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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: June 2025 Expires: June 2027

Children’s Museum Houston

Accredited Charity
Accredited Charity

Meets Standards
(713) 522-1138
1500 Binz St
Houston, TX, 77004-7112
https://www.cmhouston.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

Children’s Museum Houston meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
The Museum's mission is to transform communities through innovative, child-centered learning that improves the trajectories of all children in Greater Houston.

Year, State Incorporated:
1981, TX

Also Known As:
The Children's Museum of Houston

Founded in 1980, CMH’s vision is a future where all children, families, and communities in our city can reach their fullest potential. From the moment families arrive at the Museum, they experience a world of learning that is inclusive, engaging, and supportive. On-site offerings include 13 exhibits that support children’s success, science activities led by degreed educators during all operating hours, and a circulating library that is part of the Houston Public Library. CMH welcomes Houston’s diverse families with a full slate of cultural programming, a gallery dedicated to cultural exhibits, staff members who are bilingual, and signage that is presented in both English and Spanish.

The Museum serves 650,000 visitors annually, of whom 35% receive free admission through offerings that include weekly Free Family Nights. Within the community, CMH serves 130,000+ participants each year through outreach that includes afterschool science programming, early learning resources, and family workshops presented at schools and libraries throughout Greater Houston. All outreach is free for participants and is presented in a bilingual format when Spanish-speaking families are in attendance.

In 2024, CMH was among only ten organizations from across the nation that received the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the most prestigious medal awarded to museums and libraries in the United States. The Museum is a current recipient of TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Award, designating it as “among the top 10% of things to do worldwide.” For the past two years, Good Housekeeping has acknowledged CMH as the only children's museum in the nation to earn its Family Travel Award. The Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, maintains Candid’s Platinum Seal of Transparency, and receives four stars out of four stars from Charity Navigator.

For the year ended June 30, 2024, Children’s Museum Houston's program expenses were:

Exhibitions and education $11,785,378
Membership and public outreach $1,303,523
Gift shop and cafe $943,362
Visitor services $712,305
Total Program Expenses $14,744,568

Chief Executive
Rayanne Darensbourg, CEO

Chair of the Board
Mr. Jonathan Sloan, Managing Director

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
JP Morgan

Board Size
41

Paid Staff Size
213

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Door-to-door solicitation, Grant proposals, Internet

% of Related Contributions on Fundraising: 19.49%

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 Children’s Museum Houston's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024.

Source of Funds
Admissions $4,600,831
Contributions $4,169,704
Investment return, net $3,059,090
Membership fees $1,464,864
Program fees $1,380,502
Parking fees $1,232,495
Special Events $1,063,117
Museum gift shop and cafe sales $1,031,357
Other Revenue $407,833
Donated use of facilities $37,116
Government grants $18,160
Total Income $18,465,069

Programs: 82% Fundraising: 6% Administrative: 13%

Total Income $18,465,069
Total expenses: $18,054,591
  Program expenses $14,744,568
  Fundraising expenses $1,019,701
  Administrative expenses $2,290,322
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $410,478
Beginning Net Assets $54,141,716
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $54,552,194
Total Liabilities $2,290,320
Total Assets $56,842,514

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.

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Report completed by:
BBB of Greater Houston and South Texas