California Academy of Sciences

Analysis

California Academy of Sciences is a registered charity in United States, based in San Francisco, CA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in April 1926, 100 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, California Academy of Sciences reported income of $71.5m and spending of $101.0m, spending 141% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from June 2019 to June 2023, income fell from $74.6m to $71.5m (-4.2%), an average of -1.1% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to June 2021, when income rose by 43%. Over the whole period it spent 109% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, California Academy of Sciences 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 CA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Detroit Institute of Arts ($71.2m), Toledo Museum of Art ($72.0m) and San Francisco Symphony ($71.1m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending June 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 51% and program service revenue 39% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $5.0m (5.0% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $35.9m. It paid $380k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $761.1m against liabilities of $298.8m, net assets of $462.4m. It reported 658 employees.