Better Business Bureau Report for
The Chicago Academy of Sciences and its Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Better Business Bureau Report issued March 2012
Better Business Bureau Report expires March 2014


This BBB Accredited charity meets all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. Find out more...


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Charity Contact Information

Name: The Chicago Academy of Sciences and its Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Address: 2430 North Cannon Drive
  Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: 773-755-5124
Web Address: www.naturemuseum.org
Also known as:Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1865, Illinois
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: The Chicago Academy of Sciences and its Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum inspire people to learn about and care for nature and the environment. The institution fosters environmental learning through the exhibits and education programs of the Museum and through the Academy's collections, research, symposia, publications, events and other activities. We build understanding of global environmental issues by interpreting the effect those issues have on the Midwest.

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

The Chicago Academy of Sciences and its Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

              

The Nature Museum annually serves 70,000 students and 21,0700 educators through its award-winning science and nature programs, which include workshops, field trips, hands-on science labs taught at the Museum and in classrooms, and professional development resources. A team of on-staff educators facilitates these programs for Chicago area students and teachers. Additionally, the Museum serves thousands of visitors through its interactive exhibits that also strive to inspire people to learn about and care for nature and the environment. Permanent and rotating exhibits feature live animals, such as the 75 species of butterflies on view daily in our Judy Istock Butterfly Haven, and the history of our region’s past, as demonstrated through some of our collection specimens on display. Current environmental topics, such as recycling and climate change, are highlighted through additional exhibits like The Extreme Green House and more. These exhibits are supplemented with live animal and other educator-led experiences at the Museum. In 2005, the Museum welcomed its 1 millionth visitor since opening in 1999.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011, The Chicago Academy of Sciences and its Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum's program expenses were:

  
Education, exhibits and biology 2,028,000
External affairs 960,000
Museum operations 809,000
Marketing 495,000
Guest Services 407,000
Debt service expense 153,000
Research, special events, and other 141,000
Total Program Expenses: $4,993,000
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Deborah Lahey, President & CEO
Compensation*:

Chair of the Board: Stephen Ferrara
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Regional Managing Partner, Assurance Services, BDO Seidman, LLP

Board Size: 43

Paid Staff Size: 70

*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, internet, membership
Fund raising costs were 2% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $3,773,000, 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 The Chicago Academy of Sciences and its Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011.

Source of Funds  
Contributions 3,773,000
Park District 1,137,000
Education grants, and program fees 692,000
Other income 350,000
Admissions 257,000
Gift Shop 236,000
Memberships 159,000
Change in value of perpetual trust 106,000
Investment Return 17,000
Total Income $6,727,000


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 86%  Fund Raising: 1%  Administrative: 13% 

Total income   $6,727,000
  Program expenses $4,993,000
  Fund raising expenses 63,000
  Administrative expenses 727,000
 
Total expenses   $5,783,000
Income in Excess of Expenses   944,000
Beginning net assets   13,609,000
Other Changes in Net Assets (855,000)
Ending net assets   13,698,000
Total liabilities   6,171,000
Total assets   $19,869,000


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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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