To connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet
Key facts about National Aquarium Inc
In short: National Aquarium Inc gave $20.1M across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $20.1M), mostly in Maryland. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- EIN
- 52-1121163
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990 filing, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $20,144,092
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- Average grant
- $20,144,092
- Median grant
- $20,144,092
- Total assets
- $101,493,868
- Primary geography
- Maryland (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2024; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 filing · View filing
Total Assets
$101.5M
-6.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$20.1M
Grant Count
1
Avg Grant Size
$20.1M
How National Aquarium Inc gives
- Giving grew 21411% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
About National Aquarium Inc
Based on IRS filings
National Aquarium Inc is a nonprofit organization focused on Environment & Animals, based in Baltimore, MD. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $101.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $20.1M. Net investment income was $7.1M.
Focus Areas
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from National Aquarium Inc
Ready to take the next step with National Aquarium Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 1 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $10K (2022) to $20.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $20.1M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 1 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Acrc Lessor Inc ($20.1M).
Grant Size Distribution
4 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 2 grants of 4 (50%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Acrc Lessor Inc Baltimore, MD | Loan Forgiveness | $20,144,092 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $101,493,868 | $108,867,004 | $108,550,637 |
| Revenue | $74,375,786 | $55,641,673 | $54,816,849 |
| Expenses | $76,249,119 | $54,083,927 | $51,432,748 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $7,073,049 | $1,049,783 | $231,370 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
National Aquarium Inc is led by John C. Racanelli, President & Chief Executive Officer on every filing since 2020; 11 of 33 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
John C. Racanelli
President & Chief Executive Officer
On filings since 2020
34 hrs/week
$414K (2020) → $463K (2024)
Colleen Dilenschneider
Chair
Secretary → Chair Elect, 2023
Chair Elect → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alison Dinger
Vice President of Hr & Administration
Vice President & Human Resources → Vice President of Hr & Administration, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$122K (2020) → $159K (2024)
Jacqueline Bershad
Vice President of Planning & Design
Vice President, Planning & Design → Vice President of Planning & Design, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$152K (2020) → $162K (2024)
Jennifer Driban
Senior Vice President & Chief Mission Officer
Senior Vice President & External Affairs → Senior Vice President & Chief Mission Officer, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$174K (2020) → $268K (2024)
Margot Amelia
Senior Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer
Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer → Senior Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer, 2023
On filings since 2020
39 hrs/week
$204K (2020) → $284K (2024)
Scott Melton
Senior Vice President & Chief Philanthropy Officer
Vice President Individual Giving → Senior Vice President & Chief Philanthropy Officer, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$198K (2020) → $260K (2024)
Sean Beattie
Vice President of Philanthropy
Vice President & Philanthropy → Vice President of Philanthropy, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$122K (2020) → $151K (2024)
Stephanie Allard
Senior Vice President & Chief Animal Welfare Officer
Senior Vice President & Chief Aw Officer → Senior Vice President & Chief Animal Welfare Officer, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$146K (2021) → $223K (2024)
Virginia Y. Newton
Senior Vice President, CFO & COO
Senior Vice President & CFO → Senior Vice President & Cofo, 2023
Senior Vice President & Cofo → Senior Vice President, CFO & COO, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$136K (2021) → $356K (2024)
Samuel Tawiah
Vice President of Information Technology
Vice President of Operations → Vice President of Information Technology, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$192K (2023) → $173K (2024)
Kristen Rosenberger
Vice President of Financial Planning & Analysis
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$155K (2024)
Adam Borden
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Celine Cousteau
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chuck Tildon
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Enric Sala
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Reynolds
Vice Chair
Director → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mohannad Jishi
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Grasmick
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ted Wiese
Board Member
Director → Chair, 2022
Chair → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Todd Chester
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jack Dwyer
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jayson Williams
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marc Wyatt
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Merrie Mowen
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Roy Prather III
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Dardis
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathryn Matthews
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maggie McIntosh
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shari Sant
Board Member
Vice Chair → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Victor Abiamiri
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Griffith
Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Matthews
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (24)
- Former: David Churchill (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Joe Crumbling (2020–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Keith Campbell (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Christopher Griffith (2021–2023) — Treasurer & Director
- Former: Ron Sparks (2021–2023) — Treasurer & Director
- Former: Laura Bankey (2023) — Vice President of Conservation Programs
- Former: Elizabeth Wagner (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jane Droppa (2020–2022) — Vice Chair
- Former: Joseph Nigro (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Marc Bunting (2020–2022) — Chair & Director
- Former: Ronald Antkowiak (2020–2022) — Vice President, Finance & Controller
- Former: Sam Tawiah (2020–2022) — Vice President & Information Technology
- Former: Shari Sant Plummer (2020–2022) — Vice Chair
- Former: Stephanie Rawlings-Blake (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Tamika Tremaglio (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Timothy Adams (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Tom Robinson (2020–2022) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Dale Schmidt (2020–2021) — Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
- Former: Ismael Savadogo (2020–2021) — Senior Vice President & CFO
- Former: John Bremer (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Alex Smith (2020) — Director
- Former: Candace Osunsade (2020) — Secretary, Senior Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer
- Former: Kimberly Lacomare (2020) — Vice President & Communications
- Former: Robert Merritt (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $463K, to John C Racanelli (President & Chief Executive Officer). 11 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about National Aquarium Inc
How much does National Aquarium Inc give each year?
National Aquarium Inc gave $20.1M across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
How large is National Aquarium Inc?
National Aquarium Inc reported $101.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Its revenue that year was $74.4M.
What is National Aquarium Inc?
National Aquarium Inc is a nonprofit organization focused on Environment & Animals, based in Baltimore, MD. It holds $101.5M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does National Aquarium Inc operate?
National Aquarium Inc has awarded grants in California, Maryland.
What is National Aquarium Inc's EIN?
National Aquarium Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1121163. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Here's the math on researching National Aquarium Inc by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in National Aquarium Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Flowers Family Foundation
Lexington, SC
Assets
$580K
Grants
58
Total Given
$60K
John Ben Snow Memorial Tr Uw #839158
Pittsburgh, PA
The Trust primarily funds education, especially programs that expand opportunity for under-resourced people, and also supports community initiatives, arts and culture, and youth programs, mainly in Central New York, Northern Nevada, and New Jersey. Grants are typically $10,000–$15,000, with first-time awards usually $5,000–$10,000. It accepts unsolicited requests from qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations through a letter of inquiry.
Assets
$31.1M
Grants
111
Total Given
$1.5M
Annie E Casey Foundation Inc
Baltimore, MD
The Annie E. Casey Foundation funds U.S. nonprofits and other partners working to improve outcomes for children and young people, including family strengthening, child welfare, education, employment, community development and juvenile justice. In 2024, grants ranged from $50 to $1,185,000, with a median of $40,000. Grants are by invitation only; it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
1,462
Total Given
$93.1M
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg
Owings Mills, MD
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation funds direct services, programs, general operations, and capital projects in housing, health, jobs, education, and aging for low-income and vulnerable people. Its 2024 grants had a median of $50,000; its Small Grants Program offers up to $50,000 over two years, with funding focused on Baltimore, Hawaiʻi, Israel, and Northeastern Pennsylvania. It awards grants by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.8B
Grants
872
Total Given
$127.8M
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD
Johns Hopkins University funds education, research, clinical practice, and related programs, with many large awards listed as sub-awards; its 2025 grants had a median of $100,000. Grants went mainly to recipients in California and Maryland, among other states, but no geographic restriction or policy on unsolicited requests is stated.
Assets
$25.3B
Grants
813
Total Given
$594.1M
The Keith Campbell Foundation
Bethesda, MD
The Keith Campbell Foundation funds environmental work and more equitable, livable communities, including watershed advocacy, agriculture, drinking water, and water management, with a focus on California and the Chesapeake region and select counties in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Its 2024 grants ranged from $40 to $1.5 million, with a median of $5,000; it accepts unsolicited requests through two grant cycles each year, though prior grantees cannot apply through that process.
Assets
$420.2M
Grants
688
Total Given
$27.9M
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Bethesda, MD
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation funds cystic fibrosis research, drug development, specialized care, and related community and patient-support programs, primarily through opportunities for academic and industry investigators. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,800 to $12.9 million, with a median grant of about $150,000; the profile does not specify a geographic limit or whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$5.0B
Grants
624
Total Given
$189.6M
Baltimore Community Foundation Inc
Baltimore, MD
Baltimore Community Foundation funds stronger schools and neighborhoods, including kindergarten readiness, student mental health, school climate, neighborhood improvement, and community development, primarily in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. In 2024 it made 604 grants totaling $29.3 million, with a median grant of about $19,800. It accepts applications for certain programs through its online portal.
Assets
$314.3M
Grants
604
Total Given
$29.3M
Nora Roberts Foundation
Glenn Dale, MD
The Nora Roberts Foundation prioritizes literacy and also funds the arts, children, social justice, and the environment, supporting eligible public-serving nonprofits and programs across the United States, with priority for specified nearby counties and Washington, DC. Typical grants are about $5,000 for local groups and $3,000 for non-local groups; it recommends first-time applicants request $3,000–$5,000. Its 2024 filing says it does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations, though its website describes an application process.
Assets
$118.6M
Grants
466
Total Given
$7.5M
Associated Jewish Charities of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD
Associated Jewish Charities of Baltimore supports charitable, educational, religious, health, cultural, humanitarian, and social-service needs of the Jewish community locally, nationally, in Israel, and worldwide. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,020 to $15,250,570, with a median of $18,750. The information describes grant recommendations by current fundholders but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$446.7M
Grants
515
Total Given
$53.0M
The Abell Foundation Inc
Baltimore, MD
The Abell Foundation funds nonprofits, government agencies, and fiscally sponsored projects addressing Baltimore City needs, including education, health, workforce development, community development, criminal justice, the environment, and the arts. Its 2024 grants ranged from $188 to $300,000, with a median of $20,000. It accepts unsolicited requests: applications of $10,000 or less are reviewed on a rolling basis, while larger requests are considered at five annual Board meetings.
Assets
$296.4M
Grants
391
Total Given
$13.4M
The Jewish Federation of Greater
North Bethesda, MD
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington funds Jewish organizations and programs focused on community connection, learning, inclusion, family engagement, and support for people in need, primarily in DC, Suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia, with some national and international giving. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,001 to $3.3 million, with a median of $20,000. It invites proposals when specific funding opportunities are open; none are currently listed.
Assets
$388.5M
Grants
360
Total Given
$34.1M
More Funders in Maryland
National Aquarium Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?