Shedd Aquarium Society

Analysis

Shedd Aquarium Society is a registered charity in United States, based in Chicago, IL. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in March 1932, 94 years ago. Its declared purposes cover animal-related, which this site groups under animals. 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 December 2023, Shedd Aquarium Society reported income of $93.0m and spending of $67.0m, leaving 28% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $73.8m to $93.0m (+26%), an average of +6.0% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2021, when income rose by 278%. Over the whole period it spent 60% of the income it received.

Among 14,470 United States charities whose main cause is animals and that reported income, Shedd Aquarium Society sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 99th percentile, and in the 99th percentile within IL. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Animal Medical Center ($91.9m), Chicago Zoological Society ($94.3m) and Columbus Zoological Park Association ($87.3m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 29% and program service revenue 52% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $3.1m (4.6% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $25.0m. It paid $141k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $703.9m against liabilities of $92.9m, net assets of $611.0m. It reported 612 employees.