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Arts, Culture, Humanities : Museums

Smithsonian Institution

Seriously Amazing

four stars

90.86

Office of Advancement 1000 Jefferson Drive, S.W.
Washington, DC 20560
tel: (202) 633-4300   Web Site
EIN: 53-0206027

Board Leadership
Robert D. MacDonald
Chair

CEO
David J. Skorton
Secretary

 
 
  Score
(out of 100) 		Rating
Overall Score & Rating 90.86 four stars
  Financial 87.44 three stars
  Accountability & Transparency 97.00 four stars
This rating was published 02/01/2018 and includes data from FY2016, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?

Our Mission is the increase and diffusion of knowledge.

Our Vision is to shape the future by preserving our heritage, discovering new knowledge, and sharing our resources with the world.

Our Mission is the increase and diffusion of knowledge.

Our Vision is to shape the future by preserving our heritage, discovering new knowledge, and sharing our resources with the world.

Results Information

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Learn more about how we calculate the overall score and rating.

Financial

three stars

87.44

Accountability & Transparency

four stars

97.00

This rating was published 02/01/2018 and includes data from FY2016, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?
Overall Rating Chart
  Program Expenses
(Percent of the charity's total expenses spent on the programs
and services it delivers)		 77.0%
  Administrative Expenses 18.9%
  Fundraising Expenses 3.9%
  Fundraising Efficiency $0.04
  Working Capital Ratio (years) 2.69
  Program Expenses Growth 3.3%
  Liabilities to Assets 18.7%
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Smithsonian Institution on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
Joint Cost Allocation Adjustment applied. Learn more.
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Smithsonian Institution on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
Information Provided on the Form 990  
  Independent Voting Board Members
  No Material diversion of assets
  Audited financials prepared by independent accountant
  Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From related parties
  Documents Board Meeting Minutes
  Provided copy of Form 990 to organization's governing body in advance of filing
  Conflict of Interest Policy
  Whistleblower Policy
  Records Retention and Destruction Policy
  CEO listed with salary
  Process for determining CEO compensation
  Board Listed / Board Members Not Compensated
Is the following information easily accessible on the charity's website?  
  Donor Privacy Policy
  Board Members Listed
  Audited Financials
  Form 990
  Key staff listed

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Smithsonian Institution (DC) 90.86 four stars
Hagley Museum and Library (DE) 92.02 four stars
Museum of New Mexico Foundation (NM) 96.83 four stars
Buffalo Bill Center of the West (WY) 95.51 four stars
Evansville Museum (IN) 85.69 three stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

REVENUE  
Contributions  
   Contributions, Gifts & Grants $245,726,636
   Federated Campaigns $43,693
   Membership Dues $19,952,493
   Fundraising Events $3,647,170
   Related Organizations $508,408
   Government Grants $951,570,661
Total Contributions $1,221,449,061
   Program Service Revenue $109,747,404
Total Primary Revenue $1,331,196,465
   Other Revenue $118,433,917
TOTAL REVENUE $1,449,630,382
   
EXPENSES (Adjusted)  
   Program Expenses $997,673,698
   Administrative Expenses $256,920,220
   Fundraising Expenses $53,100,253
TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES $1,307,694,171
   
Payments to Affiliates $0
Excess (or Deficit) for the year $141,936,211
   
Net Assets $3,830,939,636

Program names and associated costs are listed for the top programs as reported on the charity's most recently filed Form 990. The top programs displayed will include the largest three programs, or those programs covering at least 60% of the charity's total expenses, whichever comes first.

Program Name Amount Spent % of Program Expenses
Research and Collections $488,998,307 48.9%
Education, Public Programs, and Exhibitions $435,043,315 43.5%
Membership $76,550,443 7.6%

Ratings History
Smithsonian Institution has received 3 consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator.

Form 990 FYE Date Published Overall Score Overall Rating
CN 2.1
2016-09 02/01/2018 90.86 four stars
2015-09 03/01/2017 90.14 four stars
2014-09 06/01/2016 91.96 four stars
 
CN 2.0
2014-09 12/01/2015 90.17 four stars
2013-09 07/01/2015 89.03 three stars
2013-09 05/01/2015 88.56 three stars
2012-09 12/20/2013 93.99 four stars
2011-09 11/06/2012 95.64 four stars
2010-09 02/01/2012 96.37 four stars
2009-09 09/20/2011 91.45 four stars
 
CN 1.0
2009-09 02/01/2011 88.30 three stars
2008-09 12/01/2009 84.92 three stars
2007-09 05/01/2009 83.87 three stars
2006-09 07/01/2008 85.23 three stars
2005-09 12/01/2006 89.96 three stars
2004-09 01/01/2006 87.34 three stars
2003-09 02/01/2005 83.34 three stars
2002-09 01/01/2004 87.71 three stars
2001-09 10/15/2002 92.23 four stars

The data displayed on this tab is provided by the IRS in the form of Publication 78 and the Business Master File (BMF).

EIN 53-0206027
Name in IRS Master File SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER
NTEE Code A50
NTEE Classification Museum, Museum Activities
NTEE Type Arts, Culture and Humanities
Classification Educational Organization
Subsection 501(c)(3)  (View the list of codes)
Activities (161) Scientific research (diseases)
(180) Contact or sponsored scientific research for industry
(119) Other cultural or historical activities
Foundation Status Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public   170(b)(1)(A)(vi)
Deductibility Contributions are deductible
Affiliation Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations).
Group Name [Not Applicable]
Ruling Date January, 1924
Filing Requirement 990 (all other) or 990EZ return
Fiscal Year End September
IRS Forms 990
(provided courtesy of Foundation Center)		 (Log In or Register Now to View Forms 990!)
  • September, 2016
  • September, 2015
  • September, 2014
  • September, 2013
  • September, 2012

The data displayed in this profile is provided by the IRS for free in the form of Publication 78 and the Business Master File (BMF).

Compensation % of Expenses Paid to Title
$508,315 0.03% David Skorton Secretary
Other Salaries of Note
$628,563 0.04% Christopher Liedel President-Smithsonian Enterprises
$509,771 0.03% Amy Chen Chief Investment Officer
$143,239 0.01% G. Wayne Clough Former Secretary

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Smithsonian Institution (DC) 90.86 four stars
Evansville Museum (IN) 85.69 three stars
Exploratorium (CA) 92.61 four stars
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (CA) 85.45 three stars
Hagley Museum and Library (DE) 92.02 four stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

This charity has an official representative registered with Charity Navigator.

Charity Contact Info

Smithsonian Institution
Office of Advancement
1000 Jefferson Drive, S.W.
Washington, DC 20560
tel: (202) 633-4300
fax: (202) 786-2516
EIN: 53-0206027

Mail donations to:
P.O. Box 37012
MRC 712
Washington, DC 20013

Visit Web Site

Board Leadership

Robert D. MacDonald
Chair

CEO

David J. Skorton
Secretary

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