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

$8.4MRevenue

$17.5MAssets

75/100Mission Score (Good)

D500

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.

AI Transparency Report

The Niagara Aquarium Foundation Inc. demonstrates a generally stable financial trajectory, with assets growing significantly from $3.56 million in 2014 to $17.55 million currently. Revenue has also seen substantial growth, peaking at $8.43 million in the latest period, though the most recent filed period (202309) shows a temporary dip in revenue to $3.87 million and expenses exceeding revenue by nearly $900,000. This recent deficit warrants closer examination to understand if it's an anomaly or a new trend.

The organization appears to prioritize its mission, as indicated by the consistent 0% officer compensation reported across all available filings, suggesting that executive salaries are not a significant drain on resources. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is challenging. The substantial growth in assets over the decade, alongside fluctuating but generally increasing revenues, suggests a capacity for long-term sustainability, provided the recent expense-to-revenue imbalance is addressed.

Transparency is good regarding executive compensation, with no reported officer compensation. However, the lack of detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data limits a full assessment of spending efficiency across program, administrative, and fundraising categories. Further detail on these allocations would enhance understanding of how effectively funds are being utilized to achieve their mission.

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.

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. 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.	PDF
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.

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.