Foundation for the Reading Public Museum

What it reported doing in 2024

Children's programs: sensory events - special programming, among other sensory-inclusive events, designed for individuals with a range of sensory sensitivities who otherwise would not be able to experience and enjoy the museum. Children, families, and caregivers can attend events that are in a quiet, uncrowded environment. See additional information on schedule o.family holiday events - designed for the entire family, these events provide a special place for families to celebrate different holidays. There are usually at least six holiday events each year including easter at the museum, trick or treat at the museum, pictures with santa, and noon year's eve. These programs are a safe space for children to celebrate holidays and receive take-home educational kits and treats.summer camp - museum discovery camp offers ten one-week camp experiences focusing on a different educational component each week. The camps keep children engaged in learning over the summer by exploring each week's focus using the exhibits and collections owned by the museum as well as hands on experiments and crafts. Scout workshops and overnight stays - scout workshops and overnights offer a wide variety of learning opportunities set in a unique environment. Some topics include science, arboretum exploration, and space exploration through the planetarium. In the museum, scouts explore topics such as engineering, art, and book-binding. The museum even offers its own scout badges to attendees. Home school days - home school days are offered at least twice a month during the school year. These programs are designed to supplement home school learning by providing enrichment opportunities in various subjects through special museum tours and hands-on projects. Adults and children: exhibition previews - prior to the official opening of a new exhibition, the museum holds a members' only preview prior to the museum opening the exhibit. Members and children get first access to the new exhibition, often with special associated programming designed and developed for that specific exhibition. Stem sunday - stem sundays offer science related themes for children and adults. Content of the program includes activities for children and adults. These programs may be offered multiple times per year depending on availability and interest.adult programs: special events - the museum hosts internal events to engage the community every year. Three of these special events have become staples in the museum's calendar as well as in the community: golfin' in the galleries, dogs & brews, and night at the museum. These events raise significant funds for the museum and solidify the relationships the museum has built with our local supporters. Senior series - this monthly event invites seniors and anyone interested to visit the museum and learn about different topics. These topics typically include information on current special exhibits, screenings of films, lectures, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of the museum's collection. The event is free with paid museum admission or membership. Arboretum education - this program features presentations and lectures by master gardeners and other industry specialists, utilizing the arboretum and greenhouse resources. They are free and open to the public.yoga under the stars - held in the neag planetarium dome and led by a certified yoga instructor, participants relax and exercise under the views of the planetarium. Each series consists of 5-6 weekly sessions. Bus trips - trips throughout the year allow museum patrons to visit other museums in Washington, d.c. And philadelphia to experience a special exhibit or just a general visit to experience that museum. Additional programming each year we also offer limited or one-off programs, designed through collaborations with different community groups. Previous programs have included the mexican children's opera "the bear prince," co-organized with the berks opera company; the communities in schools program,

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 100%; rating input score 100
• Program expense ratio: 88%; rating input score 88
• Fundraising efficiency: $15.59 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 52; 52nd percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 5 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 83
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Yes; rating input score 100

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -6.9%; rating input score 17; 17th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 3.41; rating input score 77; 77th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.05; rating input score 71; 71st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 6.3%; rating input score 45; 45th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 4.8% per year; rating input score 100; 38th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 2.7% per year; rating input score 100; 25th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 2.9% per year; rating input score 100; 24th percentile among comparable filings