Nonprofit · EIN 04-2104690
MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY
Tax-exempt · WOODS HOLE, MA 02543
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $55,357,167 | $56,304,118 | -$946,951 | $246,532,340 | $34,318,349 | $212,213,991 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990 | $57,348,551 | $55,742,822 | $1,605,729 | $245,049,089 | $35,380,429 | $209,668,660 |
| June 30, 2023 | 990 | $53,580,215 | $54,031,145 | -$450,930 | $238,727,925 | $35,566,984 | $203,160,941 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $39,516,654
- of which government grants
- $16,506,146
- Program service revenue
- $8,518,345
- Investment income
- $7,114,533
- Royalties
- $1,800
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $5,857,467
- Other revenue
- $207,635
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $5,277,746
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $1,647,060
- Other salaries and wages
- $20,582,715
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $29,910,762
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $11,687
- Accounting fees
- $129,700
- Occupancy
- $2,438,591
- Travel
- $861,825
- Depreciation
- $4,843,975
- Program services (functional)
- $47,643,043
- Management and general (functional)
- $7,134,090
- Fundraising (functional)
- $1,526,985
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $245,049,089
- Total assets, end of year
- $246,532,340
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $34,318,349
- Net assets, end of year
- $212,213,991
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $107,270,961
- Publicly traded securities
- $14,523,395
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $100,850,386
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $111,363,605
- Gross unrelated business income
- $5,681
- Gross receipts
- $59,160,647
- Employees
- 441
- Volunteers
- 0
- Year formed
- 1888
- State of legal domicile
- MA
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | From related orgs | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Paul Alivisatos | Former Chair of the Board of Trustees Former | 1 | $0 | $2,031,564 | $51,177 |
| Juan J de Pablo | Trustee Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $718,364 | $59,745 |
| Lori Berko | Secretary of the MBL Corporation Officer | 2 | $0 | $660,240 | $44,024 |
| Nipam H Patel | Director of the MBL Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $508,513 | $0 | $53,019 |
| Linda Hyman | Director of Education Key employee | 40 | $298,527 | $0 | $40,498 |
| Paul E Speer | Chief Operating Officer Officer | 40 | $294,682 | $0 | $38,588 |
| Anne Sylvester | Director of Research Key employee | 40 | $281,671 | $0 | $13,586 |
| Mary S Harrington | Chief Financial Officer Officer | 40 | $236,781 | $0 | $48,608 |
| Joshua Rosenthal | Senior Scientist Highest-paid employee | 40 | $245,598 | $0 | $35,038 |
| David B Mark Welch | Senior Scientist Highest-paid employee | 40 | $200,283 | $0 | $65,566 |
| Jennifer Morgan | Director of the Eugene Bell Center Highest-paid employee | 40 | $220,337 | $0 | $11,019 |
| Marie Russell | Director of Facilities and Services Highest-paid employee | 40 | $217,346 | $0 | $11,019 |
| Alexandra Z Worden PhD | Senior Scientist Highest-paid employee | 40 | $214,109 | $0 | $12,713 |
| William I Huyett | Chair of the Board of Trustees Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Saul J Pannell | Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
24 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walter E Massey | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Peter D Barbey | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Susan M Fitzpatrick | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Margaret J Fofonoff | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| David A Greene | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Avram Hershko | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Catherine E Hibbitt | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Constance T Keller | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Christopher G Kennedy | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Jean A King | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| David Johnson | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Max Paul Rosen | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Catherine Thomas | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Lewis T Williams | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Ethan A Lerner | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| William A Linton | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| John W McCarter | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Brien OBrien | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Ronald P OHanley | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| John W Rowe | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Robert Rosiello | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Timothy A Springer | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Samme L Thompson | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Dyann F Wirth | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 36 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | From related orgs | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Paul Alivisatos | Former Chair of the Board of Trustees Former | 1 | $0 | $1,850,854 | $48,681 |
| Juan J de Pablo | Trustee Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $883,412 | $65,839 |
| Lori Berko | Secretary of the MBL Corporation Officer | 2 | $0 | $524,718 | $41,989 |
| Nipam H Patel | Director of the MBL Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $461,683 | $0 | $53,794 |
| Paul E Speer | Chief Operating Officer Officer | 40 | $310,625 | $0 | $47,707 |
| Linda Hyman | Director of Education Key employee | 40 | $292,423 | $0 | $40,885 |
| Anne Sylvester | Director, Division of Research Key employee | 40 | $282,970 | $0 | $13,285 |
| Joshua Rosenthal | Senior Scientist Highest-paid employee | 40 | $239,825 | $0 | $35,670 |
| Mary S Harrington | Chief Financial Officer Officer | 40 | $226,703 | $0 | $48,670 |
| David B Mark Welch | Senior Scientist Highest-paid employee | 40 | $195,226 | $0 | $66,727 |
| Sebastien Laye | Former Chief Advancement Officer Former | 0 | $0 | $223,892 | $35,947 |
| Scott Koerner | Director of Information Technology Highest-paid employee | 40 | $184,949 | $0 | $43,840 |
| Jennifer Morgan | Director of the Eugene Bell Center Highest-paid employee | 40 | $214,504 | $0 | $11,335 |
| Marie Russell | Director of Facilities and Services Highest-paid employee | 40 | $212,662 | $0 | $11,335 |
| William I Huyett | Chair of the Board of Trustees Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Saul J Pannell | Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Walter E Massey | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Brien M OBrien | Trustee Trustee or director | 0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Catherine E Hibbitt | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Christopher G Kennedy | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Constance T Keller | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| David A Greene | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Dyann F Wirth | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Ethan A Lerner | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| John W McCarter | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| John W Rowe | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Margaret J Fofonoff | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Patrice O Yarbough | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Peter D Barbey | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Ronald P OHanley | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Samme L Thompson | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Susan M Fitzpatrick | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Timothy A Springer | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| William A Linton | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Jean A King | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Avram Hershko | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2023: 38 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | From related orgs | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert J Zimmer | Former Chair of the Board of Trustees Former | 1 | $0 | $3,314,058 | $108,881 |
| A Paul Alivisatos | Chair of the Board of Trustees Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $1,832,579 | $293,208 |
| Juan J de Pablo | Trustee Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $827,686 | $64,095 |
| Nipam H Patel | Director of the MBL Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $535,757 | $0 | $55,742 |
| Lori Berko | Secretary of the MBL Corporation Officer | 2 | $0 | $529,281 | $39,113 |
| Paul E Speer | Chief Operating Officer Officer | 40 | $301,891 | $0 | $48,481 |
| Linda Hyman | Director of Education Key employee | 40 | $284,217 | $0 | $41,359 |
| Anne Sylvester | Director, Division of Research Key employee | 40 | $280,715 | $0 | $13,000 |
| Joshua Rosenthal | Senior Scientist Highest-paid employee | 40 | $231,873 | $0 | $36,444 |
| Mary S Harrington | Treasurer & Director of Finance Officer | 40 | $220,507 | $0 | $47,444 |
| Sebastien Laye | Chief Advancement Officer Key employee | 40 | $0 | $215,611 | $42,243 |
| David B Mark Welch | Senior Scientist Highest-paid employee | 40 | $189,284 | $0 | $68,150 |
| Scott Koerner | Director of Information Technology Highest-paid employee | 40 | $179,620 | $0 | $44,738 |
| Jennifer Morgan | Director of the Eugene Bell Center Highest-paid employee | 40 | $208,431 | $0 | $11,722 |
| Marie Russell | Director, Facilities and Services Highest-paid employee | 40 | $206,631 | $0 | $11,722 |
| Walter E Massey | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $50,000 | $0 |
| Saul J Pannell | Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Avram Hershko | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Brien M OBrien | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Catherine E Hibbitt | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Christopher G Kennedy | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Constance T Keller | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| David B Fithian | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| David A Greene | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Dyann F Wirth | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Ethan A Lerner | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| John W McCarter | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| John W Rowe | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Margaret J Fofonoff | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Patrice O Yarbough | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Peter D Barbey | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Ronald P OHanley | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Samme L Thompson | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Susan M Fitzpatrick | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Timothy A Springer | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| William A Linton | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| William I Huyett | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| William T Speck | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 7 MBL STREET, WOODS HOLE, MA 02543-1015
- In care of
- % MELISSA NEWMAN
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- Nipam Patel, 7 MBL Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543
- Signed the 990
- Damian N Desiderio, Chief Financial & Operating Officer
- Phone
- (508) 289-7239
- Website
- www.mbl.edu
Mission
The Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) is a world-renowned center for biological discovery and training that is notably affiliated with more than 60 Nobel Prize winners. Research is conducted by full-time faculty as well as hundreds of the world's leading scientists who are attracted by the MBL's unique resources and strengths, and who come to the MBL to conduct research for weeks or months at a time. Their work spans biological scales from molecules and cells to ecosystems. The MBL trains students from high school to postdoctoral levels. Central to the MBL's identity are its advanced graduate level research courses.
Program accomplishments
- The Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) maintains laboratories for the scientific study and investigation of a wide range of biological topics, from biomedical to ecological research. MBL Resident Scientists are based full-time in Woods Hole and conduct funded research in areas of science that are relevant to the MBL's mission of fundamental biological discovery. Areas of focus include new discoveries emerging from the study of new research organisms, encompassing studies in cell biology, regenerative biology, neuroscience, sensory physiology, and comparative evolution and genomics; the study of microbiomes and microbial diversity and ecology in a variety of ocean, organismal, and terrestrial habitats; innovation in imaging and computation, illuminating cellular function and previously unknown biology; and adaptation and resilience of environmental systems and organisms in the face of global change.Expenses $33,429,251 · grants $3,115,475 · revenue $24,481,273
- The Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) offers a wide range of scientific courses (from high school to post-doctoral level), workshops, conferences, and internships throughout the year. Central to the MBL's identity are its advanced, discovery-based courses for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty. In these courses students learn from internationally renowned scientists and are immersed in the laboratory, learning cutting-edge techniques while investigating contemporary research problems. Each year, MBL advanced courses attract more than 500 graduate students and postdoctoral researchers from more than 300 institutions and over 30 countries. Course directors and faculty are leaders in their fields, drawn from leading universities and research institutions around the world.Expenses $11,887,269 · grants $2,260,277 · revenue $13,552,325
- Visiting (Whitman) Research: The Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) hosts hundreds of researchers, postdocs, and graduate students from around the world to participate in scientific discovery courses, research, lectures, and field studies. As a convener of biology, the MBL is well known for fostering a highly collaborative environment, with scientists and students engaged in intensive research in a collegial and informal atmosphere. Whitman Center Scientists are provided with infrastructure and an informal, interactive scientific community that allows them to launch into research almost immediately upon their arrival. Advice and equipment are available from other researchers or from colleagues in the education program. Free from academic duties at their home institutions, some veteran Whitman Center Scientists report they do more hands-on research in three months at the MBL than they do during the rest of the year at their home institutions.Expenses $2,326,523 · revenue $1,614,209
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in June, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 30, 2026 | November 16, 2026 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | June 30, 2025 | November 17, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | June 30, 2024 | November 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 04-2104690
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1938
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Science and technology (U500)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $246,532,340
- Income (IRS master file)
- $59,160,647
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | $55,357,167 | $56,304,118 | $246,532,340 | IRS |
| 990-T | June 2025 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2024 | $57,348,551 | $55,742,822 | $245,049,089 | IRS |
| 990-T | June 2024 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2023 | $53,580,215 | $54,031,145 | $238,727,925 | XML |
| 990-T | June 2023 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2022 | $59,784,190 | $49,044,602 | $237,578,536 | IRS |
| 990-T | June 2022 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-T | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 04-2104690).
Questions about MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY
- What is the EIN of MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY is 04-2104690.
- Is MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1938.
- Are donations to MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending June 30, 2026) is due November 16, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended June 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names Nipam Patel.
- Who are the officers and directors of MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 39 people; 10 received compensation from the organization.
- How much revenue does MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $55,357,167, expenses of $56,304,118 and total assets of $246,532,340 at year end.
Other nonprofits in WOODS HOLE
- WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION EIN 04-2105850 · last filed 990 for 2024
- INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF PROTISTOLOGISTS INC EIN 42-0959367 · last filed 990 for 2025
- ASSOCIATED SCIENTISTS AT WOODS HOLE INC EIN 04-2678301 · last filed 990-EZ for 2024
- CETACEAN COMMUNICATION RESEARCH INC EIN 87-1663295 · last filed 990-N for 2025
- WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION TAX EXEMPT EMP BEN TR EIN 04-3282355 · last filed 990 for 2024
- WOODS HOLE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INC EIN 04-6075697 · last filed 990 for 2025
- WOODS HOLE PUBLIC LIBRARY EIN 04-2310919 · last filed 990 for 2025
- PENIKESE ISLAND SCHOOL INC EIN 23-7303535 · last filed 990 for 2025
All nonprofits in WOODS HOLE · Massachusetts · Science and technology