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.
Key facts about US Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation
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.
- EIN
- 63-1265839
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $14,971,427
- Grants made (2025)
- 4
- Average grant
- $3,742,857
- Median grant
- $1,158,618
- Total assets
- $26,130,462
- Primary geography
- Alabama (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$26.1M
+23.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$15.0M
+71.6% YoY
Grant Count
4
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$3.7M
+71.6% YoY
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.
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
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
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.
Grant Insights
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%).
Giving History
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 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $26,130,462 | $21,122,110 | $24,398,384 |
| Revenue | $35,286,439 | $22,154,182 | $22,966,153 |
| Expenses | $31,285,830 | $25,873,309 | $20,155,505 |
| Net Investment Income | $329,739 | $742,511 | $253,696 |
Data update history
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)
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.
Here's the math on researching US Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation by hand.
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US Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?