Nonprofit · EIN 47-1716881
OCEAN FIRST INSTITUTE
Tax-exempt · BOULDER, CO 80301
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $598,614 | $586,863 | $11,751 | $597,725 | $60,646 | $537,079 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990 (amended) | $949,781 | $616,413 | $333,368 | $564,282 | $56,870 | $507,412 |
| June 30, 2023 | 990 | $432,526 | $403,715 | $28,811 | $145,850 | $54,320 | $91,530 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $430,051
- Program service revenue
- $171,102
- Investment income
- $100
- Net income from fundraising events
- $564
- Net income from sales of inventory
- -$3,203
- Other revenue
- -$2,639
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $214
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $100,438
- Other salaries and wages
- $218,680
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $334,573
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $5,724
- Accounting fees
- $4,194
- Travel
- $18,083
- Depreciation
- $35,222
- Program services (functional)
- $424,048
- Management and general (functional)
- $162,371
- Fundraising (functional)
- $444
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $564,282
- Total assets, end of year
- $597,725
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $60,646
- Net assets, end of year
- $537,079
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $48,933
- Gross receipts
- $609,698
- Employees
- 11
- Volunteers
- 0
- Year formed
- 2014
- State of legal domicile
- CO
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mikki McComb-Kobza | Executive Director Trustee or director | 45 | $100,438 |
| Renee McElroy | Board Member - Vice Chair Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Sam Cramer | Board Member - Treasurer Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Zuhira Khladun-Diarra | Board Member Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Henry Buck | Board Member Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Brittnie Bassant | Board Member Officer | 1 | $0 |
| John Stuart | Board Chair Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Jerry Rodriguez | Board Member Officer | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 8 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mikki McComb-Kobza | Executive Director Trustee or director | 45 | $94,167 |
| Renee McElroy | Board Vice-Chair Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Sam Cramer | Board Treasurer Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Zuhirah Khaldun-Diarra | Board Member Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Bretton Hunchak | Board Member Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Brittnie Bassant | Board Member Officer | 1 | $0 |
| John Stuart | Board Member Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Jerry Rodriguez | Board Member Officer | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2023: 8 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graham Casden | Founder/Board Chair Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Brooke Beadle-Anderson | Board Vice-Chair Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Jacquie McKenna | Board Secretary Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Todd Sanford | Board Treasurer Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Zuhirah Khaldun-Diarra | Board Member Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Ari Frielaender | Board Member Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Renee Andrews | Board Member Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Mishka Firth | Board Member Officer | 1 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 3015 BLUFF ST, BOULDER, CO 80301-2101
- In care of
- % MAKI IATRIDIS
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- Dawn M McComb-Kobza, 2758 Flacon Drive, Longmont, CO 80503
- Signed the 990
- Dawn M McComb-Kobza, Executive Director
- Phone
- (303) 956-7885
- Website
- www.OceanFirstInstitute.org
- Return prepared by
- KURTZ FARGO LLP
Mission
The mission of Ocean First Institute is ocean conservation through research and education. We work to deepen the natural connection between people and the ocean. We educate and empower people to understand the ocean is our life support system no matter where we live, and that we need a healthy ocean to have a healthy planet. We provide individuals the opportunity to engage in activities that support sustainability, biodiversity, and improvethe health of our ocean.
Program accomplishments
- 1. Plastic Pollution Monitoring Program Collection of water and sediment samples in Florida and Colorado to identify microplastics and microfibers. Students analyze samples using microscopes, with further analysis conducted at the FAU Henderson School laboratory. Students also participate in summits to present findings and discuss actionable solutions. Ocean First Institute received in-kind support in the form of donated use of laboratory space from Florida Atlantic University Lab Schools.Expenses $118,988 · revenue $18,913
- 2. Ocean First Discovery Center Online Courses Launch of over 18 online education courses available on the website, reaching thousands of students and members of the general public.Expenses $134,293 · revenue $93,085
- 3. Shark Field CourseShark research conducted from the Key Largo, Florida lab, focusing on abundance, seasonality, and species within a marine protected area in the Florida Keys. Undergraduate students are trained through four summer courses on marine science research methods. Ocean First Institute received in-kind support in the form of donated use of lab space from Marine Lab, donated research boat vessel use from International Seakeepers Society, and donated trailer and shed use from other community partners.Expenses $170,767 · grants $214 · revenue $59,105
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
- 47-1716881
- 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
- 2015
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Education (B99)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $597,725
- Income (IRS master file)
- $609,698
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | $598,614 | $586,863 | $597,725 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2024 | $949,781 | $616,413 | $564,282 | XML |
| 990 | June 2023 | $432,526 | $403,715 | $145,850 | XML |
| 990 | June 2022 | $437,433 | $366,189 | $133,140 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-EZ | June 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-EZ | 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 47-1716881).
Questions about OCEAN FIRST INSTITUTE
- What is the EIN of OCEAN FIRST INSTITUTE?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of OCEAN FIRST INSTITUTE is 47-1716881.
- Is OCEAN FIRST INSTITUTE tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2015.
- Are donations to OCEAN FIRST INSTITUTE tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does OCEAN FIRST INSTITUTE 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 OCEAN FIRST INSTITUTE 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 OCEAN FIRST INSTITUTE 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 OCEAN FIRST INSTITUTE?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names Dawn M McComb-Kobza.
- Who are the officers and directors of OCEAN FIRST INSTITUTE?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 8 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $100,438 (Mikki McComb-Kobza, Executive Director).
- How much revenue does OCEAN FIRST INSTITUTE have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $598,614, expenses of $586,863 and total assets of $597,725 at year end.
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