To discover philadelphia's river of history and world of connections. Serving a wide and diverse audience and holding its collections in trust for the community, the Museum tells the stories of the people, historical events and environmental changes of the delaware river and its tributaries. IT looks to a broad regional definition of the river to include both philadelphia and camden as well as portions of the southern coast of new jersey and the schuylkill river drainage. The Museum is the leading educational organization in the region dedicated to the history and culture of the delaware river and its estuaries. We focus upon building k-16 educational programs that engae students in the rich history of this region as IT relates to the waterways in addtion to providng stem and environmental educational opportunities. Our educational mission is to build an understanding of the historical, cultural, and environmental importance of the delaware river watershed. The Museum retains a nationa

501(c)(3) charity; gifts are tax-deductible.
79¢ of each $1 spent went to programs.
$302K paid to officers and key staff.
Mission: Form 990 Part I, line 1 · Status: IRS Pub. 78 · Programs: Part IX · Pay: Part VII

Before you give

FY2023 · Form 990Independent: from IRS data, not the org
Download 990
IRS status
501(c)(3)
not on the IRS revocation list
Looks good: listed by the IRS and not on the revocation list.
IRS BMF · Auto-Revocation List
Tax-deductible gifts
Yes
Donations are tax-deductible
Looks good: the IRS lists gifts to it as deductible.
IRS Pub. 78 · IRS BMF
Latest return
FY2025
latest Form 990
Looks good: the latest return is for FY2025, 1 tax year back; within 2 tax years.
IRS e-file · Filing history
Surplus or deficit
0 of 6
filings with a surplus
Average deficit $2.2M a year · 73% of revenue · last 6 filings
Concern: a surplus in 0 of the last 6 filings.
Pt I · Ln 19 · 6 filings
Spent on programs
79%
of spending
Looks good: 79% of spending went to programs; 75% or more.
Pt IX · Ln 25 · col B
Pay to officers and key staff
$302K
to officers and key staff · 6% of spending
Looks good: pay to officers and key staff is 6% of spending; 15% or less.
Pt VII · Sec A
<1 mo
of spending, in cash
Plus $17.0M in investments, Pt X · Ln 11–13
Fine: 0.5 months of spending in cash, plus $17.0M in investments.
Pt X · Ln 1–2 · Pt I · Ln 18
Named funders
1
named funder · $20K
Fine: 1 funder names it on their filings; under 3.
Funders’ Sch. I, 990-PF
Liabilities
$911K
4% of total assets
Looks good: liabilities are 4% of assets; 50% or less.
Pt X · Ln 26
Independent board members
16
of 16 voting members
Looks good: 16 of 16 voting members are independent, a majority.
Pt VI · Ln 1a–1b
Looks goodFineWorth a lookConcernNo data yetTap a box for the reason.
Revenue
$3.1M
-1% vs prior year
Spent
$5.1M
To programs
79%
Net assets
$20.4M
By yearFY2020–FY2025
Revenue
$3.1M
FY2023▼ -1%
Tap a bar for its year
Revenue by fiscal year
FY2020$2.1M
FY2021$2.4M
FY2022$3.1M
FY2023$3.1M
FY2024$4.2M
FY2025$3.3M
Expenses
$5.1M
FY2023▲ +8%
Tap a bar for its year
Expenses by fiscal year
FY2020$4.9M
FY2021$4.3M
FY2022$4.8M
FY2023$5.1M
FY2024$5.7M
FY2025$6.4M
Net assets
$20.4M
FY2023▼ -5%
Tap a bar for its year
Net assets by fiscal year
FY2020$23.4M
FY2021$26.5M
FY2022$21.6M
FY2023$20.4M
FY2024$20.2M
FY2025$17.9M

From the FY2023 Form 990 (year ending June 2023) · figures checked against the IRS filing · see the original

Give Claim
You’re viewing the FY2023 filing — not the latest on file. See the latest (FY2025) →

Is it real?

Yes. Never revoked by the IRS. Latest filing on record: FY2025. IRS ruling in Apr 1961.

IRS Pub. 78 · IRS Auto-Revocation List · IRS Business Master File

Where the money goes

79 cents of each dollar spent went to programs.

Program services 79% · $4.0M Management & general 13% · $691K Fundraising 8% · $406K

Form 990 Part IX, line 25, columns B–D. Every line is in By the numbers.

Something off? Claim to add context

Who runs it and what they're paid

18 people listed on the 990; $302K paid to officers and key staff.

Part VII, Section A · reportable compensation · most recent filed roster (FY2022); the FY2023 filing did not itemize Part VII
CEO & President
$179,901Pt VII · Sec A
Executive VP and COO
$122,553Pt VII · Sec A
Vice-Chair
$0Pt VII · Sec A
Secretary
$0Pt VII · Sec A
Treasurer
$0Pt VII · Sec A
Director
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A

Peter Seibert’s $226K as CEO & President is at the 90th percentile of top reported officer pay among 3924 $1–10M arts & culture nonprofits. Peer set: organizations in the same NTEE major field of work and revenue-size band, compared on each org’s own highest-paid officer/key-employee, from Form 990 Part VII / 990-PF Part VIII. Descriptive placement, not a verdict on whether the pay is appropriate.

Compensation history total reportable pay by year · 8 named individuals · Part VII

NameFY2025FY2024FY2023FY2022FY2021FY2020
Peter Seibert$226,226$201,800$179,901$138,175——
John Brady————$123,450$145,959
Michael Flynn$145,121$135,749$122,553$112,633$113,220$100,848
Michael Timothy Madeja$116,679—————
Jaewook Shim$112,465$104,182————
Jennifer Blasy————$112,200—
Judy Baker$110,288$104,703————
Margaret Ann North$100,648—————

Total reportable compensation (Form 990 Part VII column D / Schedule J column E) by filing year, matched by name within this organization. The Schedule J base / bonus / deferred breakdown is not parsed into this dataset.

See Independence Seaport Museum executive salaries →

On this list? Claim this org

Something off? Claim to add context

Questions the 990 asks

The form asks each of these directly. These are the filed answers.

  • Family or business ties among officersPt VI · Ln 2No
  • Top official's pay set by an independent reviewPt VI · Ln 15aYes

Programs and updates

Explores Philadelphia's river history and global connections through exhibits and collections.

Questions for Independence Seaport Museum

Tap to ask. Independence Seaport Museum sees how many people are interested.

Your first name shows with your question. Independence Seaport Museum answers here, for everyone.

Provided by the organization

Know this org? Add your story

1 program · $4.0M · in their own filed words · FY2022
01

The independence seaport museum hosted a wide range of programs, events, and activities. Staff undertook the first of numerous changes to upgrade existing exhibitions and programs including the new ship model gallery, integration of its historic boat collection into its existing exhibitions, and environmental upgrades to the facilities.

$4.0Mprogram expense

Funders

Who pays for it.

From grant filings on record. Receipts are incomplete: individual donors are never listed.

Grants

Schedule I · received and paid
Grants received · FY2025
Total grants receivedfrom 1 funder$20K
Grants paid · 4 grants · $94K · 2019–2021
Maritime Charter SchoolFY2021$13,817
National Wildlife FederationVA · FY2019$51,749

By the numbers

The FY2023 990, line by line.

1The main four
Money inPt VIII
$3.1M
Ln 12
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$873K
Investment incomeLn 3$809K
Other incomeLn 4–11$753K
Money outPt IX
$5.1M
Ln 25
Programscol B$4.0M
Managementcol C$691K
Fundraisingcol D$406K
Owns and owesPt X
$20.4M
net assets · Ln 32
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$199K
Total assetsLn 16$21.3M
LiabilitiesLn 26$911K
PeoplePt VI, VII
18
listed · VII A
PaidVII A2
Voting boardVI 1a16
IndependentVI 1b16
2In more detail
Revenue in detailPt VIII
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$873K
Noncash giftsLn 1g$100K
Fees for servicesLn 2g$616K
Investment incomeLn 3$809K
Other incomeLn 4–11$753K
Gains on assetsLn 7$161K
Total revenueLn 12$3.1M
Assets in detailPt X, end of year
CashLn 1$121K
SavingsLn 2$78K
Cash and savings togetherLn 1–2$199K
InvestmentsLn 11–13$17.0M
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$3.7M
Other assetsLn 15$133K
Total assetsLn 16$21.3M
LiabilitiesLn 26$911K
Net assetsLn 32$20.4M
OperationsPt I, VI
EmployeesI 580
VolunteersI 622
Fiscal year endsHeaderJune
Conflict-of-interest policyVI 12aYes
Whistleblower policyVI 13Yes
Records policyVI 14Yes
3Year over year
Balance sheet, start vs end of yearPt X · col A, B
LineStart FY23End FY23
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$30K$199K
InvestmentsLn 11–13$18.2M$17.0M
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$3.9M$3.7M
Total assetsLn 16$22.5M$21.3M
LiabilitiesLn 26$976K$911K
Net assetsLn 32$21.6M$20.4M
4Every line
Statement of functional expensesPt IX · every line
LineTotalProgramsManagementFundraising
Pay of current officers, directors and key staffLn 5$357K$252K$60K$44K
Other salaries and wagesLn 7$2.0M$1.4M$329K$243K
Pension plan contributionsLn 8$71K$50K$12K$9K
Other employee benefitsLn 9$199K$141K$34K$25K
Payroll taxesLn 10$204K$145K$34K$25K
Legal feesLn 11b$241K$217K$22K$2K
Investment management feesLn 11f$94K$94K
Other fees for servicesLn 11g$238K$223K$13K$2K
Advertising and promotionLn 12$144K$109K$10K$25K
OccupancyLn 16$484K$443K$41K
InterestLn 20$12K$12K
Depreciation, depletion and amortizationLn 22$549K$544K$5K
InsuranceLn 23$210K$198K$10K$2K
Other expenses (24a–d)Ln 24$374K$332K$14K$28K
Total functional expensesLn 25$5.1M$4.0M$691K$406K

Filing history

YearMoney inMoney outIn minus outNet assetsDownload
FY2025 Latest $3.3M$6.4M−$3.1M$17.9M 990 PDF
FY2024 $4.2M$5.7M−$1.5M$20.2M 990 PDF
FY2023 Viewing $3.1M$5.1M−$2.1M$20.4M 990 PDF
FY2022 $3.1M$4.8M−$1.7M$21.6M 990 PDF
FY2021 $2.4M$4.3M−$1.9M$26.5M 990 PDF
FY2020 $2.1M$4.9M−$2.8M$23.4M 990 PDF

More to add? Claim this org

Schedules filed Part IV

III · Programs R · Related orgs G · Fundraising L · Interested persons I · Grants A · Public support M · Noncash J · Pay O · Explanations
See the full FY2023 990 (6 parts)
Part I · Summary $3,050,797 revenue, 12 lines filed
I-8 Contributions and grantsPrior year $1,280,481$873,479
I-9 Program service revenuePrior year $604,532$615,606
I-10 Investment incomePrior year $847,365$808,892
I-11 Other revenuePrior year $350,825$752,820
I-12 Total revenuePrior year $3,083,203$3,050,797
I-13 Grants and similar amounts paidPrior year $42,602$0
I-14 Benefits paid to membersPrior year $0$0
I-15 Salaries and benefitsPrior year $2,605,082$2,786,385
I-16a Professional fundraising feesPrior year $0$0
I-17 Other expensesPrior year $2,112,149$2,347,137
I-18 Total expensesPrior year $4,759,833$5,133,522
I-19 Revenue less expensesPrior year −$1,676,630−$2,082,725
Part VI · Governance 16 of 16 board members independent, no flags
VI-1a Voting members of the governing body16
VI-1b Independent voting members16
VI-2 Family or business relationship among officers or directorsNo
VI-12a Written conflict of interest policyYes
VI-13 Written whistleblower policyYes
VI-14 Document retention and destruction policyYes
VI-15a Process for setting top official's payYes
Part VIII · Statement of revenue $3,050,797 across 11 lines filed
Lines not itemized here account for $1,034 of total revenue; see the IRS return.
VIII-1b Membership dues$34,812
VIII-1f All other contributions, gifts and grants$838,667
VIII-1g Noncash contributions (included above)$100,000
VIII-1h Total contributions, gifts and grants$873,479
VIII-2a-f Program service revenue, itemized rows (sum of 2a–2f as filed)Related to mission $615,606$615,606
VIII-3 Investment incomeExcluded from tax $648,109$648,109
VIII-6 Net rental income or lossExcluded from tax $690,702$690,702
VIII-7 Net gain or loss on sales of assetsExcluded from tax $160,783$160,783
VIII-8 Net income from fundraising eventsExcluded from tax $14,674$14,674
VIII-11a-d Other revenue, itemized rows (sum of 11a–11d as filed)Excluded from tax $46,410$46,410
VIII-12 Total revenueRelated to mission $615,606 · Unrelated business $1,034 · Excluded from tax $1,560,678$3,050,797
Part IX · Statement of functional expenses $5,133,522 across 14 lines filed
IX-5 Pay of current officers, directors and key staffPrograms $252,333 · Management $59,980 · Fundraising $44,318$356,631
IX-7 Other salaries and wagesPrograms $1,383,270 · Management $328,804 · Fundraising $242,946$1,955,020
IX-8 Pension plan contributionsPrograms $50,166 · Management $11,925 · Fundraising $8,810$70,901
IX-9 Other employee benefitsPrograms $141,110 · Management $33,541 · Fundraising $24,783$199,434
IX-10 Payroll taxesPrograms $144,622 · Management $34,377 · Fundraising $25,400$204,399
IX-11b Legal feesPrograms $217,247 · Management $21,725 · Fundraising $2,413$241,385
IX-11f Investment management feesManagement $94,425$94,425
IX-11g Other fees for servicesPrograms $222,540 · Management $13,410 · Fundraising $2,491$238,441
IX-12 Advertising and promotionPrograms $109,031 · Management $10,160 · Fundraising $24,896$144,087
IX-16 OccupancyPrograms $443,040 · Management $41,209$484,249
IX-20 InterestManagement $11,581$11,581
IX-22 Depreciation, depletion and amortizationPrograms $543,602 · Management $5,486$549,088
IX-23 InsurancePrograms $197,824 · Management $10,366 · Fundraising $2,158$210,348
IX-24 Other expenses (24a–d)Programs $332,039 · Management $13,570 · Fundraising $27,924$373,533
IX-25 Total functional expensesPrograms $4,036,824 · Management $690,559 · Fundraising $406,139$5,133,522
Part X · Balance sheet $21,290,179 assets, 18 lines filed
X-1 Cash, non-interest-bearingStart of year $24,436$120,624
X-2 Savings and temporary cash investmentsStart of year $5,121$78,225
X-3 Pledges and grants receivableStart of year $143,869$117,556
X-4 Accounts receivableStart of year $58,614$32,395
X-8 Inventories for sale or useStart of year $44,765$54,094
X-9 Prepaid expenses and deferred chargesStart of year $52,738$46,182
X-10c Land, buildings and equipment, netStart of year $3,922,942$3,710,455
X-11 Publicly traded securitiesStart of year $18,168,987$16,997,743
X-15 Other assetsStart of year $118,353$132,905
X-16 Total assetsStart of year $22,539,825$21,290,179
X-17 Accounts payable and accrued expensesStart of year $331,854$427,210
X-19 Deferred revenueStart of year $156,726$132,682
X-25 Other liabilitiesStart of year $115,295$0
X-26 Total liabilitiesStart of year $976,297$910,691
X-27 Net assets without donor restrictionsStart of year $21,476,708$20,271,973
X-28 Net assets with donor restrictionsStart of year $86,820$107,515
X-32 Total net assets or fund balancesStart of year $21,563,528$20,379,488
X-33 Total liabilities and net assetsStart of year $22,539,825$21,290,179
Part XI · Reconciliation of net assets $20,379,488 net assets at year end
XI-1 Total revenue$3,050,797
XI-2 Total expenses$5,133,522
XI-3 Revenue less expenses−$2,082,725
XI-4 Net assets at start of year$21,563,528
XI-5 Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments$879,882
XI-9 Other changes in net assets$18,803
XI-10 Net assets at end of year$20,379,488

Form 990 e-file (XML) FY2023 from the IRS · Classification, formation year and address from the IRS Business Master File

Similar organizations you could support · Compare with another nonprofit

Names, privacy, and removal requests More

The names, titles, and compensation shown on this page are reproduced from IRS Form 990 filings, which are public records.

Philanthropy.org does not alter the content of those filings. All information appears exactly as reported by the filing organization for the tax year shown.

We publish only information contained in the public IRS filing — and less than the filing contains. Our profile pages do not display street addresses, telephone numbers, personal email addresses, or other personal contact information, even where the filing includes them.

Many people share the same name. A name shown on this page reflects only what one organization reported in one IRS filing for one tax year. It should not be interpreted as identifying any other individual with the same or a similar name.

If you are no longer affiliated with the organization, your name will generally stop appearing in future IRS filings once the organization no longer reports you. Pages for tax years in which you were reported remain published because those filings remain part of the public record.

Philanthropy.org does not alter or remove IRS filing records. Removing a page from this website would not remove the underlying IRS filing, which remains publicly available from the IRS and other publishers of the same information.

If you believe the IRS filing itself is inaccurate, corrections must be made by the filing organization or the IRS directly.

Your org? Add context

Made it to the end? Claim this org

All figures are derived from public IRS Form 990 filings and are presented without evaluation of any organization. philanthropy.org does not rate, score, or rank organizations, including the pay comparisons above.