The Observer

Analysis

The Observer is a registered charity in United States, based in Notre Dame, IN. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in February 1980, 46 years ago. Its declared purposes cover arts, culture and humanities, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (gross receipts test) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending June 2023, The Observer reported income of $228k and spending of $252k, spending 111% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from June 2019 to June 2023, income fell from $297k to $228k (-23%), an average of -6.4% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to June 2020, when income dropped by 22%. Over the whole period it spent 93% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, The Observer sits at the 62nd percentile: it is larger than about 62% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 56th percentile, and in the 56th percentile within IN. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Sullivanmunce Cultural Center Inc ($228k), Feminist Studies Inc ($228k) and Guthrie Center Corp ($228k).

On its Form 990 for the period ending June 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 8.2% and program service revenue 92% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $64k (25% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $38k. At year end it held assets of $8,809 against liabilities of $142k, net assets of -$133k. It reported 87 employees.