The Colorado Museum of Natural History

Analysis

The Colorado Museum of Natural History is a registered charity in United States, based in Denver, CO. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in September 1939, 87 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 December 2023, The Colorado Museum of Natural History reported income of $55.7m and spending of $59.6m, spending 107% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income fell from $56.8m to $55.7m (-1.9%), an average of -0.5% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2021, when income rose by 35%. Over the whole period it spent 99% 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 Colorado Museum of Natural History 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 CO. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Philadelphia Orchestra Association ($55.2m), Oregon Public Broadcasting ($56.8m) and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Inc ($54.8m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 54% and program service revenue 31% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $1.9m (3.1% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $27.5m. It paid $22k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $34.4m against liabilities of $8.6m, net assets of $25.8m. It reported 681 employees.