SHEDD AQUARIUM SOCIETY

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)

1200 S LAKE SHORE DR, CHICAGO, IL 60605-2402

In care of

% NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY TTEE

Principal officer (990 for 2024)

BRIDGET C COUGHLIN, 1200 SOUTH DUSABLE LAKE SHORE DRIVE, CHICAGO, IL 60605

Signed the 990

Gary Gordon, CHIEF FINANCIAL & ADMIN OFFICER

Phone

(312) 692-3114

Website

www.sheddaquarium.org

Return prepared by

Plante & Moran PLLC

Mission

Shedd Aquarium's mission is to spark compassion, curiosity and conservation for the aquatic animal world. This is driven by the organization's vision of a world thriving with aquatic life sustained by people who love, understand and protect it.

Program accomplishments

• Conservation education: since Shedd aquarium opened our doors in 1930, Shedd has provided more than 121 million guests the opportunity to look nature in the eye through memorable experiences, while providing opportunities to learn about the animals in our care, and become inspired to make personal choices that drive action for animals. Shedd knows that when people experience aquatic animals up close, it motivates an emotional, empathetic response that shifts attitudes and fosters a personal responsibility for stewardship of local waters, global oceans, and wildlife. Shedd is committed to being one of Chicago's most accessible cultural institutions, offering Illinois resident free days throughout the year, free admission every day as the nation's first aquarium to join the museums for all program, an everyday discount for Chicago residents, students and senior citizens, and free admission for teachers, police and fire personnel, and active-duty military. Inside the aquarium walls, guests look nature in the eye through immersive exhibits, participatory programs facilitated by staff, and extraordinary experiences with animals behind the scenes. The aquarium also shares Shedd's mission by telling accessible, meaningful stories to the public through public relations and marketing efforts developed through the integration of conservation, learning programs, animal care and guest experience. As a trusted national leader in environmental education, Shedd advances experiential learning and action for all youth, teens and adults across the Chicagoland community and beyond. Programs and partnerships taking place at Shedd and in schools, nature, neighborhoods and online are designed to break barriers that prevent Chicagoans from accessing nature and its benefits, support the development of environmental literacy and build a conservation ethos that leads to short- and long-term actions to protect aquatic life.
  Expenses $34,604,249 · grants $228,535 · revenue $45,611,019
• Animal care: Shedd aquarium is home to one of the world's largest and most diverse aquatic collections over 30,000 representing about 1,200 species. A global leader in animal care, Shedd's welfare and husbandry programs support onsite research efforts that contribute to the growing scientific body of knowledge about those species in the wild. Shedd's veterinarians are aquatic medicine pioneers who are advancing the fields of preventative medicine, aging care, and conservation medicine while providing world-class care that further expands understanding of how to support healthy animal populations in aquariums and in the wild. Shedd's animal care expertise lends itself to crisis response around the world. Our animal care team frequently acts as a partner and advisor to international, federal, state, and local government agencies, rescue and rehabilitation organizations, and fellow accredited zoos and aquariums for confiscated, orphaned, or injured wildlife. Shedd's animal care team contributes to the sustainability of aquatic species through advancements in aquaculture, including populations of microscopic live foods, and cooperative management and breeding of critically endangered and threatened species.
  Expenses $17,929,902 · grants $191,773
• Conservation science and research: Shedd is located in Chicago, but its research is worldwide. Shedd is one of only 11 Centers for Species Survival, a designation of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, (IUCN). Shedd's Center for Species Survival focuses on freshwater within the Great Lakes watershed and globally with a concentration in the Americas. Shedd's husbandry, veterinary, and conservation programs are grounded in research that supports healthy animals at Shedd and vibrant wild populations around the world. Shedd's conservation research programs work to protect biodiversity while supporting blue economies, and field researchers often work side-by-side with citizen scientists to conserve wildlife and habitats for future generations. The aquarium's oceanic work includes more than four decades of research on species such as rock iguanas, queen conch, lobster, sharks, and corals. Closer to home, Shedd's Great Lakes research focuses on wildlife and habitat conservation issues where the aquarium's applied studies support local communities and regional agencies in developing access to nature and sound management plans for the Great Lakes and Chicago River. Onsite, Shedd's state-of-the-art facilities and animal care and science team serve as resources for research partners locally and globally. Onsite research provides valuable biological and behavioral information that informs understanding of species which are nearly impossible to study in the wild. In addition to sharing what it learns with the scientific community, Shedd's onsite work contributes to advancing animal health and welfare for aquatic species ranging from invertebrates to marine mammals.
  Expenses $3,301,889 · grants $103,793

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

36-2167918

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

1932

Accounting year ends

December

Files

Form 990 or 990-EZ

Category (NTEE)

Animal-related (D500)

Assets (IRS master file)

$780,057,975

Income (IRS master file)

$217,971,676

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 36-2167918).

Questions about SHEDD AQUARIUM SOCIETY

What is the EIN of SHEDD AQUARIUM SOCIETY?

The employer identification number (EIN) of SHEDD AQUARIUM SOCIETY is 36-2167918.

Is SHEDD AQUARIUM SOCIETY tax-exempt?

Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1932.

Are donations to SHEDD AQUARIUM SOCIETY tax-deductible?

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

Which annual return does SHEDD AQUARIUM SOCIETY 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 SHEDD AQUARIUM SOCIETY 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 SHEDD AQUARIUM SOCIETY 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 SHEDD AQUARIUM SOCIETY?

The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 names BRIDGET C COUGHLIN.

Who are the officers and directors of SHEDD AQUARIUM SOCIETY?

The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 lists 61 people; 14 received compensation from the organization, the highest $874,176 (BRIDGET COUGHLIN PHD, President/CEO).

How much revenue does SHEDD AQUARIUM SOCIETY have?

On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 it reported revenue of $101,974,802, expenses of $72,794,544 and total assets of $780,057,975 at year end.

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