2025-08-28T05:33:37-05:00 2024-06-30 273147421 KURTZ FARGO LLP 1470 Walnut Street Ste 301 Boulder CO 80302 990 2023-07-01 471716881 Ocean First Institute OCEA 3038193275 3015 Bluff Street Boulder CO 80301 Dawn M McComb-Kobza Executive Director 3038193275 2025-08-27 1 1 Meghan Hays P01250229 7203102078 2025-08-26 2023 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z X Dawn M McComb-Kobza 2758 Flacon Drive Longmont CO 80503 965162 0 X www.OceanFirstInstitute.org X 2014 CO The mission of Ocean First Institute is ocean conservation through research and education. 7 5 9 0 0 0 280040 722189 162604 226367 -37248 112 27130 1113 432526 949781 0 100 0 0 260193 338744 0 0 2772 143522 277569 403715 616413 28811 333368 145850 564282 54320 56870 91530 507412 X The mission of Ocean First Institute is ocean conservation through research and education. We work to deepen the natural connection between people and the ocean. We educate and empower people to understand the ocean is our life support system no matter where we live, and that we need a healthy ocean to have a healthy planet. We provide individuals the opportunity to engage in activities that support sustainability, biodiversity, and improvethe health of our ocean. 1 0 159000 96888 1. Plastic Pollution Monitoring Program Ocean First Institue is collecting water and sediment samples in Florida and Colorado looking for the presence of microplastics and microfibers. Students identify plastics and fibers with microscopes and samples are further analyzed at our laboratory space at FAU Henderson School. Students participate in summits where they report out their findings and share the simple everyday things we can all do to be part of the solution. 80000 84645 2. Ocean First Discovery Center Online Courses Ocean First Institute (OFI) scientists continue to partner with educational institutions and scientific organizations to conduct ongoing marine science research all over the world. This current and ongoing research informs OFI's educational outreach and inspires innovation and conservation in local communities. Our research is a centerpiece to our goal to bring the reef to the Rockies and inspire a new generation of environmental scientists and stewards.OFI focuses on educational outreach to primarily middle and high school students. We customize marine science education programs to individual schools and classrooms. We also offer after school and summer programming to supplement and enhance K12 science student learning. Our goal is to introduce the wonders of the ocean to students who would otherwise never have the chance to experience and learn about them through hands-on, high quality marine science education programs. 247000 100 44575 3. Shark Field CourseImpact of Environmental Stressors on Elasmobranch Health in Florida Waters. Ocean First Institute is conducting groundbreaking research on the health impacts of environmental stressors affecting sharks and small tooth sawsh in Florida waters. The research program encompasses two major initiatives: an investigation of the "spinning sh" phenomenon in the Florida Keys and a comprehensive study of pharmaceutical contamination in marine ecosystems. 486000 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 9 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 X 7 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 X Dawn M McComb-Kobza 3039567885 3015 Bluff Street Boulder CO 80306 Mikki McComb-Kobza Executive Director 45.00 X 94167 0 0 Renee McElroy Board Vice-Chair 1.00 X 0 0 0 Sam Cramer Board Treasurer 1.00 X 0 0 0 Zuhirah Khaldun-Diarra Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Bretton Hunchak Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Brittnie Bassant Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 John Stuart Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Jerry Rodriguez Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 94167 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 39912 682277 433873 722189 Program Revenue 611110 226367 226367 226367 112 112 1372 0 1372 1372 15122 15381 -259 -259 949781 226108 0 1484 X 100 100 99583 20346 79237 218607 218607 20554 20554 1971 1971 5333 5333 19662 19662 4660 4660 28108 28108 6576 6576 Professional Fees 46750 46750 Research 41081 41081 Program Supplies 34062 34062 Supplies 11243 11243 78123 66041 9310 2772 616413 486000 127641 2772 28581 63411 207 4227 60 0 29686 0 77008 18493 27070 58515 60246 72759 0 365370 145850 564282 0 770 54320 56100 54320 56870 X 0 0 0 0 91530 507412 91530 507412 145850 564282 333368 82514 0 X 1 X 0 1 0 X 125997 170957 294250 280040 722189 1593433 41375 43193 43503 193263 242861 564195 167372 214150 337753 473303 965050 2157628 97225 33323 130548 0 97225 33323 130548 2027080 36 61 87 52 112 348 36 61 87 52 112 348 167408 214211 337840 473355 965162 2157976 0.93930 0.92960 0.00020 0.00020 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 28323 151 28172 48685 18342 30343 58515 Charles Schwab 72759 F 72759 EIDL Loan 56100 56100 X 1 7000 Fair Market Value X 1 316700 Appraised Value X Licensing Agreement 1 67900 Appraised Value X Shed & Double Doors 1 28323 Fair Market Value X Video Equipment 1 5000 Fair Market Value 0 0 0 Form 990, Part III, line 2 New in 2024 - Shark Field Course - Impact of Environmental Stressors on Elasmobranch Health in Florida Waters. Ocean First Institute is conducting groundbreaking research on the health impacts of environmental stressors affecting sharks and small tooth sawfish in Florida waters. The research program encompasses two major initiatives: an investigation of the "spinning fish" phenomenon in the Florida Keys and a comprehensive study of pharmaceutical contamination in marine ecosystems. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 11b No review was or will be conducted. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 12c A potential or actual conflict of interest exists when commitments and obligations are likely to be compromised by Board candidates/members other material interests, or relationships (especially economic), particularly if those interests or commitments are not disclosed. This Conflict-of-Interest Form should indicate whether the member/candidate has an economic interest in, or acts as an officer or a director of, any outside entity whose financial interests would reasonably appear to be affected by the addition of the nominated condition to the screening panel. The member/candidate should also disclose any personal, business, or volunteer affiliations that may give rise to a real or apparent conflict of interest. Relevant federal and organization regulations and guidelines pertaining to financial conflicts must be abided by. Individuals with a conflict of interest should not be a candidate for or serve on a Board position. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, line 18 Impact Report 2020 available upon request. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, line 19 No other documents available to the public. Form 990, Part VIII, Line 1e Employee Rentention Credit Income Form 990, Part IX, line 24e Boat Repairs & Supplies: Program service expenses 10,613. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 10,613. Dues & Subscriptions: Program service expenses 10,025. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 10,025. Shark Field Course Expense: Program service expenses 9,453. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 9,453. Website Expenses: Program service expenses 8,141. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 8,141. Boat Slip Rental: Program service expenses 7,020. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 7,020. Boat Insurance: Program service expenses 6,028. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 6,028. Rent/Storage: Program service expenses 5,072. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 5,072. Meals: Program service expenses 4,910. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 4,910. Office Supplies: Program service expenses 0. Management and general expenses 3,389. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 3,389. Education Expenses: Program service expenses 2,875. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 2,875. Fundraising Expenses: Program service expenses 0. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 2,772. Total expenses 2,772. Payroll Processing Fees: Program service expenses 0. Management and general expenses 2,603. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 2,603. Credit Card Processing Fees: Program service expenses 0. Management and general expenses 1,672. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 1,672. Workers Comp Insurance: Program service expenses 0. Management and general expenses 1,547. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 1,547. Bank Fees: Program service expenses 1,032. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 1,032. Boat Fuel: Program service expenses 872. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 872. Licenses: Program service expenses 0. Management and general expenses 99. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 99. Amendment: This return is amended to correct errors in the originally filed return. Revisions include updates to disclosures on accounting practices (conflict of interest policy, whistleblower policy, and document retention and destruction policy) and updates to financial reporting statements.