Worcester Natural History Society
- Assets
- $24.8m
- Revenue
- $5.2m
- Investments
- $0.0
- Employees
- 60
- Location
- Worcester, MA
- Founding
- 10/1933
- Data as of
- 12/2021
- EIN
- 04-2105868
Organization Overview
Worcester Natural History Society, operating under the name The Ecotarium, is located in Worcester, MA. The organization was established in 1933. According to its NTEE Classification (A56) the organization is classified as: Natural History & Natural Science Museums, under the broad grouping of Arts, Culture & Humanities and related organizations. As of 12/2021, Ecotarium employed 60 individuals. This organization is an independent organization and not affiliated with a larger national or regional group of organizations. Ecotarium is a 501(c)(3) and as such, is described as a "Charitable or Religous organization or a private foundation" by the IRS.
For the year ending 12/2021, Ecotarium generated $5.2m in total revenue. This represents a relatively dramatic decline in revenue. Over the past 7 years, the organization has seen revenues fall by an average of (5.4%) each year. All expenses for the organization totaled $4.5m during the year ending 12/2021. You can explore the organizations financials more deeply in the financial statements section below.
Form
990
Mission & Program ActivityExcerpts From the 990 Filing
TAX YEAR
2021
Describe the Organization's Mission:
Part 3 - Line 1
THE ECOTARIUM'S MISSION IS TO INSPIRE A PASSION FOR SCIENCE AND NATURE OUR GOAL AS NEW ENGLAND'S LEADING SCIENCE AND NATURE CENTER IS TO CONTINUE AS THE MOST ENGAGING CULTURAL SITE IN OUR REGION FOR SCIENCE AND NATURE DISCOVERY, WIDELY RECOGNIZED FOR INNOVATIVE INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS AND PROGRAMMING FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AND SCHOOL GROUPS, AND FOR AN EXCEPTIONAL FOCUS ON AN EDUCATIONAL GUEST EXPERIENCE.
Describe the Organization's Program Activity:
Part 3 - Line 4a
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: THE ECOTARIUM RE-OPENED IN JUNE 2021 TO THE PUBLIC AFTER A 15-MONTH CLOSURE DUE TO COVID-19. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING INSIDE THE MUSEUM AND IN THE COMMUNITY AT PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND YOUTH-SERVING AGENCIES ALSO RESUMED IN JUNE 2021 PROVIDING IN-PERSON EDUCATION AT THE MUSEUM FOR 201 CHILDREN AND YOUTH; ONLINE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR 2,715 STUDENTS; AND TRAVELING PROGRAMS IN THE COMMUNITY AND SCHOOLS FOR 609 CHILDREN AND YOUTH. THE ECOTARIUM OFFERS INTERACTIVE, HANDS-ON, EDUCATOR-LED PROGRAMS THAT ALIGN WITH MASSACHUSETTS CURRICULUM FRAMEWORKS FOR PRE-K TO 12. SINCE 1885, THE ECOTARIUM HAS OFFERED SEASONAL SCIENCE AND NATURE DAY CAMPS FOR CHILDREN DURING VACATIONS AND SUMMER. IN 2021, CAMP PROGRAMS SERVED 618 CAMPERS DURING VACATIONS THROUGH VIRTUAL PROGRAMS AND SUMMER IN-PERSON CAMPS.
EXHIBITS & COLLECTIONS: VISITS TO THE ECOTARIUM ARE EDUCATIONAL AND FUN. IN 2021, 28,239 VISITORS EXPLORED 45 ACRES OF OUTDOOR EXHIBITS, NATURE EXPLORE PLAYGROUND, AND WILDLIFE ZOOLOGICAL PARK HABITATS; 5,178 GUESTS RODE THE OPEN-AIR REPLICA 1863 C.P. HUNTINGTON STEAM LOCOMOTIVE. INSIDE THE MUSEUM, GUESTS ENJOYED THREE LEVELS OF EXHIBITS INCLUDING MOUNT WASHINGTON, CITYSCIENCE, AFRICAN COMMUNITIES, ANIMALS AND TRAVELING EXHIBITS. 3,022 GUESTS PARTICIPATED IN FREE, DAILY, EDUCATOR-LED SCIENCE DISCOVERY PROGRAMS INSIDE THE MUSEUM. IN 2021 THE ALDEN DIGITAL PLANETARIUM WAS CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS. THE $1.6 MILLION RENOVATION AND UPGRADE WAS COMPLETED IN EARLY 2022.
WILDLIFE: THE ECOTARIUM'S OUTDOOR ZOOLOGICAL PARK IS HOME TO NATIVE, NON-RELEASABLE, NEW ENGLAND WILDLIFE, MOST OF WHICH COULD NOT SURVIVE IN THE WILD DUE TO INJURY, ILLNESS, IMPRINTING, ORPHAN STATUS, OR CAPTIVE BIRTH. INSIDE THE MUSEUM, AMBASSADOR ANIMALS REPRESENT NEW ENGLAND AND EXOTIC SPECIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD. ZOO-TO-YOU PROGRAMS FACILITATED BY ZOOLOGICAL AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS AIM TO NURTURE A GREATER CONNECTION TO AND UNDERSTANDING OF SPECIES LOCATED IN NEW ENGLAND WHILE PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINING ENCOUNTERS WITH RESIDENT ANIMALS. THE ECOTARIUM DEMONSTRATES LEADERSHIP IN ANIMAL WELFARE, ENRICHMENT, AND TRAINING PROGRAMS. IN 2021, THE ANIMAL KEEPERS WORKED TO REPURPOSE AND UPGRADE EXHIBITS AND HABITATS WHILE THE MUSEUM WAS CLOSED DUE TO COVID-19. REGULAR ANIMAL PROGRAMMING RESUMED IN JUNE 2021 THROUGH BOTH INFORMAL AND FORMAL, VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON, ZOO-THEMED CAMP PROGRAMMING, BIRTHDAY PARTIES AND BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS.
VISITOR SERVICES ACTIVITIES AND COMMUNITY EVENTS - THE ECOTARIUM OFFERS A VARIETY OF SPECIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING HOSTED BIRTHDAY PARTIES, PURCHASES FORM OUR MUSEUM SHOP, SEASONAL FOOD SERVICE AND FOOD VENDING MACHINES. WE ALSO HOST SPECIAL YEAR-ROUND SEASONAL COMMUNITY EVENTS.
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Board, Officers & Key Employees
| Name (title) | Role | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
Lucy Hale President & CEO (until 4/21) | Officer | 40 | $170,642 |
Michael Halperson Interim Executive Director | Officer | 40 | $93,750 |
Sherri Pitcher Chair | OfficerTrustee | 2 | $0 |
Sean Mahoney Co-Vice Chair | OfficerTrustee | 2 | $0 |
John Mcinnes Co-Vice Chair | OfficerTrustee | 2 | $0 |
David P Mcmanus Treasurer | OfficerTrustee | 2 | $0 |
Outside Vendors & Contractors
| Vendor Name (Service) | Service Year | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
Cutler Associates Inc General Contractor | 12/30/18 | $1,835,648 |
Gorman Richardson Lewis Architecture | 12/30/18 | $119,030 |
Financial Statements
| Statement of Revenue | |
|---|---|
| Federated campaigns | $0 |
| Membership dues | $190,139 |
| Fundraising events | $0 |
| Related organizations | $0 |
| Government grants | $2,275,356 |
| All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above | $1,309,625 |
| Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f | $0 |
| Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar | $3,775,120 |
| Total Program Service Revenue | $454,557 |
| Investment income | $438,466 |
| Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds | $0 |
| Royalties | $0 |
| Net Rental Income | $11,060 |
| Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales | $392,240 |
| Net Income from Fundraising Events | $0 |
| Net Income from Gaming Activities | $0 |
| Net Income from Sales of Inventory | $63,584 |
| Miscellaneous Revenue | $0 |
| Total Revenue | $5,171,795 |
| Statement of Expenses | |
|---|---|
| Grants and other assistance to domestic organizations and domestic governments. | $0 |
| Grants and other assistance to domestic individuals. | $0 |
| Grants and other assistance to Foreign Orgs/Individuals | $0 |
| Benefits paid to or for members | $0 |
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $170,642 |
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $34,128 |
| Compensation to disqualified persons | $0 |
| Other salaries and wages | $1,317,336 |
| Pension plan accruals and contributions | $2,554 |
| Other employee benefits | $147,446 |
| Payroll taxes | $118,176 |
| Fees for services: Management | $0 |
| Fees for services: Legal | $78,867 |
| Fees for services: Accounting | $215,738 |
| Fees for services: Lobbying | $0 |
| Fees for services: Fundraising | $0 |
| Fees for services: Investment Management | $27,500 |
| Fees for services: Other | $248,408 |
| Advertising and promotion | $12,395 |
| Office expenses | $217,777 |
| Information technology | $0 |
| Royalties | $0 |
| Occupancy | $344,338 |
| Travel | $1,794 |
| Payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any federal, state, or local public officials | $0 |
| Conferences, conventions, and meetings | $0 |
| Interest | $25,117 |
| Payments to affiliates | $0 |
| Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | $1,240,778 |
| Insurance | $137,336 |
| All other expenses | $0 |
| Total functional expenses | $4,525,102 |
| Balance Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Cash—non-interest-bearing | $1,572,815 |
| Savings and temporary cash investments | $872,162 |
| Pledges and grants receivable | $61,175 |
| Accounts receivable, net | $23,840 |
| Loans from Officers, Directors, or Controlling Persons | $0 |
| Loans from Disqualified Persons | $0 |
| Notes and loans receivable | $0 |
| Inventories for sale or use | $39,456 |
| Prepaid expenses and deferred charges | $123,328 |
| Net Land, buildings, and equipment | $9,519,719 |
| Investments—publicly traded securities | $10,842,962 |
| Investments—other securities | $0 |
| Investments—program-related | $0 |
| Intangible assets | $0 |
| Other assets | $1,722,555 |
| Total assets | $24,778,012 |
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $377,093 |
| Grants payable | $0 |
| Deferred revenue | $288,889 |
| Tax-exempt bond liabilities | $0 |
| Escrow or custodial account liability | $0 |
| Loans and other payables to any current Officer, Director, or Controlling Person | $0 |
| Secured mortgages and notes payable | $800,178 |
| Unsecured mortgages and notes payable | $263,112 |
| Other liabilities | $808,025 |
| Total liabilities | $2,537,297 |
| Net assets without donor restrictions | $10,135,188 |
| Net assets with donor restrictions | $12,105,527 |
| Capital stock or trust principal, or current funds | $0 |
| Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building, or equipment fund | $0 |
| Retained earnings, endowment, accumulated income, or other funds | $0 |
| Total liabilities and net assets/fund balances | $24,778,012 |
Grants Recieved
Over the last fiscal year, we have identified 1 grants that Worcester Natural History Society has recieved totaling $3,000.
| Awarding Organization | Amount |
|---|---|
Paine Charitable Trust Dallas, TX PURPOSE: UNRESTRICTED GENERAL | $3,000 |
Endowment Analysis
| Beg. Balance | $10,063,672 |
| Earnings | $1,221,025 |
| Admin Expense | $6,022 |
| Net Contributions | $124,287 |
| Other Expense | $450,000 |
| Ending Balance | $10,952,962 |
Peer Organizations
| Organization Name | Assets | Revenue |
|---|---|---|
Rochester Museum And Science Center Rochester, NY | $32,141,900 | $9,942,117 |
Natural History Museum Of The Adirondacks Tupper Lake, NY | $35,795,696 | $7,881,578 |
Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences Buffalo, NY | $29,536,038 | $5,760,811 |
Worcester Natural History Society Worcester, MA | $24,778,012 | $5,171,795 |
Childrens Museum Inc West Hartford, CT | $3,378,947 | $2,561,597 |
Bronx Childrens Museum Bronx, NY | $3,102,925 | $1,502,216 |
Institute For Aegean Prehistory Study Center For East Crete New York, NY | $707,056 | $1,375,391 |
Hudson Highlands Nature Museum Cornwall, NY | $1,547,049 | $1,233,935 |
Cape Cod Museum Of Natural History Inc Brewster, MA | $5,380,254 | $1,073,012 |
National Marine Life Center Inc Buzzards Bay, MA | $3,574,632 | $658,218 |
Henry L Ferguson Museum Fishers Island, NY | $14,604,102 | $965,512 |
Hollister House Garden Inc Washington, CT | $6,329,362 | $820,091 |