Science History Institute

Analysis

Science History Institute is a registered charity in United States, based in Philadelphia, PA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in July 1987, 39 years ago. Its declared purposes cover science and technology, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending June 2023, Science History Institute reported income of $7.8m and spending of $9.0m, spending 115% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from June 2019 to June 2023, income fell from $8.9m to $7.8m (-12%), an average of -3.2% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to June 2022, when income rose by 128%. Over the whole period it spent 122% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Science History Institute sits at the 97th percentile: it is larger than about 97% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 94th percentile, and in the 93rd percentile within PA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include St Louis Science Center Foundation ($7.8m), Henry Morrison Flagler Museum ($7.8m) and Music and Dance Theater Chicago Inc ($7.8m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending June 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 90% and program service revenue 8.0% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $827k (9.2% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $3.0m. At year end it held assets of $38.7m against liabilities of $17.5m, net assets of $21.2m. It reported 93 employees.

Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.