Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation

Analysis

Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation is a registered charity in United States, based in Monterey, CA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in August 1978, 48 years ago. Its declared purposes cover animal-related, which this site groups under animals. 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, Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation reported income of $155.9m and spending of $108.8m, leaving 30% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $121.6m to $155.9m (+28%), an average of +6.4% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2022, when income rose by 82%. Over the whole period it spent 66% of the income it received.

Among 14,470 United States charities whose main cause is animals and that reported income, Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation 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 CA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Georgia Aquarium Inc ($154.0m), Best Friends Animal Society ($173.5m) and Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ($120.3m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 45% and program service revenue 45% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $3.3m (3.0% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $41.0m. It paid $132k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $739.5m against liabilities of $24.3m, net assets of $715.2m. It reported 610 employees.