Kohl Children's Museum of Greater Chicago Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

Situated on nearly nine acres of land, including two acres of bounded outdoor space, the museum features 17 interactive exhibits designed with expert knowledge of how children learn through self-directed play. Within this setting, the museum organizes enrichment activities andprograms specifically designed to address the developmental needs of children ages birth to eight.since its inception, the museum has emerged as a leader in the creation of engaging exhibits and innovative programs that nurture a love of learning in young children. For more than a quarter of a century, it has elevated the importance of play as a critical learning tool, aided parents in their important role as a child's first - and most important - teacher, and provided tools to teachers that augment the formal learning environment.because there are children, families, and teachers whose economic or personal circumstances prevent them from visiting, the museum removes as many barriers as possible to ensure that all children can learn from a full museum experience. From programs such as early childhoodconnections, which brings proven teaching strategies to classrooms serving children in need, to play for all, which offers private time in the museum for children with special needs and their families, the museum has a decades-long history of extending its mission to reach those who need it most. As part of our commitment to ensuring that every child and family has access to a high-quality children's museum experience, we are very excited to better serve children and families in under-resourced areas by bringing our exhibits and education team to them directly. Pop-upmuseum programs like our pilot in waukegan will allow us to connect with more families and inspire future generations within our community.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 55.8%; rating input score 56
• Program expense ratio: 69.6%; rating input score 70
• Fundraising efficiency: $5.17 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 18; 18th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • 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: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 97.3%; rating input score 97; 27th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 89
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 22.4%; rating input score 79; 79th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 3.62; rating input score 78; 78th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.07; rating input score 64; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 17.3%; rating input score 15; 15th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -0.5% per year; rating input score 0; 12th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 1.3% per year; rating input score 100; 17th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 0.7% per year; rating input score 100; 14th percentile among comparable filings