The North Carolina Aquarium Society has once again — as it did last year and the year before — received the top billing of four stars in the United States as the most effective and efficient charity among the nation’s zoos and aquariums.
With an overall score of 93.87 out of a possible score of 100, the N.C. Aquarium Society, the support organization for North Carolina’s three aquariums and Jeannette’s Pier in Nags Head, topped the list of all aquariums and zoos in America.
The honor comes from Charity Navigator, a nonprofit watch group and the premier evaluator that compiles financial data from more than 5,500 charities in the United States to prove their efficiency and their efficacy.
After receiving four stars for three consecutive years, 2008, 2009 and 2010, and then again in 2012 and 2013, 2014 marks the sixth time the N.C. Aquarium Society has been awarded the coveted four-star rating, the highest possible rating, by Charity Navigator, for fiscal management, accountability and transparency. The results are significant because posted on its website, charitynavigator.org, they provide prospective donors with inside information on charities they might choose to support.
“Savvy donors are demanding more accountability, transparency and quantifiable results from the charities they choose to support with their hard-earned dollars,” said Ken Berger, Charity Navigator’s president, in a letter to Neal Conoley Jr., aquarium president.
“We are proud to announce North Carolina Aquarium Society has earned our third consecutive 4-star rating. Receiving four out of a possible four stars indicates your organization adheres to good governance and other best practices that minimize the chance of unethical activities and consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way. Only 12% of the charities we rate have received at least 3 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that North Carolina Aquarium Society outperforms most other charities in America. This ‘exceptional’ designation from Charity Navigator differentiates North Carolina Aquarium Society from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust,” he said.
Out of a possible score of 100, the N.C. Aquarium Society earned a rating of 91.34 for fiscal responsibility and a perfect score of 100 for accountability and transparency.
The society’s financial metrics for program expenses of $4,836.110 was 81.4%, and 11% for administrative expenses of $653,193 and 7.5% for fundraising expenses of $445,088, a total of $5,934,391. The society’s fundraising efficiency was less than a penny, $0.15.
Society memberships brought in $1,016,697, which combined with contributions, gifts and grants of $724,826 and government grants of $1,166,421, produced total revenue of $6,590,439, giving the nonprofit an excess of $656,048 of revenue over expenses.
Noting the 4-star rating for the third consecutive year, Mark Joyner, aquarium vice president, said: “This ranking reflects the Board’s ongoing commitment to accountability, transparency, and sound fiscal management, and we thank you all for your guidance and leadership in these realms.”
Established in 1986, the mission of the N.C. Aquarium Society, a membership based nonprofit, is to assist the state’s three aquariums at Fort Fisher in New Hanover County, at Pine Knoll Shores in Carteret County, on Roanoke Island in Dare County and Jeannette’s Pier. The overall mission is to teach the public about the importance of coastal ecology and conservation, much of it by hands-on experience. Maintaining high standards in aquarium exhibits with an excellent staff and excellent programming achieves this.
In 1976, known as Marine Resource Centers, the aquariums had slightly more than 200,000 visitors. Under the sponsorship of the N.C. Society, each aquarium has more than doubled in size, and averaging more than two million visitors a year, are the most visited facilities in the state. The pier had more than a million visitors by itself last year, and the three aquariums hosted 1.2 million people.
Contributing enormously to the state’s growing coastal tourism economy, the aquariums and Jeannette’s Pier are year-round attractions and prime educational, cultural and tourist centers with a phenomenal economic impact on eastern North Carolina.
Those with a desire to invest in North Carolina, or to invest in education and the environment from the standpoint of education, as well as those looking for a gift should consider buying or giving an aquarium society membership.
Members receive unlimited free admission, discounts on gift shop purchases and programs, and free or discounted admission to over 150 other zoos and aquariums nationwide. Family gift memberships, in addition to other memberships, are just $75 for one year and $145 for two years. They can be bought online at ncaquariums.com by clicking on membership.
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