NIAGARA AQUARIUM FOUNDATION

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Financial Vulnerability Assessment (Tuckman-Chang)

4 risk indicators measuring financial stability and operational resilience

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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year

1994

Legal Domicile

Principal Officer

LUKAS WOEPPEL

Phone

7162853575

Tax Period

2024-10-01 to 2025-09-30

NIAGARA AQUARIUM FOUNDATION, founded in 1994, is a community nonprofit in the Animal-Related sector that reported $4.9M in total revenue in fiscal year 2024. Revenue fell 36% from the prior year — a significant decline worth monitoring. Expenses of $5.8M exceeded revenue, resulting in a 18% operating deficit.

Mission

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

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1

Expenses: $3,894,395 Revenue: $3,295,540

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...

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.

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Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

Financial Overview (2024)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $1,023,130

Program Service Revenue $3,127,489

Investment Income $237,734

Other Revenue $502,102

TOTAL REVENUE $4,890,455

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $0

Salaries & Benefits $2,892,130

Fundraising Expenses $211,571

Program Expenses $3,894,395

Other Expenses $2,895,869

TOTAL EXPENSES $5,787,999

Year-over-Year Comparison

	2024	2023	Change
Revenue	$4,890,455	$7,609,996	-0.4%
Expenses	$5,787,999	$5,118,189	+0.1%
Net Income	$-897,544	$2,491,807	-1.4%

Key Indicators

✗ Grants to Organizations ✗ Grants to Individuals ✗ Lobbying ✗ Political Activity ✗ Foreign Activities ✗ Donor Advised Fund ✓ Schedule B Required

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Financial Health Indicators

Comprehensive financial analysis: Altman Z-Score, liquidity, solvency, sustainability, efficiency, and growth metrics

Financial Distress Indicator

Liquidity & Cash Position

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Altman Z-Score • Liquidity Ratios • Solvency Analysis • Growth Indicators • Efficiency Metrics

Governance

Voting Members

Independent Members

Employees

Volunteers

Governance Policies

✓ Conflict of Interest Policy

✓ Whistleblower Policy

✗ Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

✗ Operated a School

✗ Operated a Hospital

✗ Provided First Class Travel

✗ Reported Conflict of Interest

✗ Reported Asset Diversion

✗ Excess Benefit Transaction

✗ Made Political Expenditures

✗ Engaged in Lobbying

✗ Operated Donor Advised Fund

✓ Maintained Art Collections

✗ Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers

$225,885

Total Directors

Key Employees

Highest Compensated

reported

Name	Title	Hours/Week	Role	Reportable Comp	Other Comp	Total
THOMAS HUEBSCH	CHAIR	3.00	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0
KELLY REITNOUR	VICE CHAIR	1.00	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0
SCOTT ERNST	SECOND VICE CHAIR	1.00	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0
LUKE WOEPPEL	TREASURER	3.00	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0
KIMBERLEE DUNLOP	SECRETARY	1.00	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0
LAURA CIANFLONE	TRUSTEE	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
ANDREA GRAY	TRUSTEE	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
ERIC HEPKINS	TRUSTEE	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
LAURA JACOBS	TRUSTEE	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
CARLY OWCZARCZAK	TRUSTEE	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
SEAN RAHILL	TRUSTEE	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
CHAD FIFER	PRESIDENT/CEO	40.00	Officer	$85,788	$19,193	$104,981
TRACIE SCHAFER	CHIEF FINANCIAL & ADMIN OFFICER	40.00	Officer	$108,344	$12,560	$120,904

Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Net Income
2025	$4,890,455	$5,787,999	$16,158,114	$-897,544
2024	$7,609,996	$5,118,189	$17,549,629	$2,491,807
2023	$3,874,982	$4,767,280	$12,245,295	$-892,298
2022	$6,462,860	$4,418,476	$12,879,700	$2,044,384
2021	$6,014,465	$3,435,826	$11,266,843	$2,578,639
2020	$2,728,644	$3,021,400	$9,467,241	$-292,756
2019	$3,880,633	$3,281,904	$8,454,171	$598,729
2018	$4,686,164	$2,798,983	$8,756,570	$1,887,181