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The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk Inc

EIN 06-1062912 · South Norwalk, CT

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MARITIME AQUARIUM AT NORWALK SEEKS TO IGNITE A CONNECTION TO LONG ISLAND SOUND AND THE OCEAN TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF ALL PEOPLE AND INSPIRE ACTION TO PROTECT OUR BLUE PLANET.

Income
$20.5 million
Spending
$17.2 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
6.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 50%
Employees
222
Volunteers
282
Highest pay
$321,811, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 24 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $11.1 million spent. THE MARITIME AQUARIUM AT NORWALK FULFILLS ITS MISSION THROUGH ITS LIVE ANIMAL EXHIBITS THAT FEATURE APPROXIMATELY 7,500 ANIMALS, COMPRISED OF ABOUT 300 SPECIES, INCLUDING THOSE THAT ARE ENDANGERED, THREATENED OR PROTECTED. WITH 75 EXHIBITS, INTERACTIVE AND IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES, TOUCH TANKS, AND ANIMAL FEEDINGS, GUESTS CAN BETTER APPRECIATE THE WONDERS OF THE RICH MARINE BIODIVERSITY OF THE LONG ISLAND SOUND THE GLOBAL OCEAN AND LEARN HOW TO SERVE AS STEWARDS OF THE ENVIRONMENT. COMPLEMENTING ITS EXHIBITS AND GUEST ENGAGEMENT, THE AQUARIUM CONDUCTS NUMEROUS RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION PROJECTS WITH BOTH PROFESSIONAL RESEARCHERS AND COMMUNITY SCIENTISTS TO BETTER UNDERSTANDING THE ECOLOGY OF THE LONG ISLAND SOUND AND TO RESTORE ITS ECOSYSTEM TO A HEALTHY, SUSTAINABLE CONDITION. THE AQUARIUM FURTHER ENGAGES WITH GOVERNMENT AND INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS TO SUPPORT THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AS A CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL AND CONSERVATION LEADER.
  2. $2.0 million spent. THE MARITIME AQUARIUM AT NORWALK SPECIALIZES IN EDUCATION PROGRAMMING FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH (STEM) AT ALL AGE LEVELS, FROM PRE-K THROUGH 12TH GRADE. EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE CONDUCTED IN A WIDE VARIETY OF VENUES AND MEDIA: IN CLASSROOMS AT THE AQUARIUM; IN SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE STATE THROUGH OUR TRAVELING TEACHER PROGRAM; AS PART OF AFTERSCHOOL, WEEKEND PROGRAMS AND SUMMER CAMPS; THROUGH WHOLE SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS; ONLINE VIRTUALLY THROUGHOUT THE WORLD THROUGH DIGITAL PROGRAMMING; ALONG COASTAL WATERWAYS AND SHORELINES THROUGH OUTDOOR PROGRAMMING; ON THE WATERS OF LONG ISLAND SOUND. PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE STEM LITERACY AT ALL LEVELS USING LIVE ANIMALS AND INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES IN THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE LONG ISLAND SOUND. THE AQUARIUM HAS GROWING INVOLVEMENT IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING FOR TEACHERS SPECIFICALLY IN THE AREA OF STEM PROGRAMMING.
  3. $115,673 spent. THE 4D THEATER OFFERS A SENSORY-BASED MOVIE EXPERIENCE FOR GUESTS TO ENJOY AND LEARN THROUGH THE ENTERTAINING AND EDUCATIONAL FILMS THAT PLAY IN THE THEATER. FILMS COVER ALL ASPECTS OF THE NATURAL WORLD. THE 4D THEATER ALSO SERVICES AS A VERSATILE VENUE FOR LECTURES, SCREENINGS, PRESENTATIONS, DISCUSSIONS, ETC., FOR THE COMMUNITY AND FOR PRIVATE GROUPS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 1985.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.