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The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk reported $20.5 million in revenue and $17.2 million in expenses for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $76.75 went to program services, $20.93 to management and general costs and $2.32 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was program service revenue such as fees, sales and contracts: 49.6% of the total. Government grants made up 8.9%. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $321,811 (PRESIDENT & CEO). 8 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 156% between FY2020 and FY2025. Source: Form 990, FY2025.
Where $100 of spending went
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $17MFor context, the median across 876 covered arts, culture & humanities charities: $79.98 programs, $13.89 management, $6.13 fundraising (medians computed separately, so they may not sum to $100).
Where $100 of revenue came from
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $20MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | FY2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 76.8% | 78.5% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 20.9% | 13.6% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 2.3% | 6.0% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.04 | $0.10 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 45.7% | 57.5% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 8.9% | 1.7% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 49.6% | 20.8% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $321,811 | $385,706 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 1.87% | 2.03% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 19.6 | 36.6 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 24 of 24 | 100.0% |
A median is context, not a target: hospitals, universities, food banks and grantmakers spend in very different ways. What these measures can and can't tell you.
What the money paid for, in its own words
FY2025 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseThe Maritime Aquarium at norwalk fulfills its mission through its live animal exhibits that feature approximately 7,500 animals, comprised of about 300 species, including those that are endangered, threatened or protected. With 75 exhibits, interactive and immersive experiences, touch tanks, and animal feedings, guests can better appreciate the wonders of the rich marine biodiversity of the long island sound the global ocean and learn how to serve as stewards of the environment. Complementing its exhibits and guest engagement, the aquarium conducts numerous research and conservation projects…
The Maritime Aquarium at norwalk specializes in education programming for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) at all age levels, from pre-k through 12th grade. Education programs are conducted in a wide variety of venues and media: in classrooms at the aquarium; in schools throughout the state through our traveling teacher program; as part of afterschool, weekend programs and summer camps; through whole school partnerships; online virtually throughout the world through digital programming; along coastal waterways and shorelines through outdoor programming; on the waters of long…
The 4d theater offers a sensory-based movie experience for guests to enjoy and learn through the entertaining and educational films that play in the theater. Films cover all aspects of the natural world. The 4d theater also services as a versatile venue for lectures, screenings, presentations, discussions, etc., for the community and for private groups
Highest reported compensation
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section A · roles as filed; names are in the filing, not here| Role | From this org | From related orgs | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRESIDENT & CEO Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $277,769 | $0 | $44,042 | $321,811 |
| CHIEF STRATEGY & GROWTH OFFICER Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $202,981 | $0 | $41,460 | $244,441 |
| COO Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $195,555 | $0 | $46,825 | $242,380 |
| VP OF FINANCE (UNTIL 12/2024) Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $181,464 | $0 | $10,556 | $192,020 |
| VP OF EDUCATION Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $156,604 | $0 | $9,617 | $166,221 |
| DIRECTOR OF P&C Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $115,846 | $0 | $41,588 | $157,434 |
| DIRECTOR OF C&P Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $106,148 | $0 | $36,243 | $142,391 |
| DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $107,187 | $0 | $6,680 | $113,867 |
8 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $848K (Part IX, line 5).
6 years of filings
Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linkedGovernance answers, as filed
FY2025 · the organization's own yes/no answers; explanations, if any, are in Schedule O of the filing · what each means- Voting board members, and how many are independent Part VI, lines 1a–1b24 · 24 independent
- Audited financial statements Part XII 2bYes
- Conflict-of-interest policy Part VI 12aYes
- Whistleblower policy Part VI 13Yes
- Document retention policy Part VI 14Yes
- Independent process for top executive pay Part VI 15aYes
- Board given the 990 before filing Part VI 11aYes
- Family or business ties among insiders Part VI 2No
- Aware of a significant diversion of assets Part VI 5No
- Excess benefit transaction with an insider Part IV 25aNo
- Loans to or from insiders outstanding Part IV 26No
- Lobbying, or a 501(h) election in effect Part IV 4Yes
- Over $15,000 of professional fundraising services Part IV 18No
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bNo
- Employees Part I, line 5222
- Volunteers Part I, line 6282
Largest outside contractors
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| CONTROLLED AIR INC Heating/cooling system | $966,905 |
| COLLECTIVE SYSTEMS Video wall imaging | $571,756 |
| AFFINECO LLC DBA PRITCHARD INDUSTRIES Custodial services | $534,442 |
| MAKIARIS MEDIA SERVICES Media & consulting services | $522,271 |
| SPRUNG INSTANT STRUCTURES Installation of temporary outside struct | $522,153 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 13 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
20 private foundations reported grants to The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk totaling $151K on their tax year 2023 Form 990-PF returns. See which foundations, on WHOFUNDS.
Source: WHOFUNDS open grant graph, matched from Form 990-PF Part XV.
Correct a figure or respond
Every number above is copied from The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk spent in FY2025, $76.75 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- Union Station Kansas CityKansas City, MO · revenue $20M · programs 83.9% · 2024
- The Dallas OperaDallas, TX · revenue $21M · programs 68.0% · FY2025
- The National Black Theatre WorkshopNew York, NY · revenue $20M · programs 75.3% · FY2025
- Colorado Symphony AssociationDenver, CO · revenue $21M · programs 80.8% · FY2025
- Austin Theatre AllianceAustin, TX · revenue $20M · programs 77.1% · FY2025
All arts, culture & humanities charities · Largest charities in Connecticut
Questions people ask
How much of The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk's spending goes to programs?
In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk reported that 76.8% of its $17.2 million in expenses went to program services, 20.9% to management and general and 2.3% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk reported for one person in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 was $321,811, for the role of PRESIDENT & CEO (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk get its money?
Of $20.5 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, 45.7% came from contributions and grants (including 8.9% from government grants) and 49.6% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 06-1062912 as a 501(c)(3) organization (publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))), and its records show contributions as tax-deductible. Form 990 filings on record here cover tax years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. A filing shows what the organization reported; it doesn't by itself show whether a program works.
Sources
- FY2025: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, object 202601259349303215 · read the filing · XML
- FY2024: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, object 202501339349306575 · read the filing
- FY2023: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, object 202441329349300114 · read the filing
- FY2022: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, object 202331359349301703 · read the filing
- FY2021: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, object 202241329349305264 · read the filing
- FY2020: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, object 202140139349300439 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 06-1062912: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.