Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
The following three guiding principles are the foundation for all of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History's activities: inspiring an awe for nature and a thirst for discovery; promoting sustainability; and connecting our communities. Through these principles we strive to foster a community that explores, understands, and protects the natural world.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History at a glance
- Total assets
- $96,679,894
- +2.4% vs 2023
- Revenue (2024)
- $10,479,143
- +10.1% vs 2023
- Net investment income (2024)
- $2,895,075
- +200.0% vs 2023
- Expenses (2024)
- $11,943,973
- +8.2% vs 2023
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
7 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 7 grants of 7 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2022, annual grant giving ranged from $10K (2022) to $111K (2020). In 2022 it made 1 grant totaling $10K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ventana Wildlife Society Salinas, CA | Condor Survival Programs | $9,740 |
Ready to take the next step with Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $96,679,894 | $10,479,143 | $11,943,973 | — | — | $2,895,075 |
| 2023 | $94,420,904 | $9,520,658 | $11,041,163 | — | — | $965,119 |
| 2022 | $88,940,025 | $8,951,310 | $10,133,710 | $9,740 | 1 | $2,719,125 |
| 2021 | $97,221,664 | $17,404,014 | $8,164,554 | $29,964 | 3 | $4,769,922 |
| 2020 | $85,740,438 | $6,898,781 | $7,968,366 | $111,297 | 3 | $1,780,019 |
About Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Based on IRS filings
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is a public charity focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Santa Barbara, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $96.7M in total assets. Net investment income was $2.9M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is led by Luke Swetland, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 8 of 31 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Luke Swetland
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$202K (2020) → $240K (2024)
Tory Milazzo
Board Chair
Vice Chair for Finance → Vice Chair Finance, 2021
Vice Chair Finance → Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Fassett
Chair Audit
Trustee → Chair Audit, 2024
On filings since 2021
6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Caroline Baker
Director of Development
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$148K (2022) → $166K (2024)
Andrea McFarling
Director Guest Experience
Philanthropy Officer → Director Guest Experience, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$114K (2023) → $123K (2024)
Phillip Morones
Director Facilities
Is Senior Manager → Director Facilities, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$104K (2023) → $112K (2024)
Sharon Bradford
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sue Parker
Trustee
Trustee → Vice Chair Developement, 2021
Vice Chair Developement → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Holzman
Trustee
On filings since 2022
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John L. Demourkas
Trustee
On filings since 2022
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julie Heider-Gray
Trustee
On filings since 2022
6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Loren Booth
Trustee
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lotus Vermeer PhD
Trustee
On filings since 2022
6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tim Kochis
Trustee
On filings since 2022
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amanda Lee
Trustee
On filings since 2023
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hiroko Benko
Trustee
On filings since 2023
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kendra Epley
Trustee
On filings since 2023
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Greg Fuss
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Greg Giloth
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathleen Kalp
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lucy Firestone
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Diane Wondolowski
Chief Financial Officer
COO & CFO → Chief Financial Officer, 2022
On filings since 2020
38 hrs/week
$99K (2020) → $56K (2024)
Amal Masri
Business Develop Officer
Business Development Officer → Business Develop Officer, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$116K (2022) → $146K (2024)
Amy Carpenter
Chief Operating Officer
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$123K (2022) → $141K (2024)
Brian Storr
Chief Financial Officer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$92K (2024)
Bobbie Kinnear
Vice Chair Governance
Trustee → Vice Chair Governance, 2024
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brad Willis
Immediate Past Chair
Secretary → Chair, 2022
Chair → Immediate Past Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hank Mitchel
Secretary
Trustee → Trustee at Large, 2021
Trustee at Large → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Keith Reichel
Vice Chair Master Plan
Trustee → Vice Chair Master Plan, 2023
On filings since 2022
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Sheshunoff
Vice Chair Development
Trustee → Vice Chair Development, 2023
On filings since 2022
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Corinne Laverty
Vice Chair Finance
New on the 2024 filing
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (18)
- Former: Doug Dreier (2020–2023) — Vice Chair Governance
- Former: Matt Adams (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Terry Valeski (2020–2023) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Laverty Corinne (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Amal Zalatimo (2023) — Business Development Officer
- Former: Carolyn Chandler (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Chris Blau (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Chris Knowlton (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Dennis Allen (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Elaine Gibson (2020–2022) — Vice Chair Audit
- Former: Frank Davis (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Paul Relis (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Paul Russell (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Steve Woodward (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Venesa Faciane (2020–2022) — Vice Chair Governance
- Former: Vincent Caballero (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Wayne Rosing (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Caroline Grange (2020–2021) — Director of Development
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $240K, to Luke Swetland (President & CEO). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
How large is Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History?
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History reported $96.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $10.5M.
What is Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History?
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is a public charity focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Santa Barbara, CA. It holds $96.7M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History operate?
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History has awarded grants in California.
What is Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History's EIN?
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-1643378. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History funds
Arts, Culture & Humanities Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common
Hind Foundation
San Luis Obispo, CA
The Hind Foundation funds California community-based nonprofit projects in conservation, wildlife and plant protection, historic restoration, music, and visual arts that create lasting community benefits. Its 2025 grants ranged from $10,000 to $2 million, with a median of $100,000. It accepts online applications and says it is currently accepting applications.
Assets
$17.6M
Grants
8
Total Given
$3.2M
Electra Foundation
Sausalito, CA
Electra Foundation’s 2025 grants supported varied causes, including conservation, arts, parks, and access to digital collections, with most funding going to California and a small share to Arizona. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $10,000, with a median of $1,000. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$14K
Grants
10
Total Given
$30K
Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation
Omaha, NE
The foundation funds animal welfare, including rescue and adoption, veterinary care and research, scholarships, wildlife care, and related programs. Its 2024 grants ranged from $75,000 to $298,362, with a median of $100,000, supporting organizations in several states, especially California, as well as Nebraska and other locations. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$26.6M
Grants
11
Total Given
$1.3M
Wendy P McCaw Foundation the Goldman Sachs
Wilmington, DE
The foundation supports wildlife rescue and conservation, animal welfare, youth outreach, and music and performing arts, with most 2024 funding going to organizations in California and additional grants in Virginia, Colorado, Illinois, and Washington, DC. Its 13 grants ranged from $10,000 to $900,000, with a median of $25,000. It does not restrict giving to preselected organizations; requests are generally due by October 31.
Assets
$30.7M
Grants
13
Total Given
$2.0M
Tina De Boer Long Charitable Trust
Cincinnati, OH
The trust funds a varied mix of charitable work, including animal welfare, marine conservation, and youth services. Its 2025 grants ranged from $800 to $56,000, with a median of $5,000, and went mainly to organizations in California, as well as Maryland, Washington, and Hawaii. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$1.4M
Grants
13
Total Given
$127K
Conservation Society of California
Oakland, CA
The Conservation Society of California funds wildlife and habitat conservation, including species protection, wildlife-trade mitigation, human-wildlife coexistence, and related rescue and welfare work. In 2025, it made 14 grants ranging from $5,641 to $70,800, with a median of $22,500, supporting work in California and across the United States and globally. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$92.9M
Grants
14
Total Given
$355K
More similar funders
More Funders in California
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History down — hundreds of funders to go?