DISCOVERY WORLD LTD

EIN: 391691578 501(c)(3) Education

MILWAUKEE, WI

Total Revenue
$15,677,245
Total Expenses
$8,781,127
Total Assets
$55,440,237
Net Assets
$54,176,363
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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
2004
Legal Domicile
WI
Principal Officer
NICOLE BRAY
Phone
4147658602
Tax Period
2025-01-01 to 2025-12-31

DISCOVERY WORLD LTD, founded in 2004, is a mid-sized nonprofit in the Education sector that reported $15.7M in total revenue in fiscal year 2025. Revenue surged 104% from the prior year, signaling strong growth momentum. The organization ran a surplus of $6.9M, a strong 44% operating margin.

Mission

Discovery World educates, motivates,mobilizes and inspires the innovators and entrepreneurs of the 21st century. We connect innovation, science, and technology with exploration, environment, and our Great Lakes freshwater resources through interactive exhibits and experimental learning programs.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $7,263,905 Revenue: $4,498,277

Discovery World is an extraordinary experience devoted to sharing the wonders of science and igniting a love of endless exploration. We are the spark of joy in a childs eyes when they make a...

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Discovery World is an extraordinary experience devoted to sharing the wonders of science and igniting a love of endless exploration. We are the spark of joy in a childs eyes when they make a connection with a living creature. We are the sudden and satisfying Aha when you discover something you didnt even know you were looking for. We are the beginning of your lifelong learning adventure. Here at our world-class facility on Lake Michigans shoreline (part of the largest freshwater system in the world!), a new discovery is always just around the corner, from exploring the underwater wonders of the Reiman Aquarium to launching rockets and hopping aboard the semi-truck of the Great Lakes. Bring your whats, whens, and whys; and embark on a path to discovering the answers to all of your curiosities-and unearthing new ones along the way! Our love of science knows no bounds. We empower you to learn virtually anywhere with classroom activities, exciting summer camps, and more. And, as part of the STEM ecosystem, we also touch on disciplines in technology, engineering, and mathematics.

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Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

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Financial Overview (2025)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $10,397,710
Program Service Revenue $4,498,277
Investment Income $676,548
Other Revenue $104,710
TOTAL REVENUE $15,677,245

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $50,000
Salaries & Benefits $4,620,241
Fundraising Expenses $483,950
Program Expenses $7,263,905
Other Expenses $4,110,886
TOTAL EXPENSES $8,781,127

Year-over-Year Comparison

2025 2024 Change
Revenue $15,677,245 $7,692,362 +1.0%
Expenses $8,781,127 $8,985,856 0.0%
Net Income $6,896,118 $-1,293,494 -6.3%
Key Indicators
✓ Grants to Organizations ✗ Grants to Individuals ✗ Lobbying ✗ Political Activity ✗ Foreign Activities ✗ Donor Advised Fund ✓ Schedule B Required
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Governance

Voting Members
43
Independent Members
43
Employees
127
Volunteers
247

Governance Policies

✗ Conflict of Interest Policy
✗ Whistleblower Policy
✗ Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

✗ Operated a School
✗ Operated a Hospital
✗ Provided First Class Travel
✗ Reported Conflict of Interest
✗ Reported Asset Diversion
✗ Excess Benefit Transaction
✗ Made Political Expenditures
✗ Engaged in Lobbying
✗ Operated Donor Advised Fund
✗ Maintained Art Collections
✗ Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
8
$544,186
Total Directors
44
$255,610
Key Employees
0
$0
Highest Compensated
0
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
JOHN EMMERICH CEO AND PRESIDENT 55.00
Officer Director
$226,683 $28,927 $255,610
CARL SCHOETTEL CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER 55.00
Officer
$152,340 $31,831 $184,171
NICOLE BRAY CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 55.00
Officer
$100,280 $4,125 $104,405
BRUCE KEYES CHAIR 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
CHAD MELNICK VICE CHAIR 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
LORI RICHARDS VICE CHAIR 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
HEATHER HIPKE TREASURER 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
KELLEN KASPER SECRETARY 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
SARAH ALT DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ADAM BELLMER DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
CHAD CUNDIFF DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
DIRK DEBBINK DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
KAREN DETTMER DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
STAN DILLON DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MUSTAFA EMIR DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JOSHUA GIMBEL DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JOHN GOLLER DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
KARL GOUVERNEUR DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
RUTH HARPER DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
SHERYL HOPKINS DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
SHERRY HUSA DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
BRIAN KAGE DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
WARD KOMOROWSKI DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
PATRICK KRESSIN DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
KATHERINE LAMACCHIA DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MARY JO LAYDEN DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MELISSA MCCORD DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
TERENCE MCMAHON DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
RYAN MICHALSKI DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
BRUCE MILNE DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JAMES MUNDSCHAU DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
TESSA MYERS DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
AMIT NANAVATI DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JOEL PHILLIPS DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ADONICA RANDALL DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
NEIL RIEGELMAN DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MITUL RUSTAGI DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
TERE SACKERSON DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ELIZABETH SCALF DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MOLLY SCHWEIGER DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JEFF SIPPEL DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ROGER SMITH DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
PHILLIP STOLLENWERK DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
HUSSIEN TALB DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
BENJAMIN WAGNER DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
KAREN BAUER ROTATED OFF BOARD DURING 2025 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2025 $15,677,245 $8,781,127 $55,440,237 $6,896,118
2024 $7,692,362 $8,985,856 $48,248,410 $-1,293,494
2023 $7,505,313 $8,620,464 $50,429,159 $-1,115,151
2022 $5,434,169 $7,738,075 $51,410,712 $-2,303,906
2021 $7,226,516 $5,984,386 $54,832,813 $1,242,130
2020 $5,004,309 $7,625,967 $53,614,713 $-2,621,658
2019 $8,804,978 $9,396,122 $57,678,160 $-591,144
2018 $6,415,449 $8,782,750 $59,640,500 $-2,367,301
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