Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Analysis

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is a registered charity in United States, based in Woods Hole, MA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in December 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 (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution reported income of $345.9m and spending of $331.6m, spending 96% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $261.8m to $345.9m (+32%), an average of +7.2% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2022, when income rose by 20%. Over the whole period it spent 96% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 100th percentile, and in the 100th percentile within MA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Canada Council for the Arts ($324.7m), National Opinion Research Center ($349.0m) and National Academy of Sciences ($324.6m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 97% and program service revenue 3.0% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $3.8m (1.1% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $101.5m. It paid $516k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $766.1m against liabilities of $162.8m, net assets of $603.3m. It reported 1,354 employees.