Challenger Center For Space Science Education, operating under the name Challenger Center, is located in Washington, DC. The organization was established in 1986. According to its NTEE Classification (U19) the organization is classified as: Support N.E.C., under the broad grouping of Science & Technology and related organizations. As of 12/2021, Challenger Center employed 20 individuals. This organization is an independent organization and not affiliated with a larger national or regional group of organizations. Challenger Center is a 501(c)(3) and as such, is described as a "Charitable or Religous organization or a private foundation" by the IRS.
For the year ending 12/2021, Challenger Center generated $7.1m in total revenue. This represents relatively stable growth, over the past 7 years the organization has increased revenue by an average of 8.1% each year. All expenses for the organization totaled $5.3m during the year ending 12/2021. While expenses have increased by 3.5% per year over the past 7 years. They've been increasing with an increasing level of total revenue. You can explore the organizations financials more deeply in the financial statements section below.
Form
990
Mission & Program ActivityExcerpts From the 990 Filing
TAX YEAR
2021
Describe the Organization's Mission:
Part 3 - Line 1
CHALLENGER CENTER ENGAGES STUDENTS IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH EDUCATION.
Describe the Organization's Program Activity:
Part 3 - Line 4a
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.
Name (title) | Role | Hours | Compensation |
---|---|---|---|
Dr Lance Bush President & CEO | OfficerTrustee | 40 | $294,596 |
Lisa Vernal VP Communications & Center Relations | 40 | $122,788 | |
Valerie Fitton-Kane Vp, Dev., Partnerships & Strategy | 40 | $118,548 | |
Kopecky Denise Vice President, Education | 40 | $114,506 | |
William Seilnacht Senior Director, Network Support | 40 | $107,369 | |
Michael Cruz Director, Education Technology | 40 | $105,574 |
Vendor Name (Service) | Service Year | Compensation |
---|---|---|
Swordsweeper Industries Llc Software Developer | 12/30/19 | $244,800 |
Brightline Interactive Llc Software Developer | 12/30/19 | $137,600 |
Statement of Revenue | |
---|---|
Federated campaigns | $5,927 |
Membership dues | $0 |
Fundraising events | $0 |
Related organizations | $0 |
Government grants | $1,910,219 |
All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above | $1,623,661 |
Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f | $0 |
Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar | $3,539,807 |
Total Program Service Revenue | $3,535,422 |
Investment income | $2,429 |
Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds | $0 |
Royalties | $0 |
Net Rental Income | $0 |
Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales | $0 |
Net Income from Fundraising Events | $0 |
Net Income from Gaming Activities | $0 |
Net Income from Sales of Inventory | $0 |
Miscellaneous Revenue | $0 |
Total Revenue | $7,077,658 |
Statement of Expenses | |
---|---|
Grants and other assistance to domestic organizations and domestic governments. | $0 |
Grants and other assistance to domestic individuals. | $0 |
Grants and other assistance to Foreign Orgs/Individuals | $0 |
Benefits paid to or for members | $0 |
Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $458,893 |
Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $132,085 |
Compensation to disqualified persons | $0 |
Other salaries and wages | $1,439,558 |
Pension plan accruals and contributions | $71,196 |
Other employee benefits | $264,347 |
Payroll taxes | $132,853 |
Fees for services: Management | $0 |
Fees for services: Legal | $5,510 |
Fees for services: Accounting | $19,990 |
Fees for services: Lobbying | $0 |
Fees for services: Fundraising | $0 |
Fees for services: Investment Management | $0 |
Fees for services: Other | $2,105,124 |
Advertising and promotion | $0 |
Office expenses | $295,184 |
Information technology | $53,049 |
Royalties | $0 |
Occupancy | $280,503 |
Travel | $64,712 |
Payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any federal, state, or local public officials | $0 |
Conferences, conventions, and meetings | $12,758 |
Interest | $15,539 |
Payments to affiliates | $0 |
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | $559 |
Insurance | $3,983 |
All other expenses | $0 |
Total functional expenses | $5,323,407 |
Balance Sheet | |
---|---|
Cash—non-interest-bearing | $1,198,224 |
Savings and temporary cash investments | $2,188,526 |
Pledges and grants receivable | $0 |
Accounts receivable, net | $255,720 |
Loans from Officers, Directors, or Controlling Persons | $0 |
Loans from Disqualified Persons | $0 |
Notes and loans receivable | $0 |
Inventories for sale or use | $0 |
Prepaid expenses and deferred charges | $19,286 |
Net Land, buildings, and equipment | $0 |
Investments—publicly traded securities | $460,529 |
Investments—other securities | $0 |
Investments—program-related | $0 |
Intangible assets | $0 |
Other assets | $21,891 |
Total assets | $4,144,176 |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $909,037 |
Grants payable | $0 |
Deferred revenue | $852,435 |
Tax-exempt bond liabilities | $0 |
Escrow or custodial account liability | $0 |
Loans and other payables to any current Officer, Director, or Controlling Person | $0 |
Secured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
Unsecured mortgages and notes payable | $240,831 |
Other liabilities | $23,492 |
Total liabilities | $2,025,795 |
Net assets without donor restrictions | $1,587,374 |
Net assets with donor restrictions | $531,007 |
Capital stock or trust principal, or current funds | $0 |
Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building, or equipment fund | $0 |
Retained earnings, endowment, accumulated income, or other funds | $0 |
Total liabilities and net assets/fund balances | $4,144,176 |
Over the last fiscal year, we have identified 8 grants that Challenger Center For Space Science Education has recieved totaling $35,104.
Awarding Organization | Amount |
---|---|
Network For Good Inc Washington, DC PURPOSE: UNRESTRICTED | $18,441 |
Youthbridge Community Foundation Saint Louis, MO PURPOSE: EDUCATION | $5,705 |
American Online Giving Foundation Inc Newark, DE PURPOSE: GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,121 |
Louis And Mary Kay Smith Family Foundation Inc Houston, TX PURPOSE: EDUCATION | $3,500 |
Andrew Family Foundation Orland Park, IL PURPOSE: GENERAL & UNRESTRICTED | $1,500 |
Andrew Family Foundation Orland Park, IL PURPOSE: STEM PROGRAM | $500 |
Beg. Balance | $185,887 |
Earnings | $65,800 |
Net Contributions | $134,220 |
Ending Balance | $385,907 |
Organization Name | Assets | Revenue |
---|---|---|
Challenger Center For Space Science Education Washington, DC | $4,144,176 | $7,077,658 |
Pacifichem Inc Washington, DC | $1,813,483 | $2,335,367 |
The National Society Of Professional Education Foundation Alexandria, VA | $1,392,280 | $54,344 |
Clean Energy Research And Education Foundation Washington, DC | $4,493 | $0 |
Mahesh Parusha Foundation Inc Ellicott City, MD | $0 | $5,000 |