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ODYSEA AQUARIUM FOUNDATION INC

SCOTTSDALE, AZ · EIN 465722865 · Form 990EZ · FY2020 · NTEE D05 · Animal-Related · Small ($100K-$1M) · odyseaaquarium.com
revenue
$145K
expenses
$111K
net assets
$236K
employees
mission · from form 990

THE ODYSEA AQUARIUM FOUNDATION SUPPORTS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT ASSIST LOW-INCOME AND TITLE 1 SCHOOLS IN MEEETING AND ENHANCING THEIR CURRICULUM, SUPPORTING PROGRAMS AT THE LOCAL, REGIONAL AND GLOBAL LEVEL TO EDUCATE AND INSPIRE GUESTS ABOUT AQUATIC LIFE AND CONSERVATION.

profile · synthesized from sources

OdySea Aquarium Foundation Inc. operates a public aquarium in Scottsdale, Arizona, focused on marine life exhibits, conservation initiatives, and environmental education. The organization serves visitors through immersive experiences featuring penguins, sharks, sea turtles, and other aquatic species, while promoting wildlife protection and habitat restoration. It engages the public through on-site programming, conservation events, and partnerships with accredited zoological organizations.

named programs · 4 · from sources

what they call their work

Breeding Program for African Penguins
Species preservation initiative aligned with AZA and SAFE conservation standards
Conservation EXPO
Annual event engaging the community in conservation efforts through education, activities, and partnerships
Field Cleanup Projects
Community-led habitat restoration and cleanups focused on protecting local wildlife and waterways
Fish & Sips Happy Hour
Adult-only evening event featuring live music, animal talks, food, drinks, and access to exhibits; supports conservation outreach
activities · 4 groups

what they do

  • Immersive Wildlife Visitor Experiences 12 activities
    • Deliver daily educational programming and animal experiences
      Conducts daily educational presentations at key exhibits including paddlefish, corals, penguins, and otters, and offers a fee-based stingray feeding experience at the SeaTREK Lagoon to enhance visitor engagement.
    • Delivering Educational Presentations
      Conducts daily educational presentations on various animals and exhibits, including paddlefish, corals, penguins, and otters, to enhance visitor understanding of aquatic life.
    • Delivering Educational Presentations
      Conducts daily educational presentations on various animals and exhibits, including paddlefish, corals, penguins, and otters, to enhance visitor understanding of aquatic life.
    • Host adult-only evening events
      Hosts adult-only evening events, such as "Fish & Sips" happy hours, which include live music, animal talks, games, food, drinks, and access to aquarium exhibits like OdySea Voyager and the Aqua Lobby Immersive Experience.
    • Host adult-only evening events with educational and recreational programming
      Organizes adult-only events such as "Fish & Sips" happy hours and evening programs featuring live music, animal talks, games, food, drinks, and access to aquarium exhibits including OdySea Voyager and the Aqua Lobby Immersive Experience.
    • Host public aquarium exhibits and immersive experiences
      Operates a public aquarium featuring exhibits that guide visitors through diverse aquatic environments—from rivers and lakes to the deep ocean—including species such as penguins, sloths, sharks, paddlefish, corals, and otters. Offers immersive experiences like the Aqua Lobby Immersive Experience and OdySea Voyager.
    • Offer paid and unlimited admission options
      Provides paid visitor experiences including daily admission for general access and annual passes that allow unlimited visits to the aquarium within a 12-month period.
    • Operate a public aquarium with diverse exhibits
      Operates a public aquarium featuring exhibits that guide visitors through various aquatic environments, from rivers and lakes to the deep ocean, showcasing animals such as penguins, sloths, and sharks. The aquarium also offers unique experiences like shark diving, butterfly exploration, and dinosaur exhibits.
    • Operating a Public Aquarium
      Operates a public aquarium featuring various aquatic environments and animals such as penguins, sloths, and sharks. The aquarium offers general admission, annual passes, and adult-only evening events with live music, animal talks, games, food, and drinks.
    • Operating a Public Aquarium
      Operates a public aquarium featuring various aquatic environments and animals such as penguins, sloths, and sharks. The aquarium offers general admission, annual passes, and adult-only evening events with live music and animal talks.
    • Providing Specialized Visitor Experiences
      Offers specialized visitor experiences including shark diving, butterfly exploration, dinosaur exhibits, and a stingray feeding experience for an additional fee.
    • Providing Specialized Visitor Experiences
      Offers unique visitor experiences including shark diving, butterfly exploration, and dinosaur exhibits. The aquarium also provides a daily stingray feeding experience for an additional fee.
  • Riparian & Habitat Restoration 4 activities
    • Conduct species conservation and breeding programs
      Engages in active conservation efforts including an African Penguin breeding program and habitat restoration initiatives to support wildlife protection and biodiversity.
    • Implement conservation and habitat restoration programs
      Conducts African Penguin breeding as part of its conservation programming, engages in local habitat restoration efforts, and organizes community education and cleanup events to promote wildlife protection.
    • Implementing Conservation Programs
      Engages in conservation efforts including African Penguin breeding, local habitat restoration, and organizing community education and cleanup events. The organization also hosts a Conservation EXPO to involve the public in wildlife protection.
    • Implementing Conservation Programs
      Engages in conservation efforts including African Penguin breeding, local habitat restoration, and organizing community education and cleanup events, such as a Conservation EXPO and field cleanup projects, to promote wildlife protection.
  • Certified Autism Center Operations 4 activities
    • Ensuring Accessibility and Support Services
      Operates as a Certified Autism Center, providing sensory-friendly resources and maintaining a dedicated guest services team for accessibility support. The facility is wheelchair and stroller accessible, and visitors are required to use headphones for audio tours.
    • Ensuring Accessibility for Visitors
      Operates as a Certified Autism Center, providing sensory-friendly resources, and ensures physical accessibility throughout its facilities with wheelchair and stroller access, supported by a dedicated guest services team.
    • Provide accessibility and inclusive visitor services
      Ensures accessibility for all guests by providing wheelchair and stroller access, operating as a Certified Autism Center with sensory-friendly resources, and maintaining a dedicated guest services team to support visitor needs.
    • Provide accessibility services and resources
      Operates as a Certified Autism Center, offering sensory-friendly resources, and provides wheelchair and stroller accessibility throughout its facilities with a dedicated guest services team for support.
  • Community Garden Events & Tours 1 activity
    • Organize community conservation education and action events
      Hosts public-facing events such as the Conservation EXPO and organizes community education programs, field cleanups, and habitat restoration projects to promote environmental stewardship.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2020
revenue
Total revenue$145K
Contributions & grants$145K100%
Program service revenue
Investment income
Other revenue
expenses
Total expenses$111K
Program expenses
Admin / overhead
Fundraising
Salaries & benefits$80K
Grants paid out$25K
balance sheet
Total assets$245K
Cash
Investments
Liabilities
Net assets$236K
1 years on record · 2020–2020
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2020

who runs it

board members · 2
  • AMRAM KNISHINSKY — CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
  • GREG CHARBENEAU — DIRECTOR
relationships · 5

who they work with

  • Arizona Boardwalk Partner — Offers bundled tickets with other attractions at Arizona Boardwalk.
  • Association of Zoos & Aquariums Partner — Accredited member institution participating in collaborative conservation initiatives.
  • Butterfly Wonderland Partner — Partner attraction offering bundled admission with OdySea Aquarium
  • Laser + Mirror Maze Partner — Partner attraction included in multi-attraction bundles with OdySea Aquarium
  • Pangaea Partner — Partner attraction included in four-attraction bundle with OdySea Aquarium