Nonprofit · EIN 04-2105868
WORCESTER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY
Tax-exempt · WORCESTER, MA 01604
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $10,466,059 | $5,926,343 | $4,539,716 | $27,256,433 | $1,750,295 | $25,506,138 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $5,223,532 | $5,760,496 | -$536,964 | $22,076,338 | $1,539,627 | $20,536,711 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $7,434,809
- of which government grants
- $338,970
- Membership dues
- $381,318
- Program service revenue
- $1,986,886
- Investment income
- $673,227
- Net rental income
- $223,703
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $358,071
- Net income from fundraising events
- -$22,353
- Net income from sales of inventory
- $162,885
- Other revenue
- $371,137
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $353,160
- Other salaries and wages
- $2,230,040
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $3,007,095
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $3,922
- Accounting fees
- $164,218
- Occupancy
- $424,274
- Travel
- $5,560
- Depreciation
- $1,166,288
- Program services (functional)
- $4,176,058
- Management and general (functional)
- $1,129,706
- Fundraising (functional)
- $620,579
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $22,076,338
- Total assets, end of year
- $27,256,433
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $1,750,295
- Net assets, end of year
- $25,506,138
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $8,236,335
- Publicly traded securities
- $9,922,352
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $7,219,659
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $18,286,479
- Gross receipts
- $10,948,111
- Employees
- 113
- Volunteers
- 318
- Year formed
- 1825
- State of legal domicile
- MA
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOREEN SMITH | PRESIDENT AND CEO Officer | 40 | $210,502 | $16,216 |
| DEBORAH BERMAN SHEAR | CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER Officer | 40 | $113,955 | $12,487 |
| JOSEPH BARTULIS | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| LAURA BEATON | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID FIELDS | TRUSTEE - RESIGNED IN 2024 Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| NAUREEN MERAJ | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| RAYMOND L QUINLAN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| WILLIAM SULLIVAN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| ERIC TORKORNOO | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| DR FLORINA S TSENG | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID K WOODBURY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| AIMEE PEACOCK | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| JAMES M LANG | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBERT H MCCLAREN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| SHERRI PITCHER | TRUSTEE - RESIGNED IN 2024 Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
6 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEAN MAHONEY | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 |
| JOHN MCINNES | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 |
| DAVID P MCMANUS | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 |
| SUSAN NAVA-WHITEHEAD | CLERK/SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 |
| SCOTT FULLER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 |
| JAMES KANE | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 20 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOREEN SMITH | PRESIDENT AND CEO Officer | 40 | $210,667 | $14,397 |
| DEBORAH BERMAN SHEAR | CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER Officer | 40 | $22,781 | $2,588 |
| JOSEPH BARTULIS | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| LAURA BEATON | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID FIELDS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| NAUREEN MERAJ | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| RAYMOND L QUINLAN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| WILLIAM SULLIVAN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| ERIC TORKORNOO | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| DR FLORINA S TSENG | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID K WOODBURY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| AIMEE PEACOCK | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| JAMES M LANG | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBERT H MCCLAREN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| SHERRI PITCHER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| SEAN MACHONEY | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN MCINNES | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID P MCMANUS | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSAN NAVA-WHITEHEAD | CLERK/SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| SCOTT FULLER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 222 HARRINGTON WAY, WORCESTER, MA 01604-1809
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- NOREEN SMITH, 222 HARRINGTON WAY, WORCESTER, MA 01604
- Signed the 990
- NOREEN SMITH, PRESIDENT AND CEO
- Phone
- (508) 929-2700
- Website
- WWW.ECOTARIUM.ORG
- Return prepared by
- NON PROFIT CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC
Mission
THE ECOTARIUM'S MISSION IS TO INSPIRE A PASSION FOR SCIENCE AND NATURE AMONG ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY THROUGH ONE-OF-A-KIND EXPERIENCES, INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS, AND ACCESSIBLE PROGRAMMING. AS NEW ENGLAND'S LEADING SCIENCE AND NATURE CENTER, OUR VISION IS TO BE AN INNOVATIVE LEADER IN EXPERIENTIAL, COMMUNITY-CENTERED, SCIENCE LEARNING. THE ECOTARIUM IS WIDELY RECOGNIZED FOR INNOVATIVE, INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS AND PROGRAMMING FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AND SCHOOL GROUPS, AND FOR AN EXCEPTIONAL GUEST EXPERIENCE.
Program accomplishments
- EXHIBITS & COLLECTIONS: VISITS TO THE ECOTARIUM ARE EDUCATIONAL AND FUN. IN 2024, 136,699 VISITORS EXPLORED 45 ACRES OF OUTDOOR EXHIBITS, NATURE EXPLORE PLAYGROUND, AND WILDLIFE ZOOLOGICAL PARK HABITATS; 36,812 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. IN 2024 THE ALDEN DIGITAL PLANETARIUM PROVIDED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR 19,741 VISITORS.Expenses $1,370,950 · revenue $1,454,984
- EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: THE ECOTARIUM OFFERS INTERACTIVE, HANDS-ON, EDUCATOR-LED PROGRAMS THAT ALIGN WITH MASSACHUSETTS CURRICULUM FRAMEWORKS FOR PRE-K TO 12, AS WELL AS HOSTED BIRTHDAY PARTIES WITH FUN, EDUCATIONAL COMPONENTS. IN 2024 THE ECOTARIUM'S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING INSIDE THE MUSEUM AND IN THE COMMUNITY AT PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND YOUTH-SERVING AGENCIES PROVIDED IN-PERSON EDUCATION AT THE MUSEUM FOR 7,741 YOUTH AND ADULTS, AS WELL AS TRAVELING PROGRAMS IN THE COMMUNITY AND SCHOOLS FOR 9,088 YOUTH. SINCE 1885, THE ECOTARIUM HAS OFFERED SEASONAL SCIENCE AND NATURE DAY CAMPS FOR CHILDREN DURING VACATIONS AND SUMMER. IN 2024, CAMP PROGRAMS ENGAGED 763 CAMPERS DURING VACATIONS AND SUMMER CAMPS. 19,653 GUESTS PARTICIPATED IN FREE, DAILY, EDUCATOR-LED, MUSEUM EDUCATION PROGRAMS, INCLUDING, SCIENCE DISCOVERY, EARLY LEARNING, ANIMAL DISCOVERY, AFTERNOON ASTRONOMY, AND COLLECTION CONNECTION.Expenses $1,454,243 · revenue $594,561
- GUEST SERVICES: THE ECOTARIUM OFFERS A VARIETY OF VISITOR SERVICES, INCLUDING SPECIAL ACTIVITIES, HOSTED SPECIAL YEAR-ROUND, SEASONAL COMMUNITY EVENTS, PURCHASES FROM OUR MUSEUM SHOP, SEASONAL FOOD SERVICE AND FOOD VENDING MACHINES.Expenses $614,907 · revenue $162,885
- 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 WITHRESIDENT ANIMALS. THE ECOTARIUM DEMONSTRATES LEADERSHIP IN CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION OF ENDANGERED TURTLE POPULATIONS, ANIMAL WELFARE, ENRICHMENT, AND TRAINING PROGRAMS.. REGULAR ANIMAL PROGRAMMING INCLUDES BOTH INFORMAL AND FORMAL, VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON, ZOO-THEMED CAMP PROGRAMMING, BIRTHDAY PARTIES AND BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS.Expenses $735,958
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | Not on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 04-2105868
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1933
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Arts, culture and humanities (A560)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $27,256,433
- Income (IRS master file)
- $10,948,111
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2024 | $10,466,059 | $5,926,343 | $27,256,433 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $5,223,532 | $5,760,496 | $22,076,338 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $5,566,765 | $5,195,355 | $21,458,004 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2017 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 04-2105868).
Questions about WORCESTER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY
- What is the EIN of WORCESTER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of WORCESTER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY is 04-2105868.
- Is WORCESTER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1933.
- Are donations to WORCESTER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does WORCESTER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of WORCESTER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending December 31, 2025) is due May 15, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did WORCESTER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2024.
- Who is the principal officer of WORCESTER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 names NOREEN SMITH.
- Who are the officers and directors of WORCESTER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 lists 21 people; 2 received compensation from the organization, the highest $210,502 (NOREEN SMITH, PRESIDENT AND CEO).
- How much revenue does WORCESTER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 it reported revenue of $10,466,059, expenses of $5,926,343 and total assets of $27,256,433 at year end.
Other nonprofits in WORCESTER
- WORCESTER ART MUSEUM EIN 04-1988530 · last filed 990 for 2025
- WORCESTER CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS INC EIN 05-0521735 · last filed 990 for 2025
- WORCESTER AREA BUSINESS EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC EIN 04-3265642 · last filed 990 for 2024
- WORCESTER COUNTY MECHANICS ASSOCIATION EIN 04-1988955 · last filed 990 for 2025
- MUSIC WORCESTER INC EIN 04-2171207 · last filed 990 for 2025
- WORCESTER HISTORICAL MUSEUM EIN 04-2105858 · last filed 990 for 2025
- WORCESTER CENTER FOR CRAFTS INC EIN 04-2105859 · last filed 990 for 2025
- JOY OF MUSIC PROGRAM INC EIN 04-3055099 · last filed 990 for 2025
All nonprofits in WORCESTER · Massachusetts · Arts, culture and humanities