2026-08-13T22:23:07-05:00 2025-09-30 393984182 ACCUITY ADVISORS LLC 745 FORT ST STE 2100 HONOLULU HI 96813 990 2024-10-01 953972799 CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH IN ASTRONOMY CALI 8088857887 65-1120 MAMALAHOA HWY KAMUELA HI 96743 NATHAN BROSTROM TREASURER 8088857887 2026-08-11 0 1 QIANYING NICHOLS P01236169 8085213962 2026-08-11 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z W M KECK OBSERVATORY NATHAN BROSTROM 65-1120 MAMALAHOA HWY KAMUELA HI 96743 30117370 0 X WWW.KECKOBSERVATORY.ORG X 1985 CA SEE SCHEDULE O 6 6 154 15 0 0 1878717 2148140 25061121 25921219 3430527 2037210 142 0 30370507 30106569 3375548 1686829 0 0 20682705 20524213 0 0 651411 8887016 11750919 32945269 33961961 -2574762 -3855392 62041473 59444554 7224711 7863324 54816762 51581230 X SEE SCHEDULE O 0 0 28059023 1686829 25913080 SEE SCHEDULE O 351696 PUBLIC INFORMATION:KECK OBSERVATORY'S EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION PROGRAMS TELL OUR STORY OF SCIENCE, STEWARDSHIP, AND COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS TO AFFIRM THE OBSERVATORY'S ROLE AS A GLOBAL SCIENCE LEADER ROOTED IN HAWAII. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE PUBLIC ASTRONOMY TALKS, SCIENCE ENGAGEMENT IN CLASSROOMS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS, FACILITY TOURS, AND SHARING DISCOVERIES OVER DIGITAL PLATFORMS. OUR AUDIENCE IS GLOBAL WITH OVER 86,000 ASTRONOMY PROFESSIONALS AND ENTHUSIASTS ACROSS OUR DIGITAL PLATFORMS, AND WE EMPHASIZE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE LOCAL HAWAII COMMUNITY. 256389 RESEARCH:KECK OBSERVATORY'S ACTIVITIES INCLUDE SUBMITTING GRANT PROPOSALS TO CARRY OUT SPECIFIC RESEARCH PROJECTS. 28667108 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 29 0 1 154 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 6 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 CA HI WA MD AK X THE ORGANIZATION 8088857887 65-1120 MAMALAHOA HWY KAMUELA HI 96743 DR GEORGE BLUMENTHAL CHAIRMAN 2.00 X X 0 0 0 DR B THOMAS SOIFER VICE-CHAIR 2.00 X X 0 0 0 DR KATHERINE NEWMAN BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 DR FIONA HARRISON BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 DR CHRIS MARTIN BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 DR BRUCE MACINTOSH BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 MR RICHARD MATSUDA INTERIM OBS. DIRECTOR/ ASS 55.00 X 348607 0 86397 MS CAROL SCHUIL SECRETARY 4.00 X 0 0 0 MR NATHAN BROSTROM TREASURER 1.00 X 0 0 0 DR JOHN O'MEARA CHIEF SCIENTIST 45.00 X 295951 0 70047 MS MARGARITA SCHEFFEL OBSERVATORY CFO 50.00 X 273603 0 82710 DR PETER WIZINOWICH CHIEF OF TECHNICAL DEVELOP 50.00 X 243836 0 66447 MR JEFFREY HUBER CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER 45.00 X 241517 0 49839 MR ED HARRIS CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER 45.00 X 241302 0 63277 1644816 0 418717 73 0 1 0 MAUNAKEA SHARED SERVICES 640 N AOHOKU PLACE HILO HI 96720 SUMMIT SUPPORT SERVICES AND LODGING 527109 PA'AKAI COMMUNICATIONS LLC 21 CRAIGSIDE PLACE UNIT 1B HONOLULU HI 96817 EXTERNAL AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS CONSUL 176687 WAKEA CONSULTING 4 RUE JOSEPH BOUCHAYER GRENOBLE FR 38100 SOFTWARE SUPPORT AND AO RTC SUPPORT 121849 MICROGATE SRL VIA WALTRAUD GEBERT DEEG 3/E BOLZ BOLZAON IT 39100 SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS OF EXISTING INSTR 115937 4 1166565 981575 10801 2148140 OBSERVATORY OPERATIONS 541712 20928737 20928737 NASA COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT 541712 4899000 4899000 VISITING SCIENCE QUARTERS 541712 85343 85343 KECK LOGO MERCHANDISE 900099 6419 6419 SUMMIT TOURS OFFSET 900099 1720 1720 25921219 381082 381082 1666929 10801 1656128 1656128 1656128 30106569 25913080 0 2045349 1661829 1661829 25000 25000 1594027 830121 735748 28158 14398925 10148945 3866600 383380 1050195 751851 269816 28528 2366293 2245135 90570 30588 1114773 778772 306659 29342 41805 41805 71309 71309 11240 11240 2062281 1472431 579632 10218 11848 6208 4822 818 170495 48219 105598 16678 495131 388766 85181 21184 2008078 1834116 173745 217 766951 521947 167896 77108 197862 29232 151741 16889 60357 35891 24466 4378446 4346869 26648 4929 94110 59395 34003 712 EQUIP RENTAL AND MAINTE 1281934 1254121 25151 2662 EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS 1075050 1069097 5953 INDIRECT COST RECOVERY -110417 2024724 -2135141 CAPITAL SUBCONTRACTS -865561 -865561 33961961 28667108 4643442 651411 4089 717 950221 3637361 449542 336516 97303 76105 1361488 1478639 155022552 121189843 35041598 33832709 24137232 20082507 62041473 59444554 4724711 5363324 2500000 2500000 7224711 7863324 X 52861115 50785440 1955647 795790 54816762 51581230 62041473 59444554 -3855392 619860 0 X X 0 1 X 1 1 1 X 4205483 5704964 4893022 1878717 2148140 18830326 4205483 5704964 4893022 1878717 2148140 18830326 6062737 12767589 290563 224723 538930 495842 381082 1931140 226812 6066 5804 6161 8139 252982 21014448 118160986 0.60760 0.73670 X SCHEDULE A, PART II, LINE 10, EXPLANATION OF OTHER INCOME: STATE ENERGY REBATE VARIOUS OTHER REVENUES RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 11240 0 0 11240 0 PART II-B, LINE 1: PART II-B: THE OBSERVATORY RETAINS A CONSULTING FIRM TO MONITOR LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS AND TO ADVISE IT ON GOVERNMENT RELATIONS MATTERS. THE CONSULTANT MAY ESTABLISH DIRECT CONTACT WITH LEGISLATORS, THEIR STAFFS, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, AND LEGISLATIVE BODIES AND ENGAGE IN COMMUNICATION WHICH MAY BE CONSIDERED COMMUICATION WHICH ATTEMPTS TO INFLUENCE LEGISLATION. FURTHER, OBSERVATORY STAFF, IN THE COURSE OF NECESSARY COMMUNICATIONS WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND INFORMATIONAL PUBLIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES, MAY FROM TIME TO TIME ENGAGE IN COMMUNICATION WHICH MAY BE CONSIDERED TO INFLUENCE LEGISLATION. THE OBSERVATORY IS A MEMBER OF CERTAIN PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE REGISTERED TO LOBBY ON BEHALF OF MEMBERSHIP. ALTHOUGH A SMALL PORTION OF THE OBSERVATORY'S MEMBERSHIP DUES MAY BE USED FOR LOBBYING, THE AMOUNT IS IMMATERIAL. CARA'S MEMBERSHIP IN THESE ORGANIZATIONS IS FOR THE PURPOSE OF HAVING ACCESS TO THE MOST CURRENT INFORMATION ON GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS AS THEY RELATE TO OBSERVATORIES AND NOT FOR A LOBBYING EFFORT. 155022552 121189843 33832709 33832709 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA GENERAL ENDOWMENT POOL 18864335 F UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA TOTAL RETURN INVESTMENT POOL 1218172 F 20082507 X 30726429 619860 619860 30106569 0 30106569 33961961 0 33961961 0 33961961 PART X, LINE 2: CARA HAS RECEIVED A DETERMINATION FROM TAXING AUTHORITIES THAT IT IS AN ORGANIZATION EXEMPT FROM TAXATION UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE U.S. INTERNAL REVENUE CODE AND SECTION 23701D OF THE CALIFORNIA REVENUE AND TAXATION CODE AND IS GENERALLY NOT SUBJECT TO FEDERAL OR STATE INCOME TAXES. HOWEVER, CARA IS SUBJECT TO INCOME TAXES ON ANY NET INCOME DERIVED FROM A TRADE OR BUSINESS, REGULARLY CARRIED ON, AND NOT IN FURTHERANCE OF THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH IT WAS GRANTED EXEMPTION. NO INCOME TAX PROVISION HAS BEEN RECORDED AS THE NET INCOME, IF ANY FROM ANY UNRELATED TRADE OR BUSINESS, IN THE OPINION OF MANAGEMENT, IS NOT MATERIAL TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TAKEN AS A WHOLE. CARA APPLIES THE PROVISIONS OF ASC TOPIC 740, INCOME TAXES, WHICH PRESCRIBES A RECOGNITION THRESHOLD AND MEASUREMENT ATTRIBUTE FOR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT RECOGNITION AND MEASUREMENT OF A TAX POSITION TAKEN OR EXPECTED TO BE TAKEN IN A TAX RETURN, AND PROVIDES GUIDANCE ON DERECOGNITION, CLASSIFICATION, INTEREST, AND PENALTIES, DISCLOSURE, AND TRANSITION. MANAGEMENT BELIEVES THAT NO SUCH UNCERTAIN TAX POSITION EXISTS FOR CARA REQUIRING ACCRUAL OR DISCLOSURE AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 AND 2024. CARA IS NO LONGER SUBJECT TO U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX EXAMINATIONS BY TAX AUTHORITIES FOR YEARS BEFORE 2022. PART VI, LINE 1A THE LAND IN WAIMEA IS OWNED BY CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND IS NOT LISTED AS A CARA FIXED ASSET. PART VI, LINE 1B THE HEADQUARTERS BUILDING IN WAIMEA AND THE OBSERVATORIES ON MAUNAKEA ARE OWNED BY CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND ARE NOT LISTED AS CARA FIXED ASSETS. PART VI, LINE 1D THE TELESCOPES ON MAUNAKEA ARE OWNED BY CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND ARE NOT LISTED AS CARA FIXED ASSETS. CARA OWNS MOST FOCAL-PLANE INSTRUMENTS, LASERS, AND ADAPTIVE OPTICS, PLUS VARIOUS OTHER EQUIPMENT NOT AFFIXED TO THE FACILITIES, COMPUTERS, AND VEHICLES. PART VII, LINE 3 THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA TOTAL RETURN INVESTMENT POOL AND GENERAL ENDOWMENT POOL ARE UNITIZED FUNDS WHEREBY CARA PARTICIPATES IN INVESTMENT RETURNS AND INCOME ON AN EQUIVALENT PRO-RATA BASIS WITH ALL PARTICIPANTS IN THE POOL. 1 NORTH AMERICA (INCLUDING CANADA AND MEXICO) 0 1 PROGRAM SERVICES SYSTEMS ENGINEERING CONSULTANT 12960 NORTH AMERICA (INCLUDING CANADA AND MEXICO) 0 1 PROGRAM SERVICES SCIENCE ARTIST 1750 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND AND GREENLAND) 0 1 PROGRAM SERVICES DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF DEFORMABLE MIRROR 486041 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND AND GREENLAND) 0 1 PROGRAM SERVICES ASSISTANCE WITH INVESTIGATION INTO MOSFIRE SOFTWARE 6755 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND AND GREENLAND) 0 1 PROGRAM SERVICES DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF 2 REAL-TIME CONTROLLERS 259430 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND AND GREENLAND) 0 1 PROGRAM SERVICES SYSTEMS ENGINEERING SERVICES 29728 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND AND GREENLAND) 0 1 PROGRAM SERVICES SYSTEM DESIGN AND ANALYSIS ASM 60000 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND AND GREENLAND) 0 1 PROGRAM SERVICES DESIGN AND SUPPORT FOR LASER INSTRUMENTATION 41363 EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC 0 1 PROGRAM SERVICES CONSULTING SUPPORT FOR AO OPERATIONS 67500 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND AND GREENLAND) 0 1 PROGRAM SERVICES AO SOFTWARE CONSULTING 124002 EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC 0 1 PROGRAM SERVICES - TRAVEL RESEARCH VISITS AND COLLABORATIVE SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS 1578 EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC 0 1 PROGRAM SERVICES - TRAVEL RESEARCH VISITS AND COLLABORATIVE SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS 5005 EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC 0 1 PROGRAM SERVICES - TRAVEL RESEARCH VISITS AND COLLABORATIVE SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS 1578 EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC 0 1 PROGRAM SERVICES - TRAVEL RESEARCH VISITS AND COLLABORATIVE SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS 2104 EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC 0 1 PROGRAM SERVICES - TRAVEL RESEARCH VISITS AND COLLABORATIVE SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS 2111 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND AND GREENLAND) 0 1 PROGRAM SERVICES - TRAVEL RESEARCH VISITS AND COLLABORATIVE SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS 4010 0 8 0 8 0 16 898027 207888 1105915 EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC ASSISTANCE FOR NEW INSTRUMENT DESIGN STUDIES, INSTRUMENT UPGRADE PROPOSALS, AND OTHER PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE THE OBSERVATORY'S SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTIVITY (KECK ADAPTIVE SECONDARY MIRRORS) 25000 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 PART I, LINE 2: CARA MONITORS GRANTEES' PERFORMANCE BASED ON ACHIEVEMENT OF GRANT PURPOSES ACCORDING TO FEDERAL, STATE, AND PRIVATE FOUNDATION CONDITIONS AND COMPLIANCE IN ADDITION TO CARA'S INTERNAL PROCEDURES INCLUDING THE BEST PRACTICES UNDER OMB UNIFORM GUIDANCE SUB-RECIPIENT MONITORING REQUIREMENTS. 1 CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY 1200 E CALIFORNIA BLVD PASADENA CA 946075200 951643307 501(C)(3) 526813 0 SUBAWARD FOR KCWI MECHANICAL COOLING RETROFIT; AWARD FOR THE UPGRADE OF THE DEIMOS DETECTOR UC SANTA CRUZ FOUNDATION 1156 HIGH ST SANTA CRUZ CA 95064 237394590 501(C)(3) 15900 0 ASSISTANCE FOR NEW INSTRUMENT DESIGN STUDIES, INSTRUMENT UPGRADE PROPOSALS, AND OTHER PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE THE OBSERVATORYS SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTIVITY. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY 2150 SHATTUCK AVENUE BERKELEY CA 947045940 946002123 501(C)(3) 300280 0 SUBAWARD FOR KECK PLANET FINDER MECHANICAL COOLING UPGRADE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA CRUZ 1156 HIGH ST SANTA CRUZ CA 95064 941539563 501(C)(3) 611067 0 AWARD FOR ASTROPHYSICS ENABLED BY HIGH ORDER ADVANCED KECK ADAPTIVE OPTICS (HAKA); AWARD FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SLICER COMBINED WITH AN ARRAY OF LENSLETS FOR EXOPLANET SPECTROSCOPY SCALES UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII 2425 CAMPUS ROAD HONOLULU HI 968222247 996000354 501(C)(3) 99881 0 SUB-AWARD UNDER THE FEDERALLY FUNDED AST-1836016 FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ASTROPHYSICS ENABLED BY KECK ALL SKY PRECISION ADAPTIVE OPTICS KAPA; ASSISTANCE FOR NEW INSTRUMENT DESIGN STUDIES, INSTRUMENT UPGRADE PROPOSALS, AND OTHER PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE THE OBSERVATORYS SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTIVITY. UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME 940 GRACE HALL NOTRE DAME IN 46556 350868188 501(C)(3) 98748 0 AWARD FOR THE UPGRADE OF THE DEIMOS DETECTOR UC OBSERVATORIESUC SANTA CRUZ 1156 HIGH ST SANTA CRUZ CA 95064 951643307 501(C)(3) 9140 0 AWARD FOR UPGRADE SOFTWARE DEIMOS TO SUPPORT ADD'L SCOPE TO CONTROL TWO NEW DETECTORS 7 0 PART I, LINE 2: W.M. KECK OBSERVATORY MONITORS GRANTEES' PERFORMANCE BASED ON ACHIEVEMENT OF GRANT PURPOSES ACCORDING TO FEDERAL, STATE, AND PRIVATE FOUNDATION CONDITIONS AND COMPLIANCE IN ADDITION TO WMKO INTERNAL PROCEDURES, INCLUDING UNIFORM GUIDANCE SUB-RECIPIENT MONITORING. X 1 1 X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 MR RICHARD MATSUDA INTERIM OBS. DIRECTOR/ ASS 323963 0 0 0 24644 0 47079 0 39318 0 435004 0 0 0 DR JOHN O'MEARA CHIEF SCIENTIST 268448 0 0 0 27503 0 27271 0 42776 0 365998 0 0 0 MS MARGARITA SCHEFFEL OBSERVATORY CFO 273603 0 0 0 0 0 37955 0 44755 0 356313 0 0 0 DR PETER WIZINOWICH CHIEF OF TECHNICAL DEVELOP 236911 0 6925 0 0 0 31832 0 34615 0 310283 0 0 0 MR ED HARRIS CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER 241302 0 0 0 0 0 19574 0 43703 0 304579 0 0 0 MR JEFFREY HUBER CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER 175204 0 0 0 66313 0 25480 0 24359 0 291356 0 0 0 PART I, LINE 1A FIRST-CLASS TRAVEL PROVIDED TO MR. ED HARRIS AS MEDICAL CONDITION REQUIRING COMFORT SEATING. PART I, LINE 3 ANNUALLY THE CARA BOARD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REVIEWS AND APPROVES THE COMPENSATION OF THE DIRECTOR USING MARKET COMPENSATION STUDIES WHICH MAY INCLUDE OTHER FORM 990 RETURNS. PART I, LINE 7 CARA HAS AN OBSERVATORY-WIDE BONUS PROGRAM FOR WHICH ALL CARA EMPLOYEES ARE ELIGIBLE TO BE NOMINATED BY OTHER CARA EMPLOYEES FOR ACHIEVEMENTS BASED ON NON-REVENUE CRITERIA. FORM 990, PART I, LINE 1, DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION MISSION: TO ADVANCE THE FRONTIERS OF ASTRONOMY AND SHARE OUR DISCOVERIES WITH THE WORLD. CARA WAS FORMED BY THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AND CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY TO OPERATE TWO 10-METER OPTICAL/INFRARED TELESCOPES ON MAUNAKEA ON THE ISLAND OF HAWAI'I. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 1, DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION MISSION: TO ADVANCE THE FRONTIERS OF ASTRONOMY AND SHARE OUR DISCOVERIES WITH THE WORLD. THE TWO 10-METER TELESCOPES OF KECK OBSERVATORY ARE THE WORLD'S LARGEST OPTICAL AND INFRARED TELESCOPES. THEY HAVE REVOLUTIONIZED OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE COSMOS, IMPACTING EVERY AREA OF ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM SERVICE: HIGHER EDUCATION: THE W. M. KECK OBSERVATORY OPERATES TWO 10-METER OPTICAL AND INFRARED TELESCOPES DEDICATED TO ASTRONOMICAL RESEARCH YEAR-ROUND. THE OBSERVATORY PROVIDES APPROXIMATELY 700 NIGHTS OF OBSERVING TIME ANNUALLY (ESTIMATED) AND MAINTAINS A SUITE OF ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS AND ADAPTIVE OPTICS SYSTEMS THAT ENABLE SOME OF THE HIGHEST-RESOLUTION GROUND-BASED ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATIONS IN THE WORLD. OBSERVING TIME IS ALLOCATED AMONG THE CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, NASA-SUPPORTED PROGRAMS, THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I, AND OTHER SCIENTIFIC PARTNERSHIPS, PROVIDING BROAD ACCESS TO THE INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH COMMUNITY. DURING FISCAL YEAR 2025, THE OBSERVATORY SUPPORTED ASTRONOMICAL AND PLANETARY SCIENCE INVESTIGATIONS SPANNING EXOPLANETS, THE SOLAR SYSTEM, STELLAR EVOLUTION, THE MILKY WAY, DISTANT GALAXIES, BLACK HOLES, AND COSMOLOGY. THE OBSERVATORY ALSO CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT AND ENHANCEMENT OF ADVANCED INSTRUMENTATION AND ADAPTIVE OPTICS TECHNOLOGIES DESIGNED TO IMPROVE SCIENTIFIC CAPABILITY AND EXPAND FUTURE DISCOVERY OPPORTUNITIES. RESEARCH PROGRAMS AND TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES WERE FURTHER SUPPORTED THROUGH GRANTS AND SCIENTIFIC PARTNERSHIPS THAT ADVANCE BOTH ASTRONOMICAL RESEARCH AND INSTRUMENT INNOVATION. OBSERVATORY FACILITIES SUPPORTED PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS WHO CONTRIBUTED TO 371 PEER-REVIEWED SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS DURING THE YEAR. THE OBSERVATORY'S LONG-TERM OBJECTIVE IS TO ADVANCE HUMANITY'S UNDERSTANDING OF THE UNIVERSE BY PROVIDING WORLD-LEADING ASTRONOMICAL RESEARCH CAPABILITIES, DEVELOPING NEXT-GENERATION OBSERVING TECHNOLOGIES, AND ENABLING DISCOVERIES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE, EDUCATE FUTURE SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS, AND EXPAND KNOWLEDGE OF OUR SOLAR SYSTEM, GALAXY, AND THE BROADER COSMOS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 2 BOARD MEMBERS GEORGE BLUMENTHAL, NATHAN BOSTROM, BRUCE MACINTOSH AND KATHERINE NEWMAN HAD A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. B. THOMAS SOIFER, FIONA HARRISON AND CHRIS MARTIN HAD A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP THROUGH CALIFORNIA INSTITITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PROVIDE VARIOUS INSTRUMENT AND ADAPTIVE OPTICS DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TO CARA. DURING TAX YEAR 2024, TOTAL EXPENDITURES FOR THESE SERVICES CHARGED TO CARA WERE $590,165 BY CALTECH, AND $961,514 BY THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B A DRAFT FORM 990 IS PROVIDED TO THE AUDIT AND COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE FOR REVIEW AND COMMENT. AFTER ANY REQUIRED CHANGES ARE MADE AND PRIOR TO FILING, MANAGEMENT DISTRIBUTES A COPY TO THE BOARD INDICATING WHO PREPARED AND REVIEWED THE FORM 990, AND WHO WILL SIGN AND FILE THE FORM BY THE DUE DATE. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C ANNUALLY EACH BOARD MEMBER IS REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE AND SIGN A BOARD GOVERNANCE DOCUMENT INDICATING ANY BUSINESS, PERSONAL OR FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER BOARD MEMBERS, STAFF OR MAJOR VENDORS INVOLVING THEMSELVES AND/OR THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS. THE SIGNED DISCLOSURES ARE THEN REVIEWED BY THE AUDIT AND COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE AND THE AUDIT AND COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR NOTIFIES THE BOARD OF ANY CONFLICTS SUFFICIENT TO WARRANT THE ATTENTION OF THE BOARD. KEY EMPLOYEES AND THE FIVE HIGHEST COMPENSATED EMPLOYEES ARE REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE AND SIGN AN ANNUAL INFORMATION REQUEST INDICATING ANY FAMILY OR BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS THAT MAY IMPACT ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 13 WHISTLEBLOWER POLICY: HAWAII STATE LABOR LAWS REQUIRE POSTING OF THE STATE'S WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION LAW NOTICE WHICH OUTLINES A STANDARD WHISTLEBLOWER PROCESS. CARA COMPLIED WITH THE WORKPLACE LABOR POSTING LAWS DURING TAX YEAR 2024. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 14 RECORDS RETENTION: FINANCIAL RECORDS FOLLOW BOTH THE IRS RETENTION GUIDELINES AND THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR FEDERAL AWARDS ISSUED UNDER OMB UNIFORM GUIDANCE. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 PROCESS FOR DETERMINING COMPENSATION FOR THE DIRECTOR: ANNUALLY THE CARA BOARD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REVIEWS AND APPROVES THE DIRECTOR'S COMPENSATION USING MARKET COMPENSATION STUDIES. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 GOVERNANCE DOCUMENTS AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICIES ARE MADE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS IN THE FORM OF AN ANNUAL AUDIT ARE PUBLISHED ON THE CARA WEBSITE AT WWW.KECKOBSERVATORY.ORG FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: THE ORGANIZATION HAS NOT CHANGED EITHER ITS OVERSIGHT PROCESS OR SELECTION PROCESS DURING THE YEAR.