The Planetary Society
- Assets
- $9.5m
- Revenue
- $4.9m
- Investments
- $0.0
- Employees
- 27
- Location
- Pasadena, CA
- Founding
- 03/1980
- Data as of
- 09/2022
- EIN
- 95-3423566
Organization Overview
The Planetary Society is located in Pasadena, CA. The organization was established in 1980. According to its NTEE Classification (A33) the organization is classified as: Printing & Publishing, under the broad grouping of Arts, Culture & Humanities and related organizations. As of 09/2022, Planetary Society employed 27 individuals. This organization is an independent organization and not affiliated with a larger national or regional group of organizations. Planetary Society 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 09/2022, Planetary Society generated $4.9m in total revenue. This represents relatively stable growth, over the past 7 years the organization has increased revenue by an average of 3.8% each year. All expenses for the organization totaled $6.2m during the year ending 09/2022. While expenses have increased by 1.5% per year over the past 7 years. They've been increasing with an increasing level of total revenue. You can explore the organizations financials more deeply in the financial statements section below.
Since 2015, Planetary Society has awarded 19 individual grants totaling $368,544. If you would like to learn more about the grant giving history of this organization, scroll down to the grant profile section of this page.
Form
990
Mission & Program ActivityExcerpts From the 990 Filing
TAX YEAR
2022
Describe the Organization's Mission:
Part 3 - Line 1
THE PLANETARY SOCIETY EMPOWERS THE WORLD'S CITIZENS TO ADVANCE SPACE SCIENCE AND EXPLORATION.
Describe the Organization's Program Activity:
Part 3 - Line 4a
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY:THE PLANETARY SOCIETY INVESTS IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS TO ADVANCE INNOVATIVE SPACE EXPLORATION SOLUTIONS AND RESEARCH. WE PROVIDE SEED FUNDING TO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS THAT ADVANCE PLANETARY EXPLORATION, THE SEARCH FOR LIFE, AND PLANETARY DEFENSE.
COMMUNICATION AND EDUCATION:THROUGH EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATIONS, THE PLANETARY SOCIETY EXPANDS THE HORIZONS OF PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE ABOUT SPACE EXPLORATION AND HELPS CITIZENS EDUCATE OTHERS ABOUT SPACE. OUR PUBLIC INFORMATION PROJECTS INCLUDE THE PLANETARY REPORT, OUR QUARTERLY MAGAZINE FOR OUR MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS; PLANETARY RADIO, OUR WEEKLY RADIO SHOW; OUR WEBSITE - PLANETARY.ORG; AND OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS. THE SOCIETY ACHIEVES SOME OF IT PROGRAMMATIC GOALS THROUGH PUBLIC EDUCATION MAILINGS THAT INCLUDE REQUESTS FOR CONTRIBUTIONS. AS A RESULT, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS BOARD (FASB) GUIDELINES, WE ALLOCATE A PORTION OF OUR DIRECT MAIL COSTS TO PROGRAM SERVICES AND TO FUNDRAISING.
MEMBERSHIP:OUR MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM CONNECTS SPACE-INTERESTED CITIZENS WORLDWIDE AND PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN SPACE ACTIVITIES. OUR MEMBERSHIP ACTIVITIES INCLUDE MAINTAINING DETAILED RECORDS TO SUPPORT OUR MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR PROGRAMS. OUR MEMBERSHIP TEAM INTERACTS WITH MEMBERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AND MANAGE BENEFITS AND SERVICES. THE PLANETARY SOCIETY HAS MORE THAN 36,000 MEMBERS. THE SOCIETY ACHIEVES SOME OF ITS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMMATIC GOALS THROUGH MEMBERSHIP SERVICES SOFTWARE THAT INCLUDES THE FUNDRAISING MODULE. AS A RESULT, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS BOARD (FASB) GUIDELINES, WE ALLOCATE A PORTION OF OUR SOFTWARE COSTS TO PROGRAM SERVICES AND TO FUNDRAISING.
SPACE POLICY:THE PLANETARY SOCIETY HELPS SHAPE PUBLIC POLICY TO ENSURE NASA HAS THE SUPPORT AND RESOURCES TO EXPLORE PLANETS, SEARCH FOR LIFE, AND DEFEND THE EARTH FROM ASTEROIDS.
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Board, Officers & Key Employees
| Name (title) | Role | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
William Nye Director And CEO | Officer | 20 | $182,216 |
Jennifer Vaughn COO | 40 | $174,973 | |
Richard Chute Cdo | 40 | $154,609 | |
Casey Dreier Chief Advocate & Sr Space | 40 | $147,860 | |
Danielle Gunn Chief Communications Offic | 40 | $140,112 | |
Brendan Curry Chief Of Washington Operat | 40 | $136,273 |
Outside Vendors & Contractors
| Vendor Name (Service) | Service Year | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
Schultz & Williams Marketing Strategy & Material Production | 9/29/22 | $650,538 |
Mark Hilverda Website | 9/29/22 | $110,842 |
The Dot Printer Printers | 9/29/22 | $126,445 |
Financial Statements
| Statement of Revenue | |
|---|---|
| Federated campaigns | $0 |
| Membership dues | $3,227,367 |
| Fundraising events | $0 |
| Related organizations | $0 |
| Government grants | $0 |
| All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above | $1,659,584 |
| Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f | $38,485 |
| Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar | $4,886,951 |
| Total Program Service Revenue | $0 |
| Investment income | $9,956 |
| Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds | $0 |
| Royalties | $0 |
| Net Rental Income | $0 |
| Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales | $0 |
| Net Income from Fundraising Events | -$22,102 |
| Net Income from Gaming Activities | $0 |
| Net Income from Sales of Inventory | $2,742 |
| Miscellaneous Revenue | $0 |
| Total Revenue | $4,905,895 |
| Statement of Expenses | |
|---|---|
| Grants and other assistance to domestic organizations and domestic governments. | $72,319 |
| Grants and other assistance to domestic individuals. | $0 |
| Grants and other assistance to Foreign Orgs/Individuals | $102,351 |
| Benefits paid to or for members | $0 |
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $1,216,575 |
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $195,078 |
| Compensation to disqualified persons | $0 |
| Other salaries and wages | $1,430,936 |
| Pension plan accruals and contributions | $179,630 |
| Other employee benefits | $181,761 |
| Payroll taxes | $192,618 |
| Fees for services: Management | $0 |
| Fees for services: Legal | $24,219 |
| Fees for services: Accounting | $24,250 |
| Fees for services: Lobbying | $0 |
| Fees for services: Fundraising | $0 |
| Fees for services: Investment Management | $150 |
| Fees for services: Other | $716,912 |
| Advertising and promotion | $484,064 |
| Office expenses | $92,600 |
| Information technology | $138,921 |
| Royalties | $0 |
| Occupancy | $223,696 |
| Travel | $119,874 |
| Payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any federal, state, or local public officials | $0 |
| Conferences, conventions, and meetings | $7,150 |
| Interest | $0 |
| Payments to affiliates | $0 |
| Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | $64,313 |
| Insurance | $36,340 |
| All other expenses | $61,609 |
| Total functional expenses | $6,232,294 |
| Balance Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Cash—non-interest-bearing | $3,884,934 |
| Savings and temporary cash investments | $389,623 |
| Pledges and grants receivable | $3,848,806 |
| Accounts receivable, net | $27,752 |
| Loans from Officers, Directors, or Controlling Persons | $0 |
| Loans from Disqualified Persons | $0 |
| Notes and loans receivable | $0 |
| Inventories for sale or use | $0 |
| Prepaid expenses and deferred charges | $95,276 |
| Net Land, buildings, and equipment | $755,758 |
| Investments—publicly traded securities | $490,601 |
| Investments—other securities | $0 |
| Investments—program-related | $0 |
| Intangible assets | $0 |
| Other assets | $16,229 |
| Total assets | $9,508,979 |
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $294,613 |
| Grants payable | $0 |
| Deferred revenue | $0 |
| 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 | $0 |
| Unsecured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
| Other liabilities | $86,917 |
| Total liabilities | $381,530 |
| Net assets without donor restrictions | $2,688,228 |
| Net assets with donor restrictions | $6,439,221 |
| 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 | $9,508,979 |
Grants Awarded
Over the last fiscal year, The Planetary Society has awarded $69,569 in support to 3 organizations.
| Grant Recipient | Amount |
|---|---|
REGENTS UNIVERSITY OF CA LOS ANGELES PURPOSE: STEP GRANT | $49,980 |
NE KANSAS AMATEUR ASTRONOMERS LEAGUE INC PURPOSE: NEO RESEARCH | $11,591 |
WOODLAND HILLS CAMERA AND TELESCOPES PURPOSE: NEO RESEARCH | $7,998 |
Grants Recieved
Over the last fiscal year, we have identified 1 grants that The Planetary Society has recieved totaling $500.
| Awarding Organization | Amount |
|---|---|
Patrick Foundation Tr Wilmington, DE PURPOSE: GENERAL & UNRESTRICTED | $500 |
Endowment Analysis
| Beg. Balance | $1,097,056 |
| Earnings | -$5,209 |
| Net Contributions | $5,561 |
| Ending Balance | $1,097,408 |
Peer Organizations
| Organization Name | Assets | Revenue |
|---|---|---|
The Planetary Society Pasadena, CA | $9,508,979 | $4,905,895 |
Prevention Institute Oakland, CA | $12,910,812 | $7,921,442 |
Society For The Study Of Native Arts & Sciences Berkeley, CA | $8,524,775 | $6,247,781 |
Undercurrent Inc San Rafael, CA | $5,890,053 | $8,348,585 |
Solve Me Cfs Initiative Inc Glendale, CA | $1,880,953 | $2,192,325 |
Unreported Story Society Marina Del Ray, CA | $399,103 | $3,017,560 |
Truthout Sacramento, CA | $881,852 | $2,314,333 |
Heyday Berkeley, CA | $2,111,683 | $2,251,217 |
Capital & Main Los Angeles, CA | $794,047 | $1,843,155 |
University Of California Press Foundation Oakland, CA | $23,332,542 | $983,531 |
Center For Accessible Technology Berkeley, CA | $1,757,069 | $1,896,017 |
Small Press Distribution Inc Berkeley, CA | $663,310 | $1,098,757 |