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Tennessee Aquarium

EIN 58-1837154 · Chattanooga, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of the Tennessee Aquarium is to connect people with nature and empower them to make informed decisions about water and wildlife.

Income
$34.2 million
Spending
$30.7 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
8.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 73%
Employees
366
Volunteers
326
Highest pay
$357,706, president, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $20.0 million spent. The Tennessee Aquarium, a highly visited attraction, consistently rates very high in guest satisfaction. After more than 30 years, the Aquarium continues to be a major catalyst for economic development, providing strong fiscal and economic impacts on the region. In 2024, the Aquarium welcomed nearly 752,000 visitors. Guests are immersed in the fascinating stories of life above and below the water within our River Journey and Ocean Journey buildings. Habitats replicating global ecosystems are home to more than 10,000 animals representing 550 species. Many animals are part of species survival plans coordinated by zoos and aquariums across the country. The Aquarium has been continuously accredited by The Association of Zoos and Aquariums for over 30 years, affirming our commitment to the highest standards of animal care. This accreditation also reflects our dedication to the best practices in other facets of our profession. The Aquarium also operates an IMAX 3D theater showing educational and inspiring films daily.
  2. $787,882 spent. The rivers of the southeastern United States harbor some of the highest freshwater diversity on the planet. The Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute furthers the mission of the Tennessee Aquarium by conducting scientific studies, restoring and protecting our regions natural ecosystems, and educating the public to take conservation action. Scientific research is performed in a LEED Gold-certified freshwater science center on the banks of the Tennessee River. There, our scientists identify which southeastern waters have the greatest biodiversity. This is vital for conservation planning in the Southeast because it can be used to identify hotspots of diversity that need protection. One signature program is the propagation and reintroduction of Lake Sturgeon to the Tennessee and Cumberland river watersheds. 2025 will mark 25 years of these efforts, and the Tennessee Aquarium and its partners will have released more than 430,000 Lake
  3. $965,367 spent. The Tennessee Aquarium is a leader in environmental and conservation education and has received overwhelming acclaim for its education programs. Frequently honored for its conservation education and research work, the Aquarium has also received awards for its customer service and guest experience, including Conservation Education of the Year from the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, Office of the Governor Environmental Stewardship award, and the North American Conservation award. Aquarium educators have connected more than 2.5 million students with the natural world through the Aquariums dynamic living collection. School groups can select from several activities, including self-guided tours of the Aquarium, standards-based classroom programs, and educational IMAX films. The Aquarium offers complimentary admission and bus transportation for economically disadvantaged students in Title 1 schools.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 June 1989.

    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.