Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc
Niagara Aquarium Foundation shows strong asset growth but recent filing indicates expenses exceeded revenue.
EIN: 161448764 · Niagara Falls, NY · NTEE: D500 · Updated: 2026-03-28
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Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc is mapped to EIN 161448764.
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13 stored filing years available.
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80% program spend, health grade B
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| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $8.4M |
| Total Expenses | $4.8M |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $17.55 |
| Net Assets | $11.0M |
| Transparency Score | 75/100 |
Search Intent Cockpit
Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc Form 990, Revenue, CEO Pay, and IRS Filing Signals
Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc is surfaced here as a decision-ready nonprofit financial profile, not just a charity listing. The page consolidates IRS Form 990 revenue, expenses, assets, tax-exempt classification, executive compensation, mission score, red flags, and year-by-year filing history so donors, researchers, journalists, and grant teams can answer the common search questions around Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc in one place.
Form 990 Filing Summary
13 filing years are available, with latest revenue of $3.9M and expenses of $4.8M.
Revenue and Expenses
Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc reported $3.9M in revenue and $4.8M in expenses, a deficit of $892K.
Executive Compensation
Top officer compensation appears as $17.55 in the stored analysis, with context against revenue and expenses below.
Charity Score and Red Flags
75/100 mission score, 2 red flags, and 3 strengths are shown from structured and AI review.
Is Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
IRS 990 Data Cockpit
Where the Money Comes From and Where It Goes
Revenue Source Mix
Revenue-source line items are not available on the stored filing yet. Future ingestion now preserves contribution, program-revenue, and investment-income fields when ProPublica provides them.
Expense Deployment
| Program services | $3.8M (80%) |
Across stored filings, Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc shows contribution history pending. Next enrichment targets: revenue-source fields, IRS BMF classification.
Decision Cockpit
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| Decision Lens | Signal | What to Inspect Next |
|---|---|---|
| Legitimacy | Some Concerns | Good filing record; 2 red flags identified |
| Mission spend | 80% to programs | Excellent |
| Financial durability | Grade B | 13 stored filing years |
| Peer context | Compare with Healthy Capital District Initiative | New York and Category D context |
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Niagara Falls, NY nonprofitsCategory D in New York
Unclassified in New York
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Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc
Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc (EIN: 161448764) is a nonprofit organization based in Niagara Falls, NY, classified under NTEE code D500. The organization reported total revenue of $8.4M and total assets of $17.5M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 32 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 7.6%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $3.9M |
| Total Expenses | $4.8M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-892,298 |
| Total Assets | $12.2M |
| Total Liabilities | $1.2M |
| Net Assets | $11.0M |
| Operating Margin | -23.0% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 9.8% |
| Months of Reserves | 30.8 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc reported a deficit of $892K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 30.8 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 9.8% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -40.0% | +7.9% | -4.9% |
| 2022 | +7.5% | +28.6% | +14.3% |
| 2021 | +120.4% | +13.7% | +19.0% |
| 2020 | -29.7% | -7.9% | +12.0% |
| 2019 | -17.2% | +17.3% | -3.5% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1994 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc with a Mission Score of 75 out of 100 (Good). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 15%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 5%. With 80% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $892K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 9.8%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no compensation was paid to officers, directors, trustees, or key employees, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size with current assets of $17.55 million.
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 Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Expenses exceeded revenue by nearly $900,000 in the most recent 202309 filing period, indicating a potential operating deficit.
- Consistent 0% officer compensation reported across all filings for an organization of this size and asset base is highly unusual and warrants further scrutiny to understand how leadership is compensated or if this reflects a specific operational model.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc:
- Significant asset growth from $3.56 million in 2014 to $17.55 million currently, demonstrating strong financial accumulation.
- Consistent revenue growth over the long term, with latest revenue at $8.43 million, indicating increasing public support or operational success.
- Low reported liabilities relative to assets, with liabilities at $1,199,683 against assets of $12,245,295 in 202309, suggesting good financial management and solvency.
Frequently Asked Questions about Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc
Is Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc (EIN: 161448764) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in New York. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 75/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $8.4M. 2 red flags identified. 3 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.
How does Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc spend its money?
Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc tax-deductible?
Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 161448764). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc CEO make?
Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc's highest-compensated officer earns $17.55 annually. The organization reported $8.4M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc's spending goes to programs?
Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc directs 80% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 75/100 (Good), Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc is above average for NTEE category D500 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc located?
Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc is headquartered in Niagara Falls, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 161448764. It is classified under NTEE code D500.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc have?
Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends. The most recent filing shows $8.4M in total revenue.
Is Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc. financially stable?
Yes, the organization appears financially stable with significant asset growth from $3.56 million in 2014 to $17.55 million currently. However, the most recent filing (202309) shows expenses ($4,767,280) exceeding revenue ($3,874,982), which is a point to monitor.
How does the organization manage executive compensation?
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, suggesting that no compensation is paid to its officers, directors, trustees, or key employees.
What caused the recent dip in revenue and increase in expenses in the 202309 period?
The provided data does not specify the reasons for the revenue dip to $3,874,982 and expenses rising to $4,767,280 in the 202309 period. Further investigation into the detailed 990 form would be needed to understand these changes.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc's revenue has grown by 140.9%, moving from $1.6M to $3.9M. Total assets increased by 395.9% over the same period, from $2.5M to $12.2M. Total functional expenses rose by 261%, from $1.3M to $4.8M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc reported a deficit of $892K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1.2M in liabilities against $12.2M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 9.8%), resulting in net assets of $11.0M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $3.9M | $4.8M | $12.2M | $1.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $6.5M | $4.4M | $12.9M | $1.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $6.0M | $3.4M | $11.3M | $1.3M | — | — |
| 2020 | $2.7M | $3.0M | $9.5M | $2.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $3.9M | $3.3M | $8.5M | $729K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $4.7M | $2.8M | $8.8M | $1.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $3.6M | $2.4M | $6.4M | $1.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $2.5M | $2.2M | $4.2M | $198K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $2.1M | $1.7M | $4.0M | $320K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $1.9M | $1.7M | $3.6M | $269K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $1.9M | $1.6M | $3.5M | $429K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $1.9M | $1.4M | $3.2M | $436K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $1.6M | $1.3M | $2.5M | $146K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $3.9M, expenses of $4.8M, and assets of $12.2M (revenue -40.0% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $6.5M, expenses of $4.4M, and assets of $12.9M (revenue +7.5% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $6.0M, expenses of $3.4M, and assets of $11.3M (revenue +120.4% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $2.7M, expenses of $3.0M, and assets of $9.5M (revenue -29.7% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $3.9M, expenses of $3.3M, and assets of $8.5M (revenue -17.2% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $4.7M, expenses of $2.8M, and assets of $8.8M (revenue +30.2% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $3.6M, expenses of $2.4M, and assets of $6.4M (revenue +46.0% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $2.5M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $4.2M (revenue +17.4% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $2.1M, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $4.0M (revenue +12.6% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $3.6M (revenue -0.4% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $1.6M, and assets of $3.5M (revenue -0.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $3.2M (revenue +16.6% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $2.5M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc 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.