Lowell Observatory

Analysis

Lowell Observatory is a registered charity in United States, based in Flagstaff, AZ. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in May 1947, 79 years ago. Its declared purposes cover science and technology, 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, Lowell Observatory reported income of $20.2m and spending of $18.6m, spending 92% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income fell from $29.2m to $20.2m (-31%), an average of -8.9% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2020, when income dropped by 45%. Over the whole period it spent 75% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Lowell Observatory sits at the 99th percentile: it is larger than about 99% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 97th percentile, and in the 96th percentile within AZ. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Brothers for Life ($20.1m), World Monuments Fund Inc ($20.3m) and Victoria Theatre Association ($20.1m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 91% and program service revenue 24% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $1.4m (7.3% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $7.7m. At year end it held assets of $85.4m against liabilities of $29.0m, net assets of $56.4m. It reported 195 employees.