SHEDD AQUARIUM SOCIETY
1200 S LAKE SHORE DR, CHICAGO, IL · IRS data through FY2024
Revenue, expenses and net assets
Revenue Expenses Net assets
| Tax year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024 | $101,974,802 | $72,794,544 | $685,877,224 |
| FY2023 | $92,974,657 | $66,994,472 | $610,978,661 |
| FY2022 | $94,920,299 | $57,622,512 | $539,954,932 |
| FY2021 | $182,584,994 | $55,798,825 | $554,588,947 |
| FY2020 | $48,331,820 | $54,444,622 | $445,924,504 |
| FY2019 | $73,772,254 | $61,229,407 | $433,930,106 |
| FY2018 | $65,337,740 | $62,910,753 | $382,132,963 |
| FY2017 | $60,970,519 | $59,336,621 | $390,862,293 |
| FY2016 | $55,148,030 | $58,005,261 | $358,718,612 |
| FY2015 | $61,250,762 | $57,110,560 | $349,046,478 |
| FY2014 | $82,931,011 | $56,627,711 | $351,123,031 |
| FY2013 | $63,545,279 | $55,589,397 | $348,841,767 |
| FY2012 | $65,833,199 | $53,510,492 | $327,972,606 |
| FY2011 | $73,825,035 | $53,816,488 | $306,161,537 |
Where the revenue came from
| Source | Amount | % of revenue |
|---|---|---|
| Contributions & grants | $30,332,596 | 39% |
| Program service revenue | $47,568,921 | 61% |
Where the money was spent
| Category | Amount | % of expenses |
|---|---|---|
| Program services | $55,836,040 | 77% |
| Management & general | $12,521,032 | 17% |
| Fundraising | $4,437,472 | 6% |
What the numbers show
- Program service revenue made up 61% of total revenue in FY2024.
- Program services accounted for 77% of functional expenses, management & general 17%, and fundraising 6%.
- 77% of functional expenses went to program services in FY2024. That is higher than 26.7% of 240 Animal-Related organizations nationwide (too few in IL for a state comparison).
- Net assets covered about 113.1 months of expenses at the end of the reporting year. That puts it in the 95th percentile among 383 Animal-Related organizations in IL.
- Total revenue was higher than 100.3% of 388 Animal-Related organizations in IL.
- Total revenue rose from $73,825,035 in FY2011 to $101,974,802 in FY2024, Revenue increased in 6 and decreased in 7 of 13 year-over-year comparisons.
- Expenses exceeded revenue in 2 of 14 reported years (FY2016, FY2020).
- The highest revenue on record here is $182,584,994 in FY2021.
- Net assets grew from $306,161,537 to $685,877,224 between FY2011 and FY2024.
- Donations are generally tax-deductible (public charity).
Figures compared against other organizations of the same NTEE program area in the same state. See the methodology page for how these are calculated and the guide to reading nonprofit financials for their limits.
About this organization
The Shedd Aquarium Society Operates a public aquarium to encourage the connection between animals and guests through exhibits and education programs with the goal of promoting aquatic conservation.
IRS status
| Ruling year | 1932 |
| Subsection | 501(c)(3) |
| Classification | Public charity |
| Program area (NTEE) | D500 — Animal-Related |
| Donations | Donations are generally tax-deductible (public charity). |
Source: Internal Revenue Service — Exempt Organizations Business Master File (downloaded September 20, 2026), Statistics of Income extracts, Form 990 e-file data, Publication 78 and the Automatic Revocation list. Figures are as reported by the organization; IRS processing may adjust them. This is not a charity rating and not tax advice. Confirm deductibility in IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search.
Think something here is wrong or should be removed? Use the contact form — we act on removal requests within 30 days.