Big Thought

Analysis

Big Thought is a registered charity in United States, based in Dallas, TX. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in July 1987, 39 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 (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, Big Thought reported income of $11.0m and spending of $12.6m, spending 114% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from June 2019 to June 2023, income grew from $9.2m to $11.0m (+20%), an average of +4.7% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to June 2021, when income rose by 29%. Over the whole period it spent 102% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Big Thought sits at the 98th percentile: it is larger than about 98% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 95th percentile, and in the 97th percentile within TX. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Better Angels Society Inc ($11.0m), Mint Museum of Art Inc ($11.1m) and Naval Aviation Museum Foundation Inc ($11.0m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending June 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 66% and program service revenue 36% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $554k (4.4% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $6.2m. At year end it held assets of $3.0m against liabilities of $1.6m, net assets of $1.4m. It reported 148 employees.