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Nonprofit · EIN 94-1262434

CURIODYSSEY

Tax-exempt · SAN MATEO, CA 94401

Financials

$5.9M$6.7M2022$6.4M$7.5M2023$5.3M$6.5M2024
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of CURIODYSSEY by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
September 30, 2025990$5,309,974$6,547,102-$1,237,128$13,451,947$372,301$13,079,646
September 30, 2024990$6,428,778$7,452,262-$1,023,484$14,591,390$348,303$14,243,087
September 30, 2023990$5,909,724$6,659,128-$749,404$16,321,781$1,207,328$15,114,453
Financial details: 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$2,896,542
Membership dues
$778,666
Program service revenue
$1,858,897
Investment income
$116,536
Net rental income
$317,193
Net gain from sales of assets
$9,667
Net income from fundraising events
$3,796
Net income from sales of inventory
$115,853
Other revenue
$437,999

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$8,000
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$484,916
Other salaries and wages
$3,079,646
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$4,114,662
Professional fundraising fees
$0
Legal fees
$31,058
Accounting fees
$55,130
Occupancy
$255,343
Travel
$13,025
Depreciation
$555,489
Program services (functional)
$5,038,506
Management and general (functional)
$807,673
Fundraising (functional)
$700,923

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$14,591,390
Total assets, end of year
$13,451,947
Total liabilities, end of year
$372,301
Net assets, end of year
$13,079,646
Land, buildings and equipment
$9,887,031
Publicly traded securities
$970,675
Net assets without donor restrictions
$11,555,438
Net assets with donor restrictions
$1,524,208
Gross receipts
$6,337,509
Employees
92
Volunteers
370
Year formed
1953
State of legal domicile
CA

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 September 30, 2025, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
ARAGON BURLINGHAMEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (THRU 9/25)
Officer
40$247,887$30,604
MAUREEN GARRETTCHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
Key employee
40$154,825$19,637
JESSA BARZELAYCHIEF PROGRAMS OFFICER
Key employee
40$150,340$8,566
SIERRA GONZALEZCHIEF SALES AND MARKETING OFFICER
Highest-paid employee
40$132,461$8,831
CLAUDIA N FINCH-MORALESDIRECTOR OF WILDLIFE
Highest-paid employee
40$115,784$19,412
KATHRYN A SULZNERDIR. OF ANIMAL HEALTH & CONSERVATION
Highest-paid employee
40$113,838$19,286
ERIC MASCHWITZDIRECTOR OF EXHIBITS
Highest-paid employee
40$108,461$14,765
TONAKA D KENDRICKDIRECTOR OF VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT
Highest-paid employee
40$109,222$9,850
ASHISH MOTIVALACHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0$0
BRUCE WRIGHTTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0$0
ANNE CAMPBELLSECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
5$0$0
NISHA AHLUWALIADIRECTOR (START 7/25)
Trustee or director
5$0$0
JUSTIN BERGERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
ERIN CALIHANDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
JACKIE CHANGDIRECTOR (START 7/25)
Trustee or director
5$0$0
15 more people on this return
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
ANU DATTADIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
CHRISTINA DIERCKSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
PEDRO DAVID ESPINOZADIRECTOR (START 2/25)
Trustee or director
10$0
JUAN CARLOS GALADIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
JIM HEKKERSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
VANITA JINDALDIRECTOR (START 7/25)
Trustee or director
5$0
ALISON KEENANDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
DANIELLE KLINGDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
MARIA TERESA LOPEZDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
AMAR MEHTADIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
CRAIG MICHAELSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
MERIEL OWENDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
DAVID PAULINGDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
VALERIE WONGDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
MELISSA FELDER DIRECTORINTERIMEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (START 7/25)
Officer
40$0
990 for the year ended September 30, 2024: 30 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
ARAGON BURINGHAMEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Officer
40$220,787$10,233
MAUREEN GARRETTCHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
Highest-paid employee
40$147,601$18,300
JESSA BARZELAYCHIEF PROGRAMS OFFICER
Highest-paid employee
40$143,340$13,005
SIERRA GONZALEZCHIEF SALES & MARKETING OFFICER
Highest-paid employee
40$139,696$13,222
KATHRYN A SULZNERDIR. OF ANIMAL HEALTH & CONSERVATION
Highest-paid employee
40$119,766$24,398
CLAUDIA N FINCH-MORALESDIR. OF WILDLIFE
Highest-paid employee
40$110,096$26,629
ASHISH MOTIVALACHAIR (START 06/12/24)
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0$0
LAUREL MIRANDACHAIR (THRU 06/12/24)
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0$0
ANU DATTAVICE CHAIR (THRU 09/11/24)/ DIRECTOR
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0$0
AMAR MEHTADIRECTOR / VICE CHAIR (START 9/1/24)
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0$0
ANDREA IRVINSECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0$0
BRUCE WRIGHTTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0$0
PABLO QUINTANILLADIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
JUSTIN BERGERDIRECTOR (START 05/15/24)
Trustee or director
5$0$0
ERIN CALIHANDIRECTOR (START 05/15/24)
Trustee or director
5$0$0
ANNE CAMPBELLDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
CHRISTINA DIERCKSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
JUAN CARLOS GALADIRECTOR (START 05/15/24)
Trustee or director
5$0$0
JIM HEKKERSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
ALISON KEENANDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
DANIELLE KLINGDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
MARIA TERESA LOPEZDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
CRAIG MICHAELSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
MERIEL OWENDIRECTOR (START 05/15/24)
Trustee or director
5$0$0
DAVID PAULINGDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
LINDA WILLEYDIRECTOR (START 05/15/24)
Trustee or director
5$0$0
VALERIE WONGDIRECTOR (START 05/15/24)
Trustee or director
5$0$0
JENNY SHAINDIRECTOR (START 05/15/24)
Trustee or director
5$0$0
SHERRY WANGDIRECTOR (THRU 06/12/24)
Trustee or director
5$0$0
LINDA FITSPATRICKDIRECTOR (THRU 06/12/24)
Trustee or director
5$0$0
990 for the year ended September 30, 2023: 23 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
ARAGON BURINGHAMEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Officer
40$203,191$10,350
MAUREEN GARRETTCHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
Highest-paid employee
40$166,790$3,646
JESSA BARZELAY -CHIEF PROGRAMSOFFICER AND DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
Highest-paid employee
40$132,156$2,192
CLAUDIA FINCH-MORALESDIRECTOR OF WILDLIFE
Highest-paid employee
40$107,022$7,162
ERIC MASCHWITZDIRECTOR OF EXHIBITS
Highest-paid employee
40$102,991$7,162
LAUREL MIRANDACHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0$0
AMAR MEHTAVICE CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0$0
ANDREA IRVINSECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0$0
BRUCE WRIGHTTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0$0
ANU DATTANOMINATING CHAIR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
ANNE CAMPBELLDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
CHRISTINA DIERCKSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
LINDA FITZPATRICKDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
JIM HEKKERSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
DANIELLE KLINGDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
ALLISON KEENANDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
MARIA TERESA LOPEZDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
CRAIG MICHAELSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
ASHISH MOTIVALADIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
DAVID PAULINGDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
PABLO QUINTANILLADIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
SHERRY WANGDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0$0
KELLY MARKSONDIRECTOR (THRU 7/23)
Trustee or director
5$0$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
1651 COYOTE POINT DR, SAN MATEO, CA 94401-1002
Principal officer (990 for 2024)
JOSH BRANKMAN, 1651 COYOTE POINT DRIVE, SAN MATEO, CA 94401
Signed the 990
JOSH BRANKMAN, CEO
Phone
(650) 342-7755
Return prepared by
BAKER TILLY ADVISORY GROUP LP

California records

California keeps its own records of charities and corporations. Search them by EIN 94-1262434 or by the name CURIODYSSEY.

Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers
Registration status and filed reports (CT-TR-1, RRF-1)

Mission

CURIODYSSEY, A SCIENCE PLAYGROUND AND ZOO, INSPIRES A LOVE FOR SCIENCE AND CURIOSITY ABOUT THE WORLD TO CREATE A BRIGHTER FUTURE. WE DO THIS BY LETTING KIDS LOOSE TO OBSERVE WHAT IS, ASK "WHAT IF AND LET THE NATURAL WORLD ANSWER THEIR QUESTIONS. WE GIVE KIDS THE REAL POWER OF SCIENCE.

990 for the year ended September 30, 2025

Program accomplishments

  • WILDLIFE HABITATS:CURIODYSSEY HOUSES NEARLY 70 ANIMALS- FROM NEWTS AND MILLIPEDES TO EAGLES AND RIVER OTTERS. THESE ANIMALS ALLOW CHILDREN TO EXPERIENCE AND UNDERSTAND THE NATURAL WORLD. ALL OF THE ANIMALS HOUSED AT CURIODYSSEY ARE UNABLE TO BE RELEASED INTO THE WILD DUE TO OLD PHYSICAL INJURIES THEY OBTAINED IN THE WILD OR HABITUATION TO HUMANS. MOST DO NOT HAVE THE SKILLS TO CARE FOR THEMSELVES, WHILE OTHERS CANNOT AVOID PREDATION IN THE WILD. OUR ANIMALS REINFORCE THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION BY TAKING CENTER STAGE IN OUR WILDLIFE HABITATS, SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMS, AND PUBLIC PROGRAMS. CURIODYSSEY IS ACCREDITED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS (AZA). THE AZA ACCREDITS FEWER THAN 20% OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS NATIONWIDE.
    Expenses $1,094,399 · grants $8,000 · revenue $52,522
  • EXHIBITS/PUBLIC PROGRAMS:THIS YEAR WE COMPLETED THE FOURTH YEAR OF THE STEMCORPS MENTOR PROGRAM, CONNECTING 20 STUDENTS WITH 20 MENTORS IN BIWEEKLY VIRTUAL 1:1 MENTOR SESSIONS WHERE DIFFERENT STEM CONCEPTS WERE EXPLORED THROUGH HANDS-ON STEM ACTIVITIES. THE STEMCORPS INITIATIVE WAS CREATED TO CONNECT A CURIODYSSEY TRAINED TEAM OF EDUCATORS, MENTORS, CAREGIVERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO SUPPORT YOUTH FROM UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES AND EMPOWER THEM TO PURSUE OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH (STEM) LEARNING. CAMP CURIODYSSEY CONTINUES TO BE OUR FLAGSHIP PROGRAM. IT ENGAGED 733 CAMPERS IN AN IMMERSIVE JOURNEY EXPLORING NATURAL PHENOMENA THROUGH SCIENCE AND IN THE NATURAL WORLD. THE CAMP PROGRAM FOSTERS CREATIVITY, IMAGINATION AND APPRECIATION FOR NATURE. EACH CAMP PROVIDES PERSONAL, INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES FOR PRESCHOOL THROUGH FOURTH GRADE YOUTH. THIS YEAR 3,290 CHILDREN RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT AND 66 ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT FOR FIELD TRIPS OR SCIENCE WORKSHOPS. CURIODYSSEY'S CAMP INCLUSION PROGRAM SUPPORTED 72 CHILDREN WITH NEEDS AND ACCOMMODATIONS AND THEIR FAMILIES. SENSORY SUNDAYS, A QUARTERLY EVENT WELCOMING VISITORS WITH SENSORY ACCESS NEEDS TO CURIODYSSEY FOR A FREE AFTERNOON OF SCIENCE ACTIVITIES, ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS, POP-UP EXHIBITS, WELCOMED OVER 1,000 ATTENDEES THIS YEAR. THREE RECURRING EXHIBITS ROTATIONS WERE PILOTED THIS YEAR. THESE ROTATIONS CREATED A FRESH AND CHANGING EXPERIENCE FOR VISITORS WHILE CYCLING IN NEW AND RETURNING EXHIBITS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THREE NEW EXHIBITS WERE CREATED THROUGH A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS WITH THE CONSERVATION TEAM AS PART OF THE NATURE STORY LOOP. OUR AUTUMN EXHIBITION, FALL INTO SCIENCE, RETURNED WITH A NEW EXHIBIT. OUR POPULAR WINTER LIGHTS EXHIBITION, ILLUMINODYSSEY, ALSO RETURNED WITH SEVERAL NEW EXHIBITS AND RETURNING FAVORITES.
    Expenses $1,443,396 · revenue $617,725
  • COMMUNITY OUTREACH/GUEST SERVICES:COMMUNITY OUTREACH IS PART OF CURIODYSSEY'S PRACTICE AND ALLOWS US TO ENACT OUR VALUE OF CENTERING MARGINALIZED VOICES. WE DO THIS THROUGH ONGOING EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR REGIONAL SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS. WE INCREASED ACCESS BY EXPANDING QUALIFYING CRITERIA FOR FAMILIES AND SCHOOLS TO RECEIVE FREE OR REDUCED ADMISSION AND PROGRAM FEES. THROUGH THE MUSEUMS FOR ALL PROGRAM, 4,700 VISITORS RECEIVED FREE ADMISSION AND 505 QUALIFIED FAMILIES ACCESSED FREE MEMBERSHIP. CURIODYSSEY ALSO PROVIDES FREE ADMISSION FOR CASA VOLUNTEERS AND THE CHILDREN IN THEIR CARE. WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE FREE ADMISSION FOR A CHILD WITH THE DISCOVER & GO PROGRAM THROUGH LOCAL LIBRARIES.WE ARE CONTINUOUSLY DEVELOPING OUR WEBSITE AS A RESOURCE FOR SCIENCE INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS. MARKETING PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN INFORMING TEACHERS, PARENTS, AND CHILDREN ABOUT OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND EXHIBITS AND ENCOURAGING A SCIENTIFIC MINDSET. CURIODYSSEY'S RENTAL SPACES PROVIDE A NATURAL SETTING FOR A VARIETY OF EVENTS, INCLUDING BIRTHDAY PARTIES, WEDDINGS, COMPANY RETREATS, AND OTHER CELEBRATIONS. FOR EVENING EVENTS, GUESTS HAVE ACCESS TO OUR BEAUTIFUL GARDENS AND OUR MAIN BUILDING, WHICH HOUSES A VARIETY OF FASCINATING INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS. WITH PRIOR ARRANGEMENT WITH OUR WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT, EVENTS MAY INCLUDE AN UP-CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH ONE OF OUR MANY ANIMAL AMBASSADORS.
    Expenses $937,966 · revenue $1,138,459
  • SCHOOL/SERVICE VOLUNTEERS:CURIODYSSEY OFFERS AN ACTIVE SCHOOL SERVICES PROGRAM TO BAY AREA SCHOOLS THAT INCLUDES ON-SITE AND CLASSROOM-BASED PROGRAMS AND FIELD TRIPS. THE MUSEUM MAKES A SPECIAL EFFORT TO ACCOMMODATE SCHOOLS AND STUDENTS WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BE UNABLE TO ENJOY THE CURIODYSSEY PROGRAMS.VOLUNTEERS PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN SUPPORTING CURIODYSSEY'S MISSION. DURING FY25, OVER 370 VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTED MORE THAN 12,000 HOURS ACROSS THE ORGANIZATION. THIS REPRESENTS AN ESTIMATED $300,000 IN CONTRIBUTED VALUE. WHILE THE PROGRAM EXPERIENCED SOME NATURAL ATTRITION, OVERALL VOLUNTEER HOURS REMAINED STRONG, RESULTING IN MEANINGFUL IMPACT ACROSS DEPARTMENTS. THIS FOUNDATION POSITIONS THE PROGRAM FOR CONTINUED GROWTH IN FY26 THROUGH EXPANDED RECRUITMENT EFFORTS, NEW VOLUNTEER OFFERINGS, AND A FOCUSED INVESTMENT IN ENHANCING VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT AND EXPERIENCE. GARDENS - CURIODYSSEY'S 1.3 ACRES OF GARDENS PROVIDE A BEAUTIFUL AND EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR VISITORS YEAR-ROUND. THE GARDENS ALSO SERVE AS AN OUTDOOR LABORATORY FOR OUR CLASSES AND PROGRAMS TO INVESTIGATE PLANTS, INSECTS, AND BIRDS.MUSEUM STORE - THE CURIODYSSEY SHOP FULFILLS ANOTHER PART OF THE ORGANIZATION'S EDUCATIONAL GOAL BY ALLOWING VISITORS AND MEMBERS TO PURCHASE BOOKS, SCIENCE KITS, AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL MERCHANDISE THAT DIRECTLY RELATE TO ITS MISSION.
    Expenses $1,562,745 · revenue $166,044

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 September, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

Tax yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025September 30, 2026February 15, 2027Not due yet
2024September 30, 2025February 16, 2026990 on file
2023September 30, 2024February 17, 2025990 on file

IRS record

EIN
94-1262434
Tax-exempt status
501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
Foundation status
Publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))
Donations deductible (Pub 78)
Public charity, 50% deduction limit
Exempt since
1955
Accounting year ends
September
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Assets (IRS master file)
$13,451,947
Income (IRS master file)
$6,337,509

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990September 2025$5,309,974$6,547,102$13,451,947XML
990September 2024$6,428,778$7,452,262$14,591,390XML
990September 2023$5,909,724$6,659,128$16,321,781XML
990September 2022$7,747,451$4,963,382$16,536,805IRS
990September 2021–––IRS
990September 2020–––IRS
990September 2018–––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 94-1262434).

Questions about CURIODYSSEY

What is the EIN of CURIODYSSEY?
The employer identification number (EIN) of CURIODYSSEY is 94-1262434.
Is CURIODYSSEY tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1955.
Are donations to CURIODYSSEY tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does CURIODYSSEY 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 CURIODYSSEY due?
The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending September 30, 2026) is due February 15, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did CURIODYSSEY last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended September 2025.
Who is the principal officer of CURIODYSSEY?
The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 names JOSH BRANKMAN.
Who are the officers and directors of CURIODYSSEY?
The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 lists 30 people; 8 received compensation from the organization, the highest $247,887 (ARAGON BURLINGHAM, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (THRU 9/25)).
How much revenue does CURIODYSSEY have?
On its 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $5,309,974, expenses of $6,547,102 and total assets of $13,451,947 at year end.

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