New York Hall of Science

What it reported doing in 2024

Education: the New York hall of science (nysci) advances educational equity by designing learning experiences that are culturally responsive, community-informed, and accessible to learners of all backgrounds. Through structured programs for students, teachers and families and multi-year learning pathways, nysci supports the development of scientific literacy, problem-solving ability, collaboration, and communication skills essential for academic achievement and long-term success.as a continuing teacher and leader education (ctle)-certified provider approved by nysed, nysci offers customized workshops and on-site coaching that equip educators with stem content knowledge, pedagogical tools, and curriculum materials aligned with state and national standards. Partnership programs such as the pre-k stem enrichment, urban advantage and the kerlin early childhood steam institute with bank street college enables nysci to reach hundreds of educators - from paraprofessionals to new teachers every year.in addition to our pre-k stem enrichment program that focuses on early childhood learners and their families, elementary and middle school students participate in afterschool programs and camps throughout the year that are designed to engage them in hands-on investigations and inquiry driven learning rooted in real world contexts. These programs provide opportunities for students to use laboratory tools and digital technologies such as brain computing interfaces to create eeg headsets and build foundational stem competencies while encouraging students to develop solutions to real-world problems that matter to them. High school students participate in credit bearing apprenticeship program to learn and practice teaching science to younger students at nysci or other designated community based organizations.nysci also works closely with local stakeholders, including community school district 24, to ensure programs reflect evolving community priorities. Through coordinated planning groups and ongoing needs assessments, nysci co-designs initiatives that respond to school and family needs such as parent orientation workshops, educator open house events, the development of innovative curricula such as our steam stories and steamplay activity guides. A standing family advisory committee composed of local parents and caregivers provides regular input to guide program development and institutional practices.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 95.5%; rating input score 96
• Program expense ratio: 81.8%; rating input score 82
• Fundraising efficiency: $19.06 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 56; 56th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 62nd 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: 99.6%; rating input score 100; 35th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 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: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -15.5%; rating input score 6; 6th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.79; rating input score 58; 58th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.15; rating input score 65; 65th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 9.2%; rating input score 24; 24th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 2.4% per year; rating input score 100; 22nd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 0.2% per year; rating input score 100; 9th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: -2.1% per year; rating input score 0; 6th percentile among comparable filings