General Information
Financial and philanthropic support is outlined in our Annual Reports. The Smithsonian receives funding from federal government appropriations, other governmental entities, and private sources. Public dollars conserve national collections; sustain basic research; educate the public; provide for administrative and support services; and operate, maintain, and protect the large Smithsonian museum and research complexes. Private funds leverage federal dollars and provide the critical difference for endowing positions, carrying out innovative research, developing and building new facilities, opening groundbreaking exhibitions, reaching out to America’s diverse communities, and expanding and strengthening national collections.
Strategic Plans
Inspiring Generations Through Knowledge and Discovery (Through Fiscal Year 2017) (PDF)
Supporting Strategic Plans
- Smithsonian Information Technology Plan (SITP) (PDF)
- SITP Strategic Overview (PDF)
- Digital Action Agenda (PDF)
- Digitization Strategic Plan (PDF)
- Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan
- Climate Change Adaptation Plan
- Collections Space Framework Plan
- Smithsonian Institution Plan for Increased Public Access to Results of Federally Funded Research
Annual Performance Plan
Short-term goals and performance objectives focus the Smithsonian's resources on priorities for major construction projects; securing the funding necessary to address maintenance and revitalization of building; opening new exhibitions and updating others that will have tremendous public impact; improving visitor services; and strengthening stewardship of the national collections.
Annual Performance Plan: Fiscal Year 2017 (PDF)
Management's Discussion and Analysis
The Smithsonian Institution's management and financial controls systems provide reasonable assurance that the Institution's programs and resources are protected from fraud, waste, and misuse.
Management's Discussion and Analysis: Fiscal Year 2016 (PDF)
Smithsonian Directives
- Collections Management Policy (SD 600)
- Digital Asset Access and Use (SD 609)
- Digitization and Digital Asset Management Policy (SD 610)
- Social Media Policy (SD 814) | Appendix A
- Smithsonian Standards of Conduct (SD 103) | Appendix 1 | Appendix 2
- Diversity and Equal Opportunity
- Prevention of Workplace Harassment
- Supplier Diversity
Tax Returns
Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax, Form 990
FY2015 - 10/1/14 thru 9/30/15 (PDF)
Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax, Form 990
FY2014 - 10/1/13 thru 9/30/14 (PDF)
Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax, Form 990
FY2013 - 10/1/12 thru 9/30/13 (PDF)
Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax, Form 990
FY2012 - 10/1/11 thru 9/30/12 (PDF)
Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax, Form 990
FY2011 - 10/1/10 thru 9/30/11 (PDF)
Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax, Form 990
FY2010 - 10/1/09 thru 9/30/10 (PDF)
Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax, Form 990
FY2009 - 10/1/08 thru 9/30/09 (PDF)
Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax, Form 990
FY2008 - 10/1/07 thru 9/30/08 (PDF)
Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax, Form 990
FY2007 - 10/1/06 thru 9/30/07 (PDF)
Governmental Reporting
Office of Inspector General Reports to Congress
The Office of the Inspector General was established, in part, to provide a means for keeping the head of the Smithsonian Institution and the Congress fully and currently informed about problems and deficiencies relating to Institution programs and operations, and the necessity for and progress of corrective actions. The Office of the Inspector General fulfills this responsibility through semiannual reporting, as required by the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, testimony, and other means as the Inspector General finds necessary.
Scorecard on Sustainability and Energy Performance
U.S. Government Accountability Office Reports
2016 Cultural Property: Protection of Iraqi and Syrian Antiquities (GAO-16-673, PDF)
2013 Congressionally Chartered Organizations: Key Principles for Leveraging Nonfederal Resources (GAO-13-549, PDF)
2009 Smithsonian Institution: Implementation of Governance Reforms Is Progressing, but Work Remains (GAO-10-190R, PDF)
- Smithsonian Response, May 6, 2008 (PDF)
- Board of Regents Response May 7, 2008 (PDF)
- Smithsonian Response, September 19, 2007 (PDF)
- Letter from Senator Feinstein to Roger Sant, September 27, 2007 (PDF)
- Response from Roger Sant to Senator Feinstein, September 28, 2007 (PDF)
- Additional Responses to the GAO Report, (PDF)
2006 GAO Report on Smithsonian on Demand (PDF)
- Smithsonian Response, December 1, 2006 (PDF)
2005 GAO Report on Facilities Management Reorganization Is Progressing, but Funding Remains a Challenge
(PDF, 88 pages)
- Smithsonian Response, April 7, 2005 (PDF)
Smithsonian Reports
Office of the Inspector General
The Office of the Inspector General is an independent, objective office within the Smithsonian Institution. The Inspector General reports directly to the Smithsonian Board of Regents and to Congress.
Office of Policy and Analysis: Finances and Administration
- Facilities Reports (Planning, design, construction, maintenance, and uses of buildings and physical spaces owned or rented by the Smithsonian; visitor and staff safety, health, and security.)
- Finance Reports (Generation of funding for exhibitions and Smithsonian and unit operations, costs and benefits of admission fees.)
- Workforce Reports (Workforce composition and planning, employee satisfaction.)
Smithsonian Enterprises (formerly Smithsonian Business Ventures) Task Force Report
The Task Force report was issued in January 2008 with recommendations for the revenue-generating activities of the Smithsonian Institution.