Science Communication Lab INC FY2021 filing

Tax-deductible

Berkeley, CA501(c)(3)Science & TechnologyEIN 47-2404616Revenue $3.0M in FY2021

On file with the IRSibiology.org2081 Center St, 94704-1204 · Berkeley, CATax-exempt since May 2015Publicly supported charity — 170(b)(1)(A)(vi)

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The Science communiation lab's mission is to convey, in the form of open- access free videos,the excitement of modern biology and the process by which scientific discoveries are made. The organization's aim is to introduce the leading scientists in biology, how they think about scientific questions and conduct their research, and make known their personalities, opinions, and perspectives. The organization is innovating professional development of graduate students and postdocs through a series of courses that address experimental planning, design, and Communication. Through their existing video content and a far-reaching project seeking to reimagine an introductory biology textbook, they also endeavor to support educators who want to incorporate materials that illustrate the process and practice of Science into their curriculum. The Science communiation Lab is increasingly producing content for the general public that highlights the spirit of scientific discovery, expands the notion of

501(c)(3) charity; gifts are tax-deductible.
94¢ of each $1 spent went to programs.
$600K 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

FY2021 · 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
2 of 5
filings with a surplus
Average deficit $294K a year · 9% of revenue · last 5 filings
Concern: a surplus in 2 of the last 5 filings.
Pt I · Ln 19 · 5 filings
Spent on programs
94%
of spending
Looks good: 94% of spending went to programs; 75% or more.
Pt IX · Ln 25 · col B
Pay to officers and key staff
$600K
to officers and key staff · 20% of spending
Fine: pay to officers and key staff is 20% of spending; 15% to 20%.
Pt VII · Sec A
Cash reserves
6 mo
of spending, in cash
Looks good: 5.5 months of spending in cash; 3 or more.
Pt X · Ln 1–2 · Pt I · Ln 18
Named funders
1
named funder · $100K
Fine: 1 funder names it on their filings; under 3.
Funders’ Sch. I, 990-PF
Liabilities
$298K
7% of total assets
Looks good: liabilities are 7% of assets; 50% or less.
Pt X · Ln 26
Independent board members
6
of 7 voting members
Looks good: 6 of 7 voting members are independent, a majority.
Pt VI · Ln 1a–1b
Looks goodFineWorth a lookConcernNo data yetTap a box for the reason.
Revenue
$3.0M
Spent
$3.1M
To programs
94%
Net assets
$4.0M
By yearFY2021–FY2025
Revenue
$3.0M
FY2021
Tap a bar for its year
Revenue by fiscal year
FY2021$3.0M
FY2022$3.8M
FY2023$6.0M
FY2024$2.2M
FY2025$2.2M
Expenses
$3.1M
FY2021
Tap a bar for its year
Expenses by fiscal year
FY2021$3.1M
FY2022$3.6M
FY2023$4.4M
FY2024$4.3M
FY2025$3.4M
Net assets
$4.0M
FY2021
Tap a bar for its year
Net assets by fiscal year
FY2021$4.0M
FY2022$4.2M
FY2023$5.9M
FY2024$3.9M
FY2025$2.6M

From the FY2021 Form 990 (year ending June 2021) · figures checked against the IRS filing · see the original

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You’re viewing the FY2021 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 May 2015.

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

Where the money goes

94 cents of each dollar spent went to programs.

Program services 94% · $2.9M Management & general 6% · $179K Fundraising 0% · $5K

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

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Who runs it and what they're paid

11 people listed on the 990; $600K paid to officers and key staff.

Part VII, Section A · reportable compensation · most recent filed roster (FY2020); the FY2021 filing did not itemize Part VII
Executive PR
$202,090Pt VII · Sec A
Executive Di
$182,183Pt VII · Sec A
Senior Direc
$122,423Pt VII · Sec A
$93,022Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
Chairman
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A

Elliot Kirschner’s $219K as Executive PR is at the 68th percentile of top reported officer pay among 363 $1–10M science & technology 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

NameFY2025FY2024FY2023FY2022FY2021
Elliot Kirschner$218,789$214,454$211,051$206,130$202,090
Sarah Goodwin$218,711$214,424$210,221$206,094$182,183
Michael Walter - Senior Director—$161,913$158,729$152,754—
Jennifer Frazier - Senior Director$152,885$137,553$103,149——
Shannon Behrman - Senior$150,281————
Shannon Behrman—$146,528$141,584$127,388$122,423
Evan Reeves - Director$140,599$138,171$138,443$117,927$93,022
Meredith Desalazar - Senior Produce$117,661$119,618———

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.

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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

Creates free videos explaining modern biology and scientific discovery, and trains future scientists.

Provided by the organization

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3 programs · $2.7M · in their own filed words · FY2020
01

Ibiology

Seminars and courses for life sciences ibiology is a science communication initiative focused on improving the flow of knowledge about new discoveries and the process of research. It traditionally created content for the professional scientific community, but new initiatives include significant content for undergraduate education.

$1.4Mprogram expense
02

Xbio

Educational materials for undergraduate students the mission of the explorer's guide to biology (xbio) is to create a free learning resource that emphasizes the wonders of life and the problem- solving nature of science.

$791Kprogram expense
03

The Wonder Collaborative

Videos for the general public the wonder collaborative is a creative partnership that brings innovative storytellers and the global scientific community together in a spirit of experimentation and collaboration to revolutionize science filmmaking with the wonder, awe, and diversity of discovery.

$585Kprogram 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$100K
Grants paid · 5 grants · $180K · 2020–2024
University of WisconsinFY2024$36,709
University of WisconsinFY2023$34,411
University of WisconsinFY2022$41,796
University of WisconsinFY2021$34,852
University of WisconsinFY2020$32,433

By the numbers

The FY2021 990, line by line.

1The main four
Money inPt VIII
$3.0M
Ln 12
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$2.7M
Other incomeLn 4–11$193K
Fees for servicesLn 2g$162K
Money outPt IX
$3.1M
Ln 25
Programscol B$2.9M
Managementcol C$179K
Fundraisingcol D$5K
Owns and owesPt X
$4.0M
net assets · Ln 32
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$1.4M
Total assetsLn 16$4.3M
LiabilitiesLn 26$298K
PeoplePt VI, VII
11
listed · VII A
PaidVII A4
Voting boardVI 1a7
IndependentVI 1b6
2In more detail
Revenue in detailPt VIII
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$2.7M
Government grantsLn 1e$1.6M
Fees for servicesLn 2g$162K
Investment incomeLn 3$5K
Other incomeLn 4–11$193K
Total revenueLn 12$3.0M
Assets in detailPt X, end of year
CashLn 1$71K
SavingsLn 2$1.3M
Cash and savings togetherLn 1–2$1.4M
InvestmentsLn 11–13$1.4M
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$27K
Total assetsLn 16$4.3M
LiabilitiesLn 26$298K
Net assetsLn 32$4.0M
OperationsPt I, VI
EmployeesI 514
VolunteersI 693
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 FY21End FY21
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$1.7M$1.4M
InvestmentsLn 11–13$1.4M
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$19K$27K
Total assetsLn 16$4.4M$4.3M
LiabilitiesLn 26$308K$298K
Net assetsLn 32$4.1M$4.0M
4Every line
Statement of functional expensesPt IX · every line
LineTotalProgramsManagementFundraising
Grants to domestic organizationsLn 1$32K$32K
Pay of current officers, directors and key staffLn 5$538K$440K$95K$4K
Other salaries and wagesLn 7$1.1M$1.1M$7K$2
Pension plan contributionsLn 8$47K$43K$3K$106
Other employee benefitsLn 9$94K$87K$7K$213
Payroll taxesLn 10$116K$108K$8K$263
Accounting feesLn 11c$32K$8K$24K
Other fees for servicesLn 11g$1.0M$988K$15K
Advertising and promotionLn 12$18K$18K
Office expensesLn 13$21K$19K$2K$1
Information technologyLn 14$26K$21K$5K
TravelLn 17$7K$6K$376
Depreciation, depletion and amortizationLn 22$13K$12K$739$19
InsuranceLn 23$11K$178$11K
Other expenses (24a–d)Ln 24$7K$5K$2K
Total functional expensesLn 25$3.1M$2.9M$179K$5K

Filing history

YearMoney inMoney outIn minus outNet assetsDownload
FY2025 Latest $2.2M$3.4M−$1.2M$2.6M 990 PDF
FY2024 $2.2M$4.3M−$2.1M$3.9M 990 PDF
FY2023 $6.0M$4.4M$1.7M$5.9M 990 PDF
FY2022 $3.8M$3.6M$201K$4.2M 990 PDF
FY2021 Viewing $3.0M$3.1M−$50K$4.0M 990 PDF

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Schedules filed Part IV

III · Programs I · Grants R · Related orgs G · Fundraising L · Interested persons A · Public support F · Foreign M · Noncash
See the full FY2021 990 (6 parts)
Part I · Summary $3,012,381 revenue, 12 lines filed
I-8 Contributions and grantsPrior year $5,051,605$2,651,521
I-9 Program service revenuePrior year $128,800$162,115
I-10 Investment incomePrior year $781$5,431
I-11 Other revenuePrior year $143,863$193,314
I-12 Total revenuePrior year $5,325,049$3,012,381
I-13 Grants and similar amounts paid$32,433
I-14 Benefits paid to members$0
I-15 Salaries and benefitsPrior year $1,374,913$1,892,599
I-16a Professional fundraising fees$0
I-17 Other expensesPrior year $1,214,875$1,137,000
I-18 Total expensesPrior year $2,589,788$3,062,032
I-19 Revenue less expensesPrior year $2,735,261−$49,651
Part VI · Governance 6 of 7 board members independent, no flags
VI-1a Voting members of the governing body7
VI-1b Independent voting members6
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 $3,012,381 across 6 lines filed
Lines not itemized here account for $193,314 of total revenue; see the IRS return.
VIII-1e Government grants$1,565,649
VIII-1f All other contributions, gifts and grants$1,085,872
VIII-1h Total contributions, gifts and grants$2,651,521
VIII-2a-f Program service revenue, itemized rows (sum of 2a–2f as filed)Related to mission $162,115$162,115
VIII-3 Investment incomeExcluded from tax $5,431$5,431
VIII-12 Total revenueRelated to mission $355,429 · Excluded from tax $5,431$3,012,381
Part IX · Statement of functional expenses $3,062,032 across 15 lines filed
IX-1 Grants to domestic organizationsPrograms $32,433$32,433
IX-5 Pay of current officers, directors and key staffPrograms $439,513 · Management $94,950 · Fundraising $3,952$538,415
IX-7 Other salaries and wagesPrograms $1,089,707 · Management $6,823 · Fundraising $2$1,096,532
IX-8 Pension plan contributionsPrograms $43,374 · Management $3,391 · Fundraising $106$46,871
IX-9 Other employee benefitsPrograms $87,262 · Management $6,823 · Fundraising $213$94,298
IX-10 Payroll taxesPrograms $107,792 · Management $8,428 · Fundraising $263$116,483
IX-11c Accounting feesPrograms $8,322 · Management $23,663$31,985
IX-11g Other fees for servicesPrograms $987,986 · Management $14,567$1,002,553
IX-12 Advertising and promotionPrograms $18,066$18,066
IX-13 Office expensesPrograms $19,305 · Management $1,835 · Fundraising $1$21,141
IX-14 Information technologyPrograms $20,743 · Management $4,791$25,534
IX-17 TravelPrograms $6,400 · Management $376$6,776
IX-22 Depreciation, depletion and amortizationPrograms $11,892 · Management $739 · Fundraising $19$12,650
IX-23 InsurancePrograms $178 · Management $10,654$10,832
IX-24 Other expenses (24a–d)Programs $5,068 · Management $2,395$7,463
IX-25 Total functional expensesPrograms $2,878,041 · Management $179,435 · Fundraising $4,556$3,062,032
Part X · Balance sheet $4,323,532 assets, 16 lines filed
X-1 Cash, non-interest-bearingStart of year $179,355$70,503
X-2 Savings and temporary cash investmentsStart of year $1,537,611$1,341,650
X-3 Pledges and grants receivableStart of year $2,473,993$1,222,106
X-4 Accounts receivableStart of year $141,359$231,835
X-9 Prepaid expenses and deferred chargesStart of year $20,504$24,611
X-10c Land, buildings and equipment, netStart of year $19,359$27,438
X-11 Publicly traded securities$1,392,112
X-14 Intangible assetsStart of year $14,457$13,277
X-16 Total assetsStart of year $4,386,638$4,323,532
X-17 Accounts payable and accrued expensesStart of year $266,597$250,193
X-19 Deferred revenueStart of year $41,700$48,052
X-26 Total liabilitiesStart of year $308,297$298,245
X-27 Net assets without donor restrictionsStart of year $1,046,983$1,467,051
X-28 Net assets with donor restrictionsStart of year $3,031,358$2,558,236
X-32 Total net assets or fund balancesStart of year $4,078,341$4,025,287
X-33 Total liabilities and net assetsStart of year $4,386,638$4,323,532
Part XI · Reconciliation of net assets $4,025,287 net assets at year end
XI-1 Total revenue$3,012,381
XI-2 Total expenses$3,062,032
XI-3 Revenue less expenses−$49,651
XI-4 Net assets at start of year$4,078,341
XI-5 Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments−$3,403
XI-10 Net assets at end of year$4,025,287

Form 990 e-file (XML) FY2021 from the IRS · Classification, formation year and address from the IRS Business Master File

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