OCEAN DISCOVERY LEAGUE INC
Cite this
Plain text OCEAN DISCOVERY LEAGUE INC. furp.org, nonprofit organization profile, tax years 2021–2025. https://furp.org/org/ocean-discovery-league-inc-841827384. Retrieved 2026-10-28.
APA furp.org. (n.d.). OCEAN DISCOVERY LEAGUE INC [Nonprofit organization profile; tax years 2021–2025]. Retrieved October 28, 2026, from https://furp.org/org/ocean-discovery-league-inc-841827384
MLA “OCEAN DISCOVERY LEAGUE INC.” furp.org, tax years 2021–2025, https://furp.org/org/ocean-discovery-league-inc-841827384. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.
Retrieved 2026-10-28; covers tax years 2021–2025. Data: furp.org, CC BY 4.0.
2025 · Form 990 · revenue $815K · expenses $701K · assets $1.2M
- EIN
- 84-1827384
- Address
- PO BOX 182, SAUNDERSTOWN, RI 02874-0182
- Website
- www.oceandiscoveryleague.org
- NTEE code
- U21
- Exempt type
- 501(c)(3): charitable, religious, educational, scientific or literary (corporation)
- Ruling date
- February 2021 (when the IRS recognized its exemption)
- IRS status
- Exempt (unconditional) (IRS Business Master File) IRS data ↗
- Tax-deductible donations
- Yes: listed in IRS Publication 78 (public charity) Pub 78 ↗
- Foundation status
- Public charity, 509(a)(2)
- Principal officer
- Katherine Bell (its 2020 Form 990-N)
- Form 990-N e-postcards
- 1 filed, 2020 (organizations with gross receipts normally $50,000 or less file this instead of a full Form 990) IRS data ↗
- Cross-check
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
Mission
The Ocean Discovery League's mission is to accelerate deep-ocean exploration by developing accessible systems to broaden the community of those who explore and understand the deep sea.
Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).
People paid by the organization
2 people paid across every filing: current people first, then by total pay from this organization. Organizations counts every nonprofit each person appears on.
| Name | Latest title | Years | Latest year pay | Total pay from here | Organizations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Katherine Croff Bell | President | 2021-2025 | $146,120 | $580,043 | 1 |
| Susan Poulton | Secretary | 2021-2025 | $120,000 | $452,095 | 1 |
Officers and directors, no compensation reported
7 people listed on the returns with $0 (or no amount) in every compensation column: current people first. Hours are as filed on the latest return each person appears on.
| Name | Latest title | Years | Hrs/wk (latest) | Compensation | Organizations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rafael Anta | Member | 2023-2025 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Terry Garcia | Member | 2024-2025 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Peter Girguis | Member | 2023-2025 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Ellen Blix | Chair | 2021-2025 | 2 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Roderick MacLeod | Treasurer | 2024-2025 | 2 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Craig McLean | Member | 2025 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Martin Klein (former) | Member | 2023-2024 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
People by year
2025 · 8 people listed · 2 paid, $266K · 1 employee
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Katherine Croff Bell | President | 40 | $122,620 | $0 | $23,500 | $146,120 | 1 |
| Susan Poulton | Secretary | 40 | $120,000 | $0 | $0 | $120,000 | 1 |
| Craig McLean | Member | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Rafael Anta | Member | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Terry Garcia | Member | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Peter Girguis | Member | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Ellen Blix | Chair | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Roderick MacLeod | Treasurer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2024 · 8 people listed · 2 paid, $264K · 1 employee
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Katherine Croff Bell | President | 40 | $144,615 | $0 | $0 | $144,615 | 1 |
| Susan Poulton | Secretary | 40 | $119,095 | $0 | $0 | $119,095 | 1 |
| Martin Klein | Member | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Rafael Anta | Member | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Terry Garcia | Member | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Peter Girguis | Member | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Ellen Blix | Chair | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Roderick MacLeod | Treasurer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2023 · 6 people listed · 2 paid, $226K · 1 employee
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Katherine Croff Bell | President | 40 | $89,308 | $40,000 | $0 | $129,308 | 1 |
| Susan Poulton | Sec-Treasurer | 40 | $97,000 | $0 | $0 | $97,000 | 1 |
| Martin Klein | Member | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Rafael Anta | Member | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Peter Girguis | Member | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Ellen Blix | Chair | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2022 · 3 people listed · 2 paid, $216K · 0 employees
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Katherine Croff Bell | President | 40 | $20,000 | $100,000 | $0 | $120,000 | 1 |
| Susan Poulton | Secretary | 40 | $96,000 | $0 | $0 | $96,000 | 1 |
| Ellen Blix | Treasurer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2021 · 3 people listed · 2 paid, $60K · 0 employees
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Katherine Croff Bell | President | 40 | $40,000 | $0 | $0 | $40,000 | 1 |
| Susan Poulton | Secretary | 40 | $20,000 | $0 | $0 | $20,000 | 1 |
| Ellen Blix | Treasurer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
Highest-paid independent contractors
2025 · 2 contractors · $258K
| Name | Location | Service | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Brian Kennedy | Elon, NC | Scientific Research | $137,619 |
| Susan Poulton | Philadelphia, PA | Strategy & Communications | $120,000 |
2024 · 3 contractors · $774K
| Name | Location | Service | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Robotics | Torrance, CA | Exploration Equipment | $340,000 |
| Sofar Ocean Technologies | San Francisco, CA | Exploration Equipment | $315,000 |
| Susan Poulton | Philadelphia, PA | Strategy & Communications | $119,095 |
Federal grants and contracts
Awards from USAspending.gov to a recipient with this organization's name and zip code. Obligations by federal fiscal year (October to September); each award links to its page on usaspending.gov.
| Fiscal year | Grants and other assistance | Contracts | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,199,919 | $0 | 1 |
Largest awards · 1 shown
| Year | Agency | Kind | Program | Description | Obligated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | Grant or other assistance | INTEGRATED OCEAN OBSERVING SYSTEM (IOOS) 11.012 | PURPOSE: THE DEEP OCEAN BELOW 200 M REMAINS LARGELY UNEXPLORED. DUE TO FINANCIAL AND LOGISTICAL BARRIERS, CURRENT DEEP-SEA TECHNOLOGY IS INACCESSIBLE TO MOST PE | $1,199,919 |
Who gave
Contributor names are not public for this form type.
Public charities filing Form 990 or 990-EZ report large donors on Schedule B, but the IRS withholds their names and addresses from public copies. Private foundations (990-PF) are different: their contributors are public.
Finances
Newest first. Each filing: its name on one row, its figures on the row beneath. Greyed filings are superseded by a later return for the same period and are left out everywhere else on this page.
| Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Net assets | Contributions | Program revenue | Officer pay | Employees | Volunteers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $815,470 | $701,371 | $1,153,042 | $708,550 | $663,759 | $128,821 | $146,120 | 1 | - |
| 2024 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $1,054,957 | $1,519,819 | $779,526 | $594,451 | $981,603 | $56,738 | $144,615 | 1 | - |
| 2023 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $1,833,953 | $1,332,441 | $1,278,133 | $1,059,313 | $1,679,797 | $150,009 | $89,308 | 1 | - |
| 2022 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $142,126 | $498,043 | $592,962 | $557,801 | $21,865 | $120,251 | $106,000 | 0 | - |
| 2021 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $989,005 | $75,287 | $913,718 | $913,718 | $989,005 | $0 | $60,000 | 0 | - |
Funders of this organization
7 grantors reported grants to this organization, $2,507,205 in all, tax years 2021 to 2025. Exact: the grantor wrote this organization's EIN. Fuzzy: the grantor wrote only a name (foundations' 990-PF has no EIN field), matched to the same or a near-identical name in the same state; the name as filed is shown. From the latest return for each grantor and year, so amended returns aren't counted twice. CSV
| Grantor | Type | Match | Years given | Grants | Total | Latest year | Latest year's amount | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TR | DAF sponsor | Exact | 2021, 2023 | 2 | $1,615,000 | 2023 | $865,000 | show |
| NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY | Public charity | Exact | 2021, 2023, 2025 | 3 | $374,000 | 2025 | $100,000 | show |
| THE SCHMIDT FAMILY FOUNDATION | Private foundation | Fuzzy filed as “OCEAN DISCOVERY LEAGUE INC” | 2022-2024 | 3 | $345,000 | 2024 | $100,000 | show |
| DALIO FAMILY FUND INC | Public charity | Exact | 2023 | 1 | $100,000 | 2023 | $100,000 | show |
| DALIO FOUNDATION INC | Private foundation | Fuzzy filed as “OCEAN DISCOVERY LEAGUE INC” | 2024 | 1 | $50,000 | 2024 | $50,000 | show |
| NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY FOUNDATION | Public charity | Exact | 2022 | 1 | $23,100 | 2022 | $23,100 | show |
| LINCOLN FINANCIAL FOUNDATION INC | Private foundation | Fuzzy filed as “OCEAN DISCOVERY LEAGUE INC” | 2023 | 1 | $105 | 2023 | $105 | show |
Similar organizations
Ranked without any AI: same NTEE code first, then the same NTEE group; then revenue within 2x, 5x or 10x; then the same state; then similar name and mission text. Same state only · More (100)
| Organization | State | NTEE | Latest revenue | Latest expenses | Top-paid title | Top pay | Why similar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCEAN RESCUE ALLIANCE INC | FL | U21 | $664,417 | $494,324 | Program Director | $48,000 | Same NTEE code U21, revenue within 2x |
| OCEANS INITIATIVE | WA | U21 | $864,560 | $909,191 | Chief Scientist | $172,023 | Same NTEE code U21, revenue within 2x |
| REEFS UNKNOWN INC | VI | U21 | $507,852 | $20,944 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code U21, revenue within 2x |
| WORLD OCEAN COUNCIL | VA | U21 | $721,867 | $658,817 | CEO | $189,000 | Same NTEE code U21, revenue within 2x |
| SAVING THE BLUE INC | FL | U21 | $524,718 | $545,081 | PRESIDENT & | $67,792 | Same NTEE code U21, revenue within 2x |
| INTER DISTRICT COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT OCEANOLOGY | CT | U21 | $1,496,245 | $1,681,026 | Executive Dir. | $135,660 | Same NTEE code U21, revenue within 2x |
| SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON OCEANIC RESEARCH | DE | U21 | $1,418,560 | $1,420,117 | EXEC DIRECTOR | $179,253 | Same NTEE code U21, revenue within 2x |
| RESPONSIBLE OFFSHORE SCIENCE ALLIANCE | DC | U21 | $1,283,365 | $1,095,939 | EXECUTIVE DI | $184,316 | Same NTEE code U21, revenue within 2x |
| AMERICAN SALTWATER GUIDES ASSOCIATION INC | DC | U21 | $802,482 | $768,247 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code U21, revenue within 2x |
| SHARK RESEARCH FOUNDATION INC | U21 | $515,316 | $466,508 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND TREASURER | $0 | Same NTEE code U21, revenue within 2x | |
| ATLANTIC WHITE SHARK CONSERVANCY INC | MA | U21 | $1,621,119 | $1,907,200 | CEO/PRESIDEN | $140,500 | Same NTEE code U21, revenue within 2x |
| BIMINI BIOLOGICAL FIELD STATION FOUNDATION INC | FL | U21 | $686,535 | $869,196 | PRESIDENT, CEO, DIRECTOR | $103,375 | Same NTEE code U21, revenue within 2x |
| ALGALITA MARINE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION | CA | U21 | $622,663 | $572,339 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $96,841 | Same NTEE code U21, revenue within 2x |
| FINS ATTACHED MARINE RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION | CO | U21 | $495,722 | $432,634 | INDIVIDUAL TRUSTEE | $0 | Same NTEE code U21, revenue within 2x |
| PACIFIC SHELLFISH INSTITUTE | WA | U21 | $1,291,767 | $1,163,646 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $109,052 | Same NTEE code U21, revenue within 2x |
| PORT TOWNSEND MARINE SCIENCE CENTER | WA | U21 | $909,740 | $1,012,904 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $81,175 | Same NTEE code U21, revenue within 2x |
| SOCIETY FOR MARINE MAMALOGY | NJ | U21 | $1,627,711 | $1,405,883 | President | $0 | Same NTEE code U21, revenue within 2x |
| OCEANS FOR YOUTH FOUNDATION | GA | U21 | $907,048 | $453,391 | CO-CHAIRMAN | $0 | Same NTEE code U21, revenue within 2x |
| ATLANTIC SHARK INSTITUTE | RI | U21 | $164,394 | $103,174 | DIRECTOR | $0 | Same NTEE code U21, revenue within 5x, same state |
| THE GLOBAL FOUNDATION FOR OCEAN EXPLORATION INC | CT | U21 | $2,422,237 | $3,242,015 | President | $295,869 | Same NTEE code U21, revenue within 5x |
| OCEAN CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL INC | DE | U21 | $296,637 | $290,987 | DIRECTOR | $0 | Same NTEE code U21, revenue within 5x |
| FLORIDA OCEANOGRAPHIC SOCIETY INC | FL | U21 | $4,017,704 | $3,772,689 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / CEO | $180,280 | Same NTEE code U21, revenue within 5x |
| CLEAN OCEANS PROJECT | CA | U21 | $341,442 | $240,967 | Executive Dir. | $48,282 | Same NTEE code U21, revenue within 5x |
| CALIFORNIA OCEAN ALLIANCE | CA | U21 | $267,850 | $298,064 | Rotating Member Finance Director | $17,280 | Same NTEE code U21, revenue within 5x |
| BLACK IN MARINE SCIENCE | WA | U21 | $3,222,718 | $2,591,943 | EXECUTIVE DIR | $178,600 | Same NTEE code U21, revenue within 5x |
Who funds organizations like this
Grantors that funded the 100 most similar organizations. Ranked by total given to them. Foundations (990-PF) and donor-advised fund sponsors only. Same matching as Funders above (by EIN, or by name for foundations).
The full list · all similar organizations
Where the money went
Every expense line on each return, biggest first: Form 990 Part IX (with its program, management and fundraising columns), 990-EZ Part I, or 990-PF Part I. Event marks lines the organization itself describes as events. “Events” in each summary adds those lines, conferences and meetings, and the direct costs of fundraising events. Unusual is not the same as improper. Many of these patterns have ordinary explanations. Check the filing.
2025 · Form 990 · $701,371 spent · pay $158,675 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other (as described) | Contract labor services | $392,104 | $392,104 | - | - | 55.9% |
| Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees | $146,120 | $112,663 | $19,378 | $14,079 | 20.8% | |
| Other (as described) | Sub-awards and grants | $36,155 | $36,155 | - | - | 5.2% |
| Office expenses | $28,124 | $16,594 | $11,352 | $178 | 4.0% | |
| Insurance | $23,650 | - | $23,650 | - | 3.4% | |
| Other (as described) | Professional Services | $19,570 | - | $19,570 | - | 2.8% |
| Fees: accounting | $15,500 | - | $15,500 | - | 2.2% | |
| Payroll taxes | $11,556 | $8,942 | $1,503 | $1,111 | 1.6% | |
| Other (as described) | Printing and Publications | $10,910 | $10,910 | - | - | 1.6% |
| Travel | $9,950 | $6,430 | $3,520 | - | 1.4% | |
| Depreciation and depletion | $5,310 | $5,080 | $230 | - | 0.8% | |
| Other employee benefits | $999 | $795 | $120 | $84 | 0.1% | |
| All other expenses | $676 | $676 | - | - | 0.1% | |
| Advertising and promotion | $422 | $96 | $326 | - | 0.1% | |
| Fees: legal | $325 | - | $325 | - | 0.0% | |
| Total | $701,371 | 100% |
2024 · Form 990 · $1,519,819 spent · pay $157,352 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other (as described) | Contract labor services | $749,920 | $749,920 | - | - | 49.3% |
| Other (as described) | Sub-awards and grants | $315,000 | $315,000 | - | - | 20.7% |
| Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees | $144,615 | $92,459 | $33,638 | $18,518 | 9.5% | |
| Other (as described) | Supplies | $124,626 | $124,626 | - | - | 8.2% |
| Insurance | $77,780 | - | $77,780 | - | 5.1% | |
| Other (as described) | Professional Services | $45,171 | - | $45,171 | - | 3.0% |
| Office expenses | $14,866 | $3,813 | $10,909 | $144 | 1.0% | |
| Fees: accounting | $14,800 | - | $14,800 | - | 1.0% | |
| Payroll taxes | $11,496 | $7,235 | $2,830 | $1,431 | 0.8% | |
| Travel | $10,619 | $9,529 | $1,083 | $7 | 0.7% | |
| Depreciation and depletion | $6,462 | $5,081 | $1,381 | - | 0.4% | |
| Advertising and promotion | $1,658 | - | $1,070 | $588 | 0.1% | |
| Fees: legal | $1,530 | - | $1,530 | - | 0.1% | |
| Other employee benefits | $1,241 | $829 | $261 | $151 | 0.1% | |
| Fees: professional fundraisers | $35 | - | - | $35 | 0.0% | |
| Total | $1,519,819 | 100% |
2023 · Form 990 · $1,332,441 spent · pay $96,784 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other (as described) | Sub-awards and grants | $621,957 | $621,957 | - | - | 46.7% |
| Other (as described) | Contract labor services | $504,957 | $484,824 | $14,688 | $5,445 | 37.9% |
| Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees | $89,308 | $71,470 | $10,752 | $7,086 | 6.7% | |
| Other (as described) | Professional Services | $25,640 | - | $25,640 | - | 1.9% |
| Other (as described) | Supplies | $21,646 | $21,045 | $455 | $146 | 1.6% |
| Travel | $18,585 | $16,875 | $1,710 | - | 1.4% | |
| Insurance | $17,173 | $325 | $16,848 | - | 1.3% | |
| Office expenses | $9,949 | $4,030 | $4,810 | $1,109 | 0.7% | |
| Payroll taxes | $6,737 | $5,509 | $626 | $602 | 0.5% | |
| Depreciation and depletion | $6,461 | $5,080 | $1,381 | - | 0.5% | |
| All other expenses | $6,138 | $6,138 | - | - | 0.5% | |
| Advertising and promotion | $1,677 | - | $1,677 | - | 0.1% | |
| Information technology | $1,474 | - | $1,474 | - | 0.1% | |
| Other employee benefits | $739 | $606 | $87 | $46 | 0.1% | |
| Total | $1,332,441 | 100% |
2022 · Form 990 · $498,043 spent · pay $106,000 · grants $0 · events $4,939
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other (as described) | Contract labor services | $367,006 | $304,476 | $35,705 | $26,825 | 73.7% |
| Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees | $106,000 | $106,000 | - | - | 21.3% | |
| Other (as described) | Printing and Publications | $5,331 | $5,096 | $235 | - | 1.1% |
| Advertising and promotion | $5,305 | $4,803 | $502 | - | 1.1% | |
| Conferences, conventions and meetings | $4,939 | $4,939 | - | - | 1.0% | |
| Office expenses | $3,228 | $2,579 | $649 | - | 0.6% | |
| Information technology | $3,180 | $160 | $2,432 | $588 | 0.6% | |
| Depreciation and depletion | $1,151 | $1,151 | - | - | 0.2% | |
| Other (as described) | Bank Fees | $771 | $228 | $543 | - | 0.2% |
| Fees: accounting | $600 | - | $600 | - | 0.1% | |
| Other (as described) | Taxes and licenses | $326 | - | $326 | - | 0.1% |
| All other expenses | $206 | $118 | $88 | - | 0.0% | |
| Total | $498,043 | 100% |
2021 · Form 990 · $75,287 spent · pay $60,000 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees | $60,000 | $48,000 | $12,000 | - | 79.7% | |
| Fees: other services | $9,290 | $9,290 | - | - | 12.3% | |
| Advertising and promotion | $3,734 | - | $3,734 | - | 5.0% | |
| Other (as described) | Software | $1,107 | - | $1,107 | - | 1.5% |
| Other (as described) | Shipping | $893 | - | $893 | - | 1.2% |
| Other (as described) | Bank Fees | $144 | - | $144 | - | 0.2% |
| Other (as described) | Supplies | $74 | - | $74 | - | 0.1% |
| All other expenses | $45 | - | $45 | - | 0.1% | |
| Total | $75,287 | 100% |
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