Federal appropriation down 4.7% for FY 2024

The Smithsonian’s 2024 fiscal year appropriation is $1.09 billion.

The final appropriation for the Smithsonian for fiscal year 2024, which began October 1, 2023, is $1.09 billion, a 4.7 percent decrease from last fiscal year’s appropriation of $1.14 billion. The Smithsonian’s Salaries and Expenses (S&E) account—its operating budget—is $892.8 million is the same as last year. The Facilities Capital account—for major renovations and any new construction—is $197.6 million, a decrease of $54 million.

Considering the complexity of the federal budgeting and appropriations process, we’re lucky anyone gets paid.

Salaries and Expenses

The S&E appropriation for FY 2024 remained at the FY 2023 level. It includes a funding for our 21 museums, libraries, research centers and the National Zoo as well as $10 million each for the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum.

Facilities Capital

The Facilities Capital appropriation for renovations and repairs of some of the oldest and most visited museums is $197.6 million, including $124.4 million for revitalization of Smithsonian facilities. The Smithsonian will use this funding to address the deterioration of some of our oldest and most visited buildings and to maintain the current condition of other facilities through systematic renewal and repairs. Among the Smithsonian’s priorities this year are continuing the construction of the collections storage facility (Pod 6) in Suitland, Maryland; making additional progress on the major renovations of the National Air and Space Museum and Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden; and increasing revitalization activities at the Castle.

The planning and design allocation will go toward future revitalization projects such as design work at the Hirshhorn Museum, the anticipated renovation of the east wing of the National Museum of American History and numerous revitalization projects at the National Zoo.

FY 2023 and FY 2024 appropriations