIEN TALB | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BENJAMIN WAGNER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WILL NASGOVITZ | ROTATED OFF BOARD DURING 2023 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KEVIN SHAFER | ROTATED OFF BOARD DURING 2023 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 500 N HARBOR DR, MILWAUKEE, WI 53202-5601
- In care of
- % DISC
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- NICOLE BRAY, 500 N HARBOR DR, MILWAUKEE, WI 53202
- Signed the 990
- NICOLE BRAY, CFO
- Phone
- (414) 765-8602
- Website
- discoveryworld.org
- Return prepared by
- Krause & Associates SC
Mission
Discovery World educates, motivates,mobilizes and inspires the innovators and entrepreneurs of the 21st century. We connect innovation, science, and technology with exploration, environment, and our Great Lakes freshwater resources through interactive exhibits and experimental learning programs.
Program accomplishments
- Discovery World is an extraordinary experience devoted to sharing the wonders of science and igniting a love of endless exploration. We are the spark of joy in a childs eyes when they make a connection with a living creature. We are the sudden and satisfying Aha when you discover something you didnt even know you were looking for. We are the beginning of your lifelong learning adventure. Here at our world-class facility on Lake Michigans shoreline (part of the largest freshwater system in the world!), a new discovery is always just around the corner, from exploring the underwater wonders of the Reiman Aquarium to launching rockets and hopping aboard the semi-truck of the Great Lakes. Bring your whats, whens, and whys; and embark on a path to discovering the answers to all of your curiosities-and unearthing new ones along the way! Our love of science knows no bounds. We empower you to learn virtually anywhere with classroom activities, exciting summer camps, and more. And, as part of the STEM ecosystem, we also touch on disciplines in technology, engineering, and mathematics.Expenses $7,263,905 · grants $50,000 · revenue $4,498,277
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
- 39-1691578
- 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
- 1991
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Education (B300)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $55,440,237
- Income (IRS master file)
- $17,618,687
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $15,677,245 | $8,781,127 | $55,440,237 | XML |
| 990-T | December 2025 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2024 | $7,692,362 | $8,985,856 | $48,248,410 | XML |
| 990-T | December 2024 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2023 | $7,505,313 | $8,620,464 | $50,429,159 | XML |
| 990-T | December 2023 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2022 | $5,434,169 | $7,738,075 | $51,410,712 | IRS |
| 990-T | December 2022 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-T | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-T | 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 39-1691578).
Questions about DISCOVERY WORLD LTD
- What is the EIN of DISCOVERY WORLD LTD?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of DISCOVERY WORLD LTD is 39-1691578.
- Is DISCOVERY WORLD LTD tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1991.
- Are donations to DISCOVERY WORLD LTD tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does DISCOVERY WORLD LTD 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 WORLD LTD 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 WORLD LTD 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 WORLD LTD?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names NICOLE BRAY.
- Who are the officers and directors of DISCOVERY WORLD LTD?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 46 people; 3 received compensation from the organization, the highest $226,683 (JOHN EMMERICH, CEO AND PRESIDENT).
- How much revenue does DISCOVERY WORLD LTD have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $15,677,245, expenses of $8,781,127 and total assets of $55,440,237 at year end.
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