Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
"THE SUFFOLK COUNTY VANDERBILT MUSEUM - A UNIQUE COMBINATION OF MANSION, MARINE AND NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, PLANETARIUM AND PARK - IS DEDICATED TO THE EDUCATION AND ENJOYMENT OF THE PEOPLE OF LONG ISLAND AND BEYOND. THIS MISSION SHALL BE ACHIEVED THROUGH THE THOUGHTFUL PRESERVATION, INTERPRETATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF THE EAGLE'S NEST ESTATE AS AN INFORMAL EDUCATIONAL FACILITY. MANY EXHIBITION AND PROGRAM THEMES FOCUS UPON LONG ISLAND'S GOLD COAST ERA. PROGRAMS ALSO CONCENTRATE ON WILLIAM K. VANDERBILT II'S DESIRE THAT HIS MARINE, NATURAL HISTORY, AND ETHNOGRAPHIC COLLECTIONS PROMOTE APPRECIATION AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE MARVELOUS DIVERSITY OF LIFE, OTHER CULTURES, AND SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE. PLANETARIUM PROGRAMMING, MORE SPECIFICALLY, FOCUSES ON SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE AND SEEKS TO CAPTURE MR. VANDERBILT'S SENSE OF ADVENTURE AND EXPLORATION THROUGH STATE-OF-THE-ART ENTERTAINMENT."
- Income
- $4.0 million
- Spending
- $4.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 68%
- Reserves
- 2.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 40%
- Employees
- 121
- Volunteers
- 92
- Highest pay
- $185,628, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1568% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $1.5 million spent. BUILDING OPERATIONS ENSURE THE PRESERVATION, SAFETY, AND FUNCTIONALITY OF THE HISTORIC SUFFOLK COUNTY VANDERBILT MUSEUM ESTATE, A 43-ACRE WATERFRONT PROPERTY LISTED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES. THIS PROGRAM ENCOMPASSES THE ONGOING MAINTENANCE OF THE MUSEUM'S HISTORIC BUILDINGS, EXHIBITS, EDUCATION CENTER, PLANETARIUM, AND LANDSCAPED GROUNDS, AS WELL AS UTILITIES, CUSTODIAL SERVICES, AND 24-HOUR SECURITY. IN 2024, THE DEPARTMENT OVERSAW ROUTINE AND SEASONAL MAINTENANCE PROJECTS, COMPLETED CRITICAL REPAIRS TO INFRASTRUCTURE, AND CONTINUED PRESERVATION WORK TO SAFEGUARD THE ESTATE'S HISTORIC STRUCTURES. THE TEAM MAINTAINED THE PROPERTY'S BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS TO ENSURE A SAFE, ACCESSIBLE, AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT FOR MORE THAN 180,000 ANNUAL VISITORS, INCLUDING STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND LIFELONG LEARNERS. BUILDING OPERATIONS STAFF ALSO SUPPORTED THE INSTALLATION OF EXHIBITIONS AND PUBLIC EVENTS, ENSURING COMPLIANCE WITH SAFETY CODES AND BEST PRACTICES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS. THESE EFFORTS ARE ESSENTIAL TO SUSTAINING THE MUSEUM'S MISSION OF EDUCATION, PRESERVATION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
- $655,828 spent. PLANETARIUM - THE VANDERBILT'S CHARLES AND HELEN REICHERT PLANETARIUM, WHICH FIRST OPENED IN 1971, REMAINS ONE OF LONG ISLAND'S PREMIER DESTINATIONS FOR IMMERSIVE SCIENCE EDUCATION AND ENTERTAINMENT. THE PLANETARIUM ENHANCES THE MUSEUM'S OFFERINGS WITH CUTTING-EDGE PROGRAMMING IN THE MOST TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED THEATER OF ITS KIND IN THE REGION. SERVING THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND VISITORS EACH YEAR, THE PLANETARIUM PROVIDES CURRICULUM-BASED ASTRONOMY PROGRAMS FOR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AS WELL AS DIVERSE PUBLIC PROGRAMMING THAT INCLUDES FULL-DOME FILMS, LIVE STAR TALKS, LASER SHOWS, CONCERTS, AND SPECIAL COMMUNITY EVENTS. THE FACILITY IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE AND CORPORATE RENTALS, EXPANDING ACCESS AND ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.THE PLANETARIUM CONTINUES TO INVEST IN TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES, NEW FULL-DOME CONTENT, AND ENHANCED VISITOR EXPERIENCES. RECENT IMPROVEMENTS HAVE EXPANDED LIVE PROGRAMMING, ACCESSIBILITY, AND EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH, ENSURING THAT AUDIENCES OF ALL AGES ENJOY ENGAGING, INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES THAT INSPIRE CURIOSITY ABOUT THE UNIVERSE. THE PLANETARIUM'S ROOFTOP OBSERVATORY REMAINS A FAVORITE COMMUNITY FEATURE, WELCOMING VISITORS EVERY FRIDAY EVENING (WEATHER PERMITTING). UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF ASTRONOMY EDUCATORS, GUESTS EXPLORE THE NIGHT SKY THROUGH THE VANDERBILT'S 16-INCH MEADE REFLECTING TELESCOPE, DEEPENING PUBLIC APPRECIATION OF ASTRONOMY AND SCIENCE EDUCATION. THROUGH ITS INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMING, PARTNERSHIPS WITH SCHOOLS, AND COMMITMENT TO ADVANCING SCIENCE LITERACY, THE PLANETARIUM SERVES AS A VITAL EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCE FOR THE REGION.
- $303,735 spent. EDUCATIONAL SERVICES - THESE EXPENSES RELATE TO THE VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS PRESENTED BY THE STAFF OF THE MUSEUM. ALSO INCLUDED ARE COSTS RELATING TO THE GROUP TOURS OF THE GROUNDS AND ADMISSIONS TO THE MUSEUM. EAGLE'S NEST IS THE SUMMER HOME OF WILLIAM K. VANDERBILT II, THE GREAT-GRANDSON OF CORNELIUS VANDERBILT. LISTED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES, EAGLE'S NEST WAS BUILT INITIALLY IN 1910 AS A SMALL ENGLISH COTTAGE. OVER THE NEXT 30 YEARS, THE HOUSE GREW INTO THE SPRAWLING 24 ROOM SPANISH-REVIVAL MANSION THAT IS SEEN TODAY. EAGLE'S NEST WAS DESIGNED BY FAMED ARCHITECTS WARREN AND WETMORE, WHO TOOK INSPIRATION FROM THE ARCHITECTURE OF SPAIN AND NORTHERN AFRICA, AND ADORNED WITH IRONWORK MADE BY MASTER CRAFTSMAN SAMUEL YELLIN. UNIQUE AMONG MANY MANSIONS, EAGLE'S NEST WAS NOT ONLY BUILT WITH LIVING SPACE FOR MR. VANDERBILT AND HIS FAMILY, BUT ALSO MUSEUM SPACE WHERE VANDERBILT COULD SHOWCASE THE THOUSANDS OF NATURAL HISTORY AND CULTURAL SPECIMENS HE HAD COLLECTED FROM HIS TRAVELS. THE MANSION'S LIVING QUARTERS OFFERS AN INTIMATE LOOK AT THE LIFE OF A PRIVILEGED FAMILY FROM THE JAZZ AGE THROUGH THE SECOND WORLD WAR. THE ROOMS ARE AS WILLIAM AND ROSAMOND VANDERBILT LEFT THEM, FILLED WITH PRICELESS ART, FURNISHINGS, AND PERSONAL POSSESSIONS. WHEN VISITORS WALK THROUGH THE VANDERBILT MANSION, THEY ENTER A "LIVING MUSEUM," AN ENCHANTING TIME CAPSULE OF A VANISHED ERA. MR. VANDERBILT'S OCEANIC EXPEDITIONS AND UNPRECEDENTED CIRCUMNAVIGATIONS OF THE GLOBE MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR VISITORS TO JOURNEY AROUND THE PLANET WITHOUT LEAVING LONG ISLAND. HIS SPECIMEN-HUNTING TRIPS TO THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, THROUGHOUT THE PACIFIC, ASIA, THE MEDITERRANEAN, AFRICA, THE ATLANTIC AND CARIBBEAN, YIELDED THOUSANDS OF SPECIMENS OF MARINE, BIRD AND INSECT LIFE, SOME OF THEM NEW DISCOVERIES AT THE TIME VANDERBILT FOUND THEM. WANTING TO SHARE HIS COLLECTION WITH THE WORLD, MR. VANDERBILT CONSTRUCTED SEVERAL MUSEUM SPACES THROUGHOUT THE ESTATE. TODAY, VISITORS CAN EXPLORE 4 SEPARATE WINGS TO SEE THESE COLLECTIONS. THESE WINGS ARE AS FOLLOWS: THE MEMORIAL WING, THE HABITAT WING, THE NURSERY WING, AND THE HALL OF FISHES.
- $560,557 spent. THE SUFFOLK COUNTY VANDERBILT MUSEUM PRESERVES AND INTERPRETS THE HISTORIC ESTATE, COLLECTIONS, AND LEGACY OF WILLIAM K. VANDERBILT II FOR THE EDUCATION AND ENJOYMENT OF THE PUBLIC. THE MUSEUM OFFERS YEAR-ROUND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, EXHIBITIONS, PLANETARIUM SHOWS, AND SPECIAL EVENTS THAT ENGAGE VISITORS OF ALL AGES IN SCIENCE, HISTORY, AND THE ARTS. IT MAINTAINS AND PRESERVES MORE THAN 43 ACRES OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS, COLLECTIONS, AND NATURAL HABITATS, ENSURING THEIR ACCESSIBILITY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. EACH YEAR, THE MUSEUM SERVES THOUSANDS OF VISITORS, INCLUDING STUDENTS FROM ACROSS LONG ISLAND, THROUGH CURRICULUM-BASED FIELD TRIPS, WORKSHOPS, AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT THE MUSEUM'S MISSION AS AN EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCE FOR SUFFOLK COUNTY AND BEYOND.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1963.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.