Computer History Museum

Analysis

Computer History Museum is a registered charity in United States, based in Mountain View, CA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in July 1999, 27 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, Computer History Museum reported income of $15.7m and spending of $15.9m, spending 101% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from June 2019 to June 2023, income grew from $10.0m to $15.7m (+56%), an average of +12% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to June 2023, when income rose by 64%. Over the whole period it spent 128% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Computer History Museum sits at the 99th percentile: it is larger than about 98% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 96th percentile, and in the 97th percentile within CA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Film at Lincoln Center Inc ($15.6m), Colorado Ballet Company ($15.7m) and Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Inc ($15.6m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending June 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 82% and program service revenue 5.4% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $2.1m (13% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $4.7m. It paid $154k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $71.7m against liabilities of $14.3m, net assets of $57.4m. It reported 66 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.