Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 42% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE FOLLOWING THREE GUIDING PRINCIPLES ARE THE FOUNDATION FOR ALL OF THE SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY'S ACTIVITIES: INSPIRING AN AWE FOR NATURE AND A THIRST FOR DISCOVERY; PROMOTING SUSTAINABILITY; AND CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITIES. THROUGH THESE PRINCIPLES WE STRIVE TO FOSTER A COMMUNITY THAT EXPLORES, UNDERSTANDS, AND PROTECTS THE NATURAL WORLD.
- Income
- $10.5 million
- Spending
- $11.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 42%
- Reserves
- 33.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 44%
- Employees
- 178
- Volunteers
- 570
- Highest pay
- $259,987, president & ceo
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
Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 33.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1542% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 28 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2522 of 22 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
7 of 7Has a 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 (3)
- $1.6 million spent. COLLECTIONS & RESEARCH:THIS PROGRAM ENCOMPASSES THE ACTIVITIES OF SIX RESEARCH DEPARTMENTS WITH A STAFF OF CURATORS AND ASSISTANTS. EACH DEPARTMENT IS CONTINUALLY INVOLVED IN DEVELOPING AND CONSERVING EXTENSIVE COLLECTIONS OF SPECIMENS, ARTIFACTS, BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS, ETC., THAT NUMBER OVER 3.5 MILLION ITEMS, AS WELL AS MAKING RESOURCES ACCESSIBLE TO RESEACHERS, EITHER DURING ACTUAL VISITS OR THROUGH WEB-BASED SERVICES. EXPENSES INCLUDE STAFF SALARIES, COLLECTION ACQUISITION, CONSERVATION, BIODIVERSITY AND ARCHEOLOGICAL RESEARCH, PRODUCTION OF PUBLICATIONS, ECOLOGICAL FIELD SURVEYS, PUBLIC EXHIBIT DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH.LIBRARY:2024 WAS A YEAR OF BIG THINGS FOR THE MUSEUM'S LIBRARY. FOLLOWING A YEAR OF CLOSURE, CONSTRUCTION, AND STAFF DISPLACEMENT, THIS YEAR WAS ABOUT ORGANIZATION, MOVE-IN, AND REFRESH. THE LIBRARY'S HISTORIC READING ROOM WAS USED FOR IMPROVISED STORAGE THROUGHOUT THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS. AT THE FIRST OF THE YEAR, STAFF RETURNED TO NEW HEATING AND COOLING IN THE LIBRARY'S MAIN ROOM, UPDATED STAIRWAY TREADING, NEW ROOFING, REINFORCED BEAMS AND TRUSSES, AND TWO BASEMENT LEVEL ROOMS APPOINTED WITH SECURITY DOORS, CLIMATE SYSTEMS, AND SHELVING APPROPRIATE FOR THE HOUSING OF THE MUSEUM'S VALUABLE ARCHIVE COLLECTIONS. BY THE SECOND QUARTER OF THE YEAR THE LIBRARY STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS WERE FULLY ENGAGED IN UNBOXING AND SHELFING. THE FOCUS FOR LIBRARY STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, AND TEEN PROGRAM INTERNS SHIFTED TO MOVING ARCHIVE COLLECTIONS INTO THE NEWLY PREPARED ARCHIVE I AND ARCHIVE II BASEMENT LEVEL ROOMS. JUST BEFORE HALLOWEEN, LIBRARY STAFF MOVED THE LAST BOXES AND BOOK LADEN ROLLING CARTS OUT OF THE READING ROOM. ON NOVEMBER 1ST THE LIBRARY FINALLY UNLOCKED ITS DOORS AND INVITED THE PUBLIC TO COME IN. AND WHAT DO RESEARCHERS AND BROWSERS VISITING THE LIBRARY THINK? THE ANSWER IS IN THE DATA. IN JUST THE MONTHS OF NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, WITH LIMITED HOURS (MONDAY-SATURDAY, 1:004:00 PM) THE LIBRARY WELCOMED 1,025 GUESTS.
- $2.3 million spent. EXHIBITS & VISITOR SERVICES:B. EXHIBITS AND VISITOR SERVICES:THE MUSEUM HAS TWO SITES: ITS MISSION CANYON CAMPUS AND THE SEA CENTER LOCATED ON STEARNS WHARF.GATE ATTENDANCE AT THE MISSION CANYON CAMPUS IN 2024 WAS 109,666. IN ADDITION, 6829 CHILDREN AND ADULTS ATTENDED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, 1659 CAME FOR COMMUNITY USES AND 271 CAME SPECIFICALLY FOR RESEARCH, FOR A TOTAL ATTENDANCE AT THE MISSION CANYON CAMPUS OF 118,425+. (NOT COUNTING THE NATURE ADVENTURES CAMPERS SEE BELOW)GATE ATTENDANCE AT THE SEA CENTER IN 2024 WAS OVER 104,000. IN ADDITION, OVER 1500 CHILDREN AND ADULTS ATTENDED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND OVER 3600 ATTENDED COMMUNITY EVENTS (FESTIVALS AND BEACH CLEAN UP) FOR A TOTAL ATTENDANCE AT THE SEA CENTER OF 109,100.BUTTERFLIES ALIVE!:THE MUSEUM OPENED ITS OUTDOOR BUTTERFLY PAVILION IN A WAY THAT ALLOWS GUESTS TO EXPERIENCE AN UP-CLOSE INTERACTION. GUESTS ARE ABLE TO MOVE THROUGH A BEATUTIFUL GARDEN WHILE APPROXIMATELY 1000 LIVE BUTTERFLIES FLUTTER FREELY. THE EXHIBIT FEATURES DAZZLING VARIETIES OF BUTTERFLIES FROM COSTA RICA AND FLORIDA. VISITORS LEARN ABOUT THE LIFE CYCLE AND BEHAVIOR OF THESE SPECTACULAR INVERTEBRATES WHILE OBSERVING THEM UP CLOSE.0 TO 60: AN UNDERWATER ADVENTURE FROM THE EQUATOR TO ALASKA. A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBIT BY RICHARD SALAS: AN EXHIBIT OF UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY DOCUMENTING 4000 MILES OF UNDERWATER ADVENTURE. THE MUSEUM BACKYARD AND NATURE CLUB HOUSE:THE MUSEUM BACKYARD AND NATURE CLUBHOUSE IS AN ADA ACCESSIBLE PLAY AREA NESTLED IN THE OAK WOODLAND ALONG MISSION CREEK. GUESTS CAN RELAX, EXPLORE AND PLAY ALONG THE BACKYARD CREEK. ACTIVITIES (MYSTERY BOX, NATURE STORIES, AND ROCKS IN A BOX) SUPPORTED BY FRIENDLY NATURALISTS ENGAGE VISITORS IN NATURE PLAY. THE CLUBHOUSE IS STAFFED WITH NATURALISTS THAT ANSWER QUESTIONS, SHARE ACTIVITIES ABOUT THE NATURAL WORLD AND WHAT MAKES THE SANTA BARBARA REGION UNIQUE. THEY SUPPORT THE POPULAR NATURE EXCHANGE PROGRAM, CREEPY CRAWLY ENCOUNTERS, AND ALLOW FOR NATURAL CURIOSITY THROUGH TACTILE INTERACTIONS.MAXIMUS GALLERY:THE JOHN AND PEGGY MAXIMUS GALLERY, LOCATED AT THE MISSION CANYON CAMPUS, IS DEDICATED TO THE PRESERVATION AND DISPLAY OF ANTIQUE PRINTS AND PRESENTS TWO TO THREE ORIGINAL EXHIBITS A YEAR WHICH HIGHLIGHT THE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SCIENCES.TWO ORIGINAL EXHIBITS WERE CREATED BY IN-HOUSE CURATOR AND STAFF EXHIBIT DESIGNER FOR THE MAXIMUS GALLERY IN 2024.SPLENDID PLUMAGE SHOWCASED THE FEATHERY ADAPTATIONS DISPLAYED BY BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA, NEW GUINEA, ASIA, EUROPE, AND CENTRAL AMERICA AS PICTURED IN THE WORKS OF 19TH-CENTURY BRITISH ORNITHOLOGIST AND PUBLISHER JOHN GOULD AND OTHERS. BIRDS OF PARADISE, HERONS, TOUCANS AND HUMMINGBIRDS ARE AMONG THE SPECIES THAT HAVE EVOLVED AN AMAZING DIVERSITY OF FORMS, COLORS AND FUNCTION. THE MOST DRAMATIC OUTCOME OF SEXUAL SELECTION IS THE MALE'S EXTRAVAGANT PLUMAGE, COMPLEX VOCAL ARRANGEMENTS AND THE SHAPE-SHIFTING DANCES OF THEIR MATING RITUALS. THEY CAME ALIVE IN A GALLERY VIDEO PUT TOGETHER BY STAFF EXHIBIT DESIGNER. MUSIC INTEGRATED WITH BIRD CALLS ACCOMPANIED THE EXHIBIT MAKING IT AN ALL-AROUND SENSORY EXPERIENCE. REMARKABLE ANIMAL PORTRAITS OF THE FELINE AND CANINE FAMILIES WERE ON VIEW WHEN BIG CATS AND WILD DOGS OPENED IN THE FALL. ORIGINAL HAND-COLORED LITHOGRAPHS BY 19TH-CENTURY ARTISTS AND NATURALISTS JOHN JAMES AUDUBON AND DANIEL GIRAUD ELLIOT. AUDUBON'S THE QUADRUPEDS OF NORTH AMERICA, PUBLISHED FROM 1845-1848 IS OF IMMENSE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE AND ISSUED AT A TIME WHEN AMERICA'S MAMMALS WERE NOT WELL KNOWN OR STUDIED. THE BEAUTIFUL ILLUSTRATIONS AND THE HARDSHIPS AUDUBON ENDURED TO PUBLISH THEM ARE A TESTAMENT TO THE ARTIST AND HIS ENDURING LEGACY. A GALLERY GUIDE WAS CREATED TO PROVIDE MORE BACKGROUND ON AUDUBON'S "GRAND AND LAST JOURNEY" TO COLLECT MAMMALS IN THE FIELD.AT THE SEA CENTER:GUESTS TO THE SEA CENTER ARE ABLE TO LOOK AND LEARN MORE ABOUT SEA HORSES, CORAL REEF INHABITANTS, JELLIES, AND SIMILARLY ELEGANT ANIMALS. VISITORS GET THEIR HANDS WET AS THEY EXPLORE THE WONDERS AND BEAUTY OF LOCAL MARINE LIFE IN THE INTERTIDAL WONDERS TOUCH POOLS. TRAINED NATURALISTS GUIDE EXPLORERS IN THE DISCOVERY OF A VARIETY OF MARINE ANIMALS THAT CALL SANTA BARABARA COAST THEIR HOME. ALONG WITH THE NATURALISTS, THERE WERE 92 VOLUNTEERS WHO DONATED OVER 11,000 HOURS OF SERVICE TO INTERPRET THE INTERACTIVE STATIONS FOR VISITORS.WHITE ABALONE CAPTIVE BREEDING PROGRAM:AS A PARTNER IN THE WHITE ABALONE CAPTIVE BREEDING PROGRAM AND A MEMBER OF THE WHITE ABALONE RECOVERY CONSORTIUM, THE SEA CENTER CONTIUES TO CARE FOR THE WHITE ABALONE AND PARTICIPATE IN COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS SUCH AS SPAWING ATTEMPTS AND JUVENILE RELEASES. IN 2024, THE SEA CENTER DID NOT RELEASE JUVENILE COHORTS INTO THE WILD, BUT WILL MAKE ATTEMPTS IN 2025.
- $1.1 million spent. EDUCATION:THE MUSEUM'S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS PROMOTE SCIENTIFIC LITERACY AND INSTILL A PASSION FOR NATURE AND A COMMITMENT TO LEARNING. THESE RICH EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES ARE PROVIDED TO SCHOOL CHILDREN AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.THE MUSEUM PARTICIPATES IN THE "NO CHILD LEFT INSIDE" MOVEMENT AND A REGIONAL LEADER OF THE NATIONAL CHILDREN AND NATURE NETWORK.TEEN PROGRAMS - QUASARS TO SEA STARS:THE MUSEUM RUNS A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED PROGRAM, QUASARS TO SEA STARS, WHICH OFFER FOUR YEARS OF YEAR-ROUND EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCES FOR 17 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. THROUGH MENTORSHIP, RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES, WORK SHIFTS AND VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES, THE TEENS LEARN AND DEVELOP TIME MANAGEMENT, PUBLIC SPEAKING, PROJECT MANAGEMENT, AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH SKILLS. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, TEENS ASSIST IN THE BUTTERFLY PAVILION, MUSEUM BACKYARD, SEA CENTER INTERPRETATIONS AND AQUARIUM DUTIES.DURING THE SUMMER, FRESHMEN QUASARS TOOK WEEKLY CLASSES OF MUSEUM 101, TAUGHT BY DEPARTMENT HEADS THROUGHOUT THE MUSEUM. THE FORMER USED THEIR GAINED KNOWLEDGE OF MUSEUM OPERATIONS AND HISTORY TO CONSTRUCT THEIR OWN HYPOTHETICAL MUSEUM. QUASARS LOGGED A TOTAL OF 2,276 VOLUNTEER HOURS DURING THE YEAR WHILE GAINING WORK EXPERIENCE.TEEN PROGRAMS COUNSELORS-IN-TRAININGIN 2024, TEEN PROGRAMS SERVED 27 TEENS IN THE COUSELORS-IN-TRAINING (CIT) PROGRAM WHERE PARTICIPANTS VOLUNTEER TO SERVE AS COUNSELORS FOR THE NATURE ADVENTURES SUMMER CAMPS. THIS YEAR, THE CITS LOGGED 1158 HOURS OF SERVICE.NATURE ADVENTURES AFTER SCHOOL CLASSES AND CAMPSTHE MUSEUM OFFERED IN PERSON CAMPS AND CLASSES IN 2024 AND UNDERWENT PERSONNEL CHANGES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE NATURE THEMED CAMPS ENROLLED 45 PARTICIPANTS IN THE WINTER SESSION AND 27 IN THE INAUGURAL THANKSGIVING CAMPS. SUMMER CAMPS WERE OFFERED TO 336 CAMPERS, AGES 4-14 OVER A NINE WEEK PERIOD.SCHOOL AND TEACHER SERVICESTHE MUSEUM'S SCHOOL AND TEACHER SERVICES (STS) PROGRAM PROVIDES GRADE SPECIFIC, STANDARDS ALIGNED FIELD TRIPS FOR VISITING SCHOOL GROUPS AT TWO SITES (MISSION CANYON CAMPUS AND SEA CENTER). MANY OF THE FIELD TRIP VISITS ARE FACILITATED BY MEMBERS OF THE MUSEUM EDUCATOR PROGRAM WHO GUIDE STUDENTS THROUGH THE SUBJECT MATTER. THE MUSEUM EDUCATOR PROGRAM PROVIDES MATERIALS, INFORMATION AND TEACHING TECHNIQUES TO THESE DOCENTS WHO ENGAGE KIDS IN FUN LEARNING EXPERIENCES. TOPICS INCLUDED GEODYSSEY, MEET THE TEETH, CONNECTING WITH THE CHUMASH AND DINOSAUR CSI. FOR THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR, 5462 STUDENTS WERE SERVED ON THE MISSION CANYON CAMPUS, WHILST OVER 1,200 STUDENTS, CAME TO THE SEA CENTER AND OVER HALF OF THEM WERE FROM SCHOOLS THAT UTILIZED THE MUSEUM ACCESS FUND.
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 June 1936.
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.