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← AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC.

Totals

Total revenue
$57,011,610
Total expenses
$50,381,560
Contributions and grants received
$5,477,946
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$43,999,804
Investment income
$1,035,482
Other revenue
$6,498,378
Total assets, end of year
$90,299,018
Total liabilities, end of year
$9,324,268
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$80,974,750
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$41,338,262
Management and general expenses
$6,356,326
Fundraising expenses
$2,686,972
Program service expenses (Part III)
$41,338,262

Program services were 82.1% 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

    $225,892

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $1,821,171

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $3,430,883

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $100,951

  • 2a · Program service revenue: ADMISSIONS

    total $37,158,209 · related or exempt $37,158,209

  • 2b · Program service revenue: MEMBERSHIP FEES

    total $6,272,307 · related or exempt $6,272,307

  • 2c · Program service revenue: EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

    total $544,099 · related or exempt $544,099

  • 2d · Program service revenue: MISCELLANEOUS

    total $25,189 · related or exempt $25,189

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $1,035,482 · excluded $1,035,482

  • 5 · Royalties

    total $234,624 · excluded $234,624

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $360,558

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

    $225,892

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $159,293

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total $201,265 · excluded $201,265

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $7,839,760

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $3,314,010

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $4,525,750 · related or exempt $4,525,750

  • 11a · Other revenue: FOOD SERVICE

    total $857,378 · related or exempt $589,820 · unrelated business $267,558

  • 11b · Other revenue: LORIKEET NECTAR

    total $422,288 · related or exempt $422,288

  • 11c · Other revenue: MISCELLANEOUS

    total $192,503 · related or exempt $192,503

  • 11d · All other revenue

    total $64,570 · related or exempt $64,570

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $1,536,739

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $1,168,992 · program services $506,578 · management and general $514,425 · fundraising $147,989

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $19,686,057 · program services $17,208,329 · management and general $1,317,416 · fundraising $1,160,312

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $1,004,134 · program services $820,885 · management and general $136,336 · fundraising $46,913

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $3,349,718 · program services $2,741,537 · management and general $460,871 · fundraising $147,310

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $1,384,484 · program services $1,146,517 · management and general $162,121 · fundraising $75,846

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $36,414 · management and general $36,414

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $115,138 · management and general $115,138

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $3,524,413 · program services $2,213,268 · management and general $1,010,208 · fundraising $300,937

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $2,314,370 · program services $2,305,120 · management and general $982 · fundraising $8,268

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $3,593,592 · program services $3,065,683 · management and general $255,215 · fundraising $272,694

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $793,656 · program services $639,450 · management and general $112,665 · fundraising $41,541

  • 15 · Royalties

    total $37,605 · program services $37,605

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $3,869,079 · program services $3,561,123 · management and general $191,735 · fundraising $116,221

  • 17 · Travel

    total $260,684 · program services $191,626 · management and general $58,357 · fundraising $10,701

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $54,012 · program services $35,960 · management and general $14,992 · fundraising $3,060

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $4,917,428 · program services $3,267,508 · management and general $1,639,114 · fundraising $10,806

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $624,255 · program services $600,721 · management and general $21,495 · fundraising $2,039

  • 24a · Other expenses: ASSET ADJUSTMENT

    total $760,417 · program services $557,126 · management and general $161,231 · fundraising $42,060

  • 24b · Other expenses: MAINTENANCE

    total $715,738 · program services $715,738

  • 24c · Other expenses: PRINTING AND PUBLICATIO

    total $609,650 · program services $421,532 · fundraising $188,118

  • 24d · Other expenses: SALTWATER

    total $589,181 · program services $589,181

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $972,543 · program services $712,775 · management and general $147,611 · fundraising $112,157

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $3,693,704 · end of year $9,438,070

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $23,782,007 · end of year $27,125,648

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $716,513 · end of year $515,785

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $439,245 · end of year $428,549

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $930,786 · end of year $689,014

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $781,070 · end of year $762,505

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

    $101,700,584

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

    $50,843,821

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $53,289,746 · end of year $50,856,763

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $959,477 · end of year $482,684

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $4,832,413 · end of year $4,538,012

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $4,455,958 · end of year $4,303,572

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $959,477 · end of year $482,684

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $71,903,560 · end of year $78,566,601

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $2,441,140 · end of year $2,408,149

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

THE AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC'S MISSION IS TO INSTILL A SENSE OF WONDER, RESPECT, AND STEWARDSHIP FOR THE PACIFIC OCEAN, ITS INHABITANTS, AND ECOSYSTEMS.

  • ANIMAL CARE - THE AQUARIUM'S HUSBANDRY DEPARTMENT OVERSEES ALL OF THE CARE, FEEDING, AND LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS NEEDED TO SUPPORT OVER 14,924 ANIMALS REPRESENTING OVER 787 SPECIES IN MORE THAN 100 EXHIBITS, INCLUDING SEVERAL TOUCH TANK EXPERIENCES. SEA LIONS, SEA OTTERS, SHARKS, RAYS, DIVING BIRDS, SEA JELLIES, CORALS, TURTLES, AND FISH OF ALL TYPES FROM TEMPERATE TO TROPICAL SPECIES ARE ON DISPLAY. CARETAKING INCLUDES FEEDING OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD AVAILABLE, MONITORING WATER QUALITY AND ALL LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS, MEDICAL EXAMS AND ROUTINE PROCEDURES, AND PROVIDING PROPER EXHIBIT AND BEHIND THE SCENES SPACE AVAILABLE TO THE ANIMALS.GUEST SERVICES - RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL GUEST INTERACTIONS EXCEPT FOR EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION. COLLECT FUNDS FROM ON-SITE VISITORS, ENSURE SAFETY AND CLEANLINESS OF THE FACILITYRETAIL OPERATIONS - CREATE OR RESEARCH PRODUCTS FOR SALE THAT REFLECT THE PUBLIC'S DIRECT EXPERIENCE IN THE AQUARIUM, INCLUDING ORIGINAL BOOKS INTERPRETING THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE, AND MERCHANDISE TO EDUCATE AND REMIND THE VISITOR OF THEIR EXPERIENCES AT THE AQUARIUM.

    Expenses $34,882,423 · Revenue $49,250,636

  • EDUCATION & CONSERVATION - THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF THE AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC STRIVES TO IGNITE INTEREST IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH (STEM) BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, INTERESTS, AND BACKGROUNDS TO WONDER, EXPLORE, DISCOVER, AND LEARN. WE DO THIS THROUGH PROGRAMS ONSITE, ONLINE, AND IN THE COMMUNITY. IN 2023, THE DEPARTMENT REACHED APPROXIMATELY 143,000 PEOPLE.- 71.7% WERE WITH ONSITE PROGRAMS INCLUDING SCHOOL PROGRAMS, WHALE WATCHES, AND PUBLIC PROGRAMS.- 10.5% WERE THROUGH OUR VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING INCLUDING PAID VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS AND FREE WEEKLY AQUARIUM ONLINE ACADEMY.- 17.8% WERE WITH ENGAGEMENTS OFFSITE IN THE COMMUNITY SUCH AS FESTIVALS AND RESOURCE FAIRS.THE AQUARIUM'S CONSERVATION WORK EXTENDS ACROSS THE INSTITUTION INCLUDING IN THE HUSBANDRY TEAMS, VETERINARY SERVICES, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AND VOLUNTEER SERVICES. IN 2023, THE AQUARIUM CONTINUED ITS MOUNTAIN YELLOW-LEGGED FROG PROGRAM BY RELEASING INDIVIDUALS TO THE WILD AND ITS SEA OTTER SURROGACY PROGRAM BY ACCEPTING SEVERAL RESCUED BABY SEA OTTERS. THE AQUARIUM EXPANDED CONSERVATION INITIATIVES ON SUNFLOWER SEA STARS INCLUDING PARTICIPATING IN A REPRODUCTION EVENT WITH REGIONAL PARTNERS AND CO-LEADING A NEWLY ESTABLISHED PROGRAM FOCUSING ON THE SPECIES UNDER THE ASSOCIATION FOR ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS.

    Expenses $6,455,839 · Revenue $544,099

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

Listed in Part VII

  • MARK BERTRAND

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • ART LEVITT

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • SAMANTHA ATTWOOD

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DAN HOPPER

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DAVID CAMERON

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • ESTHER SM CHUI CHAO

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • CHARLOTTE GINSBURG

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JOSH JONES

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • SAMUEL KING

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • STEPHEN OLSON

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MARK PAULLIN

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • KURT SCHULZMAN

    BOARD MEMBER-CHAIR HR & CO

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DONALD TIP TIPPETT

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • STEPHEN YOUNG

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • KATHLEEN ECKERT

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JENNIFER HAGLE

    BOARD MEMBER-BOARD SECRETA

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • RUSSELL T HILL

    BOARD MEMBER-CHAIR INVEST.

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DOUGLAS OTTO

    BOARD MEMBER-VICE CHAIR OF

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MICHAEL J SONDERMANN

    BOARD MEMBER-CHAIR FINANCE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • THOMAS TURNEY

    BOARD MEMBER-CHAIR AUDIT C

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DR PETER KAREIVA

    PRESIDENT & CEO

    Total calculated
    $486,386
    From this org
    $420,167
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $66,219
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $402,070
    Bonus
    $17,500
    Other
    $597
    Deferred
    $18,173
    Nontaxable benefits
    $48,046
    Filer's total
    $486,386

  • STEPHANIE WEAR

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • STEPHANIE LESHNEY

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • KARL PETTIJOHN

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • EDWIN FEO

    CHAIR OF BOARD

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • CHAWANTHA SAM LIMON

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • KEN MCBRIDE

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • CECILE FISHER

    VP OF MARKETING/CORPORATE SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $266,398
    From this org
    $238,532
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $27,866
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $238,065
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $467
    Deferred
    $10,088
    Nontaxable benefits
    $17,778
    Filer's total
    $266,398

  • TROY GRANDE

    COO/CFO

    Total calculated
    $415,154
    From this org
    $351,849
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $63,305
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $316,849
    Bonus
    $35,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $15,600
    Nontaxable benefits
    $47,705
    Filer's total
    $415,154

  • RYAN ASHTON

    VP DEVELOPMENT

    Total calculated
    $249,267
    From this org
    $216,421
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $32,846
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $215,875
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $546
    Deferred
    $9,826
    Nontaxable benefits
    $23,020
    Filer's total
    $249,267

  • KATHRYN NIRSCHL

    VP HUMAN RESOURCE

    Total calculated
    $275,447
    From this org
    $229,352
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $46,095
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $228,857
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $495
    Deferred
    $5,508
    Nontaxable benefits
    $40,587
    Filer's total
    $275,447

  • JOHN ROUSE

    CHIEF OF AQUARIUM AND VISITOR OPERATIONS

    Total calculated
    $316,359
    From this org
    $265,634
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $50,725
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $265,029
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $605
    Deferred
    $11,924
    Nontaxable benefits
    $38,801
    Filer's total
    $316,359

  • TINA SARTY

    CONTROLLER

    Total calculated
    $193,279
    From this org
    $182,511
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $10,768
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $181,914
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $597
    Deferred
    $8,360
    Nontaxable benefits
    $2,408
    Filer's total
    $193,279

  • LANCE ADAMS

    VETERINARIAN

    Total calculated
    $181,128
    From this org
    $137,634
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $43,494
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $137,634
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $6,808
    Nontaxable benefits
    $36,686
    Filer's total
    $181,128

  • BRETT LONG

    SR DIRECTOR OF BIRDS, AMPHIBIANS & MAMMALS

    Total calculated
    $160,714
    From this org
    $135,028
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $25,686
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $135,028
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $6,482
    Nontaxable benefits
    $19,204
    Filer's total
    $160,714

  • DEREK BALSILLIE

    DIRECTOR OF AV & IT

    Total calculated
    $170,219
    From this org
    $137,978
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $32,241
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $137,978
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $6,792
    Nontaxable benefits
    $25,449
    Filer's total
    $170,219

  • NATE JAROS

    SR DIRECTOR OF FISH & INVERTEBRATES

    Total calculated
    $172,035
    From this org
    $130,599
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $41,436
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $130,599
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $6,487
    Nontaxable benefits
    $34,949
    Filer's total
    $172,035

  • JENNIE DEAN

    VP OF EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION

    Total calculated
    $173,553
    From this org
    $129,313
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $44,240
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $129,313
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $6,523
    Nontaxable benefits
    $37,717
    Filer's total
    $173,553

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

  • 2 · Substantiation required before reimbursing expenses
  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Independent compensation consultant
  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Written employment contract
  • 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
8 November 2024
IRS schema version
2023v5.1
Source object
202413189349311076

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