Nonprofit · EIN 86-0098918
LOWELL OBSERVATORY
Tax-exempt · FLAGSTAFF, AZ 86001
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $19,557,310 | $22,235,112 | -$2,677,802 | $97,935,622 | $52,046,643 | $45,888,979 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $11,946,368 | $19,482,906 | -$7,536,538 | $102,618,903 | $53,834,242 | $48,784,661 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $20,163,990 | $18,645,161 | $1,518,829 | $85,437,670 | $29,024,549 | $56,413,121 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $12,790,757
- of which government grants
- $1,683,667
- Membership dues
- $712,184
- Program service revenue
- $5,821,022
- Investment income
- $110,653
- Net rental income
- $69,305
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $84,937
- Net income from sales of inventory
- $682,040
- Other revenue
- $834,878
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $218,400
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $1,265,955
- Other salaries and wages
- $8,664,812
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $11,988,836
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $153,962
- Accounting fees
- $73,950
- Occupancy
- $866,117
- Travel
- $227,013
- Depreciation
- $3,920,892
- Program services (functional)
- $18,305,290
- Management and general (functional)
- $2,252,876
- Fundraising (functional)
- $1,676,946
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $102,618,903
- Total assets, end of year
- $97,935,622
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $52,046,643
- Net assets, end of year
- $45,888,979
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $85,555,700
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $42,756,963
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $3,132,016
- Gross receipts
- $20,183,964
- Employees
- 183
- Volunteers
- 91
- Year formed
- 1946
- State of legal domicile
- AZ
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, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMANDA BOSH | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/COO Officer | 40 | $206,898 | $34,206 |
| LESLIE CURRIE | CHIEF PHILANTHROPY OFFICER Key employee | 38 | $190,704 | $25,367 |
| STEPHEN LEVINE | DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION Key employee | 40 | $184,546 | $22,017 |
| ANNE LABRUZZO | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 36 | $182,124 | $23,148 |
| DEIDRE HUNTER | ASTRONOMER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $176,393 | $24,532 |
| KYLER KUEHN | DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY + DIRECTOR OF SCIENCE Key employee | 40 | $162,332 | $36,799 |
| PHILIP MASSEY | ASTRONOMER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $181,664 | $17,420 |
| MICHAEL WEST | ASTRONOMER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $177,551 | $11,770 |
| WILLIAM GRUNDY | ASTRONOMER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $152,491 | $33,681 |
| LISA A PRATO | ASTRONOMER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $157,275 | $21,549 |
| CODY HALF-MOON | CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER Key employee | 40 | $160,105 | $16,637 |
| LOWELL PUTNAM | TRUSTEE Trustee or director, Officer | 30 | $12 | $21,057 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 13 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HALL JEFFREY | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $201,538 | $35,293 |
| BOSH AMANDA | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/COO Officer | 40 | $182,918 | $33,387 |
| CURRIE LESLIE | CHIEF PHILANTHROPY OFFICER Key employee | 38 | $188,531 | $15,640 |
| HUNTER DEIDRE | ASTRONOMER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $179,553 | $23,537 |
| MASSEY PHILIP | ASTRONOMER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $184,820 | $16,977 |
| LEVINE STEPHEN | DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION Key employee | 40 | $180,027 | $20,979 |
| LABRUZZO ANNE | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 36 | $176,555 | $22,166 |
| VAN BELLE GERARD T | DIRECTOR OF SCIENCE Key employee | 40 | $163,586 | $32,469 |
| WEST MICHAEL | ASTRONOMER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $180,726 | $11,941 |
| KUEHN KYLER | DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY Key employee | 40 | $156,865 | $30,182 |
| GRUNDY WILLIAM | ASTRONOMER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $153,632 | $32,282 |
| PRATO LISA A | ASTRONOMER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $158,354 | $20,819 |
| PUTNAM LOWELL | TRUSTEE Trustee or director, Officer | 30 | $6 | $18,678 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 13 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HALL JEFFREY | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $200,833 | $37,311 |
| KELLER CHRISTOPH | DIRECTOR OF SCIENCE Key employee | 40 | $169,086 | $41,501 |
| HUNTER DEIDRE | ASTRONOMER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $173,571 | $24,081 |
| MASSEY PHILIP | ASTRONOMER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $178,598 | $17,207 |
| ACTOR ANN | CHIEF PHILANTHROPY OFFICER Key employee | 38 | $172,107 | $21,549 |
| LABRUZZO ANNE | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 36 | $162,474 | $30,844 |
| BOSH AMANDA | CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER Key employee | 40 | $161,680 | $30,244 |
| LEVINE STEPHEN | DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION Key employee | 40 | $169,245 | $22,216 |
| WEST MICHAEL | ASTRONOMER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $174,067 | $11,907 |
| KUEHN KYLER | DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY Key employee | 40 | $151,194 | $32,924 |
| PRATO LISA | ASTRONOMER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $150,738 | $21,023 |
| SAWYER DAVID | TECHNICAL PROJECT MANAGER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $148,887 | $20,874 |
| PUTNAM W LOWELL | TRUSTEE Trustee or director, Officer | 30 | $6 | $25,357 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 1400 W MARS HILL RD, FLAGSTAFF, AZ 86001-4470
- In care of
- % R MELENA
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- AMANDA BOSH, 1400 W MARS HILL ROAD, FLAGSTAFF, AZ 860014470
- Signed the 990
- ANNE LABRUZZO, CFO
- Phone
- (928) 774-3358
- Website
- WWW.LOWELL.EDU
- Return prepared by
- BEACHFLEISCHMAN PLLC
Mission
THE MISSION OF LOWELL OBSERVATORY IS TO PURSUE THE STUDY OF ASTRONOMY, ESPECIALLY THE STUDY OF OUR SOLAR SYSTEM AND ITS EVOLUTION; TO CONDUCT PURE RESEARCH IN ASTRONOMICAL PHENOMENA; AND TO MAINTAIN QUALITY PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS TO BRING THE RESULTS OF ASTRONOMICAL RESEARCH TO THE PUBLIC.
Program accomplishments
- CONTINUING A MORE THAN 130-YEAR-LONG LEGACY OF ASTRONOMICAL DISCOVERY, LOWELL OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMERS, PLANETARY SCIENTISTS, AND OTHER RESEARCHERS CONDUCTED FOREFRONT RESEARCH IN MANY AREAS OF ASTRONOMY FROM THE SUN AND OUR SOLAR SYSTEM TO EXOPLANETS, STARS, GALAXIES, AND COSMOLOGY. IN 2025, LOWELL SCIENTISTS PUBLISHED OVER 125 PEER-REVIEWED SCHOLARLY ARTICLES IN LEADING SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS, ALONG WITH ANOTHER 40+ ARTICLES IN OTHER VENUES. LOWELL SCIENTISTS ALSO GAVE NUMEROUS PRESENTATIONS AT SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCES AND PUBLIC OUTREACH EVENTS AND PARTICIPATED IN MAJOR SCIENTIFIC MISSIONS USING WORLD-LEADING TELESCOPES ACROSS THE GLOBE AND IN SPACE. LOWELL SCIENTIFIC STAFF CONTINUE TO BE VERY SUCCESSFUL AT OBTAINING GRANTS IN SUPPORT OF THEIR RESEARCH FROM NASA, THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, AND OTHER AGENCIES.THE 4.3-METER LOWELL DISCOVERY TELESCOPE (LDT) DELIVERED APPROXIMATELY 260 SCIENCE NIGHTS USED BY ASTRONOMERS ON THE STAFF AT LOWELL, AND OUR PARTNER INSTITUTIONS: BOSTON UNIVERSITY, NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY, THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, YALE UNIVERSITY, AND OTHERS. IN TOTAL, THE LDT FEATURED PROMINENTLY IN NEARLY 50 SCIENTIFIC OR TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS. THE LDT'S GROWING SUITE OF STATE-OF-THE-ART INSTRUMENTS, SUCH AS THE HIGH-PRECISION SPECTROGRAPH EXPRES, ENABLE CUTTING EDGE RESEARCH ACROSS MULTIPLE FIELDS, INCLUDING THE SEARCH FOR EXOPLANETS. LOWELL OBSERVATORY ALSO CONTINUED TO OPERATE OTHER SMALLER RESEARCH TELESCOPES AT ITS ANDERSON MESA AND MARS HILL SITES; AT THE MESA THEY ARE OPERATING A MODERN 1-METER TELESCOPE EQUIPPED WITH BOTH IMAGING AND SPECTROSCOPIC CAPABILITIES. ACCESS TO LOCAL TELESCOPES EQUIPPED WITH WORLD-CLASS INSTRUMENTS HAS ENABLED SCIENCE THAT COULD NOT BE DONE ELSEWHERE. IN 2025, LOWELL OBSERVATORY CONTINUED TO ADVANCE ITS SCIENCE VISION, A LONG-TERM PLAN TO ENHANCE ITS OBSERVATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE. THIS STRATEGIC INITIATIVE OUTLINES MAJOR NEW GOALS, INCLUDING SIGNIFICANT UPGRADES TO THE LDT, THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEXT-GENERATION INSTRUMENTATION, NEW PATHWAYS FOR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT WITH SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY, AND EXPANDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF ASTRONOMERS AND ENGINEERS. IMPLEMENTATION EFFORTS CONTINUED IN 2025, INCLUDING SUPPORTING ITS CADRE OF EARLY CAREER SCIENTISTS (ESPECIALLY THE PERCIVAL LOWELL POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS), BRINGING NEW LDT OBSERVING CAPABILITIES ONLINE, AND ADVANCING THE DESIGN FOR SEVERAL FUTURE SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS.LOWELL OBSERVATORY REMAINS COMMITTED TO PIONEERING RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION, AND SHARING DISCOVERY WITH THE BROADER COMMUNITY.Expenses $9,774,402 · grants $218,400 · revenue $1,769,095
- IN 2025, LOWELL OBSERVATORY'S PUBLIC PROGRAMS SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITIONED FROM A PERIOD OF MAJOR CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION TO FULL-SCALE OPERATION OF THE MARLEY FOUNDATION ASTRONOMY DISCOVERY CENTER (ADC). THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE FOR THIS PERIOD WAS TO LEVERAGE OUR EXPANDED CAPACITY TO INCREASE ENGAGEMENT IN ASTRONOMY AND TO PROVIDE IMMERSIVE, NARRATIVE-DRIVEN EXPERIENCES THAT CONNECT VISITORS WITH THE OBSERVATORY'S ONGOING RESEARCH AND THEIR INNATE CURIOSITY ABOUT THE COSMOS. THE LONG-TERM GOAL REMAINS TO INSPIRE CURIOSITY AND PROVIDE WORLD-CLASS STEM EDUCATION TO A GLOBAL AUDIENCE WHILE PRESERVING FLAGSTAFF'S HERITAGE AS THE WORLD'S FIRST INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY CITY.LOWELL OBSERVATORY WELCOMED AN ESTIMATED 141,000 VISITORS IN 2025. THE QUALITY OF THE GUEST EXPERIENCE WAS RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY, WITH THE OBSERVATORY BEING NAMED ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE'S "WORLD'S GREATEST PLACES AND NEWSWEEK'S "BEST SCIENCE MUSEUM IN THE U.S." FOR 2025.2025 MARKED THE INAUGURAL FULL YEAR OF PROGRAMMING IN THE 40,200-SQUARE-FOOT FACILITY. THE LOWELL UNIVERSE THEATER, FEATURING ITS 160-DEGREE LED WRAP-AROUND SCREEN, HOSTED AN ESTIMATED 1,200 LIVE PRESENTATIONS. THE DARK SKY PLANETARIUM, A UNIQUE OPEN-AIR ROOFTOP VENUE, PROVIDED NIGHTLY GUIDED TOURS OF THE COSMOS TO OVER AN ESTIMATED 90,000 GUESTS, UTILIZING FLAGSTAFF'S PREMIER NIGHT SKY.EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING REACHED RECORD LEVELS IN 2025. AN ESTIMATED 11,000 SCHOOLCHILDREN PARTICIPATED IN ON-SITE FIELD TRIPS AND SPECIALIZED, CURRICULUM-BASED TOURS. THE LOWELL OBSERVATORY ORBITS CURIOSITY CAMPS EXPANDED TO MEET HIGH DEMAND, SERVING OVER AN ESTIMATED 300 CHILDREN, WHILE THE NATIVE AMERICAN ASTRONOMY OUTREACH PROGRAM CONTINUED ITS MISSION BY CONNECTING SCHOOLS ACROSS THE NAVAJO AND HOPI NATIONS.Expenses $8,530,888 · revenue $4,817,500
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.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 86-0098918
- 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
- 1947
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Science and technology (U31Z)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $97,935,622
- Income (IRS master file)
- $20,183,964
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $19,557,310 | $22,235,112 | $97,935,622 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $11,946,368 | $19,482,906 | $102,618,903 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $20,163,990 | $18,645,161 | $85,437,670 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $20,035,165 | $19,188,129 | $78,976,661 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 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 86-0098918).
Questions about LOWELL OBSERVATORY
- What is the EIN of LOWELL OBSERVATORY?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of LOWELL OBSERVATORY is 86-0098918.
- Is LOWELL OBSERVATORY tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1947.
- Are donations to LOWELL OBSERVATORY tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does LOWELL OBSERVATORY 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 LOWELL OBSERVATORY due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did LOWELL OBSERVATORY last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of LOWELL OBSERVATORY?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names AMANDA BOSH.
- Who are the officers and directors of LOWELL OBSERVATORY?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 12 people; 12 received compensation from the organization, the highest $206,898 (AMANDA BOSH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/COO).
- How much revenue does LOWELL OBSERVATORY have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $19,557,310, expenses of $22,235,112 and total assets of $97,935,622 at year end.
Other nonprofits in FLAGSTAFF
- LOWELL OBSERVATORY FOUNDATION EIN 47-2052113 · last filed 990 for 2025
- SPRINGS STEWARDSHIP INSTITUTE EIN 85-2866689 · last filed 990 for 2025
- BIODIVERSITY OUTREACH NETWORK EIN 84-2609936 · last filed 990-PF for 2025
- COCONINO LAPIDARY CLUB EIN 64-0965082 · last filed 990-N for 2024
- COCONINO ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY EIN 68-0505505 · last filed 990-N for 2025
- INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LIMNOG EOLOGY EIN 93-1978008 · last filed 990-N for 2025
- FLAGSTAFF MEDICAL CENTER EIN 86-0110232 · last filed 990 for 2025
- NORTHERN ARIZONA HEALTHCARE CORPORATION EIN 74-2410946 · last filed 990 for 2025
All nonprofits in FLAGSTAFF · Arizona · Science and technology