2026-02-12T09:18:40-06:00 2025-06-30 882730877 CHERRY BEKAERT ADVISORY LLC 1111 METROPOLITAN AVE STE 900 CHARLOTTE NC 28204 990 2024-07-01 560529944 DISCOVERY PLACE INC DISC 7043481964 301 NORTH TRYON STREET CHARLOTTE NC 28202 CATHERINE WILSON HORNE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 7043481964 2026-02-10 1 1 MELANIE MCPEAK P01346034 7043771678 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z CATHERINE WILSON HORNE 301 NORTH TRYON STREET CHARLOTTE NC 28202 18859316 0 X WWW.DISCOVERYPLACE.ORG X 1947 NC TRANSFORMATIVE SCIENCE, NATURE, AND DESIGN EXPERIENCES FOR 539,951 GUESTS. 26 26 253 194 281286 182025 2930727 6408423 9609028 8175943 311154 423315 1230067 1405610 14080976 16413291 0 0 0 0 9541784 9852521 0 0 898297 8138785 6949502 17680569 16802023 -3599593 -388732 122863847 129722007 4342237 6862821 118521610 122859186 X WE BRING SCIENCE, NATURE, AND DESIGN TOGETHER TO CREATE TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCES THAT ENABLE OUR COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND, ENJOY, AND APPLY SCIENCE TO THEIR LIVES. 0 0 12615383 9300267 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, EXPERIENCES & EXHIBITS: DISCOVERY PLACE, INC, OPERATES FOUR MUSEUMS SERVING 539,951 GUESTS ANNUALLY. THIS INCLUDES 64,384 THROUGH WELCOME, AN ECONOMIC ACCESSIBILITY PROGRAM.SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS WAS MADE ON TWO MAJOR CAPITAL FACILITY PROJECTS DURING FISCAL YEAR 2025. CONSTRUCTION OF THE CHARLOTTE MUSEUM OF NATURE CONTINUED STEADILY AND REMAINS ON TRACK FOR A MID-TO-LATE 2026 OPENING. ALTHOUGH RENOVATIONS AT DISCOVERY PLACE KIDS ROCKINGHAM WERE COMPLETED IN FISCAL YEAR 2024, FINAL EXPENDITURES FROM THE PROJECT'S ALLOCATED FUNDS WERE COMPLETED IN FISCAL YEAR 2025. WE RECOGNIZED RESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION REVENUES TIED TO BOTH INITIATIVES AND INCURRED ADDITIONAL EXPENSES TO SUPPORT THEIR CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT. THESE ACTIVITIES ARE REFLECTED IN OUR OVERALL REVENUE AND SUPPORT TOTALS.IMAX:IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, DISCOVERY PLACE OPERATED THE CHARLOTTE IMAX DOME THEATRE, WELCOMING 69,668 GUESTS TO EXPERIENCE ITS STATE-OF-THE-ART LASER PROJECTION, IMMERSIVE 12-CHANNEL SOUND SYSTEM, AND THE SOPHISTICATED DIGISTAR 7 PLANETARIUM PLATFORM. THE THEATRE'S RICH PROGRAMMING LINEUP INCLUDED FIRST-RUN HOLLYWOOD FILMS, EDUCATIONAL DOCUMENTARIES, CAPTIVATING PLANETARIUM PRESENTATIONS, AND DISTINCTIVE ALTERNATIVE CONTENT SUCH AS MESMERICA. THESE ENGAGING EXPERIENCES CONTINUED TO ATTRACT NEW AUDIENCES, WITH INCREASING INTEREST FROM ADULT VISITORS.OUTREACH:IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, OUTREACH PROGRAMMING ENGAGED 18,285 STUDENTS THROUGH 419 DELIVERED PROGRAMS. THIS STRONG PERFORMANCE WAS DRIVEN IN PART BY MULTIPLE AFTERSCHOOL CONTRACTS, ENABLING THE TEAM TO PROVIDE HANDS-ON STEM LEARNING EXPERIENCES TO YOUTH ACROSS THE COMMUNITY.YOUTH DEVELOPMENT:IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMING DELIVERED 14 DISTINCT INITIATIVES, REACHING 620 STUDENTS FROM 54 SCHOOLS. THIS ROBUST PORTFOLIO OFFERS MULTIPLE ENTRY POINTS AND PATHWAYS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL, AND EARLY COLLEGE STUDENTS TO ENGAGE IN STEM EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. SIGNATURE PROGRAMS INCLUDE STEM APPRENTICESHIP, MAYOR'S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT INTERNS, GIRLS DAY OUT, GIRLS IN STEM, STEM PATHWAYS INTERNSHIP, CLUB CODE, STEM YOUTH SUMMIT, AND QC CODE QUEST.SUMMER CAMPS:DURING FISCAL YEAR 2025, DISCOVERY PLACE SCIENCE AND DISCOVERY PLACE KIDS HUNTERSVILLE HOSTED A VIBRANT SEASON OF SUMMER CAMPS. WITH 30 THEMED CAMPS OFFERED OVER 50 TOTAL SESSIONS, THE PROGRAM DELIVERED ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR OF HANDS-ON LEARNING, FEATURING WEEKLY THEMES DESIGNED FOR CHILDREN FROM PRE-K THROUGH 8TH GRADE.ADULT PROGRAMMING:IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, DISCOVERY PLACE HOSTED A SERIES OF ADULT-ONLY PROGRAMS, WELCOMING A TOTAL OF 8,248 GUESTS. THESE EVENTS INCLUDED SCIENCE ON THE ROCKS, MACABRE MASQUERADE, AND A SCIENCE STUDIO TERRARIUM BUILD WORKSHOP, ALL DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR AUDIENCES AGED 21 AND OLDER.SCIENCE ON THE ROCKS IS AN EVENING EXPERIENCE THAT OFFERS EXCLUSIVE AFTER-HOURS ACCESS TO MUSEUM EXHIBITS, HANDS-ON SCIENCE ACTIVITIES, LIVE PERFORMANCES, MUSIC, IMAX SCREENINGS, WORKSHOPS, AND A VARIETY OF FOOD AND BEVERAGE OPTIONS. MACABRE MASQUERADE, A SIGNATURE HALLOWEEN EVENT FOR ADULTS, TRANSFORMS THE MUSEUM WITH THEMED ENVIRONMENTS, SPECIALTY COCKTAILS, A VIP LOUNGE FEATURING EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCES, COSTUME CONTESTS, IMMERSIVE ACTIVITIES, AND PERFORMANCES BY AERIALISTS, FORENSIC SCIENCE EXPERTS, AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL ENTERTAINERS. THE SCIENCE STUDIO TERRARIUM BUILD WORKSHOP WAS A UNIQUE BLEND OF INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP AND EXHIBIT, FOCUSED ON CONSERVATION AND INSPIRED BY THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S BECOMING JANE GOODALL EXHIBITION. TOGETHER, THESE PROGRAMS HAVE ENABLED DISCOVERY PLACE TO ENGAGE NEW ADULT AUDIENCES AND DIVERSIFY OUR OFFERINGS, EXPANDING OUR REACH ACROSS DIFFERENT AUDIENCE SEGMENTS.DPK SPECIAL PROGRAMS:ALONGSIDE DAILY PROGRAMMING, DISCOVERY PLACE KIDS LOCATIONS IN HUNTERSVILLE AND ROCKINGHAM HOSTED A VARIETY OF SIGNATURE EVENTS DURING FISCAL YEAR 2025, WELCOMING A COMBINED TOTAL OF 4,396 GUESTS. BOTH MUSEUMS FEATURED COUNTDOWN TO KINDERGARTEN, NOON YEAR'S EVE, AND STORYBOOK BALL. ADDITIONALLY, DISCOVERY PLACE KIDS ROCKINGHAM PRESENTED WINTER WONDERLAND, WHILE DISCOVERY PLACE KIDS HUNTERSVILLE OFFERED SEASONAL FAVORITES SUCH AS GHOULY GALA AND FROST FEST. 12615383 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 48 0 1 253 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 26 26 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 NC SC X X CATHERINE W HORNE 7043481964 301 NORTH TRYON STREET CHARLOTTE NC 28202 ADITYA BHASIN CHAIR 4.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 PAUL CAMUTI GOVERNANCE VICE CHAIR 3.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 SAGAR RATHIE EDUCATION, EXPERIENCES & INNOVATION 3.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 JEFF WALLACE FINANCE & INVESTMENT 3.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 LAURA BOWLES AUDIT VICE CHAIR 3.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 STEFANIE HOLLAND SECRETARY 3.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 CHARLIE MORRIS TRUSTEE 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 LINDSAY MCCULLOUGH TRUSTEE 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 RICH CAMPBELL TRUSTEE 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 JASON BERND TRUSTEE 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 TODD GORELICK TRUSTEE 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 REEM ANANI TRUSTEE 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 TRACY KERRINS TRUSTEE 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 STEPHANIE SADOWSKI TRUSTEE 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 FRANK CHATMAN TRUSTEE 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 NAZY WEEKS TRUSTEE 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 MARLA RESCHLY TRUSTEE 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 LINDA REDDING TRUSTEE 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 EMILY HENSON TRUSTEE 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 RYAN FAGAN TRUSTEE 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 DENNIS GADA TRUSTEE 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 MARTY FOLEY TRUSTEE 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 VICTORIA WATLINGTON TRUSTEE 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 KIMBERLY EUL TRUSTEE 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 BEN PYSCH TRUSTEE 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 LINDSAY GATES TRUSTEE 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 CATHERINE W HORNE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 55.00 0.00 X 500572 0 37590 KEN DAVIDSON CONTROLLER 60.00 0.00 X 129944 0 11093 ANNE N IBEKWE FORMER CFO 60.00 0.00 X 222781 0 19161 JENNIFER MEEKER JOYCE CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER 50.00 0.00 X 188723 0 20997 HEATHER MARIE NORTON CHIEF SCIENCE OFFICER 50.00 0.00 X 172725 0 16428 ERVIN L GOURDINE CHIEF TALENT OFFICER 50.00 0.00 X 176446 0 20563 NIKOLE LEE HILL CHIEF LEARNING OFFICER 50.00 0.00 X 148865 0 10571 DAN STREELMAN CHIEF EXHIBIT & ENVIRONMENT OFFICER 50.00 0.00 X 135768 0 13258 LUCY LIVINGSTONE DIRECTOR, IND. GIVING 50.00 0.00 X 116303 0 4995 SARAH HYLTON FANTLE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER 50.00 0.00 X 112897 0 9483 BARRETT LONG SENIOR DIRECTOR, IT 50.00 0.00 X 112385 0 10272 SARAH BORDY LANE FORMER CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER 50.00 0.00 X 151542 0 1975 2168951 0 176386 14 1 1 0 KRAEMER DESIGN AND PRODUCTION LLC 252 LUDLOW AVENUE CINCINNATI OH 45220 EXHIBIT DESIGN 759451 TENJI INC 26549 CARMEL RANCHO BLVD CARMEL CA 93923 EXHIBIT FABRICATION 741864 KUBIK MALTBIE INC 7000 COMMERCE PKWY SUITE C MARLTON NJ 08053 EXHIBIT FABRICATION 231609 LIOLLIO ARCHITECTURE PC 147 WAPPOO CREEK DR STE 400 CHARLESTON SC 29412 EXHIBIT DESIGN 226754 LCK LLC PO BOX 11129 COLUMBIA SC 29211 PROJECT MANAGEMENT 197016 7 1348005 5060418 6408423 ADMISSIONS/WORKSHOPS 713990 6622723 6622723 MEMBERSHIP FEES 713990 1329357 1329357 223863 223863 8175943 275953 275953 2480050 2306900 25788 173150 -25788 147362 147362 554546 113337 441209 441209 PARKING REVENUE 532000 964401 683115 281286 964401 16413291 9300267 281286 423315 1493991 1004527 376411 113053 152323 103124 37420 11779 6782145 4587596 1667456 527093 252393 149675 88936 13782 570345 434337 104730 31278 601324 421035 133588 46701 12435 3034 9401 75337 75337 1131007 955256 126561 49190 806021 725603 74113 6305 832474 614814 155083 62577 511523 404458 98611 8454 603733 597652 6081 120468 68871 45057 6540 88681 27458 58653 2570 4591 2 4589 1160864 989323 171105 436 175531 174970 561 EXHIBIT/MUSEUM PROGRAMS 968608 956436 9599 2573 REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE 208808 195820 12486 502 PROGRAM SUPPLIES 206937 177117 17250 12570 UBIT 8359 4525 3834 34125 19750 11481 2894 16802023 12615383 3288343 898297 6047971 6931824 2034746 1658629 2431582 2460627 429871 312158 165488 137506 519900 725765 52326329 34733771 13648777 17592558 209148 219767 10062937 10990667 87313427 88692506 122863847 129722007 2534580 2702751 1807657 4160070 4342237 6862821 X 16068566 15559147 102453044 107300039 118521610 122859186 122863847 129722007 X -388732 848929 -1080268 4957647 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 6154077 9983774 9656093 2930727 6408423 35133094 2789279 4479075 2786715 2823642 1080268 13958979 8943356 14462849 12442808 5754369 7488691 49092073 1499242 47592831 694 316 109097 278289 275953 664349 20532 23812 21699 32417 183025 281485 50037907 37622247 0.95110 0.95590 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED X 0 27704755 3436892 1221616 29920031 26732479 2461484 1489209 27704755 5579730 21044133 355708 247092 26732479 6457565 -635074 242761 5579730 5186711 1512650 241796 6457565 0.00000 1.00000 0.00000 1 0 17049744 8086425 8963319 3930815 3453971 476844 31345770 23193375 8152395 17592558 POOLED INVESTMENTS - FFTC 10990667 F 10990667 BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN TRUSTS 28609972 DEFERRED COMMITMENT FROM CITY OF CHARLOTTE 52485978 LIFE INSURANCE POLICY CONTRIBUTION 23493 DEFERRED COMMITMENT FROM TOWN OF HUNTERSVILLE 5775108 DEFERRED COMMITMENT FROM TOWN OF ROCKINGHAM 1142080 DEFERRED 457(B) ASSET 655875 88692506 X 23449194 848929 2789028 3284609 6922566 16526628 -113337 -113337 16413291 17001865 86505 113337 199842 16802023 0 16802023 PART III, LINE 1A: DONATED COLLECTIONS RECEIVED SINCE DISCOVERY PLACE'S INCEPTION ARE NOT RECOGNIZED AS ASSETS ON THE STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION, AS THEY ARE HELD FOR PUBLIC EXHIBITION AND EDUCATION RATHER THAN FOR FINANCIAL GAIN. PART III, LINE 4: COLLECTION OF NATURAL HISTORY OBJECTS WHICH INCLUDE ROCKS AND MINERALS, SHELLS, FOSSILS, AND TAXIDERMY OBJECTS USED IN PUBLIC EXHIBITIONS IN THE MUSEUM AND FOR REFERENCE MATERIALS IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS CONDUCTED BY THE MUSEUM. PART V, LINE 4: THE INTENDED PURPOSE OF THE ENDOWMENT FUNDS IS TO SUPPORT THE OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION. ANY DISBURSEMENTS RECEIVED FROM THE ENDOWMENT FUNDS ARE USED TO SUBSIDIZE OPERATING EXPENSES. THE PERCENTAGE REPORTED FOR PERMANENT ENDOWMENTS INCLUDES AMOUNTS THAT MUST BE MAINTAINED IN PERPETUITY AS WELL AS ACCUMULATED EARNINGS ON SUCH AMOUNTS THAT HAVE NOT YET BEEN APPROPRIATED FOR EXPENDITURE. PART X, LINE 2: DISCOVERY PLACE IS EXEMPT FROM INCOME TAX UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE (IRC). THE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS BOARD ("FASB") ISSUED GUIDANCE ON ACCOUNTING FOR UNCERTAINTY IN INCOME TAXES. MANAGEMENT EVALUATED DISCOVERY PLACE'S TAX POSITIONS AND CONCLUDED THAT DISCOVERY PLACE HAD TAKEN NO UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS THAT REQUIRE ADJUSTMENT TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS GUIDANCE. PART XI, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: CHANGE IN VALUE OF BENEFICIAL INTERESTS 3,284,609. PART XI, LINE 4B - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: GIFT SHOP COST OF GOODS SOLD -113,337. PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: GIFT SHOP COST OF GOODS SOLD 113,337. X X X X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 CATHERINE W HORNE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 494434 0 0 0 6138 0 32652 0 4938 0 538162 0 0 0 ANNE N IBEKWE FORMER CFO 216918 0 0 0 5863 0 14223 0 4938 0 241942 0 0 0 JENNIFER MEEKER JOYCE CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER 183480 0 0 0 5243 0 17718 0 3279 0 209720 0 0 0 ERVIN L GOURDINE CHIEF TALENT OFFICER 170567 0 0 0 5879 0 15625 0 4938 0 197009 0 0 0 HEATHER MARIE NORTON CHIEF SCIENCE OFFICER 171835 0 0 0 890 0 16428 0 0 0 189153 0 0 0 NIKOLE LEE HILL CHIEF LEARNING OFFICER 141129 0 0 0 7736 0 5633 0 4938 0 159436 0 0 0 SARAH BORDY LANE FORMER CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER 149722 0 0 0 1820 0 780 0 1195 0 153517 0 0 0 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE ACCOUNTING FIRM PRESENTS FORM 990 AND AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AND SOME BOARD MEMBERS THAT ATTEND THE MEETING. AFTER THE MEETING MANAGEMENT EMAIL THE 990 AND THE FINANCIAL AUDIT REPORT TO ALL BOARD MEMBERS AND GIVE THEM A WEEK TO REVIEW AND ASK ANY QUESTIONS. ANY QUESTION RAISED IS ANSWERED TO THE BOARD'S SATISFACTION. IF THERE ARE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, MANAGEMENT WILL INSTRUCT THE ACCOUNTING FIRM TO FINALIZE THE REPORTS AND FILE ACCORDINGLY. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C EVERY YEAR EMPLOYEES AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARE REQUIRED TO READ AND SIGN THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND RETURN TO THE HUMAN RESOURCE CHIEF TALENT OFFICER WHO THEN FILES THE SIGNED DOCUMENTS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE DETERMINED AND APPROVED THE CEO AND OTHER OFFICERS' COMPENSATION THROUGH THE FOLLOWING PROCESS: A FORMAL EVALUATION/REVIEW OF THE INDIVIDUAL'S PERFORMANCE. A REVIEW OF BENCHMARKING DATA FROM LIKE ORGANIZATIONS. TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE STATE OF THE DISCOVERY PLACE'S FINANCIAL POSITION. CONSULTATION WITH AN INDEPENDENT COMPENSATION CONSULTANT. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION'S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST FOR THE PERIOD OF TIME SET FORTH IN SECTION 6104(D). THE REQUEST CAN BE FULFILLED BY PROVIDING A COPY OF SAID DOCUMENTS OR ALLOWING INSPECTION AT THE ORGANIZATION'S OFFICE. FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9: CHANGE IN VALUE OF BENEFICIAL INTERESTS 3,284,609. PURCHASE OF BUILDING/IMPROVEMENTS 1,673,038.