Seward Association for the Advancement of Marine Science
Also known as Alaska Sealife Center
Seward Association for the Advancement of Marine Science reported $12.6 million in revenue and $13.7 million in expenses for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $78.69 went to program services, $17.62 to management and general costs and $3.69 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 50.8% of the total. Government grants made up 35.2%. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $222,955 (CEO & PRESIDENT). 6 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 34% between FY2020 and FY2025. Source: Form 990, FY2025.
Where $100 of spending went
The fiscal year ending September 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $14MFor context, the median across 245 covered animal-related charities: $83.96 programs, $9.42 management, $6.62 fundraising (medians computed separately, so they may not sum to $100).
Where $100 of revenue came from
The fiscal year ending September 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $13MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | FY2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 78.7% | 82.1% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 17.6% | 9.2% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 3.7% | 6.5% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.08 | $0.10 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 50.8% | 67.3% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 35.2% | 0.0% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 38.9% | 19.3% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $222,955 | $314,886 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 1.63% | 1.63% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 6 | 10 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 29.3 | 26.8 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 30 of 30 | 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 expenseVisitor and education program: innovative education programs bring marine science, current research, and rehabilitation projects to learners of all ages, both on-site, across alaska, and beyond, through hands-on exhibits, guided tours, camps, and classroom partnerships. Live, interactive distance learning videoconferences connect students statewide to the center's animals and current research through inquiry-based, teacher-supported lessons
Facilities: the 115,000-square-foot public aquarium is the physical foundation that makes the organization's full mission possible, housing the specialized cold-water exhibit habitats, quarantine spaces, and life support systems needed to care for resident marine life and treat stranded wildlife. Each year, more than 165,000 visitors come to the center from around the world, exploring exhibits while getting a firsthand look at the marine research and animal care happening on-site, allowing translation of the center's scientific work into accessible learning experiences
Animal care: the animal care team provides expert daily husbandry to its resident collection of marine mammals, seabirds, fish, and invertebrates. Care staff manage daily diet preparation, water quality monitoring, and enrichment and training programs designed to support each animal's physical and behavioral health. As one of very few aquariums in north america to house steller sea lions, the center has also supported successful births within its resident population, contributing to the collaborative management and understanding of this endangered species
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEO & PRESIDENT Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $208,052 | $0 | $14,903 | $222,955 |
| EXECUTIVE VP/DEPUTY DIRECTOR Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $147,857 | $0 | $0 | $147,857 |
| CHIEF MISSION OFFICER Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $116,365 | $0 | $26,793 | $143,158 |
| DIRECTOR OF PEOPLE & CULTURE Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $117,826 | $0 | $24,302 | $142,128 |
| DIRECTOR OF ANIMAL HEALTH Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $127,955 | $0 | $0 | $127,955 |
| CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $127,533 | $0 | $0 | $127,533 |
6 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Seward Association for the Advancement of Marine Science (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $371K (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–1b30 · 30 independent
- Audited financial statements Part XII 2bNo
- 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 5149
- Volunteers Part I, line 6148
Largest outside contractors
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| EKLUTNA CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE Contractor | $369,456 |
| ALASKA ROOF RESTORATIONS LLC Contractor | $348,131 |
| KPMG Consulting | $342,016 |
| AMERICAN MARINE CORPORATION Contractor | $255,488 |
| CLEAR IDEA Consulting | $121,996 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 6 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
8 private foundations reported grants to Seward Association for the Advancement of Marine Science totaling $139K 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 Seward Association for the Advancement of Marine Science's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for Seward Association for the Advancement of Marine Science, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 Seward Association for the Advancement of Marine Science spent in FY2025, $78.69 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- Houston Humane SocietyHouston, TX · revenue $12M · programs 92.8% · 2024
- Vancouver Humane Society and Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to AnimalsVancouver, WA · revenue $13M · programs 74.4% · 2024
- Sacramento Zoological SocietySacramento, CA · revenue $12M · programs 73.1% · 2024
- Zoological Society of BuffaloBuffalo, NY · revenue $13M · programs 77.4% · 2025
- Southern Southeast Regional AquacultureKetchikan, AK · revenue $12M · programs 88.7% · FY2025
Questions people ask
How much of Seward Association for the Advancement of Marine Science's spending goes to programs?
In the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, Seward Association for the Advancement of Marine Science reported that 78.7% of its $13.7 million in expenses went to program services, 17.6% to management and general and 3.7% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does Seward Association for the Advancement of Marine Science pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation Seward Association for the Advancement of Marine Science reported for one person in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025 was $222,955, for the role of CEO & PRESIDENT (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does Seward Association for the Advancement of Marine Science get its money?
Of $12.6 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, 50.8% came from contributions and grants (including 35.2% from government grants) and 38.9% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is Seward Association for the Advancement of Marine Science a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 92-0132479 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 September 30, 2025, object 202622309349302202 · read the filing
- FY2024: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, object 202512519349302151 · read the filing
- FY2023: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023, object 202422279349301017 · read the filing
- FY2022: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, object 202342269349302719 · read the filing
- FY2021: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021, object 202232279349302853 · read the filing
- FY2020: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020, object 202142109349301619 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 92-0132479: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.