2025-08-11T11:40:49+00:00 2024-09-30 350921680 CROWE LLP 401 East Las Olas Blvd Suite 1100 Fort Lauderdale FL 333014230 990 2023-10-01 592807815 The Florida Aquarium Inc FLOR 8132734509 701 Channelside Drive Tampa FL 33602 kim casey cfo 8132734509 2025-08-11 true Gina Ardillo P01395893 9542028600 2025-08-11 2023 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z Roger Germann 701 Channelside Drive Tampa FL 33602 48510580 false X www.flaquarium.org X 1986 FL The Florida Aquarium's shared purpose is a commitment to saving marine wildlife. Our Vision is to be Florida's leading conservation- based aquarium. 35 35 440 918 0 0 9375919 7464242 27046949 28427036 0 3179 4271259 4686468 40694127 40580925 0 0 0 0 17578931 19086837 26337 0 1211678 14316959 17326287 31922227 36413124 8771900 4167801 55741278 60585919 5768370 5797695 49972908 54788224 The Florida Aquarium's mission focuses on our Shared Purpose of a commitment to save marine wildlife, with a Vision to be Florida's leading conservation-based Aquarium. It accomplishes this mission through hosting over 1 million visitors annually at the Aquarium facility, and by presenting educational and community programs to the public, highlighting our Animal Ambassadors. Conservation projects focusing on Coral propagation and restoration, Sea Turtle rescue and rehabilitation, and Penguin conservation are also top priorities for the Aquarium. false false 13309023 26915504 Aquarium Visitation Admissions - With a keen focus on delivering world-class animal care to thousands of animals, The Florida Aquarium welcomes visitors (over 1 million guests for the first time ever in both 2023 and 2024) to experience a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial animals with the goal of building awareness and inspiring action for species and habitat conservation. For edutainment, guests will also explore complex ecosystems, engage with interactive and informational exhibits and search for wild dolphins in Tampa Bay. More than a must-see attraction, The Florida Aquarium is working to protect and restore our blue planet through conservation efforts that included ground-breaking research and rescue efforts that help restore Florida's coral and sea turtle populations. 11757578 326687 Conservation, Research and Animal Programs - The Florida Aquarium is dedicated to using a science-based, impact-driven approach to meet its Vision and Shared Purpose. With conservation being our foremost business focus we infuse our shared purpose throughout the Aquarium, from messaging, to sustainable business practices, to science, to action. We strategically focus on conservation initiatives that advance our Conservation Priorities, amplify our expertise, leverage and promote our partnerships, and maximize our ability to serve as Florida's leading conservation-based aquarium. We incorporate conservation messaging and action opportunities to connect our audiences to marine wildlife, expand their awareness of the Aquarium's conservation commitments and efforts, cultivate their understanding that they too can take impactful steps to help build a positive future, and provide opportunities to increase their conservation action engagement. The Florida Aquarium has identified four Conservation Priorities: * Safeguarding Imperiled Wildlife * Generating Healthy Habitats * Reducing Single-Use Plastic Consumption and Pollution * Advancing Sustainable Business Operations. Within these Priorities, we maintain a portfolio of Conservation Projects and Programs, such as our Coral Propagation and Restoration Program and Sea Turtle Conservation Program. 3202111 1184845 Education and Community Programs - The Florida Aquarium's learning center provides technology-rich spaces for innovative learning opportunities, including camps, field trips, and on-site programs for learners of all ages. Our outreach programs bring hands-on environmental science learning experiences into a variety of community spaces. We impact even more students through our professional development workshops for teachers and virtual class programming. In 2024, almost 70,000 participated in the Aquarium's learning programs. Over the course of the Florida Aquarium's history, almost 2 million people have benefited from its science education programs. Aqua Camps, educational day camps offered during school holidays and summer break each year, consistently sell out due to community demand and serve over 1,000 students each year. The Florida Aquarium's educators also travel up to 75 miles to provide in-person outreach programs in community spaces. Finally, our educators like to have fun with our guests too through sleepovers, birthday parties, animal encounters, and visits from Aquarium mascots, Tango and Rocky. 28268712 true true false true false false false false true true false false false true true false true false false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false true true false false false true 83 0 true 440 true false false false false false false false false false false false false X 35 35 false false false false false true false true true false false true true true true true true true true false FL GA AL KS MD MA MI MN NH NJ NM NY NC OR RI SC UT VT X X KIMBERLY CASEY 8132734509 701 CHANNELSIDE DRIVE TAMPA FL 33602 Douglas Brigman Treasurer 5.0 0.0 X X 0 0 0 John Couris Board Chair 10.0 1.0 X X 0 0 0 Kimberly Bruce Immediate Past Chair/ Audit Chair 10.0 1.0 X X 0 0 0 Lauren Fernandez Secretary/Compensation Committee Chair 5.0 0.0 X X 0 0 0 Adam Thomas Board Member 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Andrea Gonzmart Williams Animal Collections Chair 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Balaji Bellur Board Member 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Benjamin Pratt Board Member 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Carlos Aldazabal Board Member 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Charlie Miranda Board Member 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Dale Hoffman Board/Staff Engagement Liaison 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Dan Borasch Board Member 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Danny Persaud Board Member 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 David Bevirt Governance Chair 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Dennis Rogero Board Member 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Doreen Caudell Board Member 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Douglas Montgomery Board Member 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Eric Weisberg Board Member 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Felicia Harvey Community Advisory Council 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 G Robert Blanchard Board Member 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Jay Miller Capital Projects Board Liaison 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Kristin Greco Learning Committee Chair 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Lakshmi Shenoy Board Member 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Leo Cannyn Board Member 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Marcus Greene Board Member 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Michael Esposito Board Member 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Michael Owen Board Member 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Reginald Goins Board Member 3.0 1.0 X 0 0 0 Rini Fredette Board Member 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Ronnie Green Board Member 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Santiago Corrada Board Member 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Tom Mosey Conservation Committee Chair 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Tyler Hill Board Member 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Veronica Cintron Marketing & Guest Experience Chair 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Yaqub Ahmed Board Member 3.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Andy Wood COO 40.0 0.0 X 256786 0 31293 Kimberly Casey CFO 40.0 1.0 X 251894 0 17473 Roger Germann President/CEO 40.0 0.0 X 466394 0 32621 Tim Binder Sr VP of Animal Care & Health 40.0 0.0 X 211154 0 29330 Antonio Rokita Sr. VP of Community Engagement & Social Responsibility 40.0 0.0 X 181363 0 8768 Debborah Luke Sr. VP of Conservation 40.0 0.0 X 197591 0 11247 Deborah Stone Sr. VP of Engagement & Learning 40.0 0.0 X 162775 0 29009 Kelly Curington CPO 40.0 0.0 X 173389 0 10342 Toni Wofford Vice President of Philanthropy 40.0 0.0 X 142096 0 18183 2043442 0 188266 22 false true false TVS 1200 Peachtree Street NE Ste 200 Atlanta GA 30309 Architectural Services 964992 IDEAS 530 Geneva Place Orlando FL 32801 Exhibit Design Services 813246 Konica Minolta Business Solutions - All Covered Dept LA 22988 Pasadena CA 91185 IT Managed Services Provider 373870 Space Haus 4348 W Lake Street Suite 305 Chicago IL 60624 Exhibit Design Services 352824 Universal Protection Service PO Box 828854 PHiladelphia PA 19182 Security Services 314236 16 0 0 0 0 2171516 5292726 7464242 Aquarium Visitation Admissions 712130 26915504 26915504 0 0 Education and Community Programs 712130 1184846 1184846 0 0 Conservation and Animal Programs 712130 326686 326686 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 28427036 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4000 0 821 0 3179 3179 0 0 3179 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10600345 7928834 2671511 0 0 2671511 Concession Income 722514 174627 0 0 174627 Parking Lot Revenue 812930 1577017 0 0 1577017 Photo Operations Income 541921 244124 0 0 244124 19189 0 0 19189 2014957 40580925 28427036 0 4689647 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1308850 536177 772673 0 0 0 0 0 14817484 12253036 1912864 651584 71178 59095 8443 3640 1720324 1465451 170218 84655 1169001 926173 197432 45396 0 0 0 0 27712 0 27712 0 272960 0 272960 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1663953 164281 1418185 81487 2599952 976787 1408614 214551 916022 696176 155724 64122 0 0 0 0 5188294 5096886 71258 20150 106641 29999 69088 7554 0 0 0 0 468424 191789 260937 15698 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3589717 3586010 3707 0 682170 594518 80228 7424 Animals, Plants, Seawater, Food 945873 945873 0 0 Dues and Subscriptions 166005 47897 102691 15417 Security services 698564 698564 0 0 0 0 0 0 36413124 28268712 6932734 1211678 35109 38352 22954203 23691949 3396499 5909400 938137 723397 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 269496 411376 47331689 19533457 26500523 27798232 1333853 1756096 0 0 0 0 313458 257117 55741278 60585919 3355086 3729802 0 0 2101401 1811875 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 311883 256018 5768370 5797695 X 45600345 47672589 4372563 7115635 0 0 0 0 0 0 49972908 54788224 55741278 60585919 X 4167801 594759 27000 0 0 25756 X false true X true true true X 2996914 14399082 7641299 9375919 7464242 41877456 10578668 19074555 23798629 27046949 28427036 108925837 3740274 6292816 9243200 10615714 10600345 40492349 0 0 17315856 39766453 40683128 47038582 46491623 191295642 337703 158321 429045 651295 3272123 4848487 0 0 0 0 0 0 337703 158321 429045 651295 3272123 4848487 186447155 7948 0 0 0 0 7948 0 7948 0 0 0 0 7948 0 719372 1193533 1140107 1577208 2014957 6645177 18043176 40959986 41823235 48615790 48506580 197948767 0.9419 0.9574 0 0.0 X Schedule A, Part III, Line 12 Other Income DESCRIPTION - PARKING LOT REVENUE, COLUMN A - 478469.0, COLUMN B - 1019359.0, COLUMN C - 969889.0, COLUMN D - 1167799.0, COLUMN E - 1577017.0, COLUMN F - 5212533.0; DESCRIPTION - CONCESSION INCOME, COLUMN A - 49064.0, COLUMN B - 106534.0, COLUMN C - 3735.0, COLUMN D - 175393.0, COLUMN E - 174627.0, COLUMN F - 509353.0; DESCRIPTION - PHOTO OPERATIONS INCOME, COLUMN A - 182515.0, COLUMN B - 46133.0, COLUMN C - 136238.0, COLUMN D - 212904.0, COLUMN E - 244124.0, COLUMN F - 821914.0; DESCRIPTION - OTHER INCOME, COLUMN A - 9324.0, COLUMN B - 21507.0, COLUMN C - 30245.0, COLUMN D - 21112.0, COLUMN E - 19189.0, COLUMN F - 101377.0; RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED false false false false false false false false true 738 738 false Schedule C, Part II-B, Line 1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE LOBBYING ACTIVITY The Florida Aquarium, Inc. pays dues to various trade organizations. Some of these trade organizations use a portion of the dues for lobbying expenditures. 1465128 0 469887 0 0 0 1935015 1232729 0 232399 0 0 0 1465128 1443666 0 -210937 0 0 0 1232729 1136870 0 306796 0 0 0 1443666 1012020 0 124850 0 0 0 1136870 0.0 0.19 0.81 true true true 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 42380672 15215114 27165558 0 3699203 3107454 591749 0 1251814 1210889 40925 27798232 Lease liabilities - operating, net 256018 256018 X Schedule D, Part V, Line 4 Intended uses of endowment funds It is the Aquarium's intention to grow these endowment funds in order to provide long-term financial stability for the Aquarium. Earnings from the Aquarium's endowment are currently being left in the endowment fund to help grow the corpus. As the endowment funds get larger, earnings will be released to help cover the annual costs of the Aquarium facility's preventative maintenance program to ensure that the Aquarium's living collection maintains the highest standards of health and safety protocols. Endowment earnings would also be used to promote and expand the Aquarium's conservation, education, and research efforts. Endowment funds are currently being held by The Florida Aquarium and The Florida Aquarium Foundation, Inc. as well as the Community Foundation. Schedule D, Part X, Line 2 FIN 48 (ASC 740) footnote The Florida Aquarium, Inc. and Foundation are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRC. Income earned in furtherance of these entities' tax-exempt purposes is exempt from federal and state income taxes. As such, no provision for income tax expense has been made in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The Aquarium follows the accounting standard on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. Management assessed whether there were any uncertain tax positions which may give rise to income tax liabilities and determined that there were no such matters requiring recognition in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Generally, the Aquarium is no longer subject to U.S. federal or state income tax examinations by tax authorities for three years from the filing date of the respective returns. X true true X X X false false false false false false false true false Roger Germann President/CEO 387590 0 78804 0 0 0 1717 0 30904 0 499015 0 0 0 Andy Wood COO 217473 0 39300 0 13 0 1891 0 29402 0 288079 0 0 0 Kimberly Casey CFO 214727 0 37167 0 0 0 1799 0 15674 0 269367 0 0 0 Tim Binder Sr VP of Animal Care & Health 184265 0 23823 0 3066 0 1674 0 27656 0 240484 0 0 0 Debborah Luke Sr. VP of Conservation 176381 0 21210 0 0 0 1491 0 9756 0 208838 0 0 0 Deborah Stone Sr. VP of Engagement & Learning 142837 0 18822 0 1116 0 1323 0 27686 0 191784 0 0 0 Kelly Curington CPO 148059 0 25224 0 106 0 1095 0 9247 0 183731 0 0 0 Antonio Rokita Sr. VP of Community Engagement & Social Responsibility 161914 0 19449 0 0 0 88 0 8680 0 190131 0 0 0 Toni Wofford Vice President of Philanthropy 126494 0 15375 0 227 0 1111 0 17072 0 160279 0 0 0 Schedule J, Part I, Line 1a Health or social club dues or initiation fees The President/CEO is a member of a social club, with initiation fees and monthly dues paid by the Aquarium, and is included as taxable compensation. Meetings with donors and potential funders are conducted at this club. Schedule J, Part I, Line 7 Non-fixed payments Each employee's bonus is based on the achievement of both organizational and individual goals. Organizational goals must be met before any employee is eligible for a bonus. If organizational goals are met, then the performance of each employee is assessed at the individual level to determine if the employee qualifies for a bonus. If the employee's performance qualifies them for a bonus, then a bonus is awarded at a pre-determined percentage based on the employee's job title level. These percentages are approved annually by the Compensation Committee. Form 990, Part VI, Line 1a Delegate broad authority to a committee Pursuant to Article VI, Section 2 of the organization's Bylaws, the Executive Committee acts on behalf of the Board between Board meetings and when the Board is not able to meet. The Executive Committee's role is to identify significant issues to come before the full Board for discussion and/or decision-making, contribute to the development of the Board meeting agenda, lead the Board in review and approval of long-term goals, annual and strategic plans, and policies and procedures as proposed by the Chief Executive Officer or other officers of the corporation or other committees, and provide support and guidance to the Chief Executive Officer and the officers of the corporation. The Executive Committee shall have and may exercise to the extent provided by resolution of the Board such powers of the Board as can be lawfully delegated by the Board, but the Board holds ultimate authority and responsibility for the governance of the corporation. All Executive Committee members are also members of the organization's governing body. Form 990, Part VI, Line 7a Members or stockholders electing members of governing body The City of Tampa, owner of the Aquarium's building and land, has engaged The Florida Aquarium, Inc. to operate and manage the facilities on their behalf. As a condition of this Management Agreement, the City of Tampa is allowed to appoint 1 member to the Aquarium's Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and Finance Committee; and the City Council is allowed to appoint 1 member to the Aquarium's Board of Directors. Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b Review of form 990 by governing body A copy of the Form 990 was reviewed in detail by the CFO, the President/CEO, and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, and was also made available to each voting member of the organization's governing body prior to being filed. Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c Conflict of interest policy Annually, the Conflict of Interest policy and Questionnaire are distributed to all Officers, Board members, and Interested Parties. The Aquarium's President/CEO and CFO are responsible for collecting and tracking responses. Any potential conflicts are communicated to the Board Chair for analysis. One of the Aquarium's values focuses on transparency and openness. Any potential conflicts are openly discussed and resolved. Board members with potential conflicts will excuse themselves from deliberations and decisions that may be potential conflicts. The Aquarium's contract with the City of Tampa also requires an annual disclosure of compliance with the City's Non-Profit Ethics Ordinance. This ordinance requires that a conflict of interest policy be adopted. Form 990, Part VI, Line 15a Process to establish compensation of top management official The Aquarium's Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors establishes, reviews, and approves, on an ongoing basis, the compensation amount of the President/CEO. Members with conflicts of interest do not participate in discussions. Comparability data such as compensation surveys, from the AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums), Mercer, Abb/Langer, WCEA, PRM, and the local Tampa Bay region and competitors are used to determine reasonableness of compensation level. The deliberations are recorded in the committee minutes. The Compensation Committee reports its activities to the Board. This process is undertaken annually, including fiscal year 2024. Form 990, Part VI, Line 15b Process to establish compensation of other employees The Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief People Officer, all Senior Vice Presidents, and the VP of Philanthropy directly report to the President/CEO. The President/CEO performs performance evaluations with each of these members. The President then recommends compensation to the Aquarium's Compensation Committee for review and approval. The Compensation Committee utilizes comparability data such as independent salary surveys to determine reasonableness of the recommended salary levels. The deliberations are recorded in the committee minutes. The Compensation Committee reports its activities to the Board. This process is undertaken annually, including fiscal year 2024. Form 990, Part VI, Line 19 Required documents available to the public The governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements are made available to the public upon request. Once a request is made, the document or documents are either scanned and e-mailed or faxed to the requesting party. Form 990, Part VIII, Line 11d Other Miscellaneous Revenue - Total Revenue: 19189, Related or Exempt Function Revenue: , Unrelated Business Revenue: , Revenue Excluded from Tax Under Sections 512, 513, or 514: 19189; Form 990, Part XI, Line 9 Other changes in net assets or fund balances Change in Value in Beneficial Interest in Assets Held by The Community Foundation - 25756; The Florida Aquarium Foundation Inc 701 Channelside Drive Tampa FL 33602 593406946 Supporting Organization FL 501(c)(3) Type I The Florida Aquarium Inc true false false false false false false false false false false false false false true true false false false false