FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
Mission Statement
The Field Museum was founded in 1893 to house the natural science collections displayed at the World's Columbian Exposition. Charged with a dual mission to accumulate and disseminate knowledge about the Earth's biological and cultural diversity, the Museum is one of the world's preeminent institutions for natural science research and presents 34 popular permanent exhibitions covering 350,000 square feet as well as approximately 10 temporary exhibitions annually. Central to the Museum's success is our history of creating pioneering education programs that complement our exhibitions, facilitate unparalleled public access to our resources and make the Museum an extension of Chicago's education system. Our goal is to present the latest scientific thinking in an easily accessible manner that expands our visitors' perceptions of themselves, their communities and their world, while encouraging respect and understanding among all people. In the last 12 months, the Museum welcomed 1,350,000 visitors (including 283,000 school children), served six million people via the Internet, and conducted 4,200 education programs that engaged 834,000 children and adults.
Financial Overview — FY 2024
Compared with Peers
FY 2024| Ratio | This org | Peer median | Position (P10 → P90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Program expense ratio
Program expenses / total expenses
· higher is better
|
83.1% | 79.7% |
P10P90
|
Above median |
|
Admin expense ratio
Management and general / total expenses
· lower is better
|
9.9% | 13.2% |
P10P90
|
Above median |
|
Fundraising expense ratio
Fundraising expenses / total expenses
· lower is better
|
7.1% | 5.9% |
P10P90
|
Below median |
|
Fundraising efficiency
Fundraising expenses / gross fundraising income
· lower is better
|
4763.4% | 812.3% |
P10P90
|
Bottom quarter |
|
Operating reserve
Months of expenses covered by net assets
· higher is better
|
95.6 mo | 29.3 mo |
P10P90
|
Top quarter |
|
Liabilities to assets
Total liabilities / total assets
· lower is better
|
18.6% | 12.3% |
P10P90
|
Below median |
|
Revenue concentration
Share of revenue from the largest source
· lower is better
|
39.0% | 67.9% |
P10P90
|
Top quarter |
|
Revenue growth
Year over year revenue growth
|
4.3% | 7.9% |
P10P90
|
|
|
Expense growth
Year over year expense growth
|
0.4% | 7.2% |
P10P90
|
|
|
Surplus margin
Surplus as a share of revenue
|
17.0% | 2.0% |
P10P90
|
Financial History
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Net Assets | Program % | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $114.8M | $95.3M | $759.0M | 83.1% | 717 |
| 2023 | $110.1M | $94.9M | $688.8M | 84.3% | 684 |
| 2022 | $91.9M | $88.7M | $594.5M | 84.3% | 655 |
| 2021 | $94.1M | $72.8M | N/A | — | 589 |
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