Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory

Analysis

Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory is a registered charity in United States, based in Bar Harbor, ME. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in March 1954, 72 years ago. Its declared purposes cover science and technology, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (gross receipts test) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory reported income of $14.1m and spending of $16.8m, spending 120% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $10.4m to $14.1m (+35%), an average of +7.7% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2021, when income rose by 94%. Over the whole period it spent 99% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory sits at the 98th percentile: it is larger than about 98% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 96th percentile, and in the 96th percentile within ME. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park ($14.1m), Grammy Museum Foundation Inc ($14.1m) and Old Town School of Folk Music Inc ($14.0m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 93% and program service revenue 6.9% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $975k (5.8% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $5.5m. At year end it held assets of $28.8m against liabilities of $5.6m, net assets of $23.2m. It reported 135 employees.