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Nonprofiteer
← THE MARITIME AQUARIUM AT NORWALK INC

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by THE MARITIME AQUARIUM AT NORWALK INC.

Totals

Total revenue
$16,484,562
Total expenses
$16,070,620
Contributions and grants received
$5,901,569
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$9,498,299
Investment income
$67,658
Other revenue
$1,017,036
Total assets, end of year
$27,233,562
Total liabilities, end of year
$3,863,716
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$23,369,846
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$12,266,580
Management and general expenses
$3,376,664
Fundraising expenses
$427,376
Program service expenses (Part III)
$12,266,580

Program services were 76.3% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1c · Fundraising events

    $492,213

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $4,745,177

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $664,179

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $128,840

  • 2a · Program service revenue: ADMISSIONS

    total $6,949,809 · related or exempt $6,949,809

  • 2b · Program service revenue: MEMBERSHIP

    total $1,453,427 · related or exempt $1,453,427

  • 2c · Program service revenue: EDUCATION

    total $543,671 · related or exempt $543,671

  • 2d · Program service revenue: COMMUNITY SERVICES

    total $440,955 · related or exempt $440,955

  • 2e · Program service revenue: OTHER PROGRAM REVENUE

    total $80,956 · related or exempt $80,956

  • 2f · All other program service revenue

    total $29,481 · related or exempt $29,481

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $447,305 · excluded $447,305

  • 6a · Gross rents

    real property $31,700

  • 6b · Less rental expenses

    real property $0

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $31,700

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $31,700 · excluded $31,700

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $101,622

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $481,269

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities -$379,647

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total -$379,647 · excluded -$379,647

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $73,878

  • 8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

    $492,213

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $193,480

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total -$119,602 · excluded -$119,602

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $537,368

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $0

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $537,368 · related or exempt $537,368

  • 11a · Other revenue: INSURANCE RECOVERY

    total $455,508 · excluded $455,508

  • 11b · Other revenue: FOOD SERVICE & CATERING

    total $112,062 · excluded $112,062

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $567,570

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $796,303 · program services $287,920 · management and general $343,036 · fundraising $165,347

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $6,076,430 · program services $4,868,329 · management and general $1,159,251 · fundraising $48,850

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $161,736 · program services $125,435 · management and general $29,708 · fundraising $6,593

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $833,629 · program services $722,618 · management and general $76,141 · fundraising $34,870

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $622,511 · program services $514,951 · management and general $84,006 · fundraising $23,554

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $3,922 · management and general $3,922

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $62,152 · management and general $62,152

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $48,000 · management and general $48,000

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $30,902 · management and general $30,902

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $918,401 · program services $667,874 · management and general $198,927 · fundraising $51,600

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $633,374 · program services $26,763 · management and general $606,611

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $168,290 · program services $58,217 · management and general $90,468 · fundraising $19,605

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $301,789 · program services $140,919 · management and general $132,776 · fundraising $28,094

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $746,304 · program services $746,304

  • 17 · Travel

    total $102,192 · program services $85,451 · management and general $13,621 · fundraising $3,120

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $518,907 · program services $461,256 · management and general $23,366 · fundraising $34,285

  • 20 · Interest

    total $31,944 · management and general $31,944

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $1,057,622 · program services $847,085 · management and general $210,537

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $374,264 · program services $374,264

  • 24a · Other expenses: REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE

    total $1,473,472 · program services $1,467,278 · management and general $6,194

  • 24b · Other expenses: EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

    total $645,079 · program services $583,444 · management and general $57,199 · fundraising $4,436

  • 24c · Other expenses: CREDIT CARD CHARGES

    total $204,498 · program services $204,498

  • 24d · Other expenses: TRAINING

    total $98,307 · program services $32,314 · management and general $62,986 · fundraising $3,007

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $160,592 · program services $51,660 · management and general $104,917 · fundraising $4,015

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $3,002,571 · end of year $392,338

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $2,473,014 · end of year $5,244,631

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $694,790 · end of year $575,255

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $148,576 · end of year $91,067

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $2,609 · end of year $0

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $46,740 · end of year $273,009

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $32,718,757

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $24,553,698

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $8,441,366 · end of year $8,165,059

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $10,317,120 · end of year $12,432,203

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $60,000

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $1,290,220 · end of year $1,635,136

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $819,801 · end of year $842,410

  • 23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable

    beginning of year $1,300,000 · end of year $1,148,098

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $445,637 · end of year $238,072

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $17,175,393 · end of year $19,108,598

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $4,095,735 · end of year $4,261,248

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

THE MARITIME AQUARIUM AT NORWALK SEEKS TO IGNITE A CONNECTION TO LONG ISLAND SOUND AND THE OCEAN TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF ALL PEOPLE AND INSPIRE ACTION TO PROTECT OUR BLUE PLANET.

Activities or mission (Part I)

SEE PART III, LINE 1.

  • THE MARITIME AQUARIUM AT NORWALK FULFILLS ITS MISSION THROUGH ITS LIVE ANIMAL EXHIBITS THAT FEATURE APPROXIMATELY 7,500 ANIMALS, COMPRISED OF ABOUT 300 SPECIES, INCLUDING THOSE THAT ARE ENDANGERED, THREATENED OR PROTECTED. WITH 75 EXHIBITS, INTERACTIVE AND IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES, TOUCH TANKS, AND ANIMAL FEEDINGS, GUESTS CAN BETTER APPRECIATE THE WONDERS OF THE RICH MARINE BIODIVERSITY OF THE LONG ISLAND SOUND THE GLOBAL OCEAN AND LEARN HOW TO SERVE AS STEWARDS OF THE ENVIRONMENT. COMPLEMENTING ITS EXHIBITS AND GUEST ENGAGEMENT, THE AQUARIUM CONDUCTS NUMEROUS RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION PROJECTS WITH BOTH PROFESSIONAL RESEARCHERS AND COMMUNITY SCIENTISTS TO BETTER UNDERSTANDING THE ECOLOGY OF THE LONG ISLAND SOUND AND TO RESTORE ITS ECOSYSTEM TO A HEALTHY, SUSTAINABLE CONDITION. THE AQUARIUM FURTHER ENGAGES WITH GOVERNMENT AND INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS TO SUPPORT THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AS A CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL AND CONSERVATION LEADER.

    Expenses $10,583,760 · Revenue $8,517,872

  • THE MARITIME AQUARIUM AT NORWALK SPECIALIZES IN EDUCATION PROGRAMMING FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH (STEM) AT ALL AGE LEVELS, FROM PRE-K THROUGH 12TH GRADE. EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE CONDUCTED IN A WIDE VARIETY OF VENUES AND MEDIA: IN CLASSROOMS AT THE AQUARIUM; IN SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE STATE THROUGH OUR TRAVELING TEACHER PROGRAM; AS PART OF AFTERSCHOOL, WEEKEND PROGRAMS AND SUMMER CAMPS; THROUGH WHOLE SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS; ONLINE VIRTUALLY THROUGHOUT THE WORLD THROUGH DIGITAL PROGRAMMING; ALONG COASTAL WATERWAYS AND SHORELINES THROUGH OUTDOOR PROGRAMMING; ON THE WATERS OF LONG ISLAND SOUND. PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE STEM LITERACY AT ALL LEVELS USING LIVE ANIMALS AND INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES IN THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE LONG ISLAND SOUND. THE AQUARIUM HAS GROWING INVOLVEMENT IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING FOR TEACHERS SPECIFICALLY IN THE AREA OF STEM PROGRAMMING.

    Expenses $1,345,088 · Revenue $984,626

  • THE 4D THEATER OFFERS A SENSORY-BASED MOVIE EXPERIENCE FOR GUESTS TO ENJOY AND LEARN THROUGH THE ENTERTAINING AND EDUCATIONAL FILMS THAT PLAY IN THE THEATER. FILMS COVER ALL ASPECTS OF THE NATURAL WORLD. THE 4D THEATER ALSO SERVICES AS A VERSATILE VENUE FOR LECTURES, SCREENINGS, PRESENTATIONS, DISCUSSIONS, ETC., FOR THE COMMUNITY AND FOR PRIVATE GROUPS.

    Expenses $337,732 · Revenue $533,169

As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Clayton Fowler

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • William Burnham

    1ST VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Neil Beup

    2ND VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Richard Hokin

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Novelette Peterkin

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Earl Mix

    ASSISTANT TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Kathryn Mitchell

    ASSISTANT SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Philip Barbagallo

    TRUSTEE (THROUGH 3/2024)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Brian Bidolli

    TRUSTEE, EX OFFICIO

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Norm Bloom

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Lee Caney

    TRUSTEE (THROUGH 12/2023)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Kevin Conroy

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Robert Counihan

    TRUSTEE (AS OF 12/2023)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Rev Dr Lindsay Curtis

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Cheryl De Vonish

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Emmakate Dinardo

    TRUSTEE (THROUGH 12/2023)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Sharon Giese

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Ann Gilmartin

    TRUSTEE, EX OFFICIO

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jim Hall

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Melissa Joan Hart

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Natalie S Little

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Deborah McLean

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Timothy Pettee

    TRUSTEE (THROUGH 12/2023)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Michael Reilly

    TRUSTEE, EX OFFICIO

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • The Hon Harry Rilling

    TRUSTEE, EX OFFICIO

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Diane Schlinkert

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Harlan Stone

    TRUSTEE (AS OF 12/2023)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Michael Weinstock

    TRUSTEE (AS OF 3/2024)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jason Patlis

    PRESIDENT & CEO

    Total calculated
    $310,351
    From this org
    $270,000
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $40,351
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $270,000
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $7,500
    Nontaxable benefits
    $32,851
    Filer's total
    $310,351

  • David J Truedson

    COO

    Total calculated
    $242,248
    From this org
    $197,237
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $45,011
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $197,237
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $9,947
    Nontaxable benefits
    $35,064
    Filer's total
    $242,248

  • Danielle Tranzillo Vp Of Phil

    & ENG. (THROUGH 3/2024), THEN CSGO

    Total calculated
    $231,790
    From this org
    $193,179
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $38,611
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $193,179
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $6,030
    Nontaxable benefits
    $32,581
    Filer's total
    $231,790

  • Megan Loomer

    VP OF FINANCE (AS OF 7/2023)

    Total calculated
    $152,844
    From this org
    $137,642
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $15,202
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $137,642
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $4,918
    Nontaxable benefits
    $10,284
    Filer's total
    $152,844

  • Thomas A Naiman

    VP OF EDUCATION

    Total calculated
    $151,426
    From this org
    $143,220
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $8,206
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $143,220
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $7,206
    Nontaxable benefits
    $1,000
    Filer's total
    $151,426

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Independent compensation consultant
  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
13 May 2025
IRS schema version
2023v6.0
Source object
202501339349306575

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