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Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Learn about this cause: What are the reviews? Is it Legit? Do I like the mission? What is the CEO's salary?

EIN: 860111675 ✦ Tucson, AZ ✦ Designated as a 501(c)(3)

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Overview

What is Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum?

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a renowned biopark situated in Tucson, Arizona, spanning over 98 acres of leased land, with 21 acres open to the public. Comprising a zoo, botanical garden, aquarium, research organization, art institute, and natural history museum, it offers visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the vibrant Sonoran Desert region. The museum is home to over two hundred animal species and curated gardens with thousands of plant varieties. Visitors can explore two miles of walking paths, two art galleries, and a simulated cave with a mineral gallery. Since its establishment in 1952, it has welcomed approximately 24 million visitors from around the world. The museum's largest program is its exhibits and gardens, which provide opportunities for people to learn about the desert and develop a deeper appreciation for its natural wonders. With a staff of 188 employees, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum inspires people to live in harmony with nature by fostering love, appreciation, and understanding of the Sonoran Desert.


Official website here: www.desertmuseum.org

What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?

Rating from Charity Navigator: 100% (Four-Star out of Four Star rating)

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum has achieved an impressive Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator, reflecting its strong performance in several key areas. The organization received a perfect score in Accountability & Finance, demonstrating its commitment to transparency and responsible financial management. With no material diversion of assets and a low liabilities-to-assets ratio, the museum showcases a healthy financial foundation.

Strengths of the museum include its independent board composition, with 96% of board members being independent, and its robust feedback mechanisms that show a commitment to incorporating stakeholder input. The organization also excels in program expenses, with over 81% of its expenditures directed towards its mission-related activities. These factors collectively contribute to a strong reputation in the nonprofit sector.

While the museum scored lower in Leadership & Adaptability and Culture & Community, it still maintains a high level of accountability and practices that reflect good governance. The overall exceptional ratings suggest that the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is effectively fulfilling its mission while maintaining a solid operational structure, though ongoing efforts in leadership and community engagement could further enhance its impact.


This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.

Is Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum legitimate?

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.


Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:

Executive Compensation: $461,369
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $5,509,343

For more financial information, click here


Official website here: www.desertmuseum.org

What is the mission statement of Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum?

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum inspires people to live in harmony with the natural world, fostering love, appreciation, and understanding of the Sonoran Desert. As a world-renowned biopark, it offers various components including a zoo, botanical garden, aquarium, research organization, art institute, and natural history museum. The museum maintains interpreted acres with two miles of walking paths, showcasing over two hundred animal species, curated gardens with thousands of plant varieties, a simulated cave with a mineral gallery, and two art galleries. Visitors learn about new subjects and issues, feel closer to nature, and develop a deeper appreciation for the Sonoran Desert after their visit. The museum's largest and most impactful program is its exhibits and gardens, which feature various desert habitats and comprehensive collections of flora, fauna, minerals, and art.


Official website here: www.desertmuseum.org

Who is the CEO of Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum?

Craig Ivanyi is the Executive Director of Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.


Official website here: www.desertmuseum.org

What is the revenue of Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum?

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum's revenue in 2022 was $28,343,419.


Official website here: www.desertmuseum.org

Who are the executives of Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and what are their salaries?

The average compensation at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum during 2022 was $31,759. There are 188 employees and 407 volunteers at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.


Here are 28 key members and their salaries:


Craig Ivanyi (Executive Director)
  • Compensation: $160,058
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $16,143
Carolyn Carson (Chief Financial Officer)
  • Compensation: $125,929
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $9,959
Brian Denham (Chief Operating Officer)
  • Compensation: $118,951
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $5,826
Lynnae Wenker (Director Of Philanthropy)
  • Compensation: $115,013
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $9,010
Michael C Baldwin (Trustee)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Shane C Burgess Dvmphd (Trustee)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Cheryl Charles Phd (Trustee)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Kelsey Dayle John Phd (Trustee)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Lynn Ericksen (Trustee)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Amy E Fletcher Jd (Trustee)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Lisa K Harris Phd (Trustee)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Ruskin Hartley (Trustee)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Anna Heyer (Trustee)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Abby Hungwe (Trustee)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Joaquin Murrieta-Saldivar Phd (Trustee)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Robert F Ojeda Phd (Trustee)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Bobby Present (Trustee)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Mary V Price Phd (Trustee)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Peter W Salter (Trustee)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Jana Sutton Jd (Trustee)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Alexander G Schauss Phd (Trustee)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
David Smallhouse (Trustee)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Peter Wand Jd (Trustee)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Kevin E Bonine Phd (Immediate Past Chair)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Steven K Brigham (Chair)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Angela Faith Liston (Vice-Chair)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Kerry L Baldwin (Secretary)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Heather Kantor (Treasurer)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0


Official website here: www.desertmuseum.org

Where can I find the form 990 for Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum?

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.


Official website here: www.desertmuseum.org

Learn more at the official website: www.desertmuseum.org

Mission Statement of Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a renowned biopark, inspires people to live in harmony with the natural world by fostering love, appreciation, and understanding of the Sonoran Desert. Spanning multiple components, including a zoo, botanical garden, aquarium, research organization, art institute, and natural history museum, the Museum offers a rich desert experience. It captivates visitors with over two hundred animal species, curated gardens featuring thousands of plant varieties, two art galleries, and a simulated cave with a mineral gallery. The Museum's 21 interpreted acres and two miles of walking paths through various desert habitats provide an authentic and immersive desert environment. With exhibits that realistically re-create the Sonoran Desert's flora and fauna, the Museum offers visitors a unique and educational experience. Exit surveys reveal that visitors learn about new subjects and issues, feel closer to nature, and develop a deeper appreciation for the Sonoran Desert after their visit.

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Impact




October, 2024

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum significantly enriches the understanding and appreciation of the Sonoran Desert through its comprehensive biopark, which includes a regional zoo, botanical garden, aquarium, art institute, and natural history museum. Spanning 98 acres, with 21 acres accessible to the public and featuring two miles of walking paths, the museum invites visitors to explore diverse exhibits that authentically replicate the desert's flora and fauna.

With over 200 animal species and thousands of plant varieties, the museum serves as a living classroom where approximately 333,160 visitors experienced the wonders of the desert in fiscal year 2022 alone. This number reflects a 32% increase from previous years as the institution continues its recovery from pandemic-related attendance declines. The museum's well-curated gardens, mineral collections, and art galleries create a unique environment that fosters a connection to nature and deepens knowledge about ecological and cultural issues.

Feedback from exit surveys indicates that visitors leave with enhanced awareness of environmental topics, a stronger bond with the natural world, and a heightened respect for the Sonoran Desert. Through its educational programs, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum inspires individuals to live in harmony with their surroundings, promoting a sustainable future and nurturing a love for the desert region and its intrinsic beauty.




This information is meant to be a general summary of Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.


Financials

This financial information is from Propublica.

Revenue
$28,343,419 (2022)
Expenses
$12,733,839 (2022)
Efficiency

Other financial information:

This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2022.

  • Investment Income: $406,941
  • Program Service Revenue: $7,224,246
  • Gross Receipts: $37,486,380

Assets and Liabilities:

  • Total Assets: $51,306,918
  • Total Liabilities: $1,665,880
  • Net Assets: $49,641,038

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Programs

Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.

ADMISSIONS

Revenue

$4,865,491

MEMBERSHIP DUES

Revenue

$1,206,167

EDUCATION

Revenue

$873,608

ART INSTITUTE

Revenue

$150,470

OTHER

Revenue

$128,510

Organization Details

Founding Year

1952

Principal Officer

Craig Ivanyi

Main Address

2021 NORTH KINNEY ROAD, TUCSON, AZ, 857439719

NTEE Category

Code: A560 - Arts

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