Tennessee Aquarium

EIN: 581837154 501(c)(3) Animal-Related

Chattanooga, TN

Total Revenue
$34,216,548
Total Expenses
$30,741,934
Total Assets
$92,462,278
Net Assets
$73,488,491
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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
1989
Legal Domicile
TN
Principal Officer
Gordon A Stalans
Phone
4237852054
Tax Period
2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31

Tennessee Aquarium, founded in 1989, is a mid-sized nonprofit in the Animal-Related sector that reported $34.2M in total revenue in fiscal year 2024. Revenue grew 9% year-over-year, indicating healthy expansion. Expenses of $30.7M left a modest 10% surplus.

Mission

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

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $20,042,399

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...

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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.

Program 2
Expenses: $787,882

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...

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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

Program 3
Expenses: $965,367

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...

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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.

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Trantor Score

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

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Financial Overview (2024)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $5,884,000
Program Service Revenue $25,125,061
Investment Income $1,724,338
Other Revenue $1,483,149
TOTAL REVENUE $34,216,548

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $0
Salaries & Benefits $14,765,305
Fundraising Expenses $816,230
Program Expenses $21,795,648
Other Expenses $15,976,629
TOTAL EXPENSES $30,741,934

Year-over-Year Comparison

2024 2023 Change
Revenue $34,216,548 $31,491,311 +0.1%
Expenses $30,741,934 $28,353,776 +0.1%
Net Income $3,474,614 $3,137,535 +0.1%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Governance

Voting Members
12
Independent Members
12
Employees
366
Volunteers
326

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
6
$659,134
Total Directors
12
$0
Key Employees
4
$780,107
Highest Compensated
5
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
Walter K Sanford President, CEO 040.00
Officer
$314,233 $43,473 $357,706
Gordon Stalans Vice President, CFO 040.00
Officer
$262,847 $38,581 $301,428
Anna George Vice President 040.00
Key Emp
$172,220 $33,268 $205,488
Julie Piper Vice President 040.00
Key Emp
$183,461 $16,491 $199,952
Thom Benson Vice President 040.00
Key Emp
$160,698 $29,670 $190,368
Melanie King Vice President 040.00
Key Emp
$166,928 $17,371 $184,299
Thom Demas Vice President 040.00
Highest
$148,115 $21,243 $169,358
Micheal Floyd Vice President 040.00
Highest
$141,757 $25,564 $167,321
Pete Burman Director 040.00
Highest
$142,412 $20,780 $163,192
Rodney Fuller Director 040.00
Highest
$131,211 $26,097 $157,308
Meredith Roberts Director 040.00
Highest
$111,054 $24,473 $135,527
Val Armstrong Trustee, Chair 008.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Scott Pierce Trustee, Vice Chair 004.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Catherine Colby Trustee, Secretary 004.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Patrick Stowe Trustee, Treasurer 004.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Cameron Doody Trustee 002.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Wade Hinton Trustee 002.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Candy Johnson Trustee 002.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Daphne Kirksey Trustee 002.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Harrison Lewis Trustee 002.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Stacy Lightfoot Trustee 002.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Matthew Rasmussen Trustee 002.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Shalin Tejani Trustee 002.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
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
2024 $34,216,548 $30,741,934 $92,462,278 $3,474,614
2023 $31,491,311 $28,353,776 $85,474,519 $3,137,535
2022 $28,377,535 $25,640,537 $81,816,889 $2,736,998
2021 $36,742,855 $22,253,312 $81,821,526 $14,489,543
2020 $19,809,653 $23,067,241 $68,000,113 $-3,257,588
2019 $25,849,468 $26,531,376 $71,643,929 $-681,908
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