Nonprofit · EIN 62-1509462
CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM
Tax-exempt · CHATTANOOGA, TN 37402
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $5,393,387 | $6,441,999 | -$1,048,612 | $23,587,316 | $3,466,577 | $20,120,739 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $5,289,033 | $5,887,534 | -$598,501 | $25,077,546 | $4,493,626 | $20,583,920 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $2,177,111
- of which government grants
- $757,929
- Membership dues
- $638,499
- Program service revenue
- $3,020,991
- Investment income
- $36,460
- Net rental income
- $21,112
- Net income from fundraising events
- $137,713
- Other revenue
- $158,825
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $173,415
- Other salaries and wages
- $2,146,337
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $2,771,380
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $10,075
- Accounting fees
- $33,077
- Occupancy
- $289,174
- Travel
- $21,764
- Depreciation
- $1,805,464
- Program services (functional)
- $4,867,498
- Management and general (functional)
- $1,432,519
- Fundraising (functional)
- $141,982
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $25,077,546
- Total assets, end of year
- $23,587,316
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $3,466,577
- Net assets, end of year
- $20,120,739
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $15,717,386
- Publicly traded securities
- $889,087
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $14,480,142
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $5,640,597
- Gross receipts
- $5,502,987
- Employees
- 100
- Volunteers
- 534
- Year formed
- 1992
- State of legal domicile
- TN
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, 2024, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Sears | President and CEO Officer | 40 | $173,415 | $20,652 |
| Taylor Vinson | Board Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 8 | $0 | $0 |
| Christie Burbank | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| Trey White | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| Thomas Barnes | Trustee Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Betsy Cake | Trustee Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Mickey Cloud | Trustee Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Lisa Connor | Trustee Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Mario Duarte | Trustee Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Jay Hill | Trustee Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Bailey Howard | Trustee Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Patrick Keegan | Trustee Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Christopher Reneau | Trustee Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Patrick Stowe | Trustee Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Caitlin Studer | Trustee Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
3 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dori Waller | Trustee Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Michael Walton | Trustee Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Kristin Watts | Trustee Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 21 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HENRY SCHULSON | FORMER CEO Officer, Former | 40 | $153,407 | $7,879 |
| TIM SEARS | CEO Officer | 40 | $20,909 | $750 |
| TAYLOR VINSON | BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 8 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRISTIE BURBANK | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| TREY WHITE | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| THOMAS BARNES | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| WAYNE BROWN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BETSY CAKE | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MICKEY CLOUD | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| LISA CONNOR | TRUSTEE Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MARIO DUARTE | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JAY HILL | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BAILEY HOWARD | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PATRICK KEEGAN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRIS RENEAU | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JACK SILBERMAN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PATRICK STOWE | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CAITLIN STUDER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DORI WALLER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL WALTON | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| KRISTIN WATTS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 321 CHESTNUT ST, CHATTANOOGA, TN 37402-4902
- In care of
- % GORDON STALANS
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- Gordon A Stalans, 321 Chestnut Street PO Box 6339, Chattanooga, TN 37402
- Signed the 990
- Gordon A Stalans, CFO
- Phone
- (423) 785-2054
- Website
- www.cdmfun.org
Mission
To inspire all children to explore, innovate, create, and play.
Program accomplishments
- The Creative Discovery Museum uses proven, evidence-based principles to engage the senses, inspire exploration and ignite childrens passion for learning. While some guests may view a visit to the Museum as merely a fun outing, research has long proven that play is the work of childhood. Through play children gain mental, physical, and social skills necessary to succeed in their adult lives. In 2024 the Museum served over 280,000 individuals through museum visits, educational programs, free and reduced-price admissions and much more.Expenses $3,144,340
- The Museum achieves its mission first through its permanent exhibition prgram focusing on arts, sciences, early childhood, health, and the environment as well as through traveling exhibits that complement and supplement the education content of its core exhibits. CDM traditionally offers a wide array of education programs within the museum that complement and enhance the exhibits including science theater demonstrations, infant and toddler development classes, home school workshops, summer camps, a teen volunteer program, inclusive activities for children with special needs, art performances and demonstrations, special event days, and walk-in activities. Additionally, CDM supports local schools with a variety of education programs including school tours at the museum, school outreach lessons, and family nights as well as professional development workshops for teachers. In 2024 the museum served over 49,000 students through schoolExpenses $1,623,158
- The Museum is committed to being a welcome space for all children and families. The Museum hosts ten free nights per year serving 5,000 individuals. Last year more than 10,000 visitors took advantage of the Museums for All program which allows anyone with an EBT or food stamp card to purchase admission for 5. CDM also provides free admission and partner memberships for a range of non-profit organizations such as Big Brothers, Big Sisters and the Ronald McDonald House. CDM hosts a variety of inclusion programs such as six free sensory-friendly nights per year and the accessible Turquoise Trail Halloween event that engages over 50 volunteers and 200 guests of all abilities. The Museum hosted Club Discovery, an inclusive after-school program designed to provide a framework to explore the world in a safe environment for children with and without special needs, and a Friend Discovery Camp, a summer camp similar to Club Discovery for three weeksExpenses $100,000
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 | Not 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
- 62-1509462
- 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)
- $23,587,316
- Income (IRS master file)
- $5,502,987
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2024 | $5,393,387 | $6,441,999 | $23,587,316 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $5,289,033 | $5,887,534 | $25,077,546 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $6,266,199 | $4,441,400 | $25,252,992 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-T | December 2020 | – | – | – | 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 62-1509462).
Questions about CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM
- What is the EIN of CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM is 62-1509462.
- Is CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1997.
- Are donations to CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM 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 CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending December 31, 2025) is due May 15, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2024.
- Who is the principal officer of CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 names Gordon A Stalans.
- Who are the officers and directors of CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 lists 18 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $173,415 (Tim Sears, President and CEO).
- How much revenue does CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 it reported revenue of $5,393,387, expenses of $6,441,999 and total assets of $23,587,316 at year end.
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