The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Rockledge, Florida (with additional offices in Merritt Island). Established in 2011, CASIS operates as an independent entity overseen by NASA through a cooperative agreement. The organization manages the International Space Station's U.S. National Laboratory, serving as a broker and facilitator for research opportunities across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$5.4M
-19.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.9M
+39.0% YoY
Grant Count
43
+2.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$138K
+35.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To maximize use of the International Space Station as an unparalleled platform for innovation that can benefit all humankind and inspire a new generation to look to the stars.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Facilitating research access to the ISS National Laboratory
- Advancing science literacy in the future workforce
- Maturing space-based business models
- Expanding sustainable and scalable markets in low Earth orbit
- Supporting non-NASA science, technology, and education initiatives
The organization's work spans physical sciences, earth sciences research, and related services.
Grantmaking
CASIS makes grants to support research and implementation projects on the ISS National Laboratory. Recent grant activity includes:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CASIS funds research initiatives with geographic reach including California, Texas, and Alabama, though the organization's scope extends nationally to support U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and private sector partners.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Fiscal Year 2024 (ending September 2024):
- Total Assets: $5,392,094
- Total Revenue: $19,451,197
- Total Expenses: $19,723,477
- Total Liabilities: $2,650,000
- Total Giving: $5,927,601
Tax Status: Tax-exempt since April 2011 (EIN: 27-5410763)
Audit Findings: An independent audit for fiscal year ending September 2024 identified a significant deficiency in internal controls related to the organization's ability to track and report financial data reliably. This deficiency is less severe than a material weakness but warrants management attention.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,392,094 | $6,721,508 | $3,595,465 |
| Revenue | $19,451,197 | $17,778,832 | $12,704,587 |
| Expenses | $19,723,477 | $17,177,114 | $12,599,326 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $62,912 | $529 | $1,932 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
154 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board Leadership:
- Monica Newman McCluney, Board Chairman (noted in related Brevard County leadership context)
The organization employs 67 staff members as of 2024.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ERIC D ISAACS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JAMES A PAWELCZYK | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MICHAEL H MOLONEY | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| WALEED ABDALATI | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MARGARET JENNY | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DAVID RADZANOWSKI | BOARD CHAIR | 2 | — |
| JOHN SHEETS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SOL GLASNER | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DOROTHY RASCO | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MELODY KUEHNER | SECRETARY & DIRECTOR OF HR | 50 | $227,151 |
| RAMON RAY LUGO III | PRESIDENT & CEO | 50 | $380,000 |
| JONATHAN BOBBITT | TREASURER & FINANCE MANAGER | 44 | $149,935 |
| FRANCISCO CORDOVA | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 50 | $300,706 |
| MICHAEL ROBERTS | CHIEF SCIENTIST | 50 | $245,793 |
| SVEN EENMAA | CHIEF ECONOMIST | 50 | $202,076 |
| ROBERT HAMPTON | DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS | 44 | $175,625 |
| HEWITT MCKINNEY | DIRECTOR OF ADMIN & BUSINESS SERVICES | 44 | $190,633 |
| LAURIE PROVIN | DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT | 44 | $184,729 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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