Oceanographic Research & Exploration Foundation
98% goes to programs $0 to raise $100 Strong reserves Growing revenue
Oceanographic Research & Exploration Foundation is a 501(c)(4) organization based in Westport, Connecticut, registered in 2019, with $33,475,838 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it C+, and it directs about 98% of spending to programs.
Co Dfo One Glendinning Place 100, Westport, CT, 06880 EIN 83-0757695 Since 2019
Revenue (FY2024)
$33.5M
▲ 7.8% vs prior year
Science & Tech median: $288K
Expenses (FY2024)
$44.3M
Net assets
$180.4M
Employees
0
CharityIndex rating
One independent A+ to F grade from four published criteria, each scored separately from IRS filings and combined by weight.
C+
★★★★
Rated on 4 of 4 criteria.
Held down by its weakest criterion — a strong score on one criterion can't hide a weak one.
How the rating works →A+Program efficiency40% of the rating98% to programs · $0 to raise $100
Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. For Oceanographic Research & Exploration Foundation: 98% to programs · $0 to raise $100 earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
DFinancial health25% of the rating49 mo reserves · -32% margin
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For Oceanographic Research & Exploration Foundation: 49 mo reserves · -32% margin earns a D on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
BGovernance25% of the rating4 of 6 checks met
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. For Oceanographic Research & Exploration Foundation: 4 of 6 checks met earns a B on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Transparency10% of the rating5 of 5 disclosure signals
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For Oceanographic Research & Exploration Foundation: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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A live seal — it updates automatically when the grade changes and links donors to this verified profile.
Mission
Through a series of integrated programs, oref 1) supports and conducts scientific research and exploration of the earth's oceans with a world class research and exploration ship and package of equipment, enabling such scientific research and exploration and 2) creates and distributes media and other documentation highlighting that scientific research and discovery to promote public awareness, engagement and protection of the oceans and the diverse communities they support. oref may carry out its social welfare purposes directly or in conjunction with other organizations, entities or partners.
What they do
Engage in and support scientific educational and awareness raising efforts on behalf of ocean science, protection, exploration and stewardship. engaging and educating audiences globally by creating educational programming and captivating media in multiple formats and across multiple channels about the importance of the oceans and their protection, for the benefit of people globally including communities that depend on the ocean for their sustainability.refer to schedule o for program service accomplishments.
Contact & location
- Address
- Co Dfo One Glendinning Place 100, Westport, CT, 06880
- City
- Westport
- State
- Connecticut
- Category
- Science & Technology
- Subcategory
- General Science
- Phone
- …
- Website
- …
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $411K (FY2018) to $33.5M (FY2024) across 7 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2024)
Liabilities $62KNet assets $180.4M
Operating margin
-32.4%
Spent more than it raised in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$180.5M
Total liabilities
$62K
Net assets
$180.4M
Salaries & benefits
$0
0% of expenses
Board members
2
2 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $33,475,838▲7.8% | $44,330,644▲15.8% | $180,417,556▼5.7% | $180,479,783▼5.7% | 990 |
| 2023 | $31,057,090▼1.2% | $38,267,548▲7.4% | $191,272,362▼3.6% | $191,404,347▼3.6% | 990 |
| 2022 | $31,428,615▲14.2% | $35,625,551▲16.5% | $198,482,820▼2.1% | $198,595,941▼2.1% | 990 |
| 2021 | $27,525,774▲95.2% | $30,574,112▲51.2% | $202,679,756▼1.5% | $202,911,238▼1.4% | 990 |
| 2020 | $14,102,035▼93.3% | $20,218,484▲760% | $205,728,094▼2.9% | $205,858,853▼2.9% | 990 |
| 2019 | $211,468,949▲51390% | $2,350,013▲586% | $211,844,543▲310892% | $211,914,916▲310995% | 990 |
| 2018 | $410,699 | $342,580 | $68,119 | $68,119 | 990 |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
Leadership & compensation (FY2024)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gretchen Wagner | Assistant Secretary | 1 | — |
| Janine Racanelli | Director Ex Officio, President | 1 | — |
| Mark Dalio | Director, Secretary & Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Matthew Dalio | Director | 1 | — |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2024)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Equiom | Marine Crew Services | $8,302,266 |
| Marino Management LLC | Back Office, Vessel Mgmt., Phil. Svcs. | $5,275,760 |
| Damen | Vessel Refit Services | $5,000,000 |
| Pt Menara Cahaya Mercusuar | Yacht Support Services | $1,009,437 |
| Precision LLC | Helo Management Services | $996,080 |
Grants received · $20.0M total
2 grants to Oceanographic Research & Exploration Foundation totaling $20.0M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dalio Family Fund Inc | To support general operations | 2022 | $10,000,000 |
| Dalio Family Fund Inc | To support general operations | 2021 | $10,000,000 |
Grants made · $1.0M in FY2020
1 grant totaling $1.0M in FY2020. All grants made by Oceanographic Research & Exploration Foundation →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution | To support general operations. | $1,000,000 |
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Compare Oceanographic Research & Exploration Foundation
Frequently asked questions
- Is Oceanographic Research & Exploration Foundation a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. Oceanographic Research & Exploration Foundation is a 501(c)(4) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 83-0757695, based in Westport, Connecticut.
- What is Oceanographic Research & Exploration Foundation's EIN?
- Oceanographic Research & Exploration Foundation's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 83-0757695.
- How much revenue does Oceanographic Research & Exploration Foundation report?
- Oceanographic Research & Exploration Foundation reported $33,475,838 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of Oceanographic Research & Exploration Foundation's spending goes to programs?
- Oceanographic Research & Exploration Foundation spends about 98% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does Oceanographic Research & Exploration Foundation have?
- CharityIndex grades Oceanographic Research & Exploration Foundation C+, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does Oceanographic Research & Exploration Foundation's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on Oceanographic Research & Exploration Foundation's latest Form 990 is $0, paid to Gretchen Wagner (Assistant Secretary).
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Explore more
Data for Oceanographic Research & Exploration Foundation (EIN 83-0757695) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.