Ocean Discovery Institute
Ocean Discovery Institute is a California non-profit corporation organized in 1999 to inspire the next generation of science leaders. Ocean Discovery Institute creates learning experiences for young people traditionally excluded from science due to race, income status, and educational opportunity. Education services are provided tuition-free and benefit students in a low-income community in city heights, ca. Currently, approximately 7,000 young people participate in hands-on science programs each year. The institute partners with san diego teachers and engages stem professionals and community members as volunteers and mentors.
Ocean Discovery Institute at a glance
- Total assets
- $20,158,441
- +2.1% vs 2024
- Revenue (2025)
- $4,595,377
- +15.0% vs 2024
- Net investment income (2025)
- $169,474
- +2.0% vs 2024
- Expenses (2025)
- $4,372,802
- +2.4% vs 2024
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated November 2026.
Who Ocean Discovery Institute funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
1 grant across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1 grant of 1 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $5K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of San Diego San Diego, CA | Educational Assistance | $5,436 |
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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 | $20,158,441 | $4,595,377 | $4,372,802 | — | — | $169,474 |
| 2024 | $19,750,389 | $3,994,804 | $4,270,153 | $5,436 | 1 | $166,211 |
| 2023 | $20,081,274 | $4,450,999 | $3,743,341 | — | — | $109,687 |
| 2022 | $19,639,328 | $3,846,709 | $2,977,182 | — | — | $318 |
| 2021 | $19,370,181 | $2,962,133 | $2,270,058 | — | — | $-13,571 |
| 2020 | $18,755,488 | $2,797,442 | $2,145,232 | — | — | $-401 |
About Ocean Discovery Institute
Based on IRS filings
Ocean Discovery Institute is a public charity focused on Education, based in San Diego, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $20.2M in total assets. Net investment income was $169K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Ocean Discovery Institute is led by Shara Fisler, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 5 of 17 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Shara Fisler
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$145K (2020) → $173K (2025)
Rudy Vargas
Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2021
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elvia Meza
Director of Finance & Administration
Director of Finance Administrator → Director of Finance & Administration, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$110K (2023) → $121K (2025)
Mackenzie Sandy
Director of Philanthropy
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$130K (2025)
Susan Tillman
Director of People & Culture
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$127K (2025)
Lindsay McKay
Associate Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$125K (2023) → $135K (2025)
Heather Bentley
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tara Marathe
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jasmine Davenport
Board Member
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anai Novoa
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barbra Calantas
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Devon Gibson
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mathew Mitchell
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dave Boyer
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kimberly Thomas
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rico Solano
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vanessa Sardella
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (22)
- Former: Scott Grimes (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Vanessa Sandoval (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Kristen Koch (2023–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Sandy MacKenzie (2023–2024) — Director of Philanthropy
- Former: Lindsay McKay Goodwin (2024) — Associate Director
- Former: Dan McClellan (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: John Johns (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Noelle Norton (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Theodore J Griswold (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Tres Conrique (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Jessica Mier (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Kurt Gering (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Ileana Ovalle (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Scott Pearson (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Sean Caddell (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Carolina Barraza (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Mindy Dominek (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Claudia Rodriguez (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Stewart A Halpern (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Jasmin Sanders (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Dave Bialis (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Drew Auker (2020) — Board Member
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 $173K, to Shara Fisler (Executive Director). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Ocean Discovery Institute
How large is Ocean Discovery Institute?
Ocean Discovery Institute reported $20.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.6M.
What is Ocean Discovery Institute?
Ocean Discovery Institute is a public charity focused on Education, based in San Diego, CA. It holds $20.2M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Ocean Discovery Institute operate?
Ocean Discovery Institute has awarded grants in California.
What is Ocean Discovery Institute's EIN?
Ocean Discovery Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 33-0862531. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS September 22, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 27, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Ocean Discovery Institute funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ocean Discovery Institute's focus areas in our free grants database
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Ocean Discovery Institute down — hundreds of funders to go?