Better Business Bureau Report for
The Field Museum

Better Business Bureau Report issued June 2011
Better Business Bureau Report expires June 2013


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: The Field Museum
Address: 1400 S. Lakeshore Drive
  Chicago, IL 60605
Phone: 312-922-9410
Web Address: www.fieldmuseum.org
Also known as:The Field Museum of Natural History
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Formerly known as:Columbian Museum of Chicago
Field Columbian Museum
Chicago Natural History Museum

Year, State Incorporated: 1893, Illinois
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: The Field Museum is an educational institution concerned with the diversity and relationships in nature and among cultures. It provides collection-based research and learning for greater public understanding and appreciation of the world in which we live. Its collections, public learning programs, and research are inseparably linked to serve a diverse public of varied ages, backgrounds and knowledge.

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

The Field Museum does not meet the following Standard for Charity Accountability.

Standard 17: Web Site Disclosures - Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.

The Field Museum does not meet this Standard because the organization's website, www.fieldmuseum.org, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it does not include:

  • The organization’s mission statement.
  • A summary of program service accomplishments.
  • A roster of the board of directors.
  • The organization’s mailing address.
  • Electronic access to the organization’s most recent IRS Form 990.
In addition, the BBB of Chicago & Northern Illinois requested but did not receive complete information on the organization’s governance and oversight, effectiveness measures, solicitation materials, and donor privacy and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following 7Standards for Charity Accountability: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 15, and 18.
The Field Museum meets the remaining 12 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

               

Check out these fantastic exhibition opportunities. Take a Guided Exhibition Tour to learn more about an exhibition with a private tour with a Museum docent. Delve deeper into a particular subject with our fascinating classes, available every day of the week, all year round! Look for special exhibition-related programs and performances to enhance your field trip. Can’t come to the Museum? Bring these special student programs to your school any time of the year. Register online for In Classroom Student Classes.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, The Field Museum's program expenses were:

  
Collection and research 20,213,889
Other Museum Services 16,754,268
Exhibition 11,577,173
Environment Culture and consercation 3,353,174
Education and Library 3,152,997
Total Program Expenses: $55,051,501
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Governance

               

Chief Executive : John W. McCarter, President and CEO
Compensation*:

Chair of the Board: John Canning, Jr.
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: private equity investment / Chairman, Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC

Board Size: 78

Paid Staff Size:

*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, telephone, invitations to fund raising events, grant proposals, internet, planned giving arrangements, cause-related marketing, membership
Fund raising costs were 11% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $51,752,329, 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 Field Museum's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.

Source of Funds  
Contributions 32,728,999
Investment Return 15,857,000
Business Enterprises 10,359,279
Admissions 9,822,559
Chicago Park Disrict Property Tax remittances 7,011,000
Goverment Grants 3,062,113
Sponsorships 2,876,377
Private Grants and Contaracts 2,725,561
Program Service Fees 2,524,655
Memberships 2,261,247
Other 611,275
Total Income $89,840,065


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 71%  Fund Raising: 8%  Administrative: 21% 

Total income   $89,840,065
  Program expenses $55,051,501
  Fund raising expenses 5,865,272
  Administrative expenses 15,791,866
 
Total expenses   $76,708,639
Income in Excess of Expenses   13,131,426
Beginning net assets   421,423,458
Other Changes in Net Assets (130,304,136)
Ending net assets   304,250,748
Total liabilities   239,142,140
Total assets   $543,392,888


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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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