Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
Information about Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at www.irs.gov/form990.
| (i)Name of supported organization | (ii) EIN | (iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 9 above (see instructions)) | (iv) Is the organization listed in your governing document? | (v) Amount of monetary support (see instructions) | (vi) Amount of other support (see instructions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | |||||
| Total | ||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2011 | (b) 2012 | (c) 2013 | (d) 2014 | (e) 2015 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any unusual grants.) .... | 2,977,353 | 1,609,974 | 1,284,962 | 2,296,833 | 2,339,380 | 10,508,502 |
| 2 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf....... | ||||||
| 3 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | ||||||
| 4 | Total. Add lines 1 through 3 | 2,977,353 | 1,609,974 | 1,284,962 | 2,296,833 | 2,339,380 | 10,508,502 |
| 5 | The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f).. | ||||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | 10,508,502 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2011 | (b) 2012 | (c) 2013 | (d) 2014 | (e) 2015 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | 2,977,353 | 1,609,974 | 1,284,962 | 2,296,833 | 2,339,380 | 10,508,502 |
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | 12,643 | 5,675 | 5,045 | 3,813 | 2,345 | 29,521 |
| 9 | Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.. | ||||||
| 10 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.).. | 4,321 | 71 | 4,392 | |||
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10. | 10,542,415 | |||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2011 | (b) 2012 | (c) 2013 | (d) 2014 | (e) 2015 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") . | ||||||
| 2 | Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose...... | ||||||
| 3 | Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513... | ||||||
| 4 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf... | ||||||
| 5 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | ||||||
| 6 | Total. Add lines 1 through 5. | ||||||
| 7a | Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons... | ||||||
| b | Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 7a and 7b.. | ||||||
| 8 | Public support. (Subtract line 7c from line 6.) | ||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2011 | (b) 2012 | (c) 2013 | (d) 2014 | (e) 2015 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Amounts from line 6... | ||||||
| 10a | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources.. | ||||||
| b | Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 10a and 10b. | ||||||
| 11 | Net income from unrelated business activities not included in line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on. | ||||||
| 12 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.) .. | ||||||
| 13 | Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.).. | ||||||
| Section A - Adjusted Net Income | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
||||
| 1 | Net short-term capital gain | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Other gross income (see instructions) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Add lines 1 through 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Depreciation and depletion | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Portion of operating expenses paid or incurred for production or collection of gross income or for management, conservation, or maintenance of property held for production of income (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Other expenses (see instructions) | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Adjusted Net Income (subtract lines 5, 6 and 7 from line 4) | 8 | ||||
| Section B - Minimum Asset Amount | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
||||
| 1 | Aggregate fair market value of all non-exempt-use assets (see instructions for short tax year or assets held for part of year): | 1 | ||||
| a | Average monthly value of securities | 1a | ||||
| b | Average monthly cash balances | 1b | ||||
| c | Fair market value of other non-exempt-use assets | 1c | ||||
| d | Total (add lines 1a, 1b, and 1c) | 1d | ||||
| e |
Discount claimed for blockage or other factors (explain in detail in Part VI): |
|||||
| 2 | Acquisition indebtedness applicable to non-exempt use assets | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Subtract line 2 from line 1d | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Cash deemed held for exempt use. Enter 1-1/2% of line 3 (for greater amount, see instructions). | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Net value of non-exempt-use assets (subtract line 4 from line 3) | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Multiply line 5 by .035 | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Minimum Asset Amount (add line 7 to line 6) | 8 | ||||
| Section C - Distributable Amount | Current Year | |||||
| 1 | Adjusted net income for prior year (from Section A, line 8, Column A) | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Enter 85% of line 1 | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Minimum asset amount for prior year (from Section B, line 8, Column A) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Enter greater of line 2 or line 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Income tax imposed in prior year | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Distributable Amount. Subtract line 5 from line 4, unless subject to emergency temporary reduction (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| Section D - Distributions | Current Year | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Amounts paid to supported organizations to accomplish exempt purposes | ||
|
2
Amounts paid to perform activity that directly furthers exempt purposes of supported organizations, in excess of income from activity |
||
| 3 Administrative expenses paid to accomplish exempt purposes of supported organizations | ||
| 4 Amounts paid to acquire exempt-use assets | ||
| 5 Qualified set-aside amounts (prior IRS approval required) | ||
| 6 Other distributions (describe in Part VI). See instructions | ||
| 7Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 6. | ||
|
8
Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions |
||
| 9 Distributable amount for 2015 from Section C, line 6 | ||
| 10 Line 8 amount divided by Line 9 amount | ||
| Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions) |
(i) Excess Distributions |
(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2015 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2015 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
Distributable amount for 2015 from Section C, line 6 |
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|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2015 (reasonable cause required--see instructions) |
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| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2015: | ||||
| a | ||||
| b | ||||
| c | ||||
| d From 2013....... | ||||
| e From 2014....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2015 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2010 not applied (see instructions) |
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| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2015 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2015 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2015, if any. Subtract lines 3g and 4a from line 2 (if amount greater than zero, see instructions) |
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|
6
Remaining underdistributions for 2015. Subtract lines 3h and 4b from line 1 (if amount greater than zero, see instructions) |
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|
7 Excess distributions carryover to 2016. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a | ||||
| b | ||||
| c Excess from 2013....... | ||||
| d From 2014....... | ||||
| e From 2015....... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
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| Return Reference | Explanation |
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| Software ID: | |
| Software Version: |
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Information about Schedule O (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Form 990, Part III, Line 4a- Educational Programming (continued) | Challenger Center's main program is our simulated STEM missions. This program was originally developed in 1986 but has evolved to keep up with technological and education trends over the last 30 years. Today, we deliver this program in more than 40 Challenger Learning Centers around the world, and we are currently piloting a new platform to deliver this program in school classrooms. Our unique and proven teaching model gives students the chance to become scientists, engineers, and other STEM professionals as they solve real-world problems and share in the thrill of discovery through role-playing and simulation. Space-Themed Missions at our Centers: Using space exploration as a theme, our Challenger Learning Centers deliver a truly impactful learning experience to more than 250,000 students each year. Each Challenger Learning Center has a custom-built environment that enables students to suspend reality for a simulated journey to space. This includes a realistic but child-sized spacecraft and mission control. Students are charged with an inspiring mission goal such as to search for life on Mars or to explore the Moon. Students experience the mission as a group, but are assigned specific roles, such as geologist, navigator, doctor, or communications director. During the mission, the students work independently, in teams, and as a group. The mission cannot be completed without real teamwork and constant communication. Challenger Learning Center staff simulate emergencies and other events to provide opportunities for creative problem solving. Students leave our missions feeling empowered by their achievements. They will have made real connections between the science they learn in school and exciting STEM careers. They are inspired to engage more with STEM and see new opportunities for their lives. Many Challenger Center alum have gone on to become engineers, scientists, and even STEM educators. EngiLearn - Classroom-based STEM programs (AKA Investing in Innovation (i3)): In 2014, Challenger Center received a $3 million, four-year Investing in Innovation (i3) grant from the U.S. Department of Education. i3 grants are designed to support local educational agencies (LEAs) and nonprofit organizations in providing innovative solutions to common education challenges that can serve as models of best practice. Since receiving this grant, Challenger Center has developed the EngiLearn technology platform that drives the simulation and created an ocean-themed mission for 5th grade students that can be delivered right in the school classroom. Similar to the missions we deliver in Challenger Learning Centers, the EngiLearn mission is a hands-on, interdisciplinary, and standards-aligned experience that drives home STEM concepts and gives students the opportunity to practice skills like collaboration, communication, and creative problem solving. In 2015, we finalized the program design and completed the alpha version of the EngiLearn software. We worked closely with our partners in Virginia, including several school districts and the University of Virginia, and we finalized the evaluation metrics with our external evaluator. In the 2016-17 school year, the program will be piloted with 3,000 Virginia-based students from a wide range of socio-economic and geographic backgrounds. 1,500 students will experience the EngiLearn ocean program and 1,500 students will serve as a control group. Our evaluator will compare the outcomes from the test and control groups toward the end of 2017, at which point we will decide our next steps. Ultimately, this project provides the base development for a new program that could extend our reach to millions of students each year. CodeRed: My STEM Mission: At the end of 2015, Challenger Center was awarded a cooperative agreement in collaboration with NASA to engage learners of all ages around the goals of NASA's Science Mission Directorate. The development and execution of CodeRed: My STEM Mission will take place over a five-year period (2016-2020) and include programmatic components that will reach students, teachers and parents in and out of the classroom. The program will include the design and launch of mobile apps to excite students about STEM careers and prepare their parents to continue that excitement in the home, and it will feature a series of educational Engagement Days. In addition, Challenger Center will use innovative approaches to instruction, like flipped classrooms and interdisciplinary models, to even further expand our footprint and deepen our impact. |
| Part V, Lines 2a & b, Part VII, Part IX Compensation & Benefits Reporting: | Challenger Center for Space Science Education has a professional employer organization (PEO) arrangement with Insperity. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 11 | The draft 990 is provided to all board members prior to filing the return. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 12c | Each director signs a Conflict of Interest form annually. The Conflict of Interest forms are reviewed by the Board Chair and President. Any disclosed or discovered conflict is discussed among Board members while the interested person is absent. If necessary, the interested person may be asked to resign from board service. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 15 | Compensation of the President and other key employees is set by the Board of Directors, who use comparability data from similar organizations. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section C, line 19 | The governing documents are available upon request, policies, and financial statements are available upon request. |
| Form 990, Part IX, line 11g | i3 Contractors: Program service expenses 461,120. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 461,120. Center installations: Program service expenses 443,225. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 443,225. Contractors- Mars: Program service expenses 71,600. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 71,600. Contractors- NIA Planetary Communications: Program service expenses 28,416. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 28,416. Contractors- Comet: Program service expenses 26,000. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 26,000. Contractors- Technical support: Program service expenses 2,500. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 2,500. Contractors- Communications: Program service expenses 17,750. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 17,750. Payroll and other professional fees: Program service expenses 0. Management and general expenses 13,968. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 13,968. Contractors- Development: Program service expenses 0. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 46,421. Total expenses 46,421. Contractors- Sim3 and Mission packages: Program service expenses 12,500. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 12,500. |
| Form 990, Part XII, Line 2c: | Challenger Center's Audit Finance Committee is responsible for oversight of the audit, including selection of the independent accountant. The process is consistent with previous years. |
| Form 990, Part XI, Line 6- Donated services and use of facilities | Net reconciliation amount for donated services and use of facilities is $ 304,267. This consists of capitalized in- kind website development costs of $ 326,000 less current year amortization of capitalized in-kind website development costs of $ (21,733). |
| Software ID: | |
| Software Version: |