THE MISSION OF LOWELL OBSERVATORY IS TO PURSUE THE STUDY OF ASTRONOMY, ESPECIALLY THE STUDY OF OUR SOLAR SYSTEM AND ITS EVOLUTION; TO CONDUCT PURE RESEARCH IN ASTRONOMICAL PHENOMENA; AND TO MAINTAIN QUALITY PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS TO BRING THE RESULTS OF ASTRONOMICAL RESEARCH TO THE PUBLIC.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$102.6M
+20.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$175K
-59.6% YoY
Grant Count
4
-33.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$44K
-39.4% YoY
About Lowell Observatory
Based on IRS filings
Lowell Observatory is a nonprofit organization focused on Science & Technology, based in FLAGSTAFF, AZ. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $102.6M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 4 grants totaling $175K. Net investment income was $87K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $102,618,903 | $85,437,670 | $78,976,661 |
| Revenue | $11,946,368 | $20,163,990 | $20,035,165 |
| Expenses | $19,482,906 | $18,645,161 | $19,188,129 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $86,613 | $-3,613,217 | $395,184 |
| 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 4 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
33 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Northern Arizona University ($94,935), University of Maryland - College Park ($46,723), Northern Arizona University ($17,752).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY FLAGSTAFF, AZ | NASA GRANT - SUBAWARD COLLABORATION RESEARCH | $94,935 |
| UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND - COLLEGE PARK COLLEGE PARK, MD | NASA GRANT - SUBAWARD COLLABORATION RESEARCH | $46,723 |
| NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY FLAGSTAFF, AZ | NSF GRANT - SUBAWARD COLLABORATION RESEARCH | $17,752 |
| PLANETARY SCIENCE INSTITUTE TUCSON, AZ | NASA GRANT - SUBAWARD COLLABORATION RESEARCH | $15,741 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| HALL JEFFREY | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $201,538 |
| BOSH AMANDA | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/COO | 40 | $182,918 |
| CURRIE LESLIE | CHIEF PHILANTHROPY OFFICER | 38 | $188,531 |
| HUNTER DEIDRE | ASTRONOMER | 40 | $179,553 |
| MASSEY PHILIP | ASTRONOMER | 40 | $184,820 |
| LEVINE STEPHEN | DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION | 40 | $180,027 |
| LABRUZZO ANNE | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 36 | $176,555 |
| VAN BELLE GERARD T | DIRECTOR OF SCIENCE | 40 | $163,586 |
| WEST MICHAEL | ASTRONOMER | 40 | $180,726 |
| KUEHN KYLER | DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY | 40 | $156,865 |
| GRUNDY WILLIAM | ASTRONOMER | 40 | $153,632 |
| PRATO LISA A | ASTRONOMER | 40 | $158,354 |
| PUTNAM LOWELL | TRUSTEE | 30 | $6 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lowell Observatory?
Lowell Observatory is a nonprofit organization focused on Science & Technology, based in FLAGSTAFF, AZ. It holds $102.6M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is Lowell Observatory?
As of 2024, Lowell Observatory holds $102.6M in total assets with $11.9M in annual revenue. It awarded 4 grants totaling $175K in 2024.
Where does Lowell Observatory operate?
Lowell Observatory has awarded grants in Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Pennsylvania.
What size grants does Lowell Observatory award?
In 2024, Lowell Observatory awarded 4 grants totaling $175K — an average of about $44K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Lowell Observatory's EIN?
Lowell Observatory's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-0098918. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Lowell Observatory's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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