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Skeptic Society

  • Santa Barbara, CA
  • Tax-exempt since Feb. 1996
  • EIN: 95-4550781

Organization summary

Type of Nonprofit

Designated as a Organizations for any of the following purposes: religious, educational, charitable, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering national or international amateur sports competition (as long as it doesn’t provide athletic facilities or equipment), or the prevention of cruelty to children or animals.

Category: Arts, Culture and Humanities / Printing, Publishing (NTEE)

Donations to this organization are tax deductible.

Summary charts: organization finances over time

Revenue
$1.02M (2022)

Expenses
$496k (2022)

Total Assets
$1.5M (2022)

Total Liabilities
$47.6k (2022)

Source: Form 990 tax filings from 2011 to 2022

Tax Filings by Year

Form 990 is an information return that most organizations claiming federal tax-exempt status must file yearly with the IRS. Nonprofit Explorer has IRS digitized Form 990 data for filings processed in 2012 and later. If this organization filed an amended return, it may not be reflected below. Duplicate download links may indicate a resubmission or amendment to this organization's original return. Form 990 data is from the IRS.

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2022

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$1,016,456
Expenses
$495,745
Net Income
$520,711
Net Assets
$1,451,386
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $27,050
2.7%
Program Services $251,372
24.7%
Investment Income $21,667
2.1%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $716,367
70.5%
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $0
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $0
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $1,498,997
Total Liabilities $47,611
Net Assets $1,451,386
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Diane Knudtson (Cfo) $0 $0 $0
Michael Shermer (President) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

990
Filed on May 9, 2023

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2021

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$493,400
Expenses
$623,463
Net Income
-$130,063
Net Assets
$930,675
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $65,079
13.2%
Program Services $237,180
48.1%
Investment Income $191,141
38.7%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $0
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $0
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $957,620
Total Liabilities $26,945
Net Assets $930,675
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Pat Linse (Cfo) $0 $0 $0
Michael Shermer (President) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

990
Filed on May 6, 2022

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2020

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$413,520
Expenses
$643,295
Net Income
-$229,775
Net Assets
$1,060,738
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $90,577
21.9%
Program Services $280,820
67.9%
Investment Income $42,123
10.2%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $0
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $0
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $1,079,673
Total Liabilities $18,935
Net Assets $1,060,738
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Pat Linse (Cfo) $0 $0 $0
Michael Shermer (President) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

990
Filed on May 14, 2021

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2019

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$328,732
Expenses
$690,360
Net Income
-$361,628
Net Assets
$1,291,512
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $72,145
21.9%
Program Services $200,925
61.1%
Investment Income $55,662
16.9%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $0
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $0
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $1,309,946
Total Liabilities $18,434
Net Assets $1,291,512
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Pat Linse (Cfo) $0 $0 $0
Michael Shermer (President) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

990
Filed on May 21, 2020

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2018

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$1,120,945
Expenses
$712,055
Net Income
$408,890
Net Assets
$1,653,140
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $556,562
49.7%
Program Services $228,867
20.4%
Investment Income $335,516
29.9%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $0
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $0
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $1,672,282
Total Liabilities $19,142
Net Assets $1,653,140
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Michael Shermer (President) $0 $0 $0
Pat Linse (Cfo) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

990
Filed on May 2, 2019

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2017

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$1,005,299
Expenses
$750,644
Net Income
$254,655
Net Assets
$1,244,250
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $178,760
17.8%
Program Services $233,799
23.3%
Investment Income $592,740
59.0%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $0
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $0
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $1,258,038
Total Liabilities $13,788
Net Assets $1,244,250
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Michael Shermer (President) $0 $0 $0
Pat Linse (Cfo) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

990
Filed on May 16, 2018

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2016

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$655,026
Expenses
$695,655
Net Income
-$40,629
Net Assets
$989,595
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $249,187
38.0%
Program Services $263,793
40.3%
Investment Income $142,046
21.7%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $0
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $0
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $1,011,919
Total Liabilities $22,324
Net Assets $989,595
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Michael Shermer (President) $0 $0 $0
Pat Linse (Cfo) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

990
Filed on May 2, 2017

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2015

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$901,709
Expenses
$946,324
Net Income
-$44,615
Net Assets
$1,030,224
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $245,392
27.2%
Program Services $634,462
70.4%
Investment Income $21,855
2.4%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $0
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $0
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $1,048,050
Total Liabilities $17,826
Net Assets $1,030,224
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Michael Shermer (President) $0 $0 $0
Pat Linse (Cfo) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

990
Filed on May 5, 2016

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2014

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$593,488
Expenses
$740,014
Net Income
-$146,526
Net Assets
$1,074,839
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $136,747
23.0%
Program Services $370,272
62.4%
Investment Income $86,469
14.6%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $0
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $0
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $1,096,527
Total Liabilities $21,688
Net Assets $1,074,839

Document Links

990

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

PDF

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2013

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$1,551,780
Expenses
$716,607
Net Income
$835,173
Net Assets
$1,221,365
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $1,046,982
67.5%
Program Services $435,760
28.1%
Investment Income $69,038
4.4%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $0
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $0
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $1,240,930
Total Liabilities $19,565
Net Assets $1,221,365

Document Links

990

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

PDF

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2012

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$719,658
Expenses
$681,424
Net Income
$38,234
Net Assets
$386,192
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $170,456
23.7%
Program Services $461,466
64.1%
Investment Income $87,736
12.2%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $0
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $0
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $401,353
Total Liabilities $15,161
Net Assets $386,192

Document Links

990

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

PDF

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2011

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$713,539
Expenses
$787,433
Net Income
-$73,894
Net Assets
$347,958
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $166,434
23.3%
Program Services $513,418
72.0%
Investment Income $33,687
4.7%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $0
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $0
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $363,225
Total Liabilities $15,267
Net Assets $347,958

Document Links

990

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

PDF

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2010

No Extracted Financial Data

Extracted financial data is not available for the forms filed in this tax period, but Form 990 documents are available for download.

Document Links

990

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

PDF

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2009

No Extracted Financial Data

Extracted financial data is not available for the forms filed in this tax period, but Form 990 documents are available for download.

Document Links

990

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

PDF

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2008

No Extracted Financial Data

Extracted financial data is not available for the forms filed in this tax period, but Form 990 documents are available for download.

Document Links

990

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

PDF
PDF (2 of 3) PDF (3 of 3)

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2007

No Extracted Financial Data

Extracted financial data is not available for the forms filed in this tax period, but Form 990 documents are available for download.

Document Links

990

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

PDF

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2005

No Extracted Financial Data

Extracted financial data is not available for the forms filed in this tax period, but Form 990 documents are available for download.

Document Links

990

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

PDF

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2004

No Extracted Financial Data

Extracted financial data is not available for the forms filed in this tax period, but Form 990 documents are available for download.

Document Links

990

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

PDF

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2003

No Extracted Financial Data

Extracted financial data is not available for the forms filed in this tax period, but Form 990 documents are available for download.

Document Links

990

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

PDF

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2002

No Extracted Financial Data

Extracted financial data is not available for the forms filed in this tax period, but Form 990 documents are available for download.

Document Links

990

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

PDF

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2001

No Extracted Financial Data

Extracted financial data is not available for the forms filed in this tax period, but Form 990 documents are available for download.

Document Links

990

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

PDF

About This Data

Nonprofit Explorer includes summary data for nonprofit tax returns and full Form 990 documents, in both PDF and digital formats.

The summary data contains information processed by the IRS during the 2012-2019 calendar years; this generally consists of filings for the 2011-2018 fiscal years, but may include older records. This data release includes only a subset of what can be found in the full Form 990s.

In addition to the raw summary data, we link to PDFs and digital copies of full Form 990 documents wherever possible. This consists of separate releases by the IRS of Form 990 documents processed by the agency, which we update regularly.

We also link to copies of audits nonprofit organizations that spent $750,000 or more in Federal grant money in a single fiscal year since 2016. These audits are copied from the Federal Audit Clearinghouse.

Which Organizations Are Here?

Every organization that has been recognized as tax exempt by the IRS has to file Form 990 every year, unless they make less than $200,000 in revenue and have less than $500,000 in assets, in which case they have to file form 990-EZ. Organizations making less than $50,000 don’t have to file either form but do have to let the IRS they’re still in business via a Form 990N "e-Postcard."

Nonprofit Explorer has organizations claiming tax exemption in each of the 27 subsections of the 501(c) section of the tax code, and which have filed a Form 990, Form 990EZ or Form 990PF. Taxable trusts and private foundations that are required to file a form 990PF are also included. Small organizations filing a Form 990N "e-Postcard" are not included in this data.

Types of Nonprofits

There are 27 nonprofit designations based on the numbered subsections of section 501(c) of the tax code. See the list »

Get the Data

For those interested in acquiring the original data from the source, here’s where our data comes from:

  • Raw filing data. Includes EINs and summary financials as structured data.
  • Exempt Organization profiles. Includes organization names, addresses, etc. You can merge this with the raw filing data using EIN numbers.
  • Form 990 documents. Prior to 2017, these documents were obtained and processed by Public.Resource.org and ProPublica. Bulk PDF downloads since 2017 are available from the IRS.
  • Form 990 documents as XML files. Includes complete filing data (financial details, names of officers, tax schedules, etc.) in machine-readable format. Only available for electronically filed documents. Electronic data released prior to October 2021 is also available through Amazon Web Services.
  • Audits. PDFs of single or program-specific audits for nonprofit organizations that spent $750,000 or more in Federal grant money in a single fiscal year. Available for fiscal year 2015 and later.

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Byline

By Andrea Suozzo, Alec Glassford and Ash Ngu, ProPublica, and Brandon Roberts, Special to ProPublica.
Design by Jeff Frankl. Additional development by Ken Schwencke, Mike Tigas, and Sisi Wei.

E-file viewer adapted from IRS e-File Viewer by Ben Getson. Code for scraping audit documents adapated from Govwiki.

Updated