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Nonprofiteer
← MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES CONSORTIUM

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES CONSORTIUM.

Totals

Total revenue
$39,458,679
Total expenses
$36,917,094
Contributions and grants received
$36,127,237
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$2,952,263
Investment income
$568,285
Other revenue
-$189,106
Total assets, end of year
$61,186,019
Total liabilities, end of year
$36,199,948
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$24,986,071
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$33,671,714
Management and general expenses
$3,245,380
Fundraising expenses
$0
Program service expenses (Part III)
$33,671,714

Program services were 91.2% 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.

  • 1a · Federated campaigns

    $0

  • 1b · Membership dues

    $0

  • 1c · Fundraising events

    $0

  • 1d · Related organizations

    $207,557

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $17,339,459

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $18,580,221

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $2,340,400

  • 2a · Program service revenue: Tuition and Fees

    total $1,118,284 · related or exempt $1,118,284 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 2b · Program service revenue: Sales and Svc of Edu Departments

    total $200,388 · related or exempt $200,388 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 2c · Program service revenue: Dormitory Revenues

    total $510,484 · related or exempt $510,484 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 2d · Program service revenue: Public Aquarium

    total $1,123,107 · related or exempt $1,123,107 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 2f · All other program service revenue

    total $0 · related or exempt $0 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $568,285 · related or exempt $568,285 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 4 · Income from investment of tax-exempt bond proceeds

    total $0 · related or exempt $0 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 5 · Royalties

    total $0 · related or exempt $0 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $0 · personal property $0

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $0 · other assets $0

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

    $0

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $1,345,311

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $1,737,674

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total -$392,363 · related or exempt -$392,363 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 11a · Other revenue: Donation

    total $10,887 · related or exempt $10,887 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 11d · All other revenue

    total $192,370 · related or exempt $192,370 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $203,257

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $515,798 · program services $407,480 · management and general $108,318 · fundraising $0

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $6,703,963 · program services $5,562,432 · management and general $1,141,531 · fundraising $0

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $712,231 · program services $562,663 · management and general $149,568 · fundraising $0

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $1,283,038 · program services $1,013,600 · management and general $269,438 · fundraising $0

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $482,073 · program services $390,865 · management and general $91,208 · fundraising $0

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $25,591 · program services $0 · management and general $25,591 · fundraising $0

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $41,600 · program services $0 · management and general $41,600 · fundraising $0

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $68,928 · program services $0 · management and general $68,928 · fundraising $0

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $0 · fundraising $0

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $169,208 · program services $133,674 · management and general $35,534 · fundraising $0

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $1,398,448 · program services $1,104,774 · management and general $293,674 · fundraising $0

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $153,805 · program services $121,506 · management and general $32,299 · fundraising $0

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $876,166 · program services $692,171 · management and general $183,995 · fundraising $0

  • 17 · Travel

    total $271,824 · program services $214,741 · management and general $57,083 · fundraising $0

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $200,610 · program services $155,753 · management and general $44,857 · fundraising $0

  • 20 · Interest

    total $67,267 · program services $0 · management and general $67,267 · fundraising $0

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $910,205 · program services $847,058 · management and general $63,147 · fundraising $0

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $584,167 · program services $461,492 · management and general $122,675 · fundraising $0

  • 24a · Other expenses: Maintenance & Repair of facilities and equipment

    total $397,700 · program services $314,183 · management and general $83,517 · fundraising $0

  • 24b · Other expenses: Miscellaneous

    total $626,033 · program services $362,147 · management and general $263,886 · fundraising $0

  • 24c · Other expenses: Subawards on Grant funded projects

    total $20,878,184 · program services $20,878,184 · management and general $0

  • 24d · Other expenses: Professional Services

    total $428,698 · program services $327,434 · management and general $101,264

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $121,557 · program services $121,557 · management and general $0

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    end of year $0

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $17,005,212 · end of year $22,002,940

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $5,580,156 · end of year $8,457,714

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $516,195 · end of year $661,974

  • 5 · Loans and receivables from officers and key people

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 6 · Loans and receivables from disqualified persons

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 7 · Other notes and loans receivable

    beginning of year $113,387 · end of year $128,492

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $151,642 · end of year $124,492

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $6,018,334 · end of year $4,773,789

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

    $37,073,590

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

    $12,112,412

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $16,512,849 · end of year $24,961,178

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $158,125 · end of year $75,440

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $184,843 · end of year $3,585,805

  • 18 · Grants payable

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $2,327,733 · end of year $12,825,672

  • 23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable

    beginning of year $2,289,610 · end of year $1,866,100

  • 24 · Unsecured notes and loans payable

    beginning of year $5,474,825 · end of year $4,299,396

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $13,334,403 · end of year $13,622,975

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $7,100,592 · end of year $1,129,823

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $15,343,894 · end of year $23,856,248

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

To conduct pure and applied research, provide both structured education programs and information in non-instructional formats for individuals, organizations, and governance interested in and dependent upon the coastal and marine environment.

  • University Programs-support both graduate and undergraduate degrees of the 22 member institutions. Students utilize resources at MESC as an integral part of their education (300 students per year)

    Expenses $1,918,731 · Revenue $991,296

  • Discovery Hall Program-Intended to increase understanding and appreciation for science and the marine environment by directly involving participants in the environment with dynamic, hands on activities, k-12 students, teacher training and enhancement programs (10,000 students per year).

    Expenses $1,690,319 · Revenue $676,804

  • Research-faculty conduct research in disciplines ranging from biochemistry to paleobiology. Mobile Bay is the overwhelmingly dominant natural feature of the Alabama coast and MESC has concentrated its efforts on the Bay - although research is carried out as far as Antarctica (100 projects)

    Expenses $7,008,485 · Revenue $7,008,485

  • Education, General/Other, The Alabama Aquarium-Exciting visual displays and engaging interactive exhibits present an unforgettable educational experience. Focuses on the four main ecosystems of Mobile Bay, includes and exhibit hall, weather station and living marsh boardwalk. (100,000 visitors per year)

    Expenses $1,528,284 · Revenue $1,123,107

  • Natural Resources Conservation & Protection. Mobile Bay National Estuary Program - to provide and maintain stewardship of the water quality characteristics and wise stewardship of the living resources of the Mobile Bay Estuary System (565,000 people)

    Expenses $21,525,895 · Revenue $21,525,895

As filed on the 2023 return.

Listed in Part VII

  • John Valentine

    Executive Director

    Total calculated
    $252,274
    From this org
    $252,274
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $252,274
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $252,274

  • David England

    Deputy Director

    Total calculated
    $195,067
    From this org
    $195,067
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $195,067
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $195,067

  • Delbert Smee

    Chair, University Programs

    Total calculated
    $166,523
    From this org
    $166,523
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $166,523
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $166,523

  • Ruth Carmichael

    Sr. Marine Scientist III

    Total calculated
    $150,612
    From this org
    $150,612
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $150,612
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $150,612

  • Roberta Swann

    Director of MBNEP

    Total calculated
    $133,189
    From this org
    $133,189
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    40

  • Dr Jeffry Krause

    Sr Marine Scientist

    Total calculated
    $132,476
    From this org
    $132,476
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    40

  • Patrick David

    Data Manager

    Total calculated
    $128,107
    From this org
    $128,107
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    40

  • Christine Miller-Way

    Chair Discovery Hall Programs

    Total calculated
    $120,007
    From this org
    $120,007
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • Troy McBride

    Facilities Director

    Total calculated
    $111,867
    From this org
    $111,867
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    40

  • Melissa Mills

    Director of Information Technology

    Total calculated
    $109,399
    From this org
    $109,399
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    40

  • Dr Quinton T Ross

    President Alabama State University

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • Dr Christopher Roberts

    President Auburn University

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • Dr Carl Stockton

    Chancellor Auburn University at Montgomery

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • Dr Don Killingsworth

    President Jacksonville State University

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • Dr Beck Taylor

    President Samford University

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • Dr Gregory Vincent

    President Talladega College

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • Dr Jack Hawkins

    Chancellor Troy University

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • Dr Charlotte Morris

    Tuskegee University

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • Dr Stuart Bell

    President University of Alabama

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • Dr Ray Watts

    President University of Alabama at Birmingham

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • Dr Lonnie Burnett

    President University of Mobile

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • Dr John Stewart

    President University of Montevallo

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • Dr Kenneth Kitts

    President University of North Alabama

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • Jo Bonner

    President University of South Alabama

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • Dr Ken Trucker

    President University of West Alabama

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • Dr Catherine Wehlburg

    President Athens State University

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • Dr Mary H Van Brunt

    President Spring Hill College

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • Dr Yolanda W Page

    President Stillman College

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • Dr Charlees L Karr

    President University of Alabama at Huntsville

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • Dr Daniel K Wims

    President Alabama A & M

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • Dr Anthony Lee

    President Huntingdon College

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

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

None.

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
14 August 2025
IRS schema version
2023v6.0
Source object
202502259349302965

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