Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium

What it reported doing in 2024

Protect our reefsflorida's coral reef is the third-largest barrier coral reef system in the world. It provides essential ecological services, protects coastlines from major storm impacts and is crucial to Florida's economy, with an asset value of $8.5 billion.this natural treasure has declined drastically over the past few decades due to major coral disease outbreaks, local to regional human impacts, heat-driven coral bleaching, and long-term climate change that is stressing corals in Florida and around the world.mote marine laboratory's protect our reefs program focuses on addressing these and other challenges by supporting coral reef research, restoration, conservation and education in Florida. The protect our reefs (por) specialty license plate was approved by the Florida legislature in july 2003 and is available to Florida-licensed drivers. Each plate sale provides $25 for reef research, restoration, conservation and education in Florida, including a special protect our reefs grants program. 37.5% of revenues support grants and an additional 37.5% of revenues supports mote's coral reef research and restoration. In general, por grant priorities are similar to those outlined by a number of federal and state agencies, and research organizations, along with various governmental, local community and non-profit advisory groups, with respect to coral reef research and other related coral reef program priorities. Because of the need to strategically focus the por plate's limited resources on critical challenges coral reef ecosystems are currently facing, priority for funding in all categories of por proposals (research, education and conservation) will be on coral reef restoration projects, including the research of new restoration methods that further the enhancement of coral genetic diversity and resiliency in the restoration of coral reef ecosystems. Education and public outreach proposals directly related to science-based restoration of coral reef ecosystems will also be considered. Other quality proposals will be given careful consideration, but the priority focus will be on projects that significantly enhance the capabilities of coral reef ecosystem resource managers to more effectively use science-based information in promoting and implementing restoration and long-term sustainable use of these ecosystems. Priority will be given to projects whose deliverables associated are clearly defined and aligned with coral reef restoration actions. The por will accept creative proposals that address novel coral reef restoration ideas and concepts that may require initial support to test their merit. The por encourages scientists that meet the "young-investigator" criteria to note that on their applications. Membershipwith more than 11,000 mote members, fy2025 revenues remained strong at over $1.26 million. Annual memberships continue to provide unrestricted funds that are allocated to where the need is greatest; providing support for mote's overall mission of marine research, conservation and education. Membership levels begin at $100 for an individual and rise to $1,000 for a party of 10. Membership benefits include unrestricted visits to mote aquarium; discounts in the aquarium gift shops and virtual reality experiences, free member-only events; discounts on education programs, camps and experiences, special pricing and early bird ticket sales to mote special events and free and discounted admissions to more than 100 reciprocal zoos, aquariums and gardens across the united states. For a complete list of membership levels, benefits and opportunities, please visit mote.org/membership.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 42.8%; rating input score 43
• Program expense ratio: 78.6%; rating input score 79
• Fundraising efficiency: $21.42 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 59; 59th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 94.4%; rating input score 94; 31st percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 5 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 83
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 98.1%; rating input score 98; 34th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 96.7%; rating input score 97; 51st percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 45.9%; rating input score 96; 96th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 5.33; rating input score 86; 86th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.24; rating input score 63; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 3.6%; rating input score 30; 30th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 7.8% per year; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 12.2% per year; rating input score 100; 83rd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 12.7% per year; rating input score 100; 80th percentile among comparable filings