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OCEAN FIRST INSTITUTE

EIN 47-1716881 BOULDER, CO

Browse the largest nonprofits in Colorado

Revenue 2024
$598,614
Expenses 2024
$586,863

Program services were 72.3% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

As filed

Subsection
03
NTEE code
B99
Classification
2000
Street
3015 BLUFF ST

These codes are the IRS's own and are shown exactly as filed. What each one means is in the Business Master File documentation (opens in a new tab).

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

The mission of Ocean First Institute is ocean conservation through research and education. We work to deepen the natural connection between people and the ocean. We educate and empower people to understand the ocean is our life support system no matter where we live, and that we need a healthy ocean to have a healthy planet. We provide individuals the opportunity to engage in activities that support sustainability, biodiversity, and improvethe health of our ocean.

Activities or mission (Part I)

The mission of Ocean First Institute is ocean conservation through research and education.

  • 1. Plastic Pollution Monitoring Program Collection of water and sediment samples in Florida and Colorado to identify microplastics and microfibers. Students analyze samples using microscopes, with further analysis conducted at the FAU Henderson School laboratory. Students also participate in summits to present findings and discuss actionable solutions. Ocean First Institute received in-kind support in the form of donated use of laboratory space from Florida Atlantic University Lab Schools.

    Expenses $118,988 · Revenue $18,913

  • 2. Ocean First Discovery Center Online Courses Launch of over 18 online education courses available on the website, reaching thousands of students and members of the general public.

    Expenses $134,293 · Revenue $93,085

  • 3. Shark Field CourseShark research conducted from the Key Largo, Florida lab, focusing on abundance, seasonality, and species within a marine protected area in the Florida Keys. Undergraduate students are trained through four summer courses on marine science research methods. Ocean First Institute received in-kind support in the form of donated use of lab space from Marine Lab, donated research boat vessel use from International Seakeepers Society, and donated trailer and shed use from other community partners.

    Expenses $170,767 · Grants $214 · Revenue $59,105

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Officers and directors · 2024

As listed in Part VII of the 2024 return, in the order the filer printed them. Each return names its own; this is not a roster the organization keeps with us.

  • Mikki McComb-Kobza

    Executive Director

    Total calculated
    $100,438
    From this org
    $100,438
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    45

  • Renee McElroy

    Board Member - Vice Chair

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Sam Cramer

    Board Member - Treasurer

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Zuhira Khladun-Diarra

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Henry Buck

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Brittnie Bassant

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • John Stuart

    Board Chair

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jerry Rodriguez

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

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. Earlier years are each on their own filing page.

Filings

  • 2024
    Revenue
    $598,614
    Expenses
    $586,863
    Contributions
    $430,051
    Grants paid
    $214
  • 2023
    Revenue
    $949,781
    Expenses
    $616,413
    Contributions
    $722,189
    Grants paid
    $100
  • 2022
    Revenue
    $432,526
    Expenses
    $403,715
    Contributions
    $280,040
    Grants paid
    $0

The four totals the IRS asks for on Part I of the Form 990, as filed. A dash means the figure was not present on the return — not that it was zero.

Other returns filed

  • 2021 · 990

    Revenue
    $437,433
    Expenses
    $366,189
    Assets (EOY)
    $133,140

  • 2020 · 990

    Revenue
    $208,921
    Expenses
    $219,337
    Assets (EOY)
    $105,746

  • 2019 · 990-EZ

    Revenue
    $170,339
    Expenses
    $166,324
    Assets (EOY)
    $96,662

  • 2018 · 990-EZ

    Revenue
    $189,950
    Expenses
    $169,871
    Assets (EOY)
    $12,297

  • 2017 · 990-EZ

    Revenue
    $117,055
    Expenses
    $119,886
    Assets (EOY)
    $6,943

  • 2016 · 990-EZ

    Revenue
    $117,037
    Expenses
    $121,641
    Assets (EOY)
    $6

  • 2015 · 990-EZ

    Revenue
    $131,479
    Expenses
    $131,272
    Assets (EOY)
    $1,707

  • 2014 · 990-EZ

    Revenue
    $63,000
    Expenses
    $63,554
    Assets (EOY)
    $92

Nonprofiteer parses Forms 990, 990-EZ and 990-PF, in a window of recent tax years. These returns are recorded from the IRS e-file index, so their figures were extracted by that index rather than read from the return here — treat them as a different source from the filings above, not as more of the same record. A dash means the index carries no figure; Form 990-T listings carry none at all.

Grants made

No itemized grants to organizations. Schedule I is filed only by organizations that granted more than $5,000 to a recipient, so most filers have none.

Grants received

Other IRS files

Auto-Revocation List

Not listed. The IRS publishes this list for organizations whose exemption was automatically revoked for failing to file for three consecutive years.

Publication 78

Listed as of 13 October 2026, under deductibility PC.

These are two separate IRS files on two separate schedules, shown as published and not reconciled with each other. Neither is a statement about whether a contribution is deductible today: 19,245 organizations appear in Publication 78 while the IRS's own revocation file lists them as currently revoked, more than half of those revoked before 2019. Absence from Publication 78 is evidence of nothing, and presence is not evidence either. Verify current status with the IRS before relying on it.

What this page reflects

The registration facts above come from the IRS Business Master File published 13 October 2026 and read 1 November 2026, for every organization at once. Returns through tax year 2024, the newest we have parsed for this organization.