Better Business Bureau Report for
Adler Planetarium

Better Business Bureau Report issued June 2010
Better Business Bureau Report expires June 2012


Does not meet one or more standards
This charity does not meet one or more of the 20 standards for Charity Accountability. Find out more...


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Charity Contact Information

Name: Adler Planetarium
Address: 1300 South Lake Shore Drive
  Chicago, IL 60605
Phone: 312-922-7827
Web Address: www.adlerplanetarium.org
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1968, Illinois
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: The Adler mission is to inspire exploration and understanding of our universe.

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

The BBB of Chicago & Northern Illinois requested but did not receive complete information on the organization’s governance and oversight and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard for Charity Accountability: 1.
Adler Planetarium meets the remaining 19 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

               

The Adler Planetarium — America's First Planetarium — was founded in 1930 by Chicago business leader Max Adler. The museum is home to three full-size theaters, including the all-digital projection Definiti® Space Theater, the Sky Theater which utilizes a Zeiss optical projector, and the Universe 3D Theater. It is also home to one of the world's most important antique instrument collections. The Adler is a recognized leader in science education, with a focus on inspiring young people, particularly women and minorities, to pursue careers in science.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, Adler Planetarium's program expenses were:

  
Professional and educational 12,600,617
History of astronomy 1,050,532
Total Program Expenses: $13,651,149
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Governance

               

Chief Executive : Paul H Knappenberger, Jr., President
Compensation*:

Chair of the Board: Bryan C. Cressey
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Founding Partner, Cressey and Company

Co-Chair of the Board : John W. Estey

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: President & Chief Executive Officer, S&C Electric Company

Co-Chair of the Board : Joseph T. Lower

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Vice President, Corporate & Strategic Development, The Boeing Company

Board Size: 30

Paid Staff Size: 208

*Compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
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Fund Raising

               

Method(s) Used:

direct mail, invitations to fund raising events, print advertisements, grant proposals, planned giving arrangements, membership
Fund raising costs were 16% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $12,919,428, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)
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Tax Status

               

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
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Financial

               

The following information is based on Adler Planetarium's audited financial statements - combined for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009.

Source of Funds  
Contributions, Bequests, Foundation Grants 7,871,325
Government Grants 4,347,216
Admission charges 4,062,522
Auxilary activites 1,161,058
Other 1,033,938
Special Event Revenue 641,675
Membership dues 442,052
Investment income 348,671
Donated Services 59,212
Total Income $19,967,669


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 75%  Fund Raising: 11%  Administrative: 8%  Other Expenses: 6%

Total income   $19,967,669
  Program expenses $13,651,149
  Fund raising expenses 2,030,276
  Administrative expenses 1,422,866
  Other Expenses 1,172,840
Total expenses   $18,277,131
Income in Excess of Expenses   1,690,538
Beginning net assets   32,299,997
Other Changes in Net Assets 2,798,979
Ending net assets   29,501,018
Total liabilities   33,994,047
Total assets   $63,495,065


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An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.

This report is not to be used for fund raising or promotional purposes.

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