The Planetary Society

Analysis

The Planetary Society is a registered charity in United States, based in Pasadena, CA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in March 1980, 46 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 September 2023, The Planetary Society reported income of $6.3m and spending of $7.5m, spending 119% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from September 2019 to September 2023, income fell from $12.8m to $6.3m (-51%), an average of -16% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to September 2020, when income dropped by 66%. Over the whole period it spent 84% 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 Planetary Society sits at the 97th percentile: it is larger than about 97% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 93rd percentile, and in the 94th percentile within CA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include From the Heart Productions Inc ($6.3m), The Independent Feature Project Inc ($6.3m) and Alternate Roots Inc ($6.3m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending September 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 98% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $1.1m (15% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $1.8m. At year end it held assets of $10.3m against liabilities of $2.4m, net assets of $7.9m. It reported 29 employees.