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California Academy of Sciences

EIN 94-1156258 · San Francisco, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ACADEMY IS A RENOWNED SCIENTIFIC AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION WITH A MISSION TO REGENERATE THE NATURAL WORLD THROUGH SCIENCE, LEARNING, AND COLLABORATION. BASED IN SAN FRANCISCO'S GOLDEN GATE PARK, IT IS HOME TO A WORLD-CLASS AQUARIUM, PLANETARIUM, RAINFOREST, AND NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM AS WELL AS INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, ALL UNDER ONE LIVING ROOF. THROUGH GLOBAL EXPEDITIONS, SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, AND STRATEGIC AREAS OF FOCUS ON ISLANDS, CORAL REEFS, AND THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ACADEMY SCIENTISTS STRIVE TO GATHER NEW KNOWLEDGE ABOUT LIFE'S DIVERSITY AND THE PROCESS OF EVOLUTION AND RAPIDLY APPLY THAT UNDERSTANDING TO OUR EFFORTS TO REGENERATE THE NATURAL WORLD. THROUGH EXHIBITIONS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, AND PARTNERSHIPS THAT ADDRESS THESE SAME TOPICS-DELIVERED TO THE PUBLIC ON-SITE AT THE ACADEMY'S WORLD-CLASS AQUARIUM, PLANETARIUM, RAINFOREST, AND NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, IN THE COMMUNITY, IN BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS AROUND THE WORLD.

Income
$89.4 million
Spending
$109.5 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 36%
Employees
704
Volunteers
591
Highest pay
$883,675, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 40% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    42 of 44 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 (6)
  1. $34.5 million spent. EXHIBITS AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT: THE ALL-DIGITAL MORRISON PLANETARIUM USES CUTTING-EDGE VISUALIZATIONS AND SCIENTIFIC DATA TO SHARE CURRENT DISCOVERIES AND INCREASE SCIENCE LITERACY THROUGH IMMERSIVE SHOWS THAT ROTATE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE NEWEST PERMANENT EXHIBITION CALIFORNIA: STATE OF NATURE, WHICH OPENED IN MAY 2024, ILLUMINATES THE UNEXPECTED CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE SPECIES, PLACES, AND PEOPLE THAT ENABLE CALIFORNIA TO THRIVE, THE HIDDEN WONDERS EXHIBIT PROVIDES AN UNPRECEDENTED PEEK AT SOME OF THE STANDOUT SPECIMENS FROM OUR SCIENTIFIC COLLECTIONS-INCLUDING SOME ON VIEW FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME. THE COLOR OF LIFE EXHIBIT EXPLORES THE ROLE OF COLOR IN THE NATURAL WORLD WITH VIBRANT LIVE ANIMALS, SPECIMENS, AND IMMERSIVE INTERACTIVES. GEMS AND MINERALS UNEARTHED SHOWCASES SPECIMENS FROM THE ACADEMY'S RENOWNED GEOLOGY COLLECTION. BIGPICTURE SHOWCASES WINNING IMAGES FROM THE ACADEMY'S ANNUAL, INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION. AND IN STEINHART AQUARIUM, NUMEROUS EXHIBITS FEATURING THE LIVING COLLECTION BRING GUESTS FACE-TO-FACE WITH THE DIVERSE SPECIES THAT MAKE OUR OCEANS SO SPECTACULAR.
  2. $22.3 million spent. BIODIVERSITY SCIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY: THE ACADEMY'S INSTITUTE FOR BIODIVERSITY SCIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY ("IBSS") IS HOME TO NEARLY 80 WORLD-CLASS SCIENTISTS, OVER 100 RESEARCH ASSOCIATES GLOBALLY, AND MORE THAN 500 DISTINGUISHED FELLOWS WHO GATHER NEW KNOWLEDGE ABOUT LIFE'S DIVERSITY AND THE PROCESS OF EVOLUTION AND RAPIDLY APPLY THAT UNDERSTANDING TO OUR EFFORTS TO REGENERATE THE NATURAL WORLD. THROUGH INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIPS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES, THEY ALSO GUIDE CRITICAL CONSERVATION DECISIONS WORLDWIDE, INSPIRE AND MENTOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS, AND FOSTER RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP OF OUR PLANET SO THAT HUMANS AND NATURE CAN THRIVE TOGETHER.
  3. $15.6 million spent. AQUARIUM: THE STEINHART AQUARIUM IS HOME TO MORE THAN 60,000 LIVE ANIMALS REPRESENTING MORE THAN 800 UNIQUE SPECIES, AND ITS INNOVATIVE EXHIBITS INCLUDE ONE OF THE LARGEST AND DEEPEST INDOOR CORAL REEFS IN THE WORLD. THE FOUR-STORY RAINFOREST HAS FREE-FLYING BIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES AND EXOTIC REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS. IN ADDITION TO DELIGHTING GUESTS WITH ITS LIVING CREATURES, THE AQUARIUM HAS PLAYED A CRITICAL ROLE FOR DECADES IN SPECIES SURVIVAL PLANS FOR ENDANGERED ANIMALS LIKE ITS CHARISMATIC COLONY OF AFRICAN PENGUINS. FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS, THE STEINHART AQUARIUM HAS PROUDLY HELD THE GOLD STANDARD ACCREDITATION FROM THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS, A STAMP OF APPROVAL RESERVED FOR FACILITIES THAT EMBODY THE VERY BEST IN ANIMAL CARE AND WELFARE, CONSERVATION, AND EDUCATION.
  4. $5.2 million spent. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH: THE ACADEMY IS AN INNOVATIVE LEADER IN EFFORTS TO INCREASE SCIENTIFIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY WORLDWIDE. THE MUSEUM IS HOME TO SCIENCE EDUCATORS AND COMMUNICATORS AS WELL AS HIGHLY TRAINED DOCENTS WHO ENGAGE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES-HERE IN CALIFORNIA AND AROUND THE WORLD-IN THE SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS AND ISSUES THAT WILL SHAPE OUR FUTURE. THROUGH INTENSIVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS, INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES, ENGAGING ONLINE LEARNING AND DIGITAL MEDIA OFFERINGS, AND IMMERSIVE SCIENCE VISUALIZATION PRODUCTIONS, ACADEMY EDUCATORS WORK TO INCREASE THE PUBLIC'S UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF THE NATURAL WORLD AND INSPIRE PARTICIPANTS TO TAKE ACTION ON BEHALF OF THE RICH DIVERSITY OF LIFE ON EARTH. MORE THAN 500 VOLUNTEERS HELP SUPPORT THE ACADEMY ANNUALLY AND PROVIDE A CONNECTION BETWEEN THE DIVERSE BAY AREA COMMUNITY AND THE ACADEMY'S MUSEUM, RESEARCH, AND ADMINISTRATION. AS ONE OF THE BAY AREA'S LEADING CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS DEDICATED TO OPENING ITS DOORS TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, THE ACADEMY OFFERS A VARIETY OF FREE AND REDUCED ADMISSION OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCESS PROGRAMS TO SERVE ALL VISITORS.
  5. $4.3 million spent. MEMBERSHIP: THE ACADEMY'S MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDES YEAR ROUND ACCESS TO OUR OFFERINGS TO NEARLY 40,000 HOUSEHOLDS. THROUGH THEIR MONTHLY AND ANNUAL GIFTS, MEMBERS SUPPORT THE ACADEMY'S MISSION TO REGENERATE THE NATURAL WORLD THROUGH SCIENCE, LEARNING, AND COLLABORATION. ON AVERAGE, ACADEMY MEMBERS VISIT BETWEEN TWO AND THREE TIMES A YEAR, PARTICIPATING IN OUR PUBLIC PROGRAMS, EXPLORING THE ICONIC EXHIBITS, SUCH AS THE STEINHART AQUARIUM AND RAINFOREST, ATTENDING WORKSHOPS AND LECTURES, AND SHARING THE EXPERIENCE WITH THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES. A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF THE ACADEMY'S MEMBERS HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE ACADEMY "FAMILY" FOR MANY GENERATIONS.
  6. ADMISSIONS

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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.

  2. 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 November 6, 2026.

  3. 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.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1926.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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 November 4, 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.