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Oregon Coast Aquarium Inc

EIN 93-0877807 · Newport, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood88 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE AQUARIUM'S MISSION IS TO MAINTAIN THE HIGHEST QUALITY AQUATIC AND MARINE SCIENCE PROGRAMS FOR RECREATION AND EDUCATION SO THAT THE PUBLIC BETTER UNDERSTANDS, CHERISHES, AND CONSERVES THE WORLD'S NATURAL MARINE AND COASTAL RESOURCES.

Income
$18.3 million
Spending
$13.6 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
8.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 56%
Employees
171
Volunteers
306
Highest pay
$258,684, president & ceo

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

Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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: 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 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 (3)
  1. $6.4 million spent. ANIMAL CARE: THE AQUARIUM MAINTAINS AND CARES FOR OVER 500 SPECIES OF ANIMALS IN STUNNING INDOOR AND OUTDOOR EXHIBITS AT ITS 30-ACRE MARINE FACILITY. CURRENT EXHIBITIONS INCLUDE PASSAGES OF THE DEEP, SEALS & SEA LIONS, SEA OTTERS SEABIRD AVIARY, TURKEY VULTURES AND INDOOR GALLERIES: SANDY COAST, ROCKY COAST, CONNECTED COASTS, AND PACIFIC JELLIES. THE PRIMARY FUNCTION OF THE ANIMAL CARE DEPARTMENT IS TO PROVIDE CARE AND A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT FOR THE MARINE ANIMALS. THE DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL ASPECTS OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, LIFE SUPPORT, REHABILITATION, ANIMAL COLLECTION, TRANSPORT, AND ALL DIVE PROGRAMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE AQUARIUM.
  2. $2.4 million spent. VISITOR SERVICES AND MARKETING: THE AQUARIUM PROVIDES INFORMATION AND RELATED SERVICES TO VISITORS, STUDENTS, RESEARCHERS, SCHOLARS, AND OTHERS INTERESTED IN THE AQUARIUM'S EXHIBITS, PROGRAMS, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES. IN ADDITION, THE AQUARIUM CONDUCTS BROADER EFFORTS TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT MARINE LIFE AND OREGON'S COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS AND PROMOTE THE AQUARIUM'S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.
  3. $1.7 million spent. MISSION ENGAGEMENT: THE AQUARIUM OFFERS ONSITE, ONLINE AND OUTREACH EDUCATION PROGRAMS, INCLUDING CLASSROOM PROGRAMS, VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS AND CAREER EXPLORATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, WE ARE NOW ENGAGING SCOUT GROUPS AND COLLEGE CLUBS IN FIELD BASED COMMUNITY SCIENCE PROJECTS. THE AQUARIUM PARTNERS WITH LINCOLN COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT (LCSD) ON AN OCEAN LITERACY INITIATIVE - CREATING FIELD EXPERIENCES ALIGNED WITH LCSD'S NEWLY ADOPTED SCIENCE CURRICULUM. THE AQUARIUM HAS A YOUTH VOLUNTEER PROGRAM INCLUDES SUMMER INTERPRETERS AND A NEWLY DEVELOPED MARINE SCIENCE CLUB IN CONJUNCTION WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS. THE AQUARIUM, IN COLLABORATION WITH LCSD, CREATED A BILINGUAL PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THAT SERVES OUR GROWING LATINO COMMUNITY. CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O. ON-SITE, THE AQUARIUM FACILITATES BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOURS AND SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS AS WELL AS A VARIETY OF ADDED-VALUE PROGRAMS SUCH AS NARRATED PELICAN PRESENTATIONS. THE AQUARIUM'S EDUCATORS USE ANIMAL AMBASSADORS, SUCH AS OUR BARN OWL OR WESTERN POND TURTLE, TO REACH VISITORS ABOUT COASTAL WILDLIFE, AND INSTILL EMPATHY TOWARD MISUNDERSTOOD SPECIES. WITH OUR NEWLY REMODELED CHANGING EXHIBITION SPACE, THE AQUARIUM IS AGAIN OFFERING ROTATING EXHIBITIONS.

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 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.