Tennessee Aquarium
- Assets
- $81.8m
- Revenue
- $36.7m
- Investments
- $0.0
- Employees
- 281
- Location
- Chattanooga, TN
- Founding
- 06/1989
- Data as of
- 12/2021
- EIN
- 58-1837154
Organization Overview
Tennessee Aquarium is located in Chattanooga, TN. The organization was established in 1989. According to its NTEE Classification (D50) the organization is classified as: Zoos & Aquariums, under the broad grouping of Animal-Related and related organizations. As of 12/2021, Tennessee Aquarium employed 281 individuals. This organization is an independent organization and not affiliated with a larger national or regional group of organizations. Tennessee Aquarium is a 501(c)(3) and as such, is described as a "Charitable or Religous organization or a private foundation" by the IRS.
For the year ending 12/2021, Tennessee Aquarium generated $36.7m in total revenue. This represents relatively stable growth, over the past 7 years the organization has increased revenue by an average of 7.8% each year. All expenses for the organization totaled $22.3m during the year ending 12/2021. While expenses have increased by 0.8% per year over the past 7 years. They've been increasing with an increasing level of total revenue. You can explore the organizations financials more deeply in the financial statements section below.
Form
990
Mission & Program ActivityExcerpts From the 990 Filing
TAX YEAR
2021
Describe the Organization's Mission:
Part 3 - Line 1
THE MISSION OF THE TENNESSEE AQUARIUM IS TO CONNECT PEOPLE WITH NATURE AND EMPOWER THEM TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT WATER AND WILDLIFE.
Describe the Organization's Program Activity:
Part 3 - Line 4a
THE TENNESSEE AQUARIUM IS A HIGHLY VISITED ATTRACTION AND IS CONSISTENTLYRATED NUMBER ONE IN GUEST SATISFACTION. AFTER TWENTY NINE YEARS, THE AQUARIUM CONTINUES TO BE A MAJOR CATALYST FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PROVIDING STRONG FISCAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS ON THE REGION.IN 2021, THE TENNESSEE AQUARIUM WELCOMED MORE THAN 668,000 VISITORS TO THE RIVER JOURNEY AND OCEAN JOURNEY BUILDINGS.THROUGH VIBRANT AND UNIQUE EXHIBITS, THE AQUARIUM IMMERSES VISITORS IN THE FASCINATING STORIES OF LIFE ABOVE, AROUND, AND BELOW THE WATER.THESE EXHIBITS HOUSE12,000 ANIMALS REPRESENTING ALMOST 800 SPECIES, MANY OF WHOM ARE PART OF SPECIES SURVIVAL PLANS COORDINATED BY ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.THE TENNESSEE AQUARIUM ALSO INCLUDES AN IMAX 3D THEATER, SHOWING EDUCATIONAL AND INSPIRING FILMS DAILY.THE AQUARIUM HAS BEEN CONTINUOUSLY ACCREDITED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS FOR TWENTY-SEVEN YEARS, AFFIRMING A GOAL TO ACHIEVE THE HIGHEST STANDARD OF WELLBEING FOR THE ANIMALS IN OUR CARE. THIS ACCREDITATION REFLECTS OUR COMMITMENT TO THE BEST PRACTICES OF OUR INDUSTRY.
THE RIVERS OF THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES HARBOR SOME OF THE HIGHEST FRESHWATER DIVERSITY ON THE PLANET.BASED IN A LEED GOLD CERTIFIED FRESHWATER SCIENCE CENTER ON THE BANKS OF THE TENNESSEE RIVER, 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 MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO TAKE CONSERVATION ACTION. RESEARCH TO IDENTIFY WHICH SOUTHEASTERN WATERS HAVE THE GREATEST BIODIVERSITYIS VITAL FOR CONSERVATIONPLANNING IN THE SOUTHEAST, BECAUSE IT CAN BE USED TO IDENTIFY HOTSPOTS OF DIVERSITYTHAT NEED PROTECTION.ONE SIGNATURE PROGRAM IS THE PROPAGATION AND REINTRODUCTION OF LAKE STURGEON. THE AQUARIUM AND ITS PARTNERS HAVE RELEASED MORE THAN 300,000 LAKE STURGEON TO THE TENNESSEE RIVER.
THE TENNESSEE AQUARIUM IS A LEADER IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSERVATION EDUCATION AND HAS RECEIVED OVERWHELMING ACCLAIM FOR ITS EDUCATION PROGRAMS. FREQUENTLY HONORED FOR ITS EDUCATION, CONSERVATION, AND RESEARCH WORK, THE AQUARIUM HAS ALSO RECEIVED AWARDS FOR ITS CUSTOMER SERVICE AND VISITOR EXPERIENCE CONSERVATION EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR FROM THE TENNESSEE WILDLIFE FEDERATION, OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AWARD, AND THE NORTH AMERICAN CONSERVATION AWARD. TENNESSEE AQUARIUM EDUCATORS HAVE CONNECTED MORE THAN 2.5 MILLION STUDENTS WITH THE NATURAL WORLD THROUGH THE DYNAMIC LIVING COLLECTION. SCHOOL GROUPS CAN SELECT FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT 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 I SCHOOLS.
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Board, Officers & Key Employees
| Name (title) | Role | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
Walter K Sanford President | Officer | 40 | $362,153 |
Jackson Andrews V.P. Chief Operating Officer | Officer | 40 | $229,551 |
Gordon Stalans V.P. Chief Financial Officer | Officer | 40 | $221,802 |
Anna George V.P. Of Conservation | 40 | $163,000 | |
Julie Piper V.P. Chief Human Resource | 40 | $156,850 | |
Thom Benson V.P. Chief Communications | 40 | $141,810 |
Outside Vendors & Contractors
| Vendor Name (Service) | Service Year | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
Ukg Payroll | 12/30/21 | $128,233 |
Impacts Research Marketing Research | 12/30/21 | $552,500 |
Counts Company Contruction Services | 12/30/21 | $250,018 |
Effectv Advertising | 12/30/21 | $126,660 |
Loomis Armored Car Service Armored Car Service | 12/30/21 | $102,620 |
Financial Statements
| Statement of Revenue | |
|---|---|
| Federated campaigns | $0 |
| Membership dues | $1,896,484 |
| Fundraising events | $0 |
| Related organizations | $0 |
| Government grants | $10,299,039 |
| All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above | $1,544,291 |
| Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f | $0 |
| Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar | $13,739,814 |
| Total Program Service Revenue | $21,428,038 |
| Investment income | $524,401 |
| Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds | $0 |
| Royalties | $0 |
| Net Rental Income | $52,640 |
| Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales | $140,119 |
| Net Income from Fundraising Events | $21,061 |
| Net Income from Gaming Activities | $0 |
| Net Income from Sales of Inventory | $45,944 |
| Miscellaneous Revenue | $0 |
| Total Revenue | $36,742,855 |
| Statement of Expenses | |
|---|---|
| Grants and other assistance to domestic organizations and domestic governments. | $0 |
| Grants and other assistance to domestic individuals. | $0 |
| Grants and other assistance to Foreign Orgs/Individuals | $0 |
| Benefits paid to or for members | $0 |
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $894,352 |
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $178,870 |
| Compensation to disqualified persons | $7,403,257 |
| Other salaries and wages | $0 |
| Pension plan accruals and contributions | $289,547 |
| Other employee benefits | $773,537 |
| Payroll taxes | $568,560 |
| Fees for services: Management | $0 |
| Fees for services: Legal | $8,279 |
| Fees for services: Accounting | $25,400 |
| Fees for services: Lobbying | $0 |
| Fees for services: Fundraising | $0 |
| Fees for services: Investment Management | $79,404 |
| Fees for services: Other | $1,659,732 |
| Advertising and promotion | $1,166,862 |
| Office expenses | $70,065 |
| Information technology | $892,852 |
| Royalties | $251,266 |
| Occupancy | $1,939,140 |
| Travel | $53,749 |
| Payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any federal, state, or local public officials | $0 |
| Conferences, conventions, and meetings | $7,761 |
| Interest | $389,005 |
| Payments to affiliates | $0 |
| Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | $3,983,159 |
| Insurance | $299,084 |
| All other expenses | $138,677 |
| Total functional expenses | $22,253,312 |
| Balance Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Cash—non-interest-bearing | $14,843,628 |
| Savings and temporary cash investments | $49,213 |
| Pledges and grants receivable | $278,861 |
| Accounts receivable, net | $562,170 |
| Loans from Officers, Directors, or Controlling Persons | $0 |
| Loans from Disqualified Persons | $0 |
| Notes and loans receivable | $0 |
| Inventories for sale or use | $0 |
| Prepaid expenses and deferred charges | $712,314 |
| Net Land, buildings, and equipment | $46,621,343 |
| Investments—publicly traded securities | $18,686,220 |
| Investments—other securities | $0 |
| Investments—program-related | $0 |
| Intangible assets | $0 |
| Other assets | $67,777 |
| Total assets | $81,821,526 |
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $2,269,862 |
| Grants payable | $0 |
| Deferred revenue | $1,419,855 |
| Tax-exempt bond liabilities | $14,481,959 |
| Escrow or custodial account liability | $0 |
| Loans and other payables to any current Officer, Director, or Controlling Person | $0 |
| Secured mortgages and notes payable | $553,542 |
| Unsecured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
| Other liabilities | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $18,725,218 |
| Net assets without donor restrictions | $62,188,629 |
| Net assets with donor restrictions | $907,679 |
| Capital stock or trust principal, or current funds | $0 |
| Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building, or equipment fund | $0 |
| Retained earnings, endowment, accumulated income, or other funds | $0 |
| Total liabilities and net assets/fund balances | $81,821,526 |
Grants Recieved
Over the last fiscal year, we have identified 8 grants that Tennessee Aquarium has recieved totaling $178,669.
| Awarding Organization | Amount |
|---|---|
Community Foundation Of Greater Chattanooga Inc Chattanooga, TN PURPOSE: ANNUAL FUND FOR 2021 | $100,000 |
Howard Fund Chattanooga, TN PURPOSE: CHARITY | $25,000 |
Community Foundation Of Greater Chattanooga Inc Chattanooga, TN PURPOSE: SPONSORSHIP | $25,000 |
Harold M Moore Foundation Las Vegas, NV PURPOSE: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $10,000 |
Community Foundation Of Greater Chattanooga Inc Chattanooga, TN PURPOSE: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $10,000 |
Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation Chattanooga, TN PURPOSE: IN FURTHERANCE OF FOUNDATION'S PURPOSES | $8,000 |
Endowment Analysis
| Beg. Balance | $7,177,157 |
| Earnings | $1,267,967 |
| Other Expense | $262,380 |
| Ending Balance | $8,182,744 |
Peer Organizations
| Organization Name | Assets | Revenue |
|---|---|---|
Atlanta-Fulton County Zoo Inc Atlanta, GA | $96,858,254 | $33,379,671 |
Tennessee Aquarium Chattanooga, TN | $81,821,526 | $36,742,855 |
Nashville Zoo Inc Nashville, TN | $146,729,311 | $49,123,264 |
Memphis Zoo Inc Memphis, TN | $24,426,564 | $30,595,346 |
Knoxville Zoological Gardens Inc Knoxville, TN | $67,432,773 | $17,092,584 |
Birmingham Zoo Inc Birmingham, AL | $47,894,948 | $17,281,079 |
Mississippi Aquarium Gulfport, MS | $10,437,922 | $16,647,213 |
North Carolina Zoological Society Inc Asheboro, NC | $47,767,222 | $18,648,155 |
Zoo Foundation Inc Gulf Shores, AL | $30,326,200 | $4,932,171 |
Virginia Zoological Society Norfolk, VA | $10,092,647 | $5,638,748 |
Friends Of The Zoo Of Springfield Missouri Inc Springfield, MO | $1,740,503 | $2,405,857 |
Blue Ridge Zoological Society Of Virginia Inc Roanoke, VA | $1,771,766 | $1,385,962 |