For more than 30 years, the Tennessee Aquarium has served as a gateway for more than 28 million guests to the natural world, inspiring and empowering them to make informed decisions about water and wildlife.
Thanks to the generous continued support of visitors, annual members, and donors, the Aquarium has effectively and responsibly served its mission as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, magnifying its impact far beyond its downtown Chattanooga campus.
Now, the Aquarium has been recognized as an exemplary nonprofit organization by two leading independent nonprofit evaluators, Candid and Charity Navigator.
After evaluating the Chattanooga facility’s stewardship of its financial resources, Candid awarded the Tennessee Aquarium its Gold Seal of Transparency. The Aquarium was scored based on submitted financial statements, program descriptions, goals and strategies, feedback solicitation methods, and demographic analyses.
Likewise, Charity Navigator now lists the Aquarium as a Four-Star Charity — its highest rating. Charity Navigator only confers this designation on an organization that “exceeds or meets best practices and industry standards across almost all areas, likely to be a highly effective charity.” The evaluator’s 98% score and Four-Star Charity rating single out the Tennessee Aquarium as an official “Give with Confidence” charity. This superlative indicates donors can trust an organization receiving their support to use donations effectively, based on Charity Navigator’s independent criteria.
“These seals of approval from Candid and Charity Navigator are critical to the Aquarium’s success,” says Aquarium Vice President and Chief Development Officer Melanie King. “They help assure our supporters that we will be good stewards of our funding, whether their support comes from visiting as a guest, an annual membership or a donation.”
Despite occupying an iconic place on Chattanooga’s downtown skyline for more than 30 years, the Aquarium’s role in the broader community and throughout the Southeast is significant.
Long-term species restoration programs through the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute have helped restore Tennessee’s native Brook Trout and returned more than 300,000 Lake Sturgeon to the Tennessee River (an endangered species in Tennessee). The Aquarium’s award-winning education programs bring a host of Ambassador Animals to schools and community centers across the region, helping ensure all children are introduced to natural science from a young age.
Left: Girls Inc. assists the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute as they release Lake Sturgeon into the Tennessee River. Right: An Aquarium educator introduces students to an ambassador animal during an outreach program.
The Aquarium is tremendously important as an economic driver for Chattanooga, spurring more than $187 million in annual tourism spending. In its 32-year presence on the waterfront, the Aquarium is responsible for $4.88 billion in economic impact through direct, indirect and induced spending, according to a 2023 economic impact report.
With 12 independent board members and an audit and oversight committee, the Aquarium ranks high for key accountability metrics. Mission-driven programs and services accounted for 77.29% of the nonprofit’s expenses in 2021, its most recently evaluated fiscal year.
“We want to be accountable to the people who support us,” King says. “In an era of declining institutional trust, the Aquarium believes it is more important than ever to be straightforward in our operations. These recognitions are a testament to the Aquarium’s strong financial health and commitment to transparency.”
View the Aquarium’s profiles on Candid and Charity Navigator.
Donations to the Tennessee Aquarium are tax-deductible. Learn how to support the Aquarium through an annual membership here.
Individuals that would like to make a more significant impact can learn about the Tennessee Aquarium’s River Society here.
