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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: September 2026 Expires: September 2028

Friends of Arlington's Planetarium

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
1 8 18
(202) 455-0227
Post Office Box 7029
Arlington, VA, 22207
https://friendsoftheplanetarium.org/
📄 Full Report 🖨️ Print 📋 BBB Charity Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Friends of Arlington's Planetarium does not meet the following 3 Standards for Charity Accountability:

Standard 1 (Oversight of Operations and Staff)
Organizations shall have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity's operations and its staff. Indication of adequate oversight includes, but is not limited to, regularly scheduled appraisals of the CEO's performance, evidence of disbursement controls such as board approval of the budget, fund raising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.

FOAP does not meet this Standard because its board of directors does not:

  • Review the performance of the Chief Executive Officer at least once Every 2 Years.
  • The Chief Executive Officer also serves as the chair of the board of directors.

Standard 8 (Program Service Expense Ratio)
Spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities.

FOAP does not meet this Standard because:

  • According to the organization's 2024 IRS Form 990-EZ, FOAP spent $18,303 or 64% of its total expenses on programs.

Standard 18 (Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy)
Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.

FOAP does not meet this Standard because:

Friends of Arlington's Planetarium meets the remaining 17 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to promote and support Arlington's David M. Brown Planetarium as an accessible community resource for all people to learn, engage, and be inspired by the wonders of science and the universe."

Year, State Incorporated:
2010, VA

The Friends of Arlington’s Planetarium (FOAP) reports that it works to raise funds for the planetarium, support Arlington Public Schools, and enhance science education in Arlington County. The organization’s programs focus on public education and inspiration in the area of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through three main programs: the David M. Brown Memorial Scholarship, the Alice K. B. Monet Teacher Grant program, and public programming at the David M. Brown Planetarium. FOAP funds the David M. Brown Memorial Scholarship for an Arlington County high school senior with a demonstrated interest in STEM fields. The scholarship is awarded to one student per year and is renewable for three additional years. The organization also supports Arlington Public School teachers through the Dr. Alice K. B. Monet Teacher Grant program, which provides funds for teachers to attend classes, major educational conferences, and for online learning. FOAP hosts public planetarium shows and sky talks at the David M. Brown Planetarium one weekend each month during the school year, which includes special events such as guest lectures, concerts, trivia quizzes, or science demonstrations. The organization also acquired a portable planetarium to bring the planetarium experience to the community and promote interest in the David M. Brown Planetarium.

For the year ended December 31, 2024, Friends of Arlington's Planetarium's program expenses were:

David M. Brown Scholarships $8,250
Science education $6,916
Dr. Alice K.B. Monet Teacher Grants $3,137
Total Program Expenses $18,303

Chief Executive
Theresa Schweser, President

Chair of the Board
Theresa Schweser

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
President, Friends of Arlington's Planetarium

Board Size
15

Paid Staff Size
0

Note: The charity states it is run by volunteers.

Method(s) Used:
Grant proposals, Internet, Membership appeals

Fundraising costs were 8% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $20,282, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on Friends of Arlington's Planetarium's IRS Form 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Source of Funds
Contributions and grants $20,282
Membership dues $10,630
Program service revenue $6,836
Other revenue $3,550
Unrealized gain on investments $3,546
Total Income $44,844

Programs: 64% Fundraising: 5% Administrative: 31%

Total Income $44,844
Total expenses: $28,718
  Program expenses $18,303
  Fundraising expenses $1,546
  Administrative expenses $8,869
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $16,126
Beginning Net Assets $116,222
Other Changes In Net Assets $663
Ending Net Assets $133,011
Total Liabilities $0
Total Assets $133,011

Note: In the above financial statement, "other changes in net assets" refers to a prior period adjustment.

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

RELATED CONTENT

Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance