named programs · 3 · from sources
what they call their work
Inspiration Fund
Supports public astronomy programs, STEM camps, and educational outreach initiatives.
Native American Astronomy Outreach Fund
Supports the Navajo-Hopi Astronomy Outreach Program, connecting Native American students with astronomers and STEM curricula.
Percival Lowell Postdoctoral Fellowship Fund
Aims to attract young minds in astronomy and planetary science to conduct research at Lowell Observatory.
activities · 4 groups
what they do
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Observational Planetary & Stellar Research 2 activities
- Astronomical Research SupportSupports astronomical research conducted by Lowell Observatory astronomers, including research in galactic structure, formation, large-scale structure of the universe, and cosmology, and maintains an archive of William G. Tifft's work.
- Conducts and supports astronomical researchSupports research by Lowell Observatory astronomers and external researchers in areas including galactic structure, cosmology, and planetary science; maintains an accessible archive of William G. Tifft’s research; and funds instrumentation and technologies essential to astronomical research.
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Astronomical Observatories & Public Stargazing Facilities 2 activities
- Delivers public astronomy education and outreach programsOffers public astronomy programs for children and adults, STEM camps, science exhibits, historic Mars Hill tours, virtual experiences, and K-12 school visit funding to promote science education and public engagement with astronomy.
- Public Astronomy and STEM EducationProvides public astronomy programs for children and adults, STEM camps for children, science exhibits, historic Mars Hill tours, virtual exhibits, and funds K-12 school children visits to Lowell Observatory.
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Early-Career Research Support Programs 2 activities
- Provides research and professional development opportunities for early-career scientistsAttracts and supports postdoctoral fellows, interns, and undergraduate/graduate students through fellowships, internships, and research project funding in astronomy, planetary science, and instrumentation, offering salary, resources, and access to observatory facilities.
- Workforce Development in AstronomyAttracts and supports postdoctoral fellows, interns, undergraduate and graduate students in astronomy, planetary science, and astronomical instrumentation by providing salary, employment, resources, and access to instrumentation and research projects.
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Uncategorized 7 activities
- Fundraising and Endowment ManagementManages dedicated fundraising efforts and invests assets to support Lowell Observatory's mission in perpetuity, including specific endowments like the Mars Hill Fund and the GODO Endowment Fund.
- Manages endowment funds to support Lowell Observatory's facilities, programs, and preservationOperates and manages multiple endowment funds—including the Mars Hill Fund and GODO Endowment Fund—to ensure long-term financial support for facility maintenance, campus improvements on Mars Hill, care of the Giovale Open Deck Observatory, and preservation of archival collections.
- Native American Astronomy OutreachOperates and supports the Navajo-Hopi Astronomy Outreach Program, connecting Native American students with astronomers and integrating hands-on STEM curricula with traditional Native American astronomy since 1996.
- Observatory Facilities and Collections MaintenanceSupports the enhancement, maintenance, and repair of facilities and campus on Mars Hill, including the Giovale Open Deck Observatory and the Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center, and the preservation of archival collections and historic instruments.
- Preserves Lowell Observatory’s historic collections and archivesSupports the preservation of historic papers, correspondence, research materials, and scientific instruments through the Putnam Collection Center, ensuring long-term access and conservation of Lowell Observatory’s archival heritage.
- Runs Navajo-Hopi Astronomy Outreach Program for Native American studentsOperates a long-standing outreach initiative since 1996 that connects Native American students with astronomers, integrates hands-on STEM curricula with traditional Native American astronomy knowledge, and provides educational access and engagement opportunities.
- Technology and Instrument SupportSupports the acquisition, development, maintenance, and access to technologies, instruments, and telescopes at Lowell Observatory facilities or elsewhere, including the 8” Moonraker refractor on the Giovale Open Deck Observatory.
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financials · form 990 · fy2022
revenue
Total revenue$588K
Contributions & grants$506K86%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$82K14%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$380K
Program expenses82%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$311K
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$9.57M
Cash$205K
Investments$9.01M
Liabilities$0
Net assets$9.57M
Liquid reserves291.2 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue -45.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022
who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANN T ACTOR | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 2 | $184K |
| ANNE LABRUZZO | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 2 | $178K |
| W LOWELL PUTNAM | TRUSTEE | 2 | $12K |
board members · 8
- CAMILLE BIBLES — TRUSTEE
- DAVID D CHASE — TRUSTEE
- DONNA WEISTROP — BOARD CHAIR
- GEORGE PUTNAM III — BOARD VICE-CHAIR
- MARJORIE MCCLANAHAN — TRUSTEE
- STEPHEN W BROWN — TRUSTEE
- TERI KELLEY — TRUSTEE
- VIRGINIA G GIOVALE — TRUSTEE
relationships · 19
who they work with
- BF Foundation Partner — David Chase serves various community and charitable organizations including the BF Foundation.
- Boston Family Office Partner — George Putnam is a director and part-owner of the Boston Family Office.
- Class Achieving Change Together (ClassACT) Partner — George Putnam is a current director of Class Achieving Change Together (ClassACT).
- Flagstaff Community Foundation Partner — Marjorie McClanahan has chaired the board of Flagstaff Community Foundation.
- Ginger and John Giovale Funder — Provided a generous gift that led to the creation of the GODO Endowment Fund in 2019.
- Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute Partner — George Putnam is a current director of the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute.
- Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute Partner — Developed IGRINS, the Immersion Grating Infrared Spectrometer, with the University of Texas at Austin.
- Lowell Observatory Partner — David Chase serves on the board of Lowell Observatory.
- Lowell Observatory Partner — Receives philanthropic support from the Lowell Observatory Foundation for its mission of research, outreach, and historic preservation.
- Lowell Observatory Advisory Board Partner — Donna Weistrop is a member of the Executive Committee of the Lowell Observatory Advisory Board.
- Museum of Northern Arizona Partner — Marjorie McClanahan has chaired the board of the Museum of Northern Arizona.
- New Generation Advisors, LLC Partner — George Putnam is President of New Generation Advisors, LLC.
- New Generation Research, Inc. Partner — George Putnam is Chairman of New Generation Research, Inc.
- Northern Arizona Healthcare Partner — Marjorie McClanahan has chaired the board of Northern Arizona Healthcare.
- Northern Arizona University’s Martin-Springer Institute Partner — Donna Weistrop is a member of the Advisory Council of Northern Arizona University’s Martin-Springer Institute.
- Putnam Group of mutual funds Partner — George Putnam is a trustee of the funds in the Putnam Group of mutual funds.
- Robert and Verlee Hunter Funder — Provided the initial gift to the Native American Astronomy Outreach Fund through their estate.
- University of Texas at Austin Partner — Developed IGRINS, the Immersion Grating Infrared Spectrometer, with the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute.
- VCI Solutions Partner — W. Lowell Putnam IV founded VCI Solutions, a company that provided sales, traffic, and automation software solutions for the broadcast and cable industry.