CARY INSTITUTE OF ECOSYSTEM STUDIE… - Form 990 Financial Data

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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

1993

Legal Domicile

Principal Officer

DR JOSHUA R GINSBERG

Phone

8456775343

Tax Period

2024-07-01 to 2025-06-30

CARY INSTITUTE OF ECOSYSTEM STUDIES INC, founded in 1993, is a mid-sized nonprofit in the Environment sector that reported $31.0M in total revenue in fiscal year 2024. Revenue surged 226% from the prior year, signaling strong growth momentum. The organization ran a surplus of $12.8M, a strong 41% operating margin.

Mission

THE CARY INSTITUTE OF ECOSYSTEM STUDIES GENERATES RIGOROUS SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS AND THEIR IMPORTANCE TO HUMAN WELL-BEING.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1

Expenses: $10,602,994 Revenue: $0

RESEARCH - UNBIASED ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH TO ADVANCE UNDERSTANDING OF ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS AND CLIMATE CHANGE. WE PROVIDE SOLUTIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS. OUR STAFF ARE GLOBAL EXPERTS IN THE...

RESEARCH - UNBIASED ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH TO ADVANCE UNDERSTANDING OF ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS AND CLIMATE CHANGE. WE PROVIDE SOLUTIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS. OUR STAFF ARE GLOBAL EXPERTS IN THE ECOLOGY OF CITIES, DISEASE, FORESTS AND FRESHWATER.

Program 2

Expenses: $1,417,146 Revenue: $168,195

ALL OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDING GROUNDS, AUXILIARY AND LIBRARY - MAINTENANCE OF THE 2000 ACRE CAMPUS USED FOR RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND OUTREACH, HOUSING FOR VISITING SCIENTISTS AND STAFF AND A 10,000...

ALL OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDING GROUNDS, AUXILIARY AND LIBRARY - MAINTENANCE OF THE 2000 ACRE CAMPUS USED FOR RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND OUTREACH, HOUSING FOR VISITING SCIENTISTS AND STAFF AND A 10,000 VOLUME LIBRARY THAT INCLUDES WEB OF SCIENCE AND ECOLOGY REFERENCE SERVICES.

Program 3

Expenses: $1,329,751 Revenue: $66,665

EDUCATION - INNOVATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE ECOLITERACY FOR ALL AGES. WE SERVE K-12 STUDENTS AND TEACHERS THROUGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS, SUMMER CAMP, DATA JAMS, TEACHER WORKSHOPS AND CURRICULUM...

EDUCATION - INNOVATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE ECOLITERACY FOR ALL AGES. WE SERVE K-12 STUDENTS AND TEACHERS THROUGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS, SUMMER CAMP, DATA JAMS, TEACHER WORKSHOPS AND CURRICULUM. WE PROVIDE RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS. WE OFFER RESEARCH EXPERIENCE, COURSES AND MENTORING FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS.

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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 $9,856,437

Program Service Revenue $234,860

Investment Income $20,799,768

Other Revenue $90,779

TOTAL REVENUE $30,981,844

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $118,347

Salaries & Benefits $9,798,363

Fundraising Expenses $683,151

Program Expenses $13,756,986

Other Expenses $8,304,197

TOTAL EXPENSES $18,220,907

Year-over-Year Comparison

	2024	2023	Change
Revenue	$30,981,844	$9,510,039	+2.3%
Expenses	$18,220,907	$16,133,528	+0.1%
Net Income	$12,760,937	$-6,623,489	-2.9%

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

121

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

$742,468

Total Directors

Key Employees

Highest Compensated

reported

Name	Title	Hours/Week	Role	Reportable Comp	Other Comp	Total
SCOTT J ULM	CHAIR	1.00	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0
ELIZABETH M HEWITT	VICE CHAIR	1.00	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0
SOOHYUNG KIM	CO-VICE CHAIR	1.00	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0
ROBBIANNE MACKIN MFR	SECRETARY	1.00	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0
KIM M WIELAND	TREASURER	1.00	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0
FRANCES BEINECKE	BOARD OF TRUSTEES	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
EMILY BERNHARDT PHD	BOARD OF TRUSTEES (UNTIL 11/24)	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
FARRAN TOZER BROWN	BOARD OF TRUSTEES	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
INDY BURKE PHD	BOARD OF TRUSTEES	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
HUGO CASSIRER	BOARD OF TRUSTEES	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
J BARCLAY COLLINS	BOARD OF TRUSTEES	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
JOHN M DRAKE PHD	BOARD OF TRUSTEES	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
ERIC S EWING	BOARD OF TRUSTEES	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
ELIZABETH R HILPMAN	BOARD OF TRUSTEES (UNTIL 11/24)	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
ERICH D JARVIS PHD	BOARD OF TRUSTEES	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
EVERETTE JOSEPH PHD	BOARD OF TRUSTEES	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
RUBEN KRAIEM	BOARD OF TRUSTEES	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
CHRISTOPHER J MCKENZIE	BOARD OF TRUSTEES	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
SIMON ROOSEVELT	BOARD OF TRUSTEES	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
MURIEL POSTON	BOARD OF TRUSTEES	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
BETH COMSTOCK	BOARD OF TRUSTEES	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
LAWRENCE KELLY	BOARD OF TRUSTEES	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
ALLAN SHOPE	BOARD OF TRUSTEES	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
NICHOLA TUCKER GRAY	BOARD OF TRUSTEES	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
LINDA GREER	BOARD OF TRUSTEES	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
JED HART	BOARD OF TRUSTEES	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
JOSHUA R GINSBERG	PRESIDENT	35.00	Officer	$401,805	$73,183	$474,988
HOLLY A TALBOT	SR. DIRECTOR OF ADMIN/COMPTROLLER	35.00	Officer	$216,130	$51,350	$267,480
STEWARD TA PICKETT	DISTINGUISHED SENIOR SCIENTIST	35.00	Highest	$210,372	$43,824	$254,196
RICHARD S OSTFELD	DISTINGUISHED SENIOR SCIENTIST	35.00	Highest	$200,162	$58,423	$258,585
KATHLEEN C WEATHERS	SENIOR SCIENTIST	35.00	Highest	$185,092	$42,419	$227,511
ALAN BERKOWITZ	HEAD OF EDUCATION	35.00	Highest	$159,344	$39,681	$199,025
CHRIS SOLOMON	SENIOR SCIENTIST	35.00	Highest	$154,468	$59,466	$213,934

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	$30,981,844	$18,220,907	$155,867,052	$12,760,937
2024	$9,510,039	$16,133,528	$148,335,462	$-6,623,489
2023	$7,403,819	$14,320,234	$141,751,267	$-6,916,415
2022	$10,369,057	$13,189,706	$143,232,353	$-2,820,649
2021	$15,688,779	$13,976,432	$171,604,941	$1,712,347
2020	$15,738,420	$15,161,586	$140,518,327	$576,834
2019	$11,343,430	$15,046,421	$140,540,365	$-3,702,991
2018	$13,227,039	$14,191,504	$139,100,964	$-964,465

CARY INSTITUTE OF ECOSYSTEM STUDIES INC