NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM CORPORATION

Financials

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 December 31, 2024, highest compensation first.

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)

1 CENTRAL WHARF, BOSTON, MA 02110-3309

In care of

% MATTHEW USTASZEWSKI

Principal officer (990 for 2024)

VERONIQUE N SPRUILL, CENTRAL WHARF, BOSTON, MA 021103399

Signed the 990

VERONIQUE N SPRUILL, PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Phone

(617) 973-5200

Website

WWW.NEAQ.ORG

Return prepared by

CBIZ ADVISORS LLC

Mission

THE NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM IS A CATALYST FOR GLOBAL CHANGE THROUGH PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION, COMMITMENT TO MARINE ANIMAL CONSERVATION, INNOVATIVE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, AND EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY FOR A VITAL AND VIBRANT OCEAN.

Program accomplishments

• EXHIBITION: THE NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM IS A MASSACHUSETTS CHAPTER 180 NON-PROFIT CORPORATION FORMED FOR THE PURPOSE OF OPERATING A PUBLIC AQUARIUM IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS. THE MISSION OF THE AQUARIUM IS TO BE A CATALYST FOR GLOBAL CHANGE THROUGH PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, COMMITMENT TO MARINE ANIMAL CONSERVATION, LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATION, INNOVATIVE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, AND ADVOCACY FOR A VITAL AND VIBRANT OCEAN. IN ADDITION TO ITS EXHIBITS, THE AQUARIUM OPERATES THE SIMONS THEATRE, GIFT SHOP, ON-SITE DINING OUTLETS, CATERED EVENTS, AND PROGRAMMING IN MARINE RESEARCH, CONSERVATION, AND EDUCATION. THE AQUARIUM RELIES ON REVENUE FROM ADMISSIONS, RETAIL SALES, AND EVENTS; PRIVATE GIFTS AND GRANTS; AND FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDING FOR MOST OF ITS OPERATIONS. THESE REVENUES AND SUPPORT ARE PRIMARILY DERIVED FROM VISITORS AND DONORS FROM THE GREATER BOSTON AREA, THE NEW ENGLAND REGION, AND NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS TO THE CITY.WELCOMING NEW ANIMALS, UNVEILING ENGAGING NEW EXHIBITS THAT INSPIRE VISITORS, CONDUCTING IMPACTFUL RESEARCH, AND ADVOCATING FOR THE OCEAN FROM LOCAL TO INTERNATIONAL LEVELS ARE JUST A FEW OF THE WAYS THE NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM CONTINUED TO PROTECT THE BLUE PLANET IN 2024.2024 NOTABLE HIGHLIGHTS OF EXHIBITS AND VISITOR EXPERIENCE:THE AQUARIUM OPENED "HEALTHY CORALS, HEALTHY REEFS," A 15-FOOT, NEARLY 5,000-GALLON EXHIBIT THAT IS HOME TO A VARIETY OF LIVE CORALS NATIVE TO THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION AND FEATURES SPECIES NEW TO THE AQUARIUM, SUCH AS WRASSES, SURGEONFISH, BUTTERFLYFISH, AND REEF-DWELLING INVERTEBRATES. THE AQUARIUM ALSO EXPANDED ACCESS TO ITS EXHIBITS THROUGH A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF BOSTON. IT JOINED FIVE OTHER INSTITUTIONS ACROSS THE CITY OFFERING FREE ADMISSION TO BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS (BPS) STUDENTS AND UP TO THREE OF THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS ON THE FIRST TWO SUNDAYS OF EVERY MONTH THROUGHOUT 2024. IN TOTAL, 14,718 VISITORS CAME TO THE AQUARIUM THROUGH THIS BPS SUNDAYS PROGRAM.DURING MASSACHUSETTS' FEBRUARY SCHOOL VACATION WEEK, THE AQUARIUM CREATED A CIVIC ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR AQUARIUM VISITORS OF ALL AGES IN SUPPORT OF THE SEA TURTLE RESCUE ASSISTANCE AND REHABILITATION ACT (STRAA) AND COLLECTED 1,740 SIGNATURES TO SHARE WITH MEMBERS OF CONGRESS IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL. STRAA WOULD ESTABLISH A FEDERAL GRANT PROGRAM TO SUPPORT FACILITIES THAT RESCUE AND REHABILITATE SEA TURTLES ACROSS THE U.S., INCLUDING THE AQUARIUM'S SEA TURTLE HOSPITAL IN QUINCY, MA.ADDITIONALLY, THE AQUARIUM CELEBRATED WORLD OCEAN DAY IN JUNE WITH FREE, ALL-AGES ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMMING AROUND THE THEME OF "CONNECTING COMMUNITIES, EMPOWERING ACTIONS FOR OUR OCEAN." THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER, THE COALITION FOR A RESILIENT AND INCLUSIVE WATERFRONT (CRIW), OF WHICH THE NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM IS A FOUNDING MEMBER, OFFERED A ROSTER OF WELLNESS ACTIVITIES FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. THE AQUARIUM ALSO PARTNERED WITH SEVERAL LOCAL NON-PROFITS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO HIGHLIGHT COMMUNITY WELLNESS INITIATIVES DURING THE YEAR. THE AQUARIUM'S LOWELL LECTURE SERIES HOSTED NINE SPEAKERS IN 2024, WHOSE TALKS COVERED A RANGE OF TOPICS ALIGNED WITH THE AQUARIUM'S MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES. THE LECTURES ARE PRESENTED FREE TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH THE FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE LOWELL INSTITUTE.
  Expenses $29,558,495 · revenue $29,565,670
• SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND ADVISING:IN 2024, THE NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM ('THE AQUARIUM") CONTINUED CONDUCTING APPLIED OCEAN SCIENCE RESEARCH AND TECHNICAL ADVISING/MARKET-BASED SOLUTIONS TO HELP DELIVER ON ITS MISSION TOWARD A VISION FOR A VITAL AND VIBRANT OCEAN FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. MUCH OF THIS WAS EXECUTED BY THE AQUARIUM'S DEDICATED OCEAN SCIENCE RESEARCH DIVISION, THE ANDERSON CABOT CENTER FOR OCEAN LIFE (ANDERSON CABOT CENTER").SELECT 2024 NOTABLE HIGHLIGHTS OF ANDERSON CABOT CENTER:THE BLUESWELL PROGRAM, AN OCEAN INNOVATION START-UP INCUBATOR COMPLETED ITS FOURTH COHORT OF OCEAN TECH START-UPS, AND INITIATED ITS FIFTH COHORT, DURING 2024. AS CO-FOUNDER AND PARTNER IN THIS PROGRAM, THE AQUARIUM (VIA TECHNICAL CONSULT FROM ANDERSON CABOT CENTER EXPERTS) GUIDES THESE TECH START-UPS IN ADOPTING OCEAN-FRIENDLY PRACTICES AND METRICS, AIDS IN THE DILIGENCE PROCESS, AND SERVES AS THE FISCAL ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE PROGRAM. UPSWELL, ANOTHER INITIATIVE THAT THE AQUARIUM CO-FOUNDED, FOCUSED ON EXPANDING THE AMOUNT OF ANGEL INVESTMENT IN BLUE TECHNOLOGY STARTUPS THAT BENEFIT THE ENVIRONMENT AND CREATE NEW JOBS, HOSTED A DISCUSSION ON COASTAL RESILIENCE FEATURING A PANEL OF EXPERTS AND PUBLISHED ITS THIRD WHITEPAPER, MARINE CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL: INVESTING IN SCIENCE AND INNOVATION TO BUILD A RESPONSIBLE INDUSTRY.THE AQUARIUM'S MARINE CONSERVATION ACTION FUND (MCAF) CELEBRATED 25 YEARS OF SUPPORTING LOCALLY-LED OCEAN CONSERVATION ACROSS THE GLOBE. IN 2024, MCAF AWARDED OVER $240,000 TO 27 PROJECTS IN 17 COUNTRIES SPEARHEADED BY LOCAL LEADERS AND THEIR COMMUNITIES. THESE PROJECTS INVOLVED COLLECTING CRITICAL DATA ON IMPERILED OCEAN SPECIES, PROMOTING LOCAL AND INDIGENOUS-LED MARINE MANAGEMENT, FOSTERING CAPACITY SHARING WITH COMMUNITIES, AND SPONSORING OCEAN LEADERS' PARTICIPATION AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES. IN 2024, ANDERSON CABOT CENTER RESEARCHERS CONDUCTED BOAT-BASED RESEARCH OVER THREE MONTHS TO SURVEY THE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED NORTH ATLANTIC RIGHT WHALE IN THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE. THE TEAM SIGHTED 62 OF THE ESTIMATED POPULATION OF 372 INDIVIDUALS, COLLECTED 23 BLOW SAMPLES, AND THREE FECAL SAMPLES FOR ANALYSIS. THEY ALSO REMOVED 19 SETS OF LOST, ABANDONED, OR DISCARDED FISHING GEAR AN ESSENTIAL PART OF PREVENTING FUTURE ENTANGLEMENTS. DURING FIELDWORK IN THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE AS WELL AS IN CAPE COD BAY, ANDERSON CABOT CENTER RESEARCHERS DEPLOYED THE LATEST DRONE TECHNOLOGY TO STUDY RIGHT WHALES. THE DRONE OFFERS A NON-INVASIVE METHOD TO GATHER SAMPLES OF BLOW AND IS USED FOR PHOTOGRAMMETRY MEASUREMENTS THAT ALLOW RESEARCHERS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE HEALTH STATUS OF INDIVIDUAL WHALES AND THE POPULATION IN ORDER TO PROVIDE SCIENTIFICALLY SOUND INFORMATION TO GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY DECISIONMAKERS. ANDERSON CABOT CENTER RESEARCHERS ALSO CONTINUED CONDUCTING FIELDWORK NEEDED TO INFORM CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT. IN 2024, THEY TAGGED MORE THAN 250 SHARKS, TUNAS, AND FISHES (18 TOTAL SPECIES) OVER 120 DAYS AND 4,860 VESSEL HOURS IN LOCATIONS RANGING FROM CAPE COD BAY TO NORTH CAROLINA TO PUERTO RICO. THEY ALSO FLEW AERIAL SURVEYS TOTALING 600 HOURS IN THE NEW ENGLAND REGION TO DOCUMENT THE ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF MARINE MAMMALS AND TURTLES, IDENTIFYING OVER 140 UNIQUE RIGHT WHALES. EXPERTS ACROSS THE AQUARIUM, MANY OF WHOM ARE IN THE ANDERSON CABOT CENTER, PUBLISHED 28 TOTAL PEER-REVIEWED PAPERS/BOOK CHAPTERS IN SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS/BOOK VOLUMES IN 2024, WITH AN ADDITIONAL FIVE PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS IN COLLABORATION WITH FELLOWS AND PROJECT LEADERS FROM THE MCAF PROGRAM.
  Expenses $6,854,144 · grants $209,142 · revenue $6,766,029
• 2024 NOTABLE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SEA TURTLE PROGRAMS:THE NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM HAS TWO DISTINCTIVE PROGRAMS WITH SEA TURTLES: WE RUN ONE OF THE LARGEST SEA TURTLE RESCUE OPERATIONS IN THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES AND WE ARE PART OF A FIRST-RESPONDER NETWORK FOR LEATHERBACK SEA TURTLES THAT GET ENTANGLED IN FISHING LINES. BOTH OF THESE PROGRAMS HELP MAINTAIN SEA TURTLE POPULATIONS AND PRODUCE RESEARCH. THE AQUARIUM'S SEA TURTLE HOSPITAL IN QUINCY, MA TREATED 518 RESCUED SEA TURTLES RECOVERED FROM BEACHES ALONG CAPE COD BAY DURING THE 2024 COLD STUN STRANDING SEASON. IN ADDITION TO ADMINISTERING TO CRITICALLY ENDANGERED KEMP'S RIDLEY TURTLES (TOTAL OF 417), OUR SEA TURTLE HOSPITAL TREATED THREATENED LOGGERHEAD (62) AND GREEN (39) TURTLES SUFFERING FROM LIFE-THREATENING MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING PNEUMONIA, SEPSIS AND DEHYDRATION. THE HOSPITAL CONTINUES TO OPERATE UNDER NEW POPULATION MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AND TEMPERATURE-CONTROLLED CONDITIONS AS THESE CONTINUE TO SHOW RESULTS THAT ARE AS GOOD AS, IF NOT BETTER THAN, PRE-PANDEMIC SURVIVAL RATES. THESE ALLOW FOR THE TEAM TO EFFICIENTLY STABILIZE TURTLES BEFORE TRANSPORTING THE MOST STABLE TO SECONDARY FACILITIES WHERE THEY CONTINUE THEIR REHAB PROCESS OR CAN BE RELEASED BACK INTO WARMER WATERS. WE MAINTAINED 82 OF THE MOST CRITICALLY ILL TURTLES FOR FULL REHABILITATION AT OUR HOSPITAL. LAST YEAR, WE REPORTED A PILOT STUDY ON ACOUSTIC IMPLANTS IN SEVERAL OF OUR REHABILITATED COLD-STUNNED LOGGERHEADS. IN 2023, THE PAPER WAS ACCEPTED AND PUBLISHED. HERE IS THE CITATION: INNIS, C.J., KENNEDY, A., KNEEBONE, J. ET AL. A PILOT STUDY ON SURGICAL IMPLANTATION AND EFFICACY OF ACOUSTIC TRANSMITTERS IN FIFTEEN LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLES (CARETTA CARETTA), 2021/2022. ANIM BIOTELEMETRY 11, 37 (2023). HTTPS://DOI.ORG/10.1186/S40317-023-00349-8. THROUGHOUT 2024, THE TAGS WERE STILL FUNCTIONING, AND WE CONTINUED TO GET REGULAR HITS ON SEVERAL ACOUSTIC ARRAYS OF VARIOUS TURTLES. WE CONTINUED OUR WORK ON ENDANGERED LEATHERBACK TURTLES ENTANGLED IN FISHING GEAR. WE TYPICALLY EVALUATE, DISENTANGLE, AND OUTFIT THE TURTLES WITH ELECTRONIC TAGS THAT ALLOW RESEARCHERS TO ASSESS SURVIVORSHIP OVER THE 30 DAYS AFTER DISENTANGLEMENT, AND TRACK MIGRATION PATTERNS.
  Expenses $4,283,840 · revenue $4,285,621
• WE CONTINUED TO WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS AT BOSTON HARBOR CITY CRUISES ("BHCC") TO OFFER THE NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM WHALE WATCH, OPERATED BY BHCC. THIS COMBINED EFFORT GENERATED INCREASED WHALE WATCH ATTENDANCE AND SIGNIFICANTLY EXPANDED THE REACH OF OUR WHALE CONSERVATION PROGRAMMING AND OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, OVERALL.TOTAL OTHER COSTS REPRESENT THE REMAINING PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES PER PART IX THAT WERE NOT ATTRIBUTABLE TO EXHIBITION, RESEARCH, OR EDUCATION. TOTAL OTHER REVENUE REPRESENTS PROGRAMATIC CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS INCOME PER PART VIII THAT WERE NOT ATTRIBUTABLE TO EXHIBITION, RESEARCH, OR EDUCATION.
  Expenses $2,141,920 · revenue $1,403,787

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 December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

IRS record

EIN

04-2297514

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

1960

Accounting year ends

December

Files

Form 990 or 990-EZ

Category (NTEE)

Animal-related (D500)

Assets (IRS master file)

$126,594,457

Income (IRS master file)

$55,007,660

Filing history

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 04-2297514).

Questions about NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM CORPORATION

What is the EIN of NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM CORPORATION?

The employer identification number (EIN) of NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM CORPORATION is 04-2297514.

Is NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM CORPORATION tax-exempt?

Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1960.

Are donations to NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM CORPORATION tax-deductible?

Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).

Which annual return does NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM CORPORATION 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 NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM CORPORATION due?

The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending December 31, 2025) is due May 15, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.

When did NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM CORPORATION last file with the IRS?

The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2024.

Who is the principal officer of NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM CORPORATION?

The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 names VERONIQUE N SPRUILL.

Who are the officers and directors of NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM CORPORATION?

The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 lists 36 people; 17 received compensation from the organization, the highest $641,692 (SPRUILL VERONIQUE N, PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER).

How much revenue does NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM CORPORATION have?

On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 it reported revenue of $54,645,914, expenses of $55,331,416 and total assets of $126,594,457 at year end.

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