Lowell Observatory
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.
Lowell Observatory at a glance
In short: Lowell Observatory gave $218K across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $55K), mostly in Arizona. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $218,400
- +24.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 4
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $54,600
- +24.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $45,935
- Total assets
- $97,935,622
- -4.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Arizona (82% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Lowell Observatory funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Northern Arizona University ($112K). Together the top 4 received $218K.
Grant Size Distribution
27 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 14 grants of 27 (52%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
Cities
How Lowell Observatory gives
- Giving fell 59% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $175K (2024) to $1.1M (2021). In 2025 it made 4 grants totaling $218K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ | NASA Grant - Subaward Collaboration Research | $111,531 |
| Planetary Science Institute Tucson, AZ | NASA Grant - Subaward Collaboration Research | $67,405 |
| Seti Institute Mountain View, CA | NASA Grant - Subaward Collaboration Research | $24,465 |
| University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MD | NASA Grant - Subaward Collaboration Research | $14,999 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $97,935,622 | $19,557,310 | $22,235,112 | $218,400 | 4 | $110,653 |
| 2024 | $102,618,903 | $11,946,368 | $19,482,906 | $175,151 | 4 | $86,613 |
| 2023 | $85,437,670 | $20,163,990 | $18,645,161 | $433,864 | 6 | $-3,613,217 |
| 2022 | $78,976,661 | $20,035,165 | $19,188,129 | $538,578 | 7 | $395,184 |
| 2021 | $78,377,713 | $22,823,113 | $16,074,661 | $1,142,968 | 6 | $844,836 |
| 2020 | $70,100,548 | $16,133,508 | $13,478,815 | $656,951 | 10 | $99,359 |
About Lowell Observatory
Based on IRS filings
Lowell Observatory is a public charity focused on Science & Technology, based in Flagstaff, AZ. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $97.9M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 4 grants totaling $218K. Net investment income was $111K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Lowell Observatory is led by Amanda Bosh, Executive Director & COO on the 2025 filing; all 12 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Amanda Bosh
Executive Director & COO
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$207K (2025)
Kyler Kuehn
Director of Technology & Director of Science
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$162K (2025)
Lowell Putnam
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
30 hrs/week
$12 (2025)
Stephen Levine
Director of Education
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$185K (2025)
Anne Labruzzo
Chief Financial Officer
New on the 2025 filing
36 hrs/week
$182K (2025)
Cody Half-Moon
Chief Marketing Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$160K (2025)
Deidre Hunter
Astronomer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$176K (2025)
Leslie Currie
Chief Philanthropy Officer
New on the 2025 filing
38 hrs/week
$191K (2025)
Lisa A. Prato
Astronomer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$157K (2025)
Michael West
Astronomer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$178K (2025)
Philip Massey
Astronomer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$182K (2025)
William Grundy
Astronomer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$152K (2025)
Former officers (19)
- Former: Hall Jeffrey (2020–2024) — Executive Director
- Former: Hunter Deidre (2020–2024) — Astronomer
- Former: Labruzzo Anne (2020–2024) — Chief Financial Officer
- Former: Massey Philip (2020–2024) — Astronomer
- Former: Putnam W. Lowell (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: West Michael (2020–2024) — Astronomer
- Former: Levine Stephen (2021–2024) — Director of Education
- Former: Bosh Amanda (2022–2024) — Executive Director & COO
- Former: Kuehn Kyler (2023–2024) — Director of Technology
- Former: Currie Leslie (2024) — Chief Philanthropy Officer
- Former: Grundy William (2024) — Astronomer
- Former: Prato Lisa A. (2024) — Astronomer
- Former: Van Belle Gerard T. (2024) — Director of Science
- Former: Actor Ann (2022–2023) — Chief Philanthropy Officer
- Former: Keller Christoph (2022–2023) — Director of Science
- Former: Sawyer David (2022–2023) — Technical Project Manager
- Former: Prato Lisa (2023) — Astronomer
- Former: Actor Ann T. (2020–2021) — Chief Philanthropy Officer
- Former: Schleicher David (2020) — Astronomer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $207K, to Amanda Bosh (Executive Director/COO). 12 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Lowell Observatory
How much does Lowell Observatory give each year?
Lowell Observatory gave $218K across 4 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $175K across 4 grants.
What is Lowell Observatory's typical grant size?
Lowell Observatory's median grant in 2025 was $45,935, and its average grant was $54,600, across 4 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Lowell Observatory give grants?
Lowell Observatory gives mostly in Arizona: 82% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (11%) and Maryland (7%).
Does Lowell Observatory give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on Lowell Observatory's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "NASA Grant - Subaward Collaboration Research" (4 grants).
How large is Lowell Observatory?
Lowell Observatory reported $97.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $19.6M.
What is Lowell Observatory?
Lowell Observatory is a public charity focused on Science & Technology, based in Flagstaff, AZ. It holds $97.9M in total assets as of 2025.
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 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 21, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 17, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 16, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 13, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 23, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Lowell Observatory's focus areas in our free grants database
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