Totals
- Total revenue
- $74,375,786
- Total expenses
- $76,249,119
- Contributions and grants received
- $28,736,222
- Grants paid
- $20,190,860
- Program service revenue
- $34,985,959
- Investment income
- $7,073,049
- Other revenue
- $3,580,556
- Total assets, end of year
- $101,493,868
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $38,750,471
- Net assets or fund balances, end of year
- $62,743,397
- Program services expenses (Part IX)
- $58,727,290
- Management and general expenses
- $11,516,334
- Fundraising expenses
- $6,005,495
- Program service expenses (Part III)
- $58,727,290
Program services were 77.0% 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.
-
1b · Membership dues
$6,035,919
-
1d · Related organizations
$15,856,119
-
1e · Government grants (contributions)
$1,668,036
-
1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants
$5,176,148
-
1g · Noncash contributions included above
$14,739,411
-
2a · Program service revenue: ADMISSIONS
total $29,483,790 · related or exempt $29,483,790
-
2b · Program service revenue: CONSIGNMENT
total $1,220,223 · related or exempt $1,220,223
-
2c · Program service revenue: SCHOOL GROUPS
total $1,038,989 · related or exempt $1,038,989
-
2d · Program service revenue: IMMERSION TOURS
total $919,892 · related or exempt $919,892
-
2e · Program service revenue: 4D
total $732,087 · related or exempt $732,087
-
2f · All other program service revenue
total $1,590,978 · related or exempt $859,824 · unrelated business $731,154
-
3 · Investment income
total $723,593 · excluded $723,593
-
5 · Royalties
total $3,125 · excluded $3,125
-
7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory
other assets $6,350,113
-
7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses
other assets $657
-
7c · Gain or loss
other assets $6,349,456
-
7d · Net gain or loss
total $6,349,456 · excluded $6,349,456
-
11a · Other revenue: COMMISSION-GIFT SHOP
total $2,268,553 · excluded $2,268,553
-
11b · Other revenue: FOOD SERVICE
total $769,963 · excluded $769,963
-
11c · Other revenue: PHOTOS
total $379,521 · related or exempt $379,521
-
11d · All other revenue
total $159,394 · excluded $159,394
-
11e · Other revenue, total
$3,577,431
Functional expenses
Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.
-
1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments
total $20,156,119 · program services $20,156,119
-
2 · Grants to domestic individuals
total $34,741 · program services $34,741
-
5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
total $2,155,587 · program services $1,471,601 · management and general $360,780 · fundraising $323,206
-
7 · Other salaries and wages
total $18,213,597 · program services $13,745,159 · management and general $1,602,197 · fundraising $2,866,241
-
8 · Pension plan contributions
total $579,900 · program services $138,966 · management and general $380,506 · fundraising $60,428
-
9 · Other employee benefits
total $1,518,349 · program services $363,854 · management and general $996,277 · fundraising $158,218
-
10 · Payroll taxes
total $1,396,421 · program services $334,635 · management and general $916,273 · fundraising $145,513
-
11b · Fees: legal
total $117,364 · program services $33,256 · management and general $37,483 · fundraising $46,625
-
11c · Fees: accounting
total $153,623 · program services $43,530 · management and general $49,063 · fundraising $61,030
-
11d · Fees: lobbying
total $157,793 · management and general $157,793
-
11e · Fees: professional fundraising services
total $643,708 · fundraising $643,708
-
11g · Fees: other
total $7,036,584 · program services $5,661,555 · management and general $974,001 · fundraising $401,028
-
12 · Advertising and promotion
total $3,958,946 · program services $49,778 · management and general $3,870,471 · fundraising $38,697
-
13 · Office expenses
total $819,175 · program services $458,190 · management and general $297,338 · fundraising $63,647
-
16 · Occupancy
total $3,715,390 · program services $3,620,645 · management and general $41,451 · fundraising $53,294
-
17 · Travel
total $573,909 · program services $493,833 · management and general $33,551 · fundraising $46,525
-
19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings
total $106,562 · program services $78,020 · management and general $10,961 · fundraising $17,581
-
20 · Interest
total $853,472 · program services $90,024 · management and general $762,650 · fundraising $798
-
22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization
total $8,535,401 · program services $7,250,532 · management and general $562,131 · fundraising $722,738
-
23 · Insurance
total $732,858 · program services $616,021 · management and general $51,033 · fundraising $65,804
-
24a · Other expenses: PROGRAM EXPENSES
total $2,302,283 · program services $2,228,405 · management and general $66,596 · fundraising $7,282
-
24b · Other expenses: DUES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
total $1,303,505 · program services $954,547 · management and general $200,224 · fundraising $148,734
-
24c · Other expenses: BANK & CREDIT CARD FEES
total $936,588 · program services $787,202 · management and general $64,537 · fundraising $84,849
-
24d · Other expenses: MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSE
total $239,557 · program services $110,901 · management and general $79,726 · fundraising $48,930
-
24e · All other expenses
total $7,687 · program services $5,776 · management and general $1,292 · fundraising $619
Balance sheet
Part X, book values.
-
1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing
beginning of year $5,367,920 · end of year $3,205,666
-
2 · Savings and temporary cash investments
beginning of year $18,195,740 · end of year $10,782,894
-
3 · Pledges and grants receivable
beginning of year $1,508,261 · end of year $2,324,167
-
4 · Accounts receivable
beginning of year $1,140,182 · end of year $1,094,343
-
7 · Other notes and loans receivable
beginning of year $13,613,540
-
9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges
beginning of year $677,769 · end of year $1,214,680
-
10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis
$256,254,602
-
10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation
$179,385,702
-
10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net
beginning of year $62,283,267 · end of year $76,868,900
-
15 · Other assets
beginning of year $6,080,325 · end of year $6,003,218
-
17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses
beginning of year $6,347,820 · end of year $3,878,630
-
19 · Deferred revenue
beginning of year $4,651,602 · end of year $4,108,357
-
20 · Tax-exempt bond liabilities
beginning of year $25,799,569 · end of year $23,624,836
-
25 · Other liabilities
beginning of year $7,636,313 · end of year $7,138,648
-
27 · Net assets without donor restrictions
beginning of year $58,763,821 · end of year $59,671,273
-
28 · Net assets with donor restrictions
beginning of year $5,667,879 · end of year $3,072,124
Mission and programs · 2024
Mission
TO CONNECT PEOPLE WITH NATURE TO INSPIRE COMPASSION AND CARE FOR OUR OCEAN PLANET
-
AQUARIUM EXPERIENCE: THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM IS LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE INNER HARBOR IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND. SITUATED ON TWO CITY PIERS WITH THE CHESAPEAKE BAY ON EITHER SIDE, THE AQUARIUM FEATURES THREE PAVILIONS AND A LIVING COLLECTION THAT INCLUDES MORE THAN 10,000 ANIMALS FROM MORE THAN 500 SPECIES OF FISH, BIRDS, AMPHIBIANS, REPTILES AND MAMMALS IN AWARD-WINNING HABITATS. THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM IS MARYLAND'S LARGEST PAID TOURIST ATTRACTION, WELCOMING MORE THAN 1.2 MILLION VISITORS ANNUALLY. MORE THAN 60 MILLION GUESTS HAVE VISITED THE AQUARIUM SINCE IT OPENED IN 1981, AND AQUARIUM STAFF MEMBERS ARE COMMITTED TO GOING TO EXTRAORDINARY LENGTHS TO DELIGHT GUESTS AND INSPIRE THEM TO ACT TO CONSERVE THE WORLD'S AQUATIC TREASURES. AS AN ORGANIZATION ACCREDITED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS (AZA), THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM MAINTAINS THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE IN ALL ASPECTS OF ANIMAL CARE IN ORDER TO ADVANCE ANIMAL HEALTH, HUSBANDRY AND WELFARE PRACTICES. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING THE BEST POSSIBLE CARE FOR ALL ANIMALS AT THE AQUARIUM, STAFF CONDUCT SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND FIELD WORK TO SUPPORT SPECIES AND HABITAT CONSERVATION, WITH A STRONG EMPHASIS ON THE CHESAPEAKE BAY. CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM INCLUDE AMAZON RIVER FOREST, ATLANTIC CORAL REEF, ATLANTIC TO PACIFIC, AUSTRALIA: WILD EXTREMES, BLACKTIP REEF, DOLPHIN DISCOVERY, JELLIES INVASION, HARBOR WETLAND, LIVING SEASHORE, MARYLAND EXPERIENCE, SHARK ALLEY, SURVIVING ADAPTATION, TROPICAL RAINFOREST, HARRY AND JEANETTE WEINBERG WATERFRONT PARK, AND THE 4D IMMERSION THEATER.
Expenses $30,964,221 · Revenue $34,189,543
-
CONSERVATION & EDUCATION: THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON CHANGING THE WAY HUMANITY CARES FOR THE OCEAN. WHAT BEGAN OVER 40 YEARS AGO AS A VISITOR ATTRACTION HAS EVOLVED INTO A CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION THAT OPERATES A WORLD-CLASS AQUARIUM. THROUGH UNPARALLELED EXHIBITS, SCIENCE-BASED EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND HANDS-ON FIELD INITIATIVES, WE ARE CREATING A GLOBAL COMMUNITY OF HOPEFUL CONSERVATIONISTS, UNITED TO RESTORE OUR PLANET, DRIVEN BY OUR MISSION TO CONNECT PEOPLE WITH NATURE TO INSPIRE COMPASSION AND CARE FOR OUR OCEAN PLANET. WE ARE AT THE FOREFRONT OF EFFORTS TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE CHALLENGES FACING OUR COASTS AND OCEANS AND TO LEAD DIRECT ACTION TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THE BALTIMORE HARBOR, THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND OCEANS AROUND THE WORLD. THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM IS ALSO COMMITTED TO EDUCATING STUDENTS OF ALL AGES ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE OCEAN. BY GETTING THEIR BOOTS WET AND THEIR HANDS DIRTY, STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM'S EDUCATION PROGRAMS HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE THEIR SKILLS AND INTERESTS, AND MAKE EMOTIONAL CONNECTIONS TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND OUR BLUE PLANET. MORE THAN 56,000 MARYLAND STUDENTS VISIT THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM FREE OF CHARGE EACH YEAR, WHERE THEY BECOME IMMERSED IN THE WORLD OF WATER AND LEARN MORE ABOUT PROTECTING ANIMALS AND THEIR HABITATS.
Expenses $27,763,069 · Grants $20,190,860 · Revenue $444,783
As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.
Listed in Part VII
-
Victor AbiamiriVICTOR ABIAMIRI
BOARD MEMBER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Adam BordenADAM BORDEN
BOARD MEMBER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Todd ChesterTODD CHESTER
BOARD MEMBER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1 + 1 related
-
Celine CousteauCELINE COUSTEAU
BOARD MEMBER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
David DardisDAVID DARDIS
BOARD MEMBER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Colleen DilenschneiderCOLLEEN DILENSCHNEIDER
CHAIR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 5
-
Jack DwyerJACK DWYER
BOARD MEMBER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Nancy GrasmickNANCY GRASMICK
BOARD MEMBER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Chris GriffithCHRIS GRIFFITH
TREASURER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2
-
Kathryn MatthewsKATHRYN MATTHEWS
BOARD MEMBER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2
-
Robert MatthewsROBERT MATTHEWS
BOARD MEMBER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Maggie McIntoshMAGGIE MCINTOSH
BOARD MEMBER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Merrie MowenMERRIE MOWEN
BOARD MEMBER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2 + 2 related
-
Roy Prather IIIROY PRATHER III
SECRETARY
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2
-
Jennifer ReynoldsJENNIFER REYNOLDS
VICE CHAIR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2
-
Enric SalaENRIC SALA
BOARD MEMBER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Ted WieseTED WIESE
BOARD MEMBER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2 + 1 related
-
Jayson WilliamsJAYSON WILLIAMS
BOARD MEMBER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Marc WyattMARC WYATT
BOARD MEMBER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2
-
Mohannad JishiMOHANNAD JISHI
BOARD MEMBER (THRU 3/24)
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2 + 1 related
-
Shari SantSHARI SANT
BOARD MEMBER (THRU 3/24)
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2
-
Chuck TildonCHUCK TILDON
BOARD MEMBER (THRU 3/24)
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2
-
Virginia Y NewtonVIRGINIA Y NEWTON
SVP/CFO/COO
- Total calculated
- $386,440
- From this org
- $355,990
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $30,450
- Hours/week
- 40 + 1 related
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $355,276
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $714
- Deferred
- $10,602
- Nontaxable benefits
- $19,848
- Filer's total
- $386,440
-
John C RacanelliJOHN C RACANELLI
PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
- Total calculated
- $637,770
- From this org
- $462,783
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $174,987
- Hours/week
- 34 + 6 related
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $453,473
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $9,310
- Deferred
- $128,325
- Nontaxable benefits
- $46,662
- Filer's total
- $637,770
-
Jennifer DribanJENNIFER DRIBAN
SVP/CHIEF MISSION OFFICER
- Total calculated
- $311,600
- From this org
- $268,413
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $43,187
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $268,263
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $150
- Deferred
- $8,074
- Nontaxable benefits
- $35,113
- Filer's total
- $311,600
-
Scott MeltonSCOTT MELTON
SVP/CHIEF PHILANTHROPY OFFICER
- Total calculated
- $271,665
- From this org
- $259,815
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $11,850
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $259,649
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $166
- Deferred
- $9,093
- Nontaxable benefits
- $2,757
- Filer's total
- $271,665
-
Stephanie AllardSTEPHANIE ALLARD
SVP/CHIEF ANIMAL WELFARE OFFICER
- Total calculated
- $243,338
- From this org
- $223,334
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $20,004
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $223,085
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $249
- Deferred
- $7,986
- Nontaxable benefits
- $12,018
- Filer's total
- $243,338
-
Margot AmeliaMARGOT AMELIA
SVP/CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER
- Total calculated
- $304,774
- From this org
- $284,017
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $20,757
- Hours/week
- 39 + 1 related
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $283,768
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $249
- Deferred
- $6,242
- Nontaxable benefits
- $14,515
- Filer's total
- $304,774
-
Jacqueline BershadJACQUELINE BERSHAD
VP OF PLANNING AND DESIGN
- Total calculated
- $200,869
- From this org
- $162,381
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $38,488
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $162,381
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $0
- Deferred
- $4,541
- Nontaxable benefits
- $33,947
- Filer's total
- $200,869
-
Sean BeattieSEAN BEATTIE
VP OF PHILANTHROPY
- Total calculated
- $167,490
- From this org
- $151,339
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $16,151
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $151,083
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $256
- Deferred
- $5,418
- Nontaxable benefits
- $10,733
- Filer's total
- $167,490
-
Samuel TawiahSAMUEL TAWIAH
VP OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
- Total calculated
- $210,707
- From this org
- $172,570
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $38,137
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $171,964
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $606
- Deferred
- $6,455
- Nontaxable benefits
- $31,682
- Filer's total
- $210,707
-
Alison DingerALISON DINGER
VP OF HR AND ADMINISTRATION
- Total calculated
- $192,918
- From this org
- $159,069
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $33,849
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $158,880
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $189
- Deferred
- $5,889
- Nontaxable benefits
- $27,960
- Filer's total
- $192,918
-
Kristen RosenbergerKRISTEN ROSENBERGER
VP OF FINANCIAL PLANNING & ANALYSIS
- Total calculated
- $162,116
- From this org
- $155,154
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $6,962
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $155,154
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $0
- Deferred
- $5,427
- Nontaxable benefits
- $1,535
- Filer's total
- $162,116
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
- 1a · First-class or charter travel
- 3 · Compensation committee
- 3 · Independent compensation consultant
- 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
- 3 · Compensation survey or study
- 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
- 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
Answered no
- 1b · Written policy on the line-1a expenses
- 2 · Substantiation required before reimbursing expenses
- 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
- 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
The filer's explanations (Part III)
- PART I, LINE 1A
- THE AQUARIUM'S EXPENSE POLICY EXCLUDES FIRST CLASS TRAVEL. HOWEVER, AN EXCEPTION WAS MADE FOR TWO INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL TRIPS IN 2024 FOR THE CEO. THIS BENEFIT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN HIS TAXABLE COMPENSATION.
- PART I, LINE 4B
- THE PRESIDENT AND CEO, JOHN RACANELLI PARTICIPATES IN A 457(F) NONQUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLAN. DURING THE TAX YEAR, $116,250 WAS SET ASIDE AS A CONTRIBUTION TO HIS SECTION 457(F) ACCOUNT.
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
-
$20,144,092
LOAN FORGIVENESS
Related organizations on this return
Schedule R Part II: tax-exempt organizations related to the filer by control. It does not record shared board members or money.
-
NATIONAL AQUARIUM FOUNDATION INC
501(C)(3) · SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION · MD · controlled entity
Directly controlled by NATIONAL AQUARIUM INC
-
501(C)(3) · SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION · MD
Taxable family on this return
Schedule R Parts I, III and IV, as filed. These record ownership and control, not shared board members or money moved.
Disregarded entities
Part I: entities that legally are the filer and file no return of their own.
-
ACRC LENDER LLC
LEVERAGED LENDER IN NMTC TRANSACTION · MD · income $0 · assets $0
Directly controlled by NATIONAL AQUARIUM INC
-
NANI LLC
REAL ESTATE HOLDING · MD · income $0 · assets $0
Directly controlled by NATIONAL AQUARIUM INC
-
2328 CEDLEY STREET LLC
REAL ESTATE HOLDING · MD · income $0 · assets $80,000
Directly controlled by NATIONAL AQUARIUM INC
Provenance
- Return type
- form_990
- Tax year
- 2024
- Filed
- 8 October 2025
- IRS schema version
- 2024v5.2
- Source object
- 202522849349300007
Check it against the return as filed: the GivingTuesday Data Lake hosts a public copy of the original XML.
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