Nonprofit · EIN 56-2125831
ORGANIZATION FOR TROPICAL STUDIES INC
Tax-exempt · DURHAM, NC 27705
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $9,701,537 | $8,798,295 | $903,242 | $18,625,423 | $1,115,145 | $17,510,278 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990 | $9,219,213 | $9,858,737 | -$639,524 | $15,633,974 | $1,045,056 | $14,588,918 |
| June 30, 2023 | 990 | $8,814,178 | $9,350,545 | -$536,367 | $14,966,697 | $1,114,133 | $13,852,564 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $5,942,893
- of which government grants
- $57,919
- Program service revenue
- $3,549,247
- Investment income
- $209,049
- Other revenue
- $348
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $231,338
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $328,915
- Other salaries and wages
- $2,777,302
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $4,241,853
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $26,494
- Accounting fees
- $75,601
- Occupancy
- $874,515
- Travel
- $1,020,157
- Depreciation
- $235,041
- Program services (functional)
- $7,282,679
- Management and general (functional)
- $1,145,871
- Fundraising (functional)
- $369,745
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $15,633,974
- Total assets, end of year
- $18,625,423
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $1,115,145
- Net assets, end of year
- $17,510,278
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $3,448,973
- Publicly traded securities
- $9,561,684
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $4,624,134
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $12,886,144
- Gross receipts
- $9,701,537
- Employees
- 9
- Volunteers
- 25
- Year formed
- 1963
- State of legal domicile
- NC
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 | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JENNIFER KELLEY | CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER Officer | 40 | $89,760 | $20,770 |
| MIGUEL MENDEZ | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Officer | 40 | $86,608 | $11,831 |
| ELIZABETH BRAKER | DIR./PRES./CEO (FROM NOV. 24) Officer | 40 | $26,667 | $0 |
| CHELSEA WARD | DIRECTOR/ CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| RAFAEL MUNOZ-CARPENA | DIRECTOR/ TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ERIN KUPREWICZ | DIRECTOR / SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSAN CORDELL | DIRECTOR (UNTIL JUNE 2025) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAMES DALLING | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KYLE HARMS | DIRECTOR, (FROM JUNE 2025) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRYAN HEIDORN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANDRE KESSLER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAVIER MATEO-VEGA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GEORGE MIDDENDORF III | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NATHAN MUCHHALA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MURIEL POSTON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
6 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| OSCAR ROCHA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOHN TOBIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ALVARO UMANA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| TERRY VOGT | DIRECTOR, (UNTIL JULY 2024) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MICHAEL WASSERMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| WILLIAM WCISLO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 21 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES BOYLE | VP DEVELOPMENT (UNTIL 5/2024) Highest-paid employee | 40 | $130,900 | $36,497 |
| JENNIFER KELLEY | CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER Officer | 40 | $89,760 | $19,751 |
| MIGUEL MENDEZ | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Officer | 40 | $88,577 | $12,100 |
| ELIZABETH BRAKER | DIRECTOR AND PRESIDENT/CEO Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $0 | $0 |
| CHELSEA WARD | DIRECTOR AND CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ALVARO UMAA | DIRECTOR & TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAMES DALLING | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRYAN HEIDORN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANDRE KESSLER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ERIN KUPREWICZ | DIRECTOR & SECRETARY Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAVIER MATEO-VEGA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GEORGE MIDDENDORF III | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NATHAN MUCHHALA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RAFAEL MUNOZ-CARPENA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MURIEL POSTON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| OSCAR ROCHA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN TOBIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSAN CORDELL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TERRY VOGT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL WASSERMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WILLIAM WCISLO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2023: 21 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES BOYLE | VP DEVELOPMENT Highest-paid employee | 40 | $128,833 | $37,009 |
| MIGUEL MENDEZ | CFO Officer | 40 | $83,077 | $11,348 |
| GEORGE MIDDENDORF III | CHAIRPERSON Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ELIZABETH BRAKER | PRESIDENT AND CEO Trustee or director, Officer | 12 | $0 | $0 |
| ALVARO UMANA | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHELSEA WARD | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSAN CORDELL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAMES DALLING | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KYLE HARMS | DIRECTOR (UNTIL 1/2023) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRYAN HEIDORN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANDRE KESSLER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ERIN KUPREWICZ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GABRIEL MACAYA | DIRECTOR (UNTIL 1/2023) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NATHAN MUCHHALA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RAFAEL MUNOZ-CARPENA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MURIEL POSTON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| OSCAR ROCHA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN TOBIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TERRY VOGT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL WASSERMAN | DIRECTOR (FROM 1/2023) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WILLIAM WCISLO | DIRECTOR (FROM 1/2023) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 408 SWIFT AVE, DURHAM, NC 27705-4831
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- ELIZABETH BRAKER, 408 SWIFT AVENUE, DURHAM, NC 27705
- Signed the 990
- ELIZABETH BRAKER, CEO
- Phone
- (919) 684-5774
- Website
- WWW.TROPICALSTUDIES.ORG
- Return prepared by
- GELMAN ROSENBERG & FREEDMAN
Mission
THE ORGANIZATION FOR TROPICAL STUDIES, INC. (OTS) IS CHARTERED AS A NON PROFIT CORPORATION UNDER THE LAWS OF NORTH CAROLINA AND IS SUPPORTED BY A CONSORTIUM OF INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING IN NORTH, CENTRAL, AND SOUTH AMERICA, AUSTRALIA, AND SOUTH AFRICA. OTS'S PURPOSE IS TO SUSTAIN TROPICAL ECOSYSTEMS BY DRIVING SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY AND KNOWLEDGE, BY ENRICHING HUMAN PERCEPTION OF NATURE, AND BY ENHANCING WORLDWIDE POLICY IN THE TROPICS.
Program accomplishments
- FACILITATED RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION: THE ORGANIZATION RECEIVES GRANTS AND CONTRACTS TO SUPPORT SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AT ITS FIELD STATIONS AND CONSERVATION PROJECTS AT, AND IN THE VICINITY OF, ITS FIELD STATIONS.Expenses $3,265,581 · grants $73,365
- FIELD STATIONS: THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES THREE BIOLOGICAL FIELD STATIONS IN DIVERSE ECOLOGICAL ZONES OF COSTA RICA (LA SELVA, LAS CRUCES, AND PALO VERDE) AND ONE IN KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH AFRICA. THESE FIELD STATIONS ARE MAINTAINED TO FACILITATE BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH AND TO CONDUCT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.Expenses $2,950,132 · grants $155,756 · revenue $1,087,420
- EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: THE ORGANIZATION CONDUCTS A NUMBER OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, INCLUDING GRADUATE COURSES FOR ACADEMIC CREDIT AND UNDERGRADUATE SEMESTER- ABROAD PROGRAMS FOR ACADEMIC CREDIT. THE ORGANIZATION HAS OFFERED MID-CAREER PROFESSIONAL TRAINING FOR U.S. AND LATIN AMERICAN OFFICIALS AND POLICY- MAKERS, SHORT EXCURSIONS LED BY SCIENTISTS FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IN COSTA RICA, AND PROGRAMS FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS.Expenses $1,066,966 · grants $2,217 · revenue $2,461,827
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
- 56-2125831
- 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
- 1999
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- International, foreign affairs and national security (Q055)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $18,625,423
- Income (IRS master file)
- $9,701,537
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | $9,701,537 | $8,798,295 | $18,625,423 | XML |
| 990 | June 2024 | $9,219,213 | $9,858,737 | $15,633,974 | XML |
| 990 | June 2023 | $8,814,178 | $9,350,545 | $14,966,697 | XML |
| 990 | June 2022 | $4,521,186 | $4,875,291 | $14,310,445 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2019 | – | – | – | 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 56-2125831).
Questions about ORGANIZATION FOR TROPICAL STUDIES INC
- What is the EIN of ORGANIZATION FOR TROPICAL STUDIES INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of ORGANIZATION FOR TROPICAL STUDIES INC is 56-2125831.
- Is ORGANIZATION FOR TROPICAL STUDIES INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1999.
- Are donations to ORGANIZATION FOR TROPICAL STUDIES INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does ORGANIZATION FOR TROPICAL STUDIES INC 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 ORGANIZATION FOR TROPICAL STUDIES INC 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 ORGANIZATION FOR TROPICAL STUDIES INC 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 ORGANIZATION FOR TROPICAL STUDIES INC?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names ELIZABETH BRAKER.
- Who are the officers and directors of ORGANIZATION FOR TROPICAL STUDIES INC?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 21 people; 3 received compensation from the organization, the highest $89,760 (JENNIFER KELLEY, CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER).
- How much revenue does ORGANIZATION FOR TROPICAL STUDIES INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $9,701,537, expenses of $8,798,295 and total assets of $18,625,423 at year end.
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All nonprofits in DURHAM · North Carolina · International, foreign affairs and national security