The Charleston Center for Paleontology

What it reported doing in 2024

(1) Conserve the Charleston Tri-County Area's important fossil resourcesThe Charleston embayment is one of the most important fossil exposures in the US. Its fossil record spans 40 million years and can show us how animals adapted to the environmental pressures of changing ecosystems throughout that time, from cold, deep prehistoric oceans to our warm, modern marshes.The Tri-County Area is the center of rapid residential and commercial development, and there is a significant risk that the paleontological resources underneath will be lost forever. In 2024, CCP was able to open the largest paleontology-dedicated laboratory and collections space in the Charleston tri-county area (1800 sq ft). CCP also began accessioning items into its collection and ended the year with over 150 new items in collections, including a partial denary from the impressive oligocene-aged bird Pelagornis sandersii, a Xenorophus slonaii specimen recovered from a Summerville creek that made the front page of the Post and Courier, and the skull of an eomysticetid yet to be identified, measuring at over 6 feet long. These items, among many others, are currently in preparation to be fully restored and importantly, will be preserved for future scientific research.(2) Drive research on the paleontology of the Charleston Tri-County Area forwardFossil-rich strata in Charleston preserve two unique periods in the evolution of vertebrates: the origin of whales and dolphins as a response to global cooling during the first Antarctic glaciation (30-23 million years ago), and the origin of modern species in the context of climatic fluctuations during the beginning of the ice ages (2.5-1 million years ago). The study of fossil assemblages and the response of marine ecosystems to dramatic oceanographic and climatic changes may provide insight into the vulnerabilities and resiliency of modern species and fisheries affected by climate change, ocean acidification, and overfishing.CCP works both as an independent research center and as a bridge between Charleston and the larger academic community. In 2024, CCP hired its first Operations and Collections manager, Michael "Mike" Stoller. With an extensive background in both museum operations and paleontology tourism, Mike has been essential in getting the paleontology lab up and running, as well as making connections with local paleontology research centers and tourist groups, including the Charleston Museum, The Mace Brown Museum at the College of Charleston, and Charleston Fossil Adventures. We are working closely with these institutions on areas of potential collaboration for the future. (3) Provide educational opportunities for the community to engage with the Charleston Tri-County Area paleontologyThere is widespread enthusiasm for amateur paleontology in the local community, and Charleston has become a tourist destination for fossil hunters. CCP provides workshops and outreach services to local schools to provide hands-on workshops in paleontology principles to inspire the next generation of STEM enthusiasts. In 2024, we hosted two educational workshops for the public, both in collaboration with Charleston Fossil Adventures. Firstly, w hosted a shark tooth sorting workshop for the public to learn more about the different species of shark teeth you can find on South Carolina beaches. Second, we hosted a public booth at the Easter Meg Hunt event on Folly Beach for the public to learn more about paleontology research happening in the Lowcountry. We plan to gear up these programs in 2025.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 57.2%; rating input score 57
• Program expense ratio: 90%; rating input score 90
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 3 of 7 controls in place; rating input score 43
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 36.5%; rating input score 86; 86th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.66; rating input score 30; 30th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.06; rating input score 31; 31st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 0%; rating input score 69; 69th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: Limited
• Revenue growth: Limited
• Asset growth: Limited