National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
National Marine Sanctuary Foundation reported $36.0 million in revenue and $35.1 million in expenses for calendar year 2024. Of every $100 it spent, $84.72 went to program services, $10.55 to management and general costs and $4.73 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 98.6% of the total. Government grants made up 90.8%. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $293,800 (PRESIDENT & CEO (FROM 07/2). 9 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 258% between 2019 and 2024. Source: Form 990, 2024.
Where $100 of spending went
Calendar year 2024 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $35MFor context, the median across 371 covered environment charities: $85.82 programs, $10.80 management, $3.38 fundraising (medians computed separately, so they may not sum to $100).
Where $100 of revenue came from
Calendar year 2024 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $36MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | 2024 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 84.7% | 83.6% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 10.6% | 10.5% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 4.7% | 3.3% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.05 | $0.03 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 98.6% | 87.6% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 90.8% | 4.8% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 0.3% | 3.2% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $293,800 | $293,532 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 0.84% | 1.74% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 2.1 | 18.8 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 16 of 16 | 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
2024 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseConservation & restoration:our National Marine sanctuaries are america's protected areas of the ocean and great lakes that safeguard rich biodiversity and cultural treasures. They are home to iconic species like migratory whales, seabirds, countless fish species, and habitats such as coral reefs and towering kelp forests. All 18 National Marine sanctuaries also preserve our maritime heritage, protecting historical assets like shipwrecks, aircraft, and other artifacts that reveal our nation's maritime history. The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation funds efforts in sanctuary communities that…
Science & technology:the National Marine Sanctuary system encompasses america's most iconic ocean and great lakes placesour coral reefs, shipwrecks, kelp forests, and deep-sea canyons. Each sanctuary is a national living laboratory that fuels a powerful ocean enterprise. They are platforms for science and innovation, testbeds for new technologies, and catalysts for regional economic growth. The foundation funds and helps support the ocean enterprise in sanctuaries, a network of public, private, and academic entities that develop and deliver ocean observation, measurement, socioeconomic…
Education & outreach:the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation connects people to their sanctuaries and funds public education, outreach, conservation, and maritime heritage projects that encourage people to become engaged stewards of america's ocean, coasts, and great lakes waters. We encourage local stewardship and national engagement including promoting sustainable recreation and tourism in National Marine sanctuaries; establishing lifelong connections to National Marine sanctuaries and monuments through education and public awareness.the foundation supports staff, operations, exhibits…
Highest reported compensation
2024 · 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 (FROM 07/2 Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $277,656 | $0 | $16,144 | $293,800 |
| CFO Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $203,266 | $0 | $7,446 | $210,712 |
| VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAM Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $161,123 | $0 | $22,507 | $183,630 |
| VP OF DEVELOPMENT (THROUGH 10/24) Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $163,263 | $0 | $10,604 | $173,867 |
| VICE PRESIDENT OF EXTERNAL Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $144,269 | $0 | $5,390 | $149,659 |
| SR. SCIENTIST Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $104,288 | $0 | $14,245 | $118,533 |
| MB CHAPTER DIRECTOR Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $111,313 | $0 | $4,218 | $115,531 |
| VISUAL INFORMATION SPECIAL Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $108,704 | $0 | $4,134 | $112,838 |
9 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from National Marine Sanctuary Foundation (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $862K (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
2024 · 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–1b16 · 16 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 18Yes
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bYes
- Employees Part I, line 5124
- Volunteers Part I, line 620
Largest outside contractors
2024 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| BLUE STATE Media management | $379,130 |
| PRECON EVENTS INC Professional event production | $302,781 |
| DESIGN CUISINE Catering services | $185,642 |
| OSIBEYOND LLC It service | $148,646 |
| TRADE CENTER MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES Venue site for conference & events | $139,045 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 6 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
12 private foundations reported grants to National Marine Sanctuary Foundation totaling $462K 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 National Marine Sanctuary Foundation's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
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Of every $100 National Marine Sanctuary Foundation spent in 2024, $84.72 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- American ForestsWashington, DC · revenue $36M · programs 88.2% · FY2025
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden CorporationBrooklyn, NY · revenue $36M · programs 82.4% · 2024
- Chesapeake Bay FoundationAnnapolis, MD · revenue $35M · programs 79.8% · FY2025
- EarthshareWashington, DC · revenue $37M · programs 95.9% · FY2025
- Clean Future ForumWashington, DC · revenue $35M · programs 96.3% · FY2025
Questions people ask
How much of National Marine Sanctuary Foundation's spending goes to programs?
In calendar year 2024, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation reported that 84.7% of its $35.1 million in expenses went to program services, 10.6% to management and general and 4.7% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does National Marine Sanctuary Foundation pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation National Marine Sanctuary Foundation reported for one person in calendar year 2024 was $293,800, for the role of PRESIDENT & CEO (FROM 07/2 (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does National Marine Sanctuary Foundation get its money?
Of $36.0 million in revenue in calendar year 2024, 98.6% came from contributions and grants (including 90.8% from government grants) and 0.3% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is National Marine Sanctuary Foundation a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 94-3370994 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
- 2024: Form 990 for calendar year 2024, object 202502629349300805 · read the filing
- 2023: Form 990 for calendar year 2023, object 202422499349300807 · read the filing
- 2022: Form 990 for calendar year 2022, object 202302349349301700 · read the filing
- 2021: Form 990 for calendar year 2021, object 202231589349300728 · read the filing
- 2020: Form 990 for calendar year 2020, object 202142729349301514 · read the filing
- 2019: Form 990 for calendar year 2019, object 202043179349303234 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 94-3370994: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.