NonprofitsThe Exploratorium

Arts, Culture & Humanities

The Exploratorium

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Total revenue

$66.6M

Total expenses

$66.0M

Net assets

$243.0M

Grants received

$74.3M

405 grants

EIN

941696494

Tax year

2023

Mission

The exploratorium is a public learning laboratory exploring the world through science, art, and human perception.our mission is to create inquiry-based experiences that transform learning worldwide.our vision is a world where people think for themselves and can confidently ask questions, question answers, and understand the world around them.we value lifelong learning and teaching, curiosity and inquiry, our community, iteration and evidence, integrity and authenticity, sustainability, and inclusion and respect.

Programs

2 programs

Global collaborations:we learn and share with partners worldwide. By drawing on the exploratorium's broad expertise, global collaborations is able to provide a comprehensive set of creative services from master planning to program development to exhibit fabrication and installation. We like to be as far upstream in our clients' creative process as possible, exploring the rich questions that lead to truly authentic, innovative problem solving.

Expenses: $11.1M

Educator engagement:we're at the forefront of science education. By making science visible, touchable, and accessible to a wide variety of people at the museum, online, and in the classroom, our explore-for-yourself way of learning and teaching influences science education worldwide. Our professional development programs provide educators with the skills, tools, and support they need to apply inquiry-based learning and teaching in their classes. We also design programs that make connections between the traditionally separate worlds of formal (school) and informal (museum) education and understanding.

Expenses: $9.3MGrants: $9K

Financials

FY 2023

Revenue

Contributions & grants$29.4M
Program service revenue$29.4M
Investment income$5.0M
Other revenue$2.7M
Total revenue$66.6M

Expenses

Grants paid$9K
Salaries & benefits$41.4M
Fundraising$3.6M
Other expenses$24.6M
Total expenses$66.0M
Total assets$293.0M
Net assets$243.0M

People

50 listed

NameRoleCompensation

MARK BIERMAN

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Board

$584K

37.5 hrs/wk

LAURA ZANDER

CHIEF FINANCIAL & OPERATING OFFICER

Board

$287K

37.5 hrs/wk

W BREWSTER ELY

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

CHRIS FOSTER

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

KEVIN FOSTER

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

LYNN C FRITZ

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

JONATHAN HEILIGER

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

FRANCES HELLMAN

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

F SCOTT HINDES

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

GREGORY HUNTER

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

MIMI ITO

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

MICHAEL R JACOBSON

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

JAMES JONES

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

ROBERTA KATZ

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

MARTIN LAUBER

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

PHIL MARINEAU

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

ALISON MAUZE

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

MARY HOPE MH MCQUISTON

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

KENNETH G MOORE

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

REMY NTSHAYKOLO

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

SAUL PERLMUTTER

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

CAMERON PHLEGER

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

VINCENT L RICCI

DIRECTOR (THRU 12/12/23)

Board

2 hrs/wk

WILLIAM BILL F MELLIN

CHAIR

Board

2 hrs/wk

VIJAY SHRIRAM

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

CRAIG SILVERSTEIN

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

RACHEL SKIFFER

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

E PAYSON SKIP SMITH

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

JENNIFER VAN NATTA

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

REMY WILKINSON

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

ESTHER WOJCICKI

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

DAN YUE

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

ALBERT BERT RICHARDS

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

MARTHA EHMANN CONTE

VICE-CHAIR

Board

2 hrs/wk

IRVENIA WATERS

VICE-CHAIR

Board

2 hrs/wk

SHARON FLANAGAN

SECRETARY

Board

2 hrs/wk

LAMAR BUNTS

TREASURER

Board

2 hrs/wk

RAVIN AGRAWAL

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

GENO ARMSTRONG

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

DARREN BECHTEL

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

GARY BENGIER

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

GEORGE W COGAN

DIRECTOR

Board

2 hrs/wk

PHOEBE WHITE

CHIEF OPERATING OFC. (THRU 9/22/23)

Staff

$345K

37.5 hrs/wk

ROBERT SEMPER

CHIEF LEARNING OFFICER

Staff

$314K

37.5 hrs/wk

BLAIR WINN

CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER

Staff

$258K

37.5 hrs/wk

JULIE NUNN

CHIEF BRAND OFFICER

Staff

$216K

37.5 hrs/wk

ANNE RICHARDSON

CHIEF EXPERIENCE OFFICER

Staff

$216K

37.5 hrs/wk

JASON PACELY

CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER

Staff

$209K

37.5 hrs/wk

THOMAS ROCKWELL

CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER

Staff

$183K

37.5 hrs/wk

ANNE HOLMES

CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER

Staff

$181K

37.5 hrs/wk

Independent contractors

OUTDOOR RECREATION PRODUCTS

EXHIBIT DEVELOPMENT

$907K

SECURITAS SECURITY SVCS USA

SECURITY SERVICE

$786K

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

ADVERTISING

$557K

LOOKINGPOINT INC

IT SERVICE

$437K

JOHN MURRAY PRODUCTIONS INC

EXHIBIT DEVELOPMENT

$418K

Grants received

Showing 200 of 405

FromAmountPurposeYear
$2.1M
IN SUPPORT OF AN ARCHITECTURAL MASTER PLAN FOR CAMPUS SITE.
2024
$1.9M
IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED FUNDRAISING AND GROWTH IN ORGANIZATION DONOR BASE.
2024
$1.8M
IN SUPPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPACE-THEMED IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES, INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS AND PUBLIC PROGRAMMING.
2024
$1.4M
IN SUPPORT OF A RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FUND AND PROCESS TO SPUR NIMBLE EXHIBIT AND PUBLIC PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT.
2024
$1M
TO SUPPORT THE STABILITY AND REVITALIZATION FUND
2024
$1M
EXPLORATORIUM GALLERY RENEWAL
2024
$365K
IN SUPPORT OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY AND EDUCATIONAL IMPACT.
2024
$310K
IN SUPPORT OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY AND ORGANIZATIONAL IMPACT.
2024
$300K
GENERAL SUPPORT
2024
$263K
IN SUPPORT OF A SCIENCE FELLOW TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT OF CHANGING COASTLINES PUBLIC EXHIBITS AND PROGRAMMING.
2024
$135K
ARTS, CULTURE
2024
$123K
ARTS AND CULTURE
2024
$100K
TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS.
2024
$75K
EMPLOYEE OR TRUSTEE RECOMMENDED GIFT FOR GENERAL OPERATIONAL SUPPORT.
2024
$50K
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT THE EXPLORATORIUM STABILITY & REVITALIZATION FUND
2024
$50K
TEACHER-LEADER INSTITUTE
2024
$40K
Unrestricted operating funds.
2024
$27K
GENERAL SUPPORT
2024
$25K
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT (TRUSTEE GIVING)
2024
$25K
ARTS AND CULTURE
2024
$25K
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IN HONOR OF THE 2024 PHENOMENA(L) BALL
2024
$10K
TO FURTHER ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES
2024
$10K
UNRESTRICTED GENERAL SUPPORT
2024
$10K
UNRESTRICTED
2024
$10K
ARTS & CULTURE
2024
$10K
2024 ANNUAL GRANT
2024
$10K
GENERAL SUPPORT
2024
$9K
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
2024
$5K
IN SUPPORT OF WONDER FUNDAY
2024
$5K
GENERAL CHARITY
2024
$5K
UNRESTRICTED GENERAL SUPPORT
2024
$2K
FOR THE EXPLAINER PROGRAM.
2024
$2K
Community Development - General Operating Support
2024
$1K
TO CARRY OUT SPECIFIC CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, AND CULTURAL PROJECTS
2024
$1K
To create inquiry-based experiences that transform learning worldwide.
2024
$1K
Promote Education Activities
2024
$1K
GENERAL AND UNRESTRICTED
2024
$139
DONATIONS TO COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS UNDER "MATCHING GIFTS PROGRAM."
2024
$2.3M
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT, TO SUPPORT THE FIELD TRIP PROGRAM FOR SCHOOLS THAT SUPPORT ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS (TITLE 1 SCHOOLS)
2023
$2.2M
IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED FUNDRAISING AND GROWTH IN ORGANIZATION DONOR BASE.
2023
$2M
TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
2023
$1.7M
ARTS, CULTURE & HUMANITIES
2023
$1.4M
IN SUPPORT OF STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT AND REFINEMENT OF TWO YOUTH-SERVING PROGRAMS, THE EXPLAINER AND FIELD TRIP PROGRAMS.
2023
$1.0M
UNRESTRICTED GENERAL SUPPORT
2023
$1M
TO SUPPORT THE STABILITY AND REVITALIZATION FUND
2023
$537K
For grant recipient's exempt purposes
2023
$300K
GENERAL SUPPORT
2023
$250K
OPERATING EXPENSES
2023
$250K
GENERAL SUPPORT
2023
$200K
UNRESTRICTED
2023
$152K
ARTS AND CULTURE
2023
$150K
TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS.
2023
$126K
ARTS, CULTURE
2023
$80K
FOR INNOVATOR MEMBERSHIP. FOR GENERAL SUPPORT.
2023
$80K
GENERAL SUPPORT
2023
$75K
TO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL TRUSTEE FUND AND THE PHENOMENAL BALL.
2023
$75K
GENERAL FUNDING
2023
$65K
HUMAN SERVICES
2023
$62K
PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
2023
$50K
FUNDING THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT THE EXPLORATORIUM STABILITY & REVITALIZATION FUND
2023
$50K
TEACHER-LEADER INSTITUTE
2023
$50K
GENERAL SUPPORT
2023
$40K
FOR TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT RELATED TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION
2023
$35K
Unrestricted operating funds.
2023
$26K
FOR RECIPIENT'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
2023
$26K
TO SUPPORT THE MUSEUMS'S UNDERWRITING FOR HIRING OF FEMALE EXPLAINERS.
2023
$25K
ARTS AND CULTURE
2023
$25K
GENERAL SUPPORT
2023
$25K
EXPLAINERS PROGRAM & PARTY AT THE PIERS: DISCOVERY
2023
$25K
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IN HONOR OF PARTY AT THE PIERS
2023
$25K
UNRESTRICTED GRANT RELATED TO EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
2023
$15K
ARTS/CULTURE/HUMANITIES
2023
$10K
DONATION FOR AREA OF GREATEST NEED.
2023
$10K
ARTS & CULTURE
2023
$10K
UNRESTRICTED
2023
$10K
GENERAL PURPOSES
2023
$10K
TO PROMOTE THE WORK OF THE ORGANIZATION
2023
$9K
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
2023
$5K
UNRESTRICTED GENERAL SUPPORT
2023
$5K
UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
2023
$5K
GENERAL OPERATING
2023
$3K
Support charitable organizations that support education
2023
$3K
GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
2023
$2K
FOR THE EXPLAINER PROGRAM.
2023
$2K
GENERAL DONATION
2023
$2K
Community Development - General Operating Support
2023
$2K
TO SUPPORT PUBLIC LEARNING LABORATORY
2023
$1K
DEDICATED TO EXPLORATION OF SCIENCE AND HUMAN PERCEPTION THROUGH THE EXHIBITS IN THE MUSEUM
2023
$1K
CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
2023
$1K
TO CARRY OUT SPECIFIC CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, AND CULTURAL PROJECTS
2023
$1K
GENERAL OPERATING
2023
$1K
GENERAL AND UNRESTRICTED
2023
$1K
CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION
2023
$598
SCIENCE MUSEUM
2023
$300
Promote Education Activities
2023
$299
General Support
2023
$109
Charitable
2023
$85
DONATIONS TO COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS UNDER "MATCHING GIFTS PROGRAM."
2023
$2.0M
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT; TO SUPPORT 2022 PARTY AT THE PIERS
2022
$2.0M
ARTS, CULTURE & HUMANITIES
2022
$1.1M
IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED FUNDRAISING AND GROWTH IN ORGANIZATION DONOR BASE.
2022
$645K
IN SUPPORT OF STRATEGIC PLANNING EFFORTS TO INFORM FUTURE PRIORITIES AND ACTIONS.
2022
$565K
GENERAL SUPPORT
2022
$500K
STABILITY AND REVITALIZATION FUND
2022
$500K
STABILITY AND REVITALIZATION FUND
2022
$499K
IN SUPPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF EXHIBITS AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL CONTENT ABOUT THE BAY AREA'S CHANGING COASTLINE.
2022
$405K
THE LEGO PLAYFUL LEARNING MUSEUM NETWORK
2022
$359K
For grant recipient's exempt purposes
2022
$306K
ARTS, CULTURE
2022
$300K
GENERAL SUPPORT
2022
$200K
UNRESTRICTED
2022
$150K
FOR THE 2022 50 ARTS COMMISSIONS FOR MEDIA ARTS
2022
$100K
For a project to support the California Partnership for Math & Science Education Statewide Science Community
2022
$100K
TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS.
2022
$75K
OPERATING EXPENSES
2022
$75K
GENERAL FUNDING
2022
$70K
IN SUPPORT OF GENERAL OPERATIONS AND PARTY AT THE PIERS.
2022
$56K
ARTS AND CULTURE
2022
$56K
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
2022
$51K
IN SUPPORT OF GENERAL OPERATIONS.
2022
$50K
GENERAL CHARITY
2022
$50K
IN SUPPORT OF GENERAL OPERATIONS
2022
$50K
GENERAL SUPPORT
2022
$50K
TO SUPPORT THE STABILITY & REVITALIZATION FUND.
2022
$50K
TEACHER-LEADER INSTITUTE
2022
$40K
FOR CLASSROOM TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT RELATED TO CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
2022
$30K
Unrestricted operating funds.
2022
$28K
GENERAL PURPOSES
2022
$25K
GENERAL SUPPORT
2022
$25K
XENO IN VIVO GIFT
2022
$25K
EDUCATION
2022
$25K
UNRESTRICTED GRANT RELATED TO EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
2022
$25K
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IN HONOR OF PARTY AT THE PIERS
2022
$25K
ARTS AND CULTURE
2022
$24K
CULTURE & ARTS
2022
$24K
TO FURTHER ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES
2022
$21K
GENERAL SUPPORT
2022
$15K
ARTS/CULTURE/HUMANITIES
2022
$15K
URBAN FELLOW PROGRAM
2022
$13K
GENERAL SUPPORT
2022
$11K
FOR RECIPIENT'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
2022
$11K
GENERAL SUPPORT
2022
$10K
ARTS & CULTURE
2022
$10K
UNRESTRICTED
2022
$10K
DONATION TO AREA OF GREATEST NEED.
2022
$5K
FURTHER ORGANIZATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
2022
$5K
UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
2022
$3K
EDUCATION
2022
$3K
DONATION FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSES
2022
$3K
2022 PARTY AT THE PIERS
2022
$3K
GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
2022
$2K
GENERAL DONATION
2022
$2K
FOR THE EXPLAINER PROGRAM.
2022
$2K
GENERAL DONATION
2022
$2K
GENERAL SUPPORT
2022
$2K
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
2022
$1K
DEDICATED TO EXPLORATION OF SCIENCE AND HUMAN PERCEPTION THROUGH THE EXHIBITS IN THE MUSEUM
2022
$1K
CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION
2022
$1K
DEDICATED TO EXPLORATION OF SCIENCE AND HUMAN PERCEPTION THROUGH THE EXHIBITS IN THE MUSEUM
2022
$1K
UNRESTRICTED
2022
$1K
General & Unrestricted
2022
$1K
TO CARRY OUT SPECIFIC CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, AND CULTURAL PROJECTS
2022
$1K
GENERAL OPERATING
2022
$1K
IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) EXEMPT PURPOSE
2022
$1K
GENERAL AND UNRESTRICTED
2022
$699
GENERAL SUPPORT
2022
$299
DONATION
2022
$250
CREATE A CULTURE OF LEARNING THROUGH INNOVATIVE ENVIRONMENTS, PROGRAMS, AND TOOLS THAT HELP PEOPLE NURTURE THEIR CURIOSITY ABOUT THE WORLD AROUND THEM.
2022
$149
Science Education
2022

Funded by

$74.3M from 136 funders · 405 grants · 2016–2024

Donor Advised Charitable Giving Inc

$18.9M · 7 grants · 2017–2023

Gordon E And Betty I Moore Foundation

$16.2M · 20 grants · 2020–2024

William K Bowes Jr Foundation

$7.8M · 4 grants · 2020–2024

Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund

$6.5M · 8 grants · 2017–2023

Dhanam Foundation

$3.2M · 8 grants · 2020–2024

The Anne Wojcicki Foundation

$2.3M · 5 grants · 2020–2023

Bny Mellon Charitable Gift Fund

$2M · 1 grant · 2023

Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund

$1.8M · 6 grants · 2018–2024

Details

EIN941696494
NTEE codeA500
Subsection03
Ruling date1969-04
Formed1968
Employees708
Volunteers107
THE EXPLORATORIUM — Mission, Financials & Grants Received | Grantivo