The Exploratorium

Analysis

The Exploratorium is a registered charity in United States, based in San Francisco, CA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in April 1969, 57 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, The Exploratorium reported income of $61.0m and spending of $64.8m, spending 106% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from June 2019 to June 2023, income fell from $96.4m to $61.0m (-37%), an average of -11% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to June 2022, when income rose by 66%. Over the whole period it spent 83% 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 Exploratorium 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 Walker Art Center Inc ($60.7m), San Francisco Museum of Modern Art ($61.2m) and Royal Ontario Museum ($60.7m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending June 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 40% and program service revenue 49% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $1.7m (2.6% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $29.0m. At year end it held assets of $284.7m against liabilities of $48.9m, net assets of $235.9m. It reported 659 employees.