Worcester Natural History Society

Organization Overview

Worcester Natural History Society, operating under the name The Ecotarium, is located in Worcester, MA. The organization was established in 1933. According to its NTEE Classification (A56) the organization is classified as: Natural History & Natural Science Museums, under the broad grouping of Arts, Culture & Humanities and related organizations. As of 12/2021, Ecotarium employed 60 individuals. This organization is an independent organization and not affiliated with a larger national or regional group of organizations. Ecotarium is a 501(c)(3) and as such, is described as a "Charitable or Religous organization or a private foundation" by the IRS.

For the year ending 12/2021, Ecotarium generated $5.2m in total revenue. This represents a relatively dramatic decline in revenue. Over the past 7 years, the organization has seen revenues fall by an average of (5.4%) each year. All expenses for the organization totaled $4.5m during the year ending 12/2021. You can explore the organizations financials more deeply in the financial statements section below.

Mission & Program ActivityExcerpts From the 990 Filing

TAX YEAR

2021

Describe the Organization's Mission:

Part 3 - Line 1

THE ECOTARIUM'S MISSION IS TO INSPIRE A PASSION FOR SCIENCE AND NATURE OUR GOAL AS NEW ENGLAND'S LEADING SCIENCE AND NATURE CENTER IS TO CONTINUE AS THE MOST ENGAGING CULTURAL SITE IN OUR REGION FOR SCIENCE AND NATURE DISCOVERY, WIDELY RECOGNIZED FOR INNOVATIVE INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS AND PROGRAMMING FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AND SCHOOL GROUPS, AND FOR AN EXCEPTIONAL FOCUS ON AN EDUCATIONAL GUEST EXPERIENCE.

Describe the Organization's Program Activity:

Part 3 - Line 4a

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: THE ECOTARIUM RE-OPENED IN JUNE 2021 TO THE PUBLIC AFTER A 15-MONTH CLOSURE DUE TO COVID-19. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING INSIDE THE MUSEUM AND IN THE COMMUNITY AT PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND YOUTH-SERVING AGENCIES ALSO RESUMED IN JUNE 2021 PROVIDING IN-PERSON EDUCATION AT THE MUSEUM FOR 201 CHILDREN AND YOUTH; ONLINE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR 2,715 STUDENTS; AND TRAVELING PROGRAMS IN THE COMMUNITY AND SCHOOLS FOR 609 CHILDREN AND YOUTH. THE ECOTARIUM OFFERS INTERACTIVE, HANDS-ON, EDUCATOR-LED PROGRAMS THAT ALIGN WITH MASSACHUSETTS CURRICULUM FRAMEWORKS FOR PRE-K TO 12. SINCE 1885, THE ECOTARIUM HAS OFFERED SEASONAL SCIENCE AND NATURE DAY CAMPS FOR CHILDREN DURING VACATIONS AND SUMMER. IN 2021, CAMP PROGRAMS SERVED 618 CAMPERS DURING VACATIONS THROUGH VIRTUAL PROGRAMS AND SUMMER IN-PERSON CAMPS.


EXHIBITS & COLLECTIONS: VISITS TO THE ECOTARIUM ARE EDUCATIONAL AND FUN. IN 2021, 28,239 VISITORS EXPLORED 45 ACRES OF OUTDOOR EXHIBITS, NATURE EXPLORE PLAYGROUND, AND WILDLIFE ZOOLOGICAL PARK HABITATS; 5,178 GUESTS RODE THE OPEN-AIR REPLICA 1863 C.P. HUNTINGTON STEAM LOCOMOTIVE. INSIDE THE MUSEUM, GUESTS ENJOYED THREE LEVELS OF EXHIBITS INCLUDING MOUNT WASHINGTON, CITYSCIENCE, AFRICAN COMMUNITIES, ANIMALS AND TRAVELING EXHIBITS. 3,022 GUESTS PARTICIPATED IN FREE, DAILY, EDUCATOR-LED SCIENCE DISCOVERY PROGRAMS INSIDE THE MUSEUM. IN 2021 THE ALDEN DIGITAL PLANETARIUM WAS CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS. THE $1.6 MILLION RENOVATION AND UPGRADE WAS COMPLETED IN EARLY 2022.


WILDLIFE: THE ECOTARIUM'S OUTDOOR ZOOLOGICAL PARK IS HOME TO NATIVE, NON-RELEASABLE, NEW ENGLAND WILDLIFE, MOST OF WHICH COULD NOT SURVIVE IN THE WILD DUE TO INJURY, ILLNESS, IMPRINTING, ORPHAN STATUS, OR CAPTIVE BIRTH. INSIDE THE MUSEUM, AMBASSADOR ANIMALS REPRESENT NEW ENGLAND AND EXOTIC SPECIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD. ZOO-TO-YOU PROGRAMS FACILITATED BY ZOOLOGICAL AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS AIM TO NURTURE A GREATER CONNECTION TO AND UNDERSTANDING OF SPECIES LOCATED IN NEW ENGLAND WHILE PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINING ENCOUNTERS WITH RESIDENT ANIMALS. THE ECOTARIUM DEMONSTRATES LEADERSHIP IN ANIMAL WELFARE, ENRICHMENT, AND TRAINING PROGRAMS. IN 2021, THE ANIMAL KEEPERS WORKED TO REPURPOSE AND UPGRADE EXHIBITS AND HABITATS WHILE THE MUSEUM WAS CLOSED DUE TO COVID-19. REGULAR ANIMAL PROGRAMMING RESUMED IN JUNE 2021 THROUGH BOTH INFORMAL AND FORMAL, VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON, ZOO-THEMED CAMP PROGRAMMING, BIRTHDAY PARTIES AND BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS.


VISITOR SERVICES ACTIVITIES AND COMMUNITY EVENTS - THE ECOTARIUM OFFERS A VARIETY OF SPECIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING HOSTED BIRTHDAY PARTIES, PURCHASES FORM OUR MUSEUM SHOP, SEASONAL FOOD SERVICE AND FOOD VENDING MACHINES. WE ALSO HOST SPECIAL YEAR-ROUND SEASONAL COMMUNITY EVENTS.


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Board, Officers & Key Employees

Name (title)Compensation
Lucy Hale
President & CEO (until 4/21)
$170,642
Michael Halperson
Interim Executive Director
$93,750
Sherri Pitcher
Chair
$0
Sean Mahoney
Co-Vice Chair
$0
John Mcinnes
Co-Vice Chair
$0
David P Mcmanus
Treasurer
$0

Outside Vendors & Contractors

Vendor Name (Service)Compensation
Cutler Associates Inc
General Contractor
$1,835,648
Gorman Richardson Lewis
Architecture
$119,030
View All Vendors

Financial Statements

Statement of Revenue
Federated campaigns$0
Membership dues$190,139
Fundraising events$0
Related organizations$0
Government grants $2,275,356
All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above$1,309,625
Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f $0
Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar$3,775,120
Total Program Service Revenue$454,557
Investment income $438,466
Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Net Rental Income $11,060
Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales $392,240
Net Income from Fundraising Events $0
Net Income from Gaming Activities $0
Net Income from Sales of Inventory $63,584
Miscellaneous Revenue$0
Total Revenue $5,171,795

Grants Recieved

Over the last fiscal year, we have identified 1 grants that Worcester Natural History Society has recieved totaling $3,000.

Awarding OrganizationAmount
Paine Charitable Trust

Dallas, TX

PURPOSE: UNRESTRICTED GENERAL

$3,000
View Grant Recipient Profile

Endowment Analysis

Beg. Balance$10,063,672
Earnings$1,221,025
Admin Expense$6,022
Net Contributions$124,287
Other Expense$450,000
Ending Balance$10,952,962

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