SKEPTIC SOCIETY

EIN: 954550781 501(c)(3) Arts, Culture & Humanities

SANTA BARBARA, CA

Total Revenue
$721,729
Total Expenses
$602,001
Total Assets
$5,954,057
Net Assets
$5,932,623
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Financial Vulnerability Assessment (Tuckman-Chang)

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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
1996
Legal Domicile
CA
Principal Officer
MICHAEL SHERMER
Phone
6263989803
Tax Period
2025-01-01 to 2025-12-31

SKEPTIC SOCIETY, founded in 1996, is a small nonprofit in the Arts, Culture & Humanities sector that reported $722K in total revenue in fiscal year 2025. Revenue decreased 6% compared to the prior year. The organization ran a surplus of $120K, a strong 17% operating margin.

Mission

THE SKEPTICS SOCIETY IS A SCIENCE EDUCATION ORGANIZATION THAT MAKES AVAILABLE TO ITS MEMBERS A SUBSCRIPTION TO SKEPTIC MAGAZINE, A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION THAT EXAMINES A WIDE VARIETY OF SCIENTIFIC AND PSEUDOSCIENTIFIC CONTROVERSIES. THE SKEPTIC SOCIETY ALSO SPONSORS A MONTHLY SCIENCE LECTURE SERIES AT THE CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY IN PASADENA, CA, AS WELL AS HOSTS ANNUAL SCIENCE CONFERENCES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AND SCIENCE EDUCATION FIELD TRIPS, SUCH AS GEOLOGY TOURS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND THE WESTERN UNITED STATES. THE SOCIETY IS DEDICATED TO EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT CONTROVERSIAL CLAIMS. THE SOCIETY MAINTAINS A TELEPHONE REFERRAL SERVICE AND A WEBSITE SO THAT SCHOOLS, THE PRESS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC CAN ACCESS THE INFORMATION. THE SOCIETY TIRELESSLY LENDS THEIR SCIENTIFIC VEIWPOINT TO MEDIA COVERAGE ON A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES. IN THE PRINT CATALOGUE IN SKEPTIC MAGAZINE ALONG WITHR THE ONLINE SHOP, THE SOCIETY OFFERS AN EXTENSIVE CATALOGUE OF SCIENTIFIC AND SKEPTICAL BOOKS AND AUDIO AND VIDEO RECORDINGS.

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Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

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Financial Overview (2025)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $219,568
Program Service Revenue $106,515
Investment Income $393,548
Other Revenue $2,098
TOTAL REVENUE $721,729

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $0
Salaries & Benefits $0
Fundraising Expenses $108,443
Program Expenses $371,673
Other Expenses $602,001
TOTAL EXPENSES $602,001

Year-over-Year Comparison

2025 2024 Change
Revenue $721,729 $764,657 -0.1%
Expenses $602,001 $625,608 0.0%
Net Income $119,728 $139,049 -0.1%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Financial Health Indicators

Comprehensive financial analysis: Altman Z-Score, liquidity, solvency, sustainability, efficiency, and growth metrics

Financial Distress Indicator

Liquidity & Cash Position

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Governance

Voting Members
7
Independent Members
6
Employees
N/A
Volunteers
6

Governance Policies

Conflict of Interest Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

Operated a School
Operated a Hospital
Provided First Class Travel
Reported Conflict of Interest
Reported Asset Diversion
Excess Benefit Transaction
Made Political Expenditures
Engaged in Lobbying
Operated Donor Advised Fund
Maintained Art Collections
Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
3
$0
Total Directors
7
$0
Key Employees
0
$0
Highest Compensated
0
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
JAIME BOTERO BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
CLIFFORD CAPLAN SECRETARY 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
MICHAEL GILMORE BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
DIANE KNUDTSON TREASURER 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
GINGI LEE BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
DAVID PATTON BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MICHAEL SHERMER PRESIDENT 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2025 $721,729 $602,001 $5,954,057 $119,728
2024 $764,657 $625,608 $1,451,772 $139,049
2023 $309,510 $325,677 $1,312,138 $-16,167
2022 $1,016,456 $495,745 $1,498,997 $520,711
2021 $493,400 $623,463 $957,620 $-130,063
2020 $413,520 $643,295 $1,079,673 $-229,775
2019 $328,732 $690,360 $1,309,946 $-361,628
2018 $1,120,945 $712,055 $1,672,282 $408,890
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