Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences
Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences shows strong financial growth and zero reported officer compensation.
EIN: 16006001 · East Boothbay, ME · NTEE: U210 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences
Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences (EIN: 16006001) is a nonprofit organization based in East Boothbay, ME, classified under NTEE code U210. The organization reported total revenue of $44.3M and total assets of $113.7M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences with a Mission Score of 95 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 7%
- programs: 90%
- fundraising: 3%
According to IRS 990 filings, Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 7%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 3%. With 90% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no portion of its expenses is allocated to executive salaries, which is highly unusual and suggests either pro-bono leadership or compensation is categorized differently, warranting further investigation for full transparency.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences's IRS 990 filings:
- Unusually low reported officer compensation (0%) across all filings, which may indicate compensation is reported under other categories or is genuinely pro-bono, requiring deeper scrutiny for full understanding of executive remuneration.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences:
- Strong financial growth with revenue increasing from $11.6M in 2015 to $44.2M currently.
- Consistent asset growth, more than doubling from $40.5M in 2015 to $113.6M.
- Expenses consistently lower than revenue, indicating sound financial management and sustainability.
- Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, suggesting a high dedication of funds to mission-related activities.
- Healthy financial reserves with assets significantly exceeding liabilities (e.g., $104.5M assets vs. $21.5M liabilities in 2024).
Frequently Asked Questions about Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences
Is Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences (EIN: 16006001) some concerns. Mission Score: 95/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
How does Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences spend its money?
Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences tax-deductible?
Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 16006001). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences a good charity?
Based on its financial data, Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences appears to be a very good charity. It demonstrates strong financial health, consistent revenue growth, and a remarkable commitment to its mission by reporting 0% officer compensation across all filings, suggesting efficient use of funds for its programs.
How has Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences's revenue grown over time?
Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences has experienced substantial revenue growth, increasing from $11.6 million in 2015 to $44.2 million in the latest reported period, with a notable jump from $20.3 million in 2022 to $41.4 million in 2023.
What is the trend in Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences's assets?
The organization's assets have shown consistent and significant growth, more than doubling from $40.5 million in 2015 to $113.6 million in the latest period, indicating strong financial management and investment.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences showing financial trends over 14 years of public records:
Over 14 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2024), Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences's revenue has grown by 139.3%, moving from $12.8M to $30.5M. Total assets increased by 406.8% over the same period, from $20.6M to $104.5M. Total functional expenses rose by 132.9%, from $8.4M to $19.5M. In its most recent filing year (2024), Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences reported a surplus of $11.0M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $21.5M in liabilities against $104.5M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 20.6%), resulting in net assets of $83.0M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $30.5M | $19.5M | $104.5M | $21.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2023 | $41.5M | $18.6M | $87.5M | $19.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $20.4M | $16.9M | $62.8M | $19.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $19.0M | $14.4M | $61.1M | $20.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $13.8M | $13.9M | $53.8M | $21.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $12.9M | $12.8M | $51.2M | $16.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $11.5M | $12.8M | $50.0M | $14.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $14.4M | $12.7M | $52.6M | $16.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $17.6M | $12.0M | $46.7M | $15.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $11.6M | $11.9M | $40.5M | $14.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $11.1M | $11.7M | $41.2M | $14.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $13.5M | $10.8M | $41.5M | $14.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $18.5M | $8.3M | $40.4M | $16.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $12.8M | $8.4M | $20.6M | $6.6M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2024: Revenue of $30.5M, expenses of $19.5M, and assets of $104.5M (revenue -26.4% year-over-year).
- 2023: Revenue of $41.5M, expenses of $18.6M, and assets of $87.5M (revenue +103.5% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $20.4M, expenses of $16.9M, and assets of $62.8M (revenue +7.3% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $19.0M, expenses of $14.4M, and assets of $61.1M (revenue +37.9% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $13.8M, expenses of $13.9M, and assets of $53.8M (revenue +7.0% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $12.9M, expenses of $12.8M, and assets of $51.2M (revenue +11.8% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $11.5M, expenses of $12.8M, and assets of $50.0M (revenue -20.2% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $14.4M, expenses of $12.7M, and assets of $52.6M (revenue -17.8% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $17.6M, expenses of $12.0M, and assets of $46.7M (revenue +51.4% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $11.6M, expenses of $11.9M, and assets of $40.5M (revenue +4.5% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $11.1M, expenses of $11.7M, and assets of $41.2M (revenue -17.6% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $13.5M, expenses of $10.8M, and assets of $41.5M (revenue -27.2% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $18.5M, expenses of $8.3M, and assets of $40.4M (revenue +45.2% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $12.8M, expenses of $8.4M, and assets of $20.6M.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.