Overview
What is Exploration Station?
Exploration Station is a nonprofit organization situated in Byrnes Mill, Missouri. In the fiscal year 2021, they were granted several funds, which enabled them to expand their operations by acquiring a new facility and opening a second childcare center, named The Exploration Station Old Gravois Lodge, on June 7, 2022. The organization's mission is to offer safe, high-quality, and affordable childcare and education to the local community. Their unique approach involves a child-led curriculum that integrates nature, technology, play-based learning, exploration, and discovery. The highly-skilled and dedicated teachers at Exploration Station facilitate authentic learning experiences, ensuring each child's individual growth while fostering a collaborative learning environment involving families, children, and educators.
Official website here: www.theexplorationstation.org
What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?
Charity Navigator Rating: Needs Improvement
Exploration Station has received a Two-Star out of Four Star rating from Charity Navigator, indicating a need for improvement in its accountability and financial practices. The organization scored 70% overall, reflecting some strengths, particularly in program expenses, where it allocated 90.58% of its funds directly to programs. This high program expense ratio suggests a strong commitment to its mission and effective use of donations for operational purposes.
However, several areas require attention to enhance governance and transparency. Notably, the organization lacks critical policies, including a whistleblower policy and a document retention policy, which are essential for safeguarding against mismanagement. Additionally, the absence of financial statements on its website was a significant factor in its low score, which could hinder trust among potential donors and stakeholders.
Despite having a majority of independent board members and no material diversion of assets, the overall governance framework needs strengthening. By addressing the highlighted limitations, Exploration Station could improve its rating and build greater confidence within the community it serves.
This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.
Is Exploration Station legitimate?
Exploration Station is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Exploration Station submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.
Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:
Executive Compensation: $96,710
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $767,839
For more financial information, click here
Official website here: www.theexplorationstation.org
What is the mission statement of Exploration Station?
The Exploration Station's mission is centered around providing affordable, high-quality child care and education to the community. Their approach is child-led, integrating elements of nature and technology, play-based learning, exploration, and discovery. The institution's dedicated teachers, who are highly qualified and have long-term commitments, guide children through authentic learning experiences, continuously learning with and from them. The Exploration Station prioritizes the child, their family, and educators as integral partners in each child's unique learning journey.
Official website here: www.theexplorationstation.org
What is the revenue of Exploration Station?
Exploration Station's revenue in 2024 was $1,104,122.
Official website here: www.theexplorationstation.org
Who are the executives of Exploration Station and what are their salaries?
The average compensation at Exploration Station during 2024 was $13,509. There are 64 employees at Exploration Station.
Here are 5 key members and their salaries:
- Compensation: $58,880
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
- Compensation: $37,830
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
- Compensation: $0
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
- Compensation: $0
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
- Compensation: $0
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
Official website here: www.theexplorationstation.org
Where can I find the form 990 for Exploration Station?
Exploration Station's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2024 and can be accessed here.
Official website here: www.theexplorationstation.org
Learn more at the official website: www.theexplorationstation.org
Mission Statement of Exploration Station
The Exploration Station, a nonprofit organization, is dedicated to providing families in the community with top-notch, affordable child care and education. Its mission is centered around engaging children aged between six weeks and five years, encouraging a child-led curriculum that integrates elements of nature, technology, play, exploration, and discovery. The highly qualified and long-term teachers at Exploration Station work closely with each child, family, and educator, ensuring that every child embarks on an individualized learning journey. The teachers consistently learn from the children and adapt experiences to foster authentic and enriching learning experiences. The Exploration Station prioritizes the inclusion of children, their families, and educators as integral parts of each child's educational adventure.
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Impact
July, 2024
Exploration Station's impact can be seen in the provision of safe, high-quality child care and education to families in the community at an affordable rate. Through receiving various grants in the fiscal year 2021, Exploration Station was able to expand its services by purchasing a new facility and opening a second childcare center, The Exploration Station Old Gravois Lodge. Their focus on engaging children in a child-led curriculum that combines nature and technology, play-based learning, exploration, and discovery shows their commitment to providing a holistic educational experience. This organization's impact extends to the children, families, and educators who are involved as partners in each child's individualized learning adventure.
This information is meant to be a general summary of Exploration Station. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.
Financials
This financial information is from Propublica.
Other financial information:
This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2024.
- Program Service Revenue: $999,423
- Gross Receipts: $1,104,122
Assets and Liabilities:
- Total Assets: $385,506
- Total Liabilities: $209,233
- Net Assets: $176,273
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Programs
Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.
Program Fees
Revenue
$999,423
Organization Details
Founding Year
2016
Principal Officer
Alison Welch
NTEE Category
Code: P33 - Human services
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