Vatican Observatory Foundation

Faith Inspiring Science

Tucson, AZ | www.vaticanobservatory.org

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GuideStar Charity Check

EIN: 86-0559994

Contributions tax deductible
as of May 2023

IRS BMF 509(a)(1)
as of May 08, 2023

View summary

Charity Check report

Mission

The foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization for scientific research, supports the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope (VATT) and educational outreach programs by the 15 Jesuits with advanced degrees in various fields of astronomy who make up the Vatican Observatory staff. Though the Vatican provides a portion of the budget for the observatory, it does not cover all the costs. The foundation raises funds to maintain and upgrade the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope (VATT), ensuring it remains technologically valid and capable of supporting the research it was built to perform. It also supports a number of educational outreach programs, including the Vatican Observatory Summer School.

Ruling year info

1987

President

Brother Guy Consolmagno, S.J.

Main address

2017 East Lee Street

Tucson, AZ 85719 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

86-0559994

Subject area info

Education

Astronomy

Catholicism

Population served info

Adults

Catholics

Academics

NTEE code info

Astronomy (includes Observatories) (U31)

Roman Catholic (X22)

Single Organization Support (B11)

IRS subsection

501(c)(3) Public Charity

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Tax forms

Show Forms 990

Communication

Blog

Affiliations

See related organizations info

Programs and results

Reports and documents

What we aim to solve

This profile needs more info.

If it is your nonprofit, add a problem overview.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Educational outreach

Staff members connect online with high school students studying astronomy to enhance their learning. The students may participate while understanding what real scientists do.

Population(s) Served

Adults

Faith and Astronomy Workshop

An annual gathering of parish educators to learn more about how the Catholic Church supports science and ways to help their communities understand how faith and science work together.

Population(s) Served

Adults

Annual Seminar

Each year a half day seminar is arranged bringing together a group of experts in some field of astronomy to discuss current discoveries and projects. This is open to the general public and free of charge. Each year the seminar takes place in a different area of the United States.

The Sacred Space online community

The Sacred Space blog and online community offers a free conversation about astronomy from a faith-based point of view. There are daily articles from mulitple professionals about various aspects of faith and science - mostly astronomy. Subscribers may comment and continue the conversation online.

Where we work

External reviews

Financials

Vatican Observatory Foundation

Fiscal year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

Yes, financials were audited by an independent accountant.

Revenue vs. expenses: breakdown

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

NET GAIN/LOSS: in

Note: When component data are not available, the graph displays the total Revenue and/or Expense values.

Liquidity in 2021

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

32.72

Average of 45.00 over 10 years

Months of cash in 2021

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

12

Average of 6.9 over 10 years

Fringe rate in 2021

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

0%

Average of 0% over 10 years

Funding sources

Source: IRS Form 990

Assets & liabilities

Source: IRS Form 990

Financial data

Source: IRS Form 990

Digitizing IRS form 990 data

Vatican Observatory Foundation

Revenue & expenses

Fiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Fiscal year ending: Download Data

Revenue
Contributions	$772,383
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$9,567
Investments	$47,214
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$3,071
Total Revenue	$832,235

Expenses
Program Services	$649,204
Administration	$83,260
Fundraising	$192,943
Total Expenses	$925,407
Net Gain/Loss	($93,172)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$37,968
Advertising & Promotion	$17,337
Information Technology Expenses	$0
Insurance Expenses	$12,313
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$10,351
Legal Fees	$3,702
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$86,542

Revenue
Contributions	$563,440
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$27,598
Investments	($108,239)
Special Events	$53,660
Sales	$0
Other	$944
Total Revenue	$537,403

Expenses
Program Services	$596,213
Administration	$76,228
Fundraising	$207,048
Total Expenses	$879,489
Net Gain/Loss	($342,086)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$40,620
Advertising & Promotion	$7,872
Information Technology Expenses	$0
Insurance Expenses	$14,071
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$194
Legal Fees	$13,509
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$155,030

Revenue
Contributions	$546,662
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$45,064
Investments	$69,212
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$4,204
Total Revenue	$665,142

Expenses
Program Services	$551,580
Administration	$136,159
Fundraising	$202,431
Total Expenses	$890,170
Net Gain/Loss	($225,028)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$39,362
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$0
Insurance Expenses	$81,001
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$58,217
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$145,927

Revenue
Contributions	$366,450
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$14,304
Investments	($66,019)
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$3,472
Total Revenue	$318,207

Expenses
Program Services	$504,307
Administration	$101,943
Fundraising	$164,478
Total Expenses	$770,728
Net Gain/Loss	($452,521)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$42,296
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$0
Insurance Expenses	$77,301
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$8,761
Legal Fees	$15,797
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$87,996

Revenue
Contributions	$249,043
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$15,693
Investments	$114,259
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$510
Total Revenue	$379,505

Expenses
Program Services	$498,128
Administration	$123,957
Fundraising	$177,359
Total Expenses	$799,444
Net Gain/Loss	($419,939)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$30,043
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$0
Insurance Expenses	$74,106
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$34,923
Legal Fees	$7,701
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$86,374

Revenue
Contributions	$462,026
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$12,710
Investments	$246,006
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$4,118
Total Revenue	$724,860

Expenses
Program Services	$440,909
Administration	$134,570
Fundraising	$191,383
Total Expenses	$766,862
Net Gain/Loss	($42,002)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$42,188
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$0
Insurance Expenses	$65,728
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$33,893
Legal Fees	$18,651
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$76,208

Revenue
Contributions	$534,680
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$10,107
Investments	$264,752
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$1,278
Total Revenue	$810,817

Expenses
Program Services	$559,492
Administration	$130,837
Fundraising	$177,725
Total Expenses	$868,054
Net Gain/Loss	($57,237)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$28,750
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$0
Insurance Expenses	$20,033
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$34,126
Legal Fees	$54,000
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$87,403

Revenue
Contributions	$426,250
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$101,537
Investments	$147,660
Special Events	($2,133)
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$673,314

Expenses
Program Services	$553,304
Administration	$126,814
Fundraising	$107,056
Total Expenses	$787,174
Net Gain/Loss	($113,860)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$9,061
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$0
Insurance Expenses	$22,015
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$33,500
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$64,312

Revenue
Contributions	$422,136
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$48,441
Investments	$67,804
Special Events	($3,733)
Sales	$0
Other	$283
Total Revenue	$534,931

Expenses
Program Services	$718,553
Administration	$111,874
Fundraising	$106,307
Total Expenses	$936,734
Net Gain/Loss	($401,803)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$24,193
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$0
Insurance Expenses	$25,764
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$581
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$48,298

Revenue
Contributions	$433,161
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$89,994
Investments	$255,969
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$11
Total Revenue	$779,135

Expenses
Program Services	$636,955
Administration	$123,816
Fundraising	$91,862
Total Expenses	$852,633
Net Gain/Loss	($73,498)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$42,700
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$18,621
Insurance Expenses	$26,477
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$805
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$58,296

Revenue
Contributions	$297,227
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$117,745
Investments	$173,223
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$588,195

Expenses
Program Services	$550,453
Administration	$189,850
Fundraising	$75,938
Total Expenses	$816,241
Net Gain/Loss	($228,046)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$43,400
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$59,503
Insurance Expenses	$26,120
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$8,770
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$29,649

Revenue
Contributions	$446,108
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$80,562
Investments	$88,559
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$615,229

Expenses
Program Services	$605,721
Administration	$168,654
Fundraising	$41,031
Total Expenses	$815,406
Net Gain/Loss	($200,177)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$41,420
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$63,409
Insurance Expenses	$25,971
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$6,628
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$604,460
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$60,196
Investments	$94,101
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$758,757

Expenses
Program Services	$579,770
Administration	$136,628
Fundraising	$44,177
Total Expenses	$760,575
Net Gain/Loss	($1,818)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$36,850
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$64,203
Insurance Expenses	$17,712
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$3,902
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$539,394
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$113,355
Investments	$211,013
Special Events	$0
Sales	$843
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$864,605

Expenses
Program Services	$509,461
Administration	$169,543
Fundraising	$72,255
Total Expenses	$751,259
Net Gain/Loss	$113,346

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$42,850
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$66,770
Insurance Expenses	$18,340
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$10,667
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Vatican Observatory Foundation

Balance sheet

Fiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

The balance sheet gives a snapshot of the financial health of an organization at a particular point in time. An organization's total assets should generally exceed its total liabilities, or it cannot survive long, but the types of assets and liabilities must also be considered. For instance, an organization's current assets (cash, receivables, securities, etc.) should be sufficient to cover its current liabilities (payables, deferred revenue, current year loan, and note payments). Otherwise, the organization may face solvency problems. On the other hand, an organization whose cash and equivalents greatly exceed its current liabilities might not be putting its money to best use.

Fiscal year ending: Download Data

Assets	Jan 01, 2008	Dec 31, 2008	Change
Contributions	$772,383
Cash & Equivalents	$563,169	$419,563	($143,606)
Accounts Receivable	$0	$0	$0
Pledges & Grants Receivable	$58,405	$87,219	$28,814
Receivable, Other	$0	$0	$0
Inventories for Sale or Use	$0	$0	$0
Investment, Securities	$3,113,148	$2,590,324	($522,824)
Investment, Other	$0	$0	$0
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$2,045,311	$1,937,989	($107,322)
Other	$303	$193,556	$193,253
Total Assets	$5,780,336	$5,228,651	($551,685)

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2008	Dec 31, 2008	Change
Accounts Payable	$392	$1,587	$1,195
Grants Payable	$0	$0	$0
Deferred Revenue	$0	$0	$0
Loans and Notes	$0	$0	$0
Tax-Exempt Bond Liabilities	$0	$0	$0
Other	$13,310	$13,310	$0
Total Liabilities	$13,702	$14,897	$1,195

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2008	Dec 31, 2008	Change
Temporarily Restricted Net Assets	$27,013	$27,013	$0
Permanently Restricted Net Assets	$4,376,960	$4,176,960	-$200,000
Total Restricted Net Assets	$4,403,973	$4,203,973	($200,000)
Unrestricted Net Assets	$1,362,661	$1,009,781	($352,880)
Net Assets	$5,766,634	$5,213,754	($552,880)

Assets	Jan 01, 2009	Dec 31, 2009	Change
Contributions	$563,440
Cash & Equivalents	$419,563	$324,619	($94,944)
Accounts Receivable	$0	$0	$0
Pledges & Grants Receivable	$87,219	$145,196	$57,977
Receivable, Other	$0	$0	$0
Inventories for Sale or Use	$0	$0	$0
Investment, Securities	$2,590,324	$2,723,102	$132,778
Investment, Other	$0	$0	$0
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$1,937,989	$1,817,191	($120,798)
Other	$193,556	$231,941	$38,385
Total Assets	$5,228,651	$5,242,049	$13,398

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2009	Dec 31, 2009	Change
Accounts Payable	$1,587	$22,982	$21,395
Grants Payable	$0	$0	$0
Deferred Revenue	$0	$0	$0
Loans and Notes	$0	$0	$0
Tax-Exempt Bond Liabilities	$0	$0	$0
Other	$13,310	$13,310	$0
Total Liabilities	$14,897	$36,292	$21,395

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2009	Dec 31, 2009	Change
Temporarily Restricted Net Assets	$27,013	$27,013	$0
Permanently Restricted Net Assets	$4,176,960	$4,176,960	$0
Total Restricted Net Assets	$4,203,973	$4,203,973	$0
Unrestricted Net Assets	$1,009,781	$1,001,784	($7,997)
Net Assets	$5,213,754	$5,205,757	($7,997)

Assets	Jan 01, 2010	Dec 31, 2010	Change
Contributions	$546,662
Cash & Equivalents	$324,619	$331,328	$6,709
Accounts Receivable	$0	$0	$0
Pledges & Grants Receivable	$145,196	$161,576	$16,380
Receivable, Other	$0	$0	$0
Inventories for Sale or Use	$0	$0	$0
Investment, Securities	$2,723,102	$2,734,969	$11,867
Investment, Other	$0	$0	$0
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$1,817,191	$1,713,011	($104,180)
Other	$231,941	$162,145	($69,796)
Total Assets	$5,242,049	$5,103,029	($139,020)

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2010	Dec 31, 2010	Change
Accounts Payable	$22,982	$0	($22,982)
Grants Payable	$0	$0	$0
Deferred Revenue	$0	$0	$0
Loans and Notes	$0	$0	$0
Tax-Exempt Bond Liabilities	$0	$0	$0
Other	$13,310	$13,310	$0
Total Liabilities	$36,292	$13,310	($22,982)

Vatican Observatory Foundation

Financial trends analysis Glossary & formula definitions

Fiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

This snapshot of Vatican Observatory Foundation’s financial trends applies Nonprofit Finance Fund® analysis to data hosted by GuideStar. While it highlights the data that matter most, remember that context is key – numbers only tell part of any story.

Created in partnership with

Fiscal year: Jan 01 - Dec 31 View full report Download data

Business model indicators

Profitability	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Unrestricted surplus (deficit) before depreciation	-$4,550	-$247,451	-$218,753	$94,770	$163,326
As % of expenses	-0.6%	-34.6%	-30.5%	14.2%	24.7%
Unrestricted surplus (deficit) after depreciation	-$100,043	-$347,639	-$316,649	-$550	$72,918
As % of expenses	-11.7%	-42.6%	-38.8%	-0.1%	9.7%

Revenue composition
Total revenue (unrestricted & restricted)	$779,135	$588,195	$615,229	$758,757	$864,605
Total revenue, % change over prior year	45.7%	-24.5%	4.6%	23.3%	14.0%
Program services revenue	11.6%	20.0%	13.1%	7.9%	13.1%
Membership dues	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Investment income	13.2%	10.5%	7.8%	4.9%	6.7%
Government grants	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
All other grants and contributions	55.6%	50.5%	72.5%	79.7%	62.4%
Other revenue	19.7%	18.9%	6.6%	7.5%	17.8%

Expense composition
Total expenses before depreciation	$757,140	$716,053	$717,510	$665,255	$660,851
Total expenses, % change over prior year	-9.1%	-5.4%	0.2%	-7.3%	-0.7%
Personnel	33.1%	33.8%	35.3%	30.0%	20.7%
Professional fees	17.5%	12.7%	9.1%	8.8%	14.5%
Occupancy	1.8%	1.8%	2.5%	2.4%	2.9%
Interest	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Pass-through	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
All other expenses	47.6%	51.6%	53.1%	58.8%	61.9%

Full cost components (estimated)	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Total expenses (after depreciation)	$852,633	$816,241	$815,406	$760,575	$751,259
One month of savings	$63,095	$59,671	$59,793	$55,438	$55,071
Debt principal payment	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0
Fixed asset additions	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0
Total full costs (estimated)	$915,728	$875,912	$875,199	$816,013	$806,330

Capital structure indicators

Liquidity	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Months of cash	5.3	8.2	6.0	8.9	12.0
Months of cash and investments	37.7	35.2	35.9	45.2	51.9
Months of estimated liquid unrestricted net assets	14.9	11.6	8.0	10.3	13.3

Balance sheet composition	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Cash	$331,305	$488,631	$357,038	$493,607	$662,939
Investments	$2,048,805	$1,610,468	$1,791,102	$2,009,419	$2,195,657
Receivables	$55,340	$6,205	$54,808	$54,326	$0
Gross land, buildings, equipment (LBE)	$3,534,308	$3,534,308	$3,534,308	$3,534,308	$3,534,308
Accumulated depreciation (as a % of LBE)	67.6%	70.5%	73.2%	75.9%	78.5%
Liabilities (as a % of assets)	0.7%	1.3%	0.4%	1.9%	2.4%
Unrestricted net assets	$2,085,749	$1,738,110	$1,421,461	$1,420,911	$1,493,829
Temporarily restricted net assets	$78,980	$30,539	N/A	N/A	N/A
Permanently restricted net assets	$1,461,474	$1,385,054	N/A	N/A	N/A
Total restricted net assets	$1,540,454	$1,415,593	$1,795,769	$1,959,921	$2,037,618
Total net assets	$3,626,203	$3,153,703	$3,217,230	$3,380,832	$3,531,447

Key data checks

Key data checks	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Material data errors	No	No	No	No	No

Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

Documents

Letter of Determination

Form 1023/1024 is not available for this organization

President

Brother Guy Consolmagno, S.J.

Number of employees

Source: IRS Form 990

Vatican Observatory Foundation

Officers, directors, trustees, and key employees

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Compensation

Other

Show data for fiscal year

Compensation data

Download up to 5 most recent years of officer and director compensation data for this organization

There are no highest paid employees recorded for this organization.

Vatican Observatory Foundation

Board of directors
as of 04/29/2023

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Board of directors data

Download the most recent year of board of directors data for this organization

Board chair

Paul Pohl

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 9/2/2022

Candid has made improvements to the race and ethnicity options.

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Gender identity

Male

Race & ethnicity

No data

Gender identity

No data

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data

There are no contractors recorded for this organization.

Professional fundraisers

Fiscal year ending

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 Schedule G

Solicitation activities

Gross receipts from fundraising

Retained by organization

Paid to fundraiser

Related organizations & associated domestic grants

Show data for fiscal year

Vatican Observatory Foundation

Faith Inspiring Science

Mission

Is this your nonprofit?

Programs and results

Reports and documents

What we aim to solve

This profile needs more info.

Our programs

Educational outreach

Faith and Astronomy Workshop

Annual Seminar

The Sacred Space online community

Where we work

Financials

Revenue vs. expenses: breakdown

Liquidity in 2021 info

32.72

Months of cash in 2021 info

12

Fringe rate in 2021 info

0%

Funding sources info

Assets & liabilities info

Financial data

Digitizing IRS form 990 data

Vatican Observatory Foundation

Vatican Observatory Foundation

Vatican Observatory Foundation

Business model indicators

Capital structure indicators

Key data checks

Operations

Documents

President

Brother Guy Consolmagno, S.J.

Number of employees

Vatican Observatory Foundation

Compensation data

Vatican Observatory Foundation

Board of directors data

Paul Pohl

Organizational demographics

Leadership

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

Sexual orientation

Disability

Professional fundraisers

Solicitation activities

Related organizations & associated domestic grants

Liquidity in 2021

Months of cash in 2021

Fringe rate in 2021

Funding sources

Assets & liabilities