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Nonprofit · EIN 76-0192067

CHALLENGER CENTER FOR SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION

Tax-exempt · WASHINGTON, DC 20002

Financials

$6.3M$7.2M2023$6.6M$6.6M2024
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of CHALLENGER CENTER FOR SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
December 31, 2024990$6,582,332$6,646,164-$63,832$4,982,523$4,516,404$466,119
December 31, 2023990$6,343,261$7,211,588-$868,327$4,683,408$4,246,702$436,706
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$3,224,171
of which government grants
$2,061,634
Program service revenue
$3,351,057
Investment income
$7,104
Other revenue
$0

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$0
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$547,590
Other salaries and wages
$1,688,390
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$2,820,048
Professional fundraising fees
$0
Accounting fees
$24,798
Occupancy
$346,149
Travel
$250,319
Depreciation
$36,659
Program services (functional)
$5,857,688
Management and general (functional)
$238,348
Fundraising (functional)
$550,128

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$4,683,408
Total assets, end of year
$4,982,523
Total liabilities, end of year
$4,516,404
Net assets, end of year
$466,119
Land, buildings and equipment
$125,255
Publicly traded securities
$779,111
Net assets without donor restrictions
-$301,372
Net assets with donor restrictions
$767,491
Gross receipts
$6,582,332
Employees
25
Volunteers
16
Year formed
1986
State of legal domicile
TX

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.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
Dr Lance BushPresident & CEO (through 5/17/24)
Trustee or director, Officer
40$353,442$12,549
Lisa C VernalVP Communications & Center Relations
Highest-paid employee
40$146,245$10,228
Valerie Anne Fitton-KaneVP Dev., Partnerships & Strategy
Highest-paid employee
40$138,980$7,023
Kevin HarrellVP Education
Highest-paid employee
40$133,023$10,075
Michael CruzSr Director Software & Product Dev.
Highest-paid employee
40$124,765$8,710
William J SeilnachtSenior Director, Network Support
Highest-paid employee
40$119,241$3,688
Mr Steven GoldbergChief Financial Officer & Treasurer
Officer
20$97,663$0
Ms Shiron GainesSecretary & EA to President
Officer
40$54,373$0
Mr Michael KincaidPresident/Executive Director
Trustee or director, Officer
40$21,458$0
Chelsea RosascoEA to President & CEO
Officer
40$7,631$474
Mr Joshua IzenbergChair
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
Mr Warren M Boley JrImmediate Past Chair
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
Dr Charles ResnikVice Chair
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
Dr June Scobee RodgersFounding Chair
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
Mr Darryl BrittDirector
Trustee or director
2$0$0
11 more people on this return
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
Mr Ron BushDirector
Trustee or director
2$0
Mr Robert CurbeamDirector
Trustee or director
2$0
Ms Diane FlynnDirector
Trustee or director
2$0
Dr Leslee GilbertDirector
Trustee or director
2$0
Ms Robyn KravitDirector
Trustee or director
2$0
Ms Dorothy Metcalf-LindenburgerDirector
Trustee or director
2$0
Mr Michael ReeserDirector
Trustee or director
2$0
Ms Michelynn WoodardDirector
Trustee or director
2$0
Dr Victoria Bastecki-PerezDirector
Trustee or director
2$0
Ms Kirsten HibbardDirector
Trustee or director
2$0
Capt Wendy LawrenceDirector
Trustee or director
2$0
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 21 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
Dr Lance BushPresident & CEO
Trustee or director, Officer
40$362,220$22,850
Lisa VernalVP, Communications & Ctr Relations
Highest-paid employee
40$140,693$9,913
Valerie Fitton-KaneVP, Dev, Partnerships & Strategy
Highest-paid employee
40$130,615$11,555
Michael CruzDirector, Education Technology
Highest-paid employee
40$120,221$8,112
William SeilnachtSenior Director, Network Support
Highest-paid employee
40$115,407$3,564
Jason GetzDirector, Community Relations
Highest-paid employee
40$106,340$6,443
Mr Steven GoldbergTreasurer & CFO
Officer
20$94,525$0
Ms Chelsea RosascoSecretary & EA to President
Officer
40$68,553$4,346
Mr Josh IzenbergChair
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
Mr Warren M Boley JrImmediate Past Chair
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
Dr Charles ResnikVice Chair
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
Dr June Scobee RodgersFounding Chair
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
Mr Darryl BrittDirector
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Mr Ron BushDirector
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Mr Robert CurbeamDirector
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Ms Diane FlynnDirector
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Dr Leslee GilbertDirector
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Ms Robyn KravitDirector
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Ms Dorothy Metcalf-LindenburgerDirector
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Mr Mike ReeserDirector
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Ms Michelynn WoodardDirector
Trustee or director
2$0$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
750 1ST ST NE STE 1050, WASHINGTON, DC 20002-8161
Principal officer (990 for 2024)
Michael Kincaid, 750 First Street NE Ste 1050, Washington, DC 200028161
Signed the 990
Michael Kincaid, President & Executive Director
Phone
(202) 827-1580
Return prepared by
Rogers & Company PLLC

Mission

Engage students in dynamic, hands-on exploration and discovery opportunities that strengthen knowledge in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), inspire them to pursue careers in these fields, and enable them to practice important skills.

990 for the year ended December 31, 2024

Program accomplishments

  • Educational programming: Challenger Center offers interactive, hands-on, simulation-based experiences that allow students to explore science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Students work in teams and practice critical-thinking and problem-solving skills as they navigate through simulated STEM-themed missions. Aligned with national education standards and informed by real scientific data, our programs at Challenger Learning Centers and in classrooms excite, inspire, and prepare students to become lifelong STEM learners and pursue STEM careers.
    Expenses $5,857,688 · revenue $3,351,057

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 yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025December 31, 2025May 15, 2026Not on file
2024December 31, 2024May 15, 2025990 on file
2023December 31, 2023May 15, 2024990 on file

IRS record

EIN
76-0192067
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
1986
Accounting year ends
December
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Assets (IRS master file)
$4,982,523
Income (IRS master file)
$6,582,332

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990December 2024$6,582,332$6,646,164$4,982,523XML
990December 2023$6,343,261$7,211,588$4,683,408XML
990December 2022$4,431,209$5,256,952$5,635,783IRS
990December 2021–––IRS
990December 2020–––IRS
990December 2019–––IRS
990December 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 76-0192067).

Questions about CHALLENGER CENTER FOR SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION

What is the EIN of CHALLENGER CENTER FOR SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION?
The employer identification number (EIN) of CHALLENGER CENTER FOR SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION is 76-0192067.
Is CHALLENGER CENTER FOR SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1986.
Are donations to CHALLENGER CENTER FOR SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does CHALLENGER CENTER FOR SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION 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 CHALLENGER CENTER FOR SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION 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 CHALLENGER CENTER FOR SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION 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 CHALLENGER CENTER FOR SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 names Michael Kincaid.
Who are the officers and directors of CHALLENGER CENTER FOR SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 lists 26 people; 10 received compensation from the organization, the highest $353,442 (Dr Lance Bush, President & CEO (through 5/17/24)).
How much revenue does CHALLENGER CENTER FOR SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION have?
On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 it reported revenue of $6,582,332, expenses of $6,646,164 and total assets of $4,982,523 at year end.

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