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Nonprofiteer
← NATURAL SCIENCE CENTER OF GREENSBORO INC

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by NATURAL SCIENCE CENTER OF GREENSBORO INC.

Totals

Total revenue
$23,729,267
Total expenses
$11,491,183
Contributions and grants received
$16,417,763
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$5,893,866
Investment income
$106,162
Other revenue
$1,311,476
Total assets, end of year
$40,720,530
Total liabilities, end of year
$5,049,785
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$35,670,745
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$6,368,506
Management and general expenses
$4,731,971
Fundraising expenses
$390,706
Program service expenses (Part III)
$6,368,506

Program services were 55.4% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1b · Membership dues

    $1,187,495

  • 1c · Fundraising events

    $516,311

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $80,994

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $14,632,963

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $6,470,876

  • 2a · Program service revenue: PROGRAM SERVICE REVENUE

    total $5,893,866 · related or exempt $5,893,866

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $326,055 · excluded $326,055

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $219,893

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities -$219,893

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total -$219,893 · related or exempt -$219,893

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $1,586,998

  • 8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

    $516,311

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $1,360,471

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total $226,527 · excluded $226,527

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $1,314,269

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $494,776

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $819,493 · related or exempt $819,493

  • 11a · Other revenue: AUXILLIARY ACTIVITIES

    total $158,759 · related or exempt $158,759

  • 11b · Other revenue: CAFE SALES

    total $106,697 · related or exempt $106,697

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $265,456

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $702,889 · management and general $702,889

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $4,542,435 · program services $3,345,491 · management and general $1,071,424 · fundraising $125,520

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $162,398 · program services $121,133 · management and general $35,220 · fundraising $6,045

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $519,113 · program services $393,617 · management and general $114,754 · fundraising $10,742

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $366,333 · program services $251,169 · management and general $105,839 · fundraising $9,325

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $19,050 · management and general $19,050

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $73,006 · fundraising $73,006

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $90,937 · fundraising $90,937

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $8,856 · management and general $8,856

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $15,331 · management and general $15,331

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $456,178 · management and general $456,178

  • 20 · Interest

    total $93,231 · management and general $93,231

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $1,517,520 · program services $716,000 · management and general $801,520

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $265,131 · management and general $265,131

  • 24a · Other expenses: GENERAL OPERATING

    total $750,659 · program services $578,460 · management and general $152,873 · fundraising $19,326

  • 24b · Other expenses: UTILITIES

    total $607,639 · management and general $607,639

  • 24c · Other expenses: GENERAL SUPPLIES

    total $495,053 · program services $352,666 · management and general $128,262 · fundraising $14,125

  • 24d · Other expenses: CONTRACTED SERVICES

    total $229,999 · program services $91,351 · management and general $96,968 · fundraising $41,680

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $575,425 · program services $518,619 · management and general $56,806

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $1,990,158 · end of year $2,737,198

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $128,748 · end of year $3,811,647

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $217,658 · end of year $743,996

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $190,408 · end of year $246,401

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $1,134,138 · end of year $1,175,343

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $30,723,718

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $11,945,051

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $20,188,492 · end of year $18,778,667

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $4,502,727 · end of year $13,227,278

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $1,037,488 · end of year $1,420,778

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $974,128 · end of year $970,971

  • 24 · Unsecured notes and loans payable

    beginning of year $3,079,420 · end of year $2,545,556

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $78,190 · end of year $112,480

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $21,556,619 · end of year $21,138,854

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $1,626,484 · end of year $14,531,891

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

THE MISSION OF THE CENTER IS INSPIRING CURIOSITY AND CONNECTING COMMUNITIES THROUGH SCIENCE AND CONSERVATION. WE ACCOMPLISH THIS BY PROVIDING EVER-EVOLVING EXPERIENCES WHERE EXPLORATION AND IMAGINATION INTERSECT, IGNITING A LIFELONG PASSION FOR SCIENCE AND THE NATURAL WORLD.

  • MUSEUM, ZOO, AND AQUARIUM: FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2025, THE CENTER WELCOMED 597,933 GUESTS. THE FACILITY IS HOME TO MORE THAN 1,500 RARE AND ENDANGERED SPECIES AND PLAYS AN ACTIVE ROLE IN INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATION THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN BREEDING PROGRAMS FOR SPECIES INCLUDING PYGMY HIPPOS, RED PANDAS, ASIAN FISHING CATS, AFRICAN PENGUINS, AND SUMATRAN TIGERS.THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, THE CENTER HAS PROVIDED MILLIONS OF CHILDREN, FAMILIES, SCHOOL GROUPS, AND LIFELONG LEARNERS WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE WITH GLOBAL ECOSYSTEMS, EXPERIENCE REAL-WORLD SCIENCE AND STEM EDUCATION, AND UNDERSTAND NORTH CAROLINA'S CONNECTION TO INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATION INITIATIVES.THE CENTER REMAINS NORTH CAROLINA'S ONLY SCIENCE ATTRACTION TO HOLD DUAL ACCREDITATION FROM BOTH THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS & AQUARIUMS (AZA) AND THE AMERICAN ALLIANCE OF MUSEUMS (AAM), A DISTINCTION ACHIEVED BY ONLY FOURTEEN INSTITUTIONS NATIONWIDE. AS THE CENTER HAS EXPANDED ITS PROGRAMS AND FACILITIES, ITS AUDIENCE HAS GROWN ACCORDINGLY. IN THE PAST FISCAL YEAR, THE CENTER WELCOMED GUESTS FROM 96 NORTH CAROLINA COUNTIES, ALL 50 STATES, AND MULTIPLE COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE.AS NORTH CAROLINA'S FIRST ACCREDITED INLAND AQUARIUM, THE CENTER'S WISEMAN AQUARIUM PROVIDES GUESTS WITH A TRULY IMMERSIVE JOURNEY INTO AQUATIC LIFE. GUESTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE DIRECTLY WITH AQUARISTS AND EDUCATORS, EXPLORING NOT ONLY A WIDE VARIETY OF AQUATIC SPECIES BUT ALSO THE TERRESTRIAL ANIMALS THAT SHARE THEIR ECOSYSTEMS.THROUGH INNOVATIVE SCIPODS AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES EXPERIENCES, GUESTS GAIN A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF THE SCIENCE OF ANIMAL CARE, HUSBANDRY, CONSERVATION, AND WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT.IN THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2025, THE WISEMAN AQUARIUM WELCOMED 597,933 GUESTS, EACH CONNECTING WITH THE VITAL ROLE AQUATIC SYSTEMS PLAY IN GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH.

    Expenses $4,679,413 · Revenue $5,148,526

  • EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: IN ALIGNMENT WITH ITS MISSION, THE CENTER DELIVERS A WIDE RANGE OF PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO SPARK CURIOSITY AND DEEPEN UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE AND CONSERVATION.FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2025, THE CENTER REACHED 17,380 STUDENTS AND TEACHERS THROUGH 382 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, EXTENDING CLASSROOM LEARNING INTO REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCES. IN ADDITION, MORE THAN 882 GUESTS PARTICIPATED IN 106 CLASSES AND CAMPS, WHILE 976 GUESTS ENJOYED UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE DIRECTLY WITH STAFF AND ANIMALS THROUGH 201 BEHIND-THE-SCENES PROGRAMS.EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS SPAN A DIVERSE SPECTRUM: FROM WEEK-LONG SCIENCE CAMPS AND SENSORY-FRIENDLY NIGHTS TO HANDS-ON GALLERY EXPERIENCES LIKE SCIENCE ON THE SPOT, SHARK WEEK ACTIVITIES, AND PARTICIPATION IN THE NC SCIENCE FESTIVAL. THESE PROGRAMS ENSURE THAT LEARNERS OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES CAN CONNECT WITH SCIENCE IN WAYS THAT ARE BOTH MEANINGFUL AND MEMORABLE.

    Expenses $928,059 · Revenue $297,222

  • SKYWILD AND FLYWAY: COMPLEMENTING THE CENTER'S MISSION OF CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH THE NATURAL WORLD, THE CENTER'S AERIAL ADVENTURE PARK OFFERS GUESTS THE CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE ANIMAL BEHAVIORS IN A UNIQUELY PHYSICAL AND IMMERSIVE WAY. SUSPENDED HIGH ABOVE THE ZOO, THE COURSE CHALLENGES PARTICIPANTS TO WADDLE, LEAP, BRACHIATE, AND CRAWL, MIRRORING THE MOVEMENTS OF THE ANIMALS BELOW WHILE ALSO PROVIDING AN EXCITING OUTDOOR WORKOUT. SINCE OPENING IN 2015, SKYWILD HAS BECOME A SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE, WELCOMING 8,443 GUESTS IN THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2025.TO FURTHER EXPAND ADVENTURE OPPORTUNITIES, THE CENTER INTRODUCED THE FLYWAY ZIPLINE IN 2022. THIS THRILLING RIDE CARRIES GUESTS ACROSS LAKE SLOAN, OFFERING BREATHTAKING BIRD'S-EYE VIEWS OF COUNTRY PARK. IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, 1,708 GUESTS TOOK FLIGHT ON THE FLYWAY, ADDING YET ANOTHER MEMORABLE WAY TO CONNECT RECREATION, NATURE, AND DISCOVERY.

    Expenses $401,965 · Revenue $306,847

  • GIFT SHOP: AMONG THE 597,933 GUESTS WHO VISITED THE CENTER IN THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2025, MANY EXTENDED THEIR EXPERIENCE THROUGH A STOP AT THE CENTER'S GIFT SHOP. FAR MORE THAN A TRADITIONAL RETAIL SPACE, THE SHOP CURATES A WIDE SELECTION OF EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTS, MISSION-FOCUSED MERCHANDISE, AND SCIENCE- AND CONSERVATION-THEMED ITEMS DESIGNED TO INSPIRE CURIOSITY LONG AFTER A VISIT CONCLUDES. EACH PURCHASE OFFERS GUESTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE THEIR JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY AT HOME WHILE SUPPORTING THE CENTER'S MISSION OF CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH ANIMALS, SCIENCE, AND CONSERVATION.OMNISPHERE: THE CENTER'S OMNISPHERE THEATER, WITH ITS IMPRESSIVE 40-FOOT DOME CEILING, BRINGS SCIENCE AND THE ARTS TO LIFE IN BREATHTAKING WAYS. POWERED BY OUR SUPER MEDIAGLOBE FULL-DOME PROJECTION SYSTEM, THE THEATER DELIVERS IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES IN DIGITAL, LASER, AND LARGE-FORMAT 3D.IN THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2025, THE THEATER INSPIRED 40,212 GUESTS WITH SHOWS RANGING FROM BIG BIRD'S GUIDED TOUR OF THE NIGHT SKY TO AWE-INSPIRING ASTRONAUT PERSPECTIVES OF EARTH AND THE COSMOS.THE OMNISPHERE ALSO TRANSFORMS INTO AN EVENING ENTERTAINMENT VENUE, WHERE GUESTS ENJOY LASER LIGHT SHOWS SET TO THE MUSIC OF ARTISTS SUCH AS TAYLOR SWIFT, THE BEATLES, AND MORE. THESE PROGRAMS CREATE A DYNAMIC BLEND OF SCIENCE, ART, AND CULTURE, OFFERING MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES FOR AUDIENCES OF ALL AGES.ROTARY CLUB OF GREENSBORO CAROUSEL: AS THE LARGEST IN NORTH CAROLINA, THE CENTER'S ROTARY CLUB OF GREENSBORO CAROUSEL OFFERS A WHIMSICAL EXPERIENCE FOR BOTH CENTER GUESTS AND THE BROADER COMMUNITY. FEATURING 56 HAND-CARVED, HAND-PAINTED ANIMAL FIGURES - FROM RED PANDAS AND TIGERS TO DINOSAURS AND FISH - THE CAROUSEL REFLECTS THE CENTER'S MISSION OF CELEBRATING WILDLIFE IN ALL ITS DIVERSITY. SURROUNDING THE RIDE, 32 ARTFULLY CRAFTED ROUNDING BOARDS HIGHLIGHT THE RICH HISTORY AND CULTURE OF GREENSBORO, MAKING THE CAROUSEL BOTH AN ATTRACTION AND A TRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY. SINCE ITS OPENING IN 2020, THE CAROUSEL HAS BECOME A BELOVED DESTINATION. IN THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2025, IT DELIGHTED 107,610 RIDERS, ADDING JOY AND WONDER TO THE CENTER EXPERIENCE.ALL OTHER PROGRAM EXPENSES AND ALL OTHER PROGRAM REVENUES

    Expenses $359,069 · Revenue $1,568,911

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Adam Duggins

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Alan Mitchell

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Ayesha Oglesby

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Ben Edwards

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Brittany Carroll

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Chip Hagan

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Chris Barbee

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Christopher Brown

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Cindy Ramsay

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Clifford Thompson

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Denise Sumner

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Dr Abdellah Ahmidouch PhD

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Dr Janet Boseovski PhD

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Dr Michael Xu

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Dr Patty Potter

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Gary Brown

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Jacquie Gilliam

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Jeff Causey

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Jeff Cecil

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Jessica Ketner

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Jill White

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Jim Westmoreland

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Kaki Zell

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Kathleen Kelly

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Kiley Schiffman Storrs

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Laura Muse

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Leslie Marus

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Matt McInnis

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Melanie Jennings

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Sherine Obare

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Stu Nichols

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Sue Cole

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Susan Wiseman

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Tara Burgio-Wheelihan

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Tina McEntire

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.75

  • Glenn Dobrogosz

    CEO

    Total calculated
    $451,489
    From this org
    $418,971
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $32,518
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $338,346
    Bonus
    $80,625
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $17,108
    Nontaxable benefits
    $15,410
    Filer's total
    $451,489

  • Beth Hemphill

    COO

    Total calculated
    $234,309
    From this org
    $216,460
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $17,849
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $188,760
    Bonus
    $27,700
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $8,650
    Nontaxable benefits
    $9,199
    Filer's total
    $234,309

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 7
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS DURING THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2024, CAME TO AN AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE CERTAIN EMPLOYEES OF THE CENTER, AN UNFUNDED, NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN. THE QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES WILL VEST OVER A PERIOD, AS DEFINED BY THE AGREEMENT.

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
21 November 2025
IRS schema version
2024v5.2
Source object
202543289349300519

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