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Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc

EIN 16-1448764 · Niagara Falls, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak41 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WITH OUR COMMUNITY AND PARTNERS, WE CELEBRATE OUR NATURAL WONDERS AND INSPIRE PEOPLE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR AQUATIC LIFE.

Income
$4.9 million
Spending
$5.8 million
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 64%
Employees
85
Volunteers
22
Highest pay
$120,904, chief financial & admin officer

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

Financial health

Weak: 41 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 36% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 September 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 (1)
  1. $3.9 million spent. THE AQUARIUM OF NIAGARA IS A LEADING 501(C)(3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION LOCATED IN NIAGARA FALLS, NY THAT IS COMMITTED TO WORKING ON BEHALF OF MARINE LIFE ACROSS THE GLOBE. THE AQUARIUM OF NIAGARA FULFILS ITS MISSION EVERY DAY THROUGH THE BELIEF THAT EDUCATIONAL MESSAGES ARE BEST CONVEYED THROUGH INSPIRATIONAL EXHIBITS, DISPLAYS AND PROGRAMS. THE AQUARIUM FEATURES OVER 120 SPECIES OF ANIMALS ACROSS A NUMBER OF GALLERIES, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON RESCUED AND NON-RELEASABLE SEALS AND SEA LIONS. THE AQUARIUM OF NIAGARA SERVES WESTERN NEW YORK AS THE REGION'S ONLY AQUARIUM WITHIN 250 MILES IN THE UNITED STATES. IT'S LIVING COLLECTION AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS SERVE THE COMMUNITY IN MANY FORMS INCLUDING AS A CULTURAL DESTINATION, EDUCATION CENTER, VENUE FOR FAMILY ACTIVITIES AND TOURIST ATTRACTION. THE AQUARIUM OF NIAGARA WELCOMES OVER 200,000 VISITORS ANNUALLY AND IS AN ACCREDITED MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 1994.

    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.