California Academy Of Sciences: $71.5M Revenue, $101.0M Expenses

California Academy Of Sciences grades an F: the lowest bracket on the efficiency rubric. 31/100 composite, with multiple factors below the national benchmarks — usually a combination of precarious reserves, declining or erratic revenue, and officer compensation that runs high relative to size.

California Academy Of Sciences reported $71.5M in 2023 revenue — a mid-sized nonprofit by U.S. standards. Organizations in this bracket typically operate with a small permanent staff, project-based program structures, and modest reserves. Reserves are the limiting factor: California Academy Of Sciences carries relatively few months of operating expenses on its balance sheet, which can leave an organization exposed if a major funding source pauses.

Revenue has been roughly stable over the five-year filing window. The pattern is normal for established organizations operating in a mature program area. Officer compensation runs notably high relative to organizational size: $5.0M against $71.5M in revenue. This is one of the factors driving the efficiency grade down on the rubric. California Academy Of Sciences sits in the cultural-nonprofit sector (Arts, Culture & Humanities). Museum, performing-arts, and cultural organizations carry distinctive financial patterns — earned revenue from ticket sales and admissions, plus a heavy reliance on endowment income and major donor cycles.