US Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation
The U.S. space & rocket center education foundation supports the educational programs and projects of the U.S. space & rocket center and space camp through grants, fundraising, scholarships, events and corporate programs.
US Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation at a glance
In short: US Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation gave $15.0M across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $3.7M), mostly in Alabama. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $14,971,427
- +71.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 4
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $3,742,857
- +71.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,158,618
- Total assets
- $26,130,462
- +23.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Alabama (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who US Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Alabama Space Science Exhibit Comm ($15.0M across 4 grants).
Grant Size Distribution
18 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 9 grants of 18 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How US Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation gives
- Giving grew 348% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.6M (2021) to $15.0M (2025). In 2025 it made 4 grants totaling $15.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Space Science Exhibit Comm Huntsville, AL | Capital Projects | $12,370,783 |
| Alabama Space Science Exhibit Comm Huntsville, AL | Scholarship/Support | $1,683,675 |
| Alabama Space Science Exhibit Comm Huntsville, AL | Exhibit Support | $633,561 |
| Alabama Space Science Exhibit Comm Huntsville, AL | Program Support | $283,408 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $26,130,462 | $35,286,439 | $31,285,830 | $14,971,427 | 4 | $329,739 |
| 2024 | $21,122,110 | $22,154,182 | $25,873,309 | $8,725,597 | 4 | $742,511 |
| 2023 | $24,398,384 | $22,966,153 | $20,155,505 | $6,144,647 | 4 | $253,696 |
| 2022 | $18,280,145 | $26,134,184 | $13,257,382 | $3,338,229 | 3 | $10,950 |
| 2021 | $5,696,449 | $8,969,740 | $6,954,926 | $1,599,515 | 3 | $-216,288 |
About US Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation
Based on IRS filings
US Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation is a public charity focused on Human Services, based in Huntsville, AL. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $26.1M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 4 grants totaling $15.0M. Net investment income was $330K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
US Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation is led by Ryan A. Brukardt, Chairman since 2023 (on filings since 2021); 1 of 19 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Ryan A. Brukardt
Chairman
Vice Chairman → Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michele O'Shaugnessy
Aab Chair
Director → Aab Chair, 2025
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles R. Chappell
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jo Anne Barnhart
Director
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathi Tew
Director
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sasha M. Sealy
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
William B. Chandler
Director
Chairman → Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter Marquez
Director
On filings since 2023
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Torzone Kustom
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tony Zana
Director
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ian Richardson
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Avi Turetsky
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deborah Barnhart
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Keith Schonrock
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Virginia Davies
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brenda Carr
Executive Di
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$55K (2021) → $129K (2025)
Jeffrey H. Samz
Vice Chairman
Secretary → Vice Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert C. Mayes
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gretchen Green
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Tim Sheehy (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Homar Hickman (2023) — Director
- Former: Joe Newberry (2023) — Director
- Former: Virginia Young (2023) — Director
- Former: Chris A. Vrenna (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Edward O. Buckbee (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Mg Ret Barbara Fast (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Senator Arthur W. Orr (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Col Ret James Naudain (2022) — Director
- Former: John Nerger (2022) — Director
- Former: Bg Ret Daniel L. Montgomery (2021) — Director
- Former: Christopher Key (2021) — Director
- Former: Waymon Burke (2021) — Director
- Former: Wes Kelley (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $129K, to Ms Brenda Carr (Executive Di).
Frequently asked questions about US Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation
How much does US Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation give each year?
US Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation gave $15.0M across 4 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $8.7M across 4 grants.
What is US Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation's typical grant size?
US Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $1,158,618, and its average grant was $3,742,857, across 4 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does US Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation give grants?
US Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation gives mostly in Alabama: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Huntsville, AL (4 grants).
Does US Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on US Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
How large is US Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation?
US Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation reported $26.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $35.3M.
What is US Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation?
US Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation is a public charity focused on Human Services, based in Huntsville, AL. It holds $26.1M in total assets as of 2025.
What is US Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation's EIN?
US Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 63-1265839. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 30, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 11, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 5, 2026)
Live grants for the work US Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation funds
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