Nonprofit · EIN 95-3972799
CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH IN ASTRONOMY
Also known as DBA W M KECK OBSERVATORY
Tax-exempt · KAMUELA, HI 96743
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2025 | 990 | $30,106,569 | $33,961,961 | -$3,855,392 | $59,444,554 | $7,863,324 | $51,581,230 |
| September 30, 2024 | 990 | $30,370,507 | $32,945,269 | -$2,574,762 | $62,041,473 | $7,224,711 | $54,816,762 |
| September 30, 2023 | 990 | $29,589,145 | $44,659,977 | -$15,070,832 | $63,697,264 | $7,380,743 | $56,316,521 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $2,148,140
- of which government grants
- $1,166,565
- Program service revenue
- $25,921,219
- Investment income
- $2,037,210
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $1,656,128
- Other revenue
- $0
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $1,686,829
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $1,594,027
- Other salaries and wages
- $14,398,925
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $20,524,213
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $41,805
- Accounting fees
- $71,309
- Occupancy
- $2,008,078
- Travel
- $766,951
- Depreciation
- $4,378,446
- Program services (functional)
- $28,667,108
- Management and general (functional)
- $4,643,442
- Fundraising (functional)
- $651,411
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $62,041,473
- Total assets, end of year
- $59,444,554
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $7,863,324
- Net assets, end of year
- $51,581,230
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $33,832,709
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $50,785,440
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $795,790
- Gross receipts
- $30,117,370
- Employees
- 154
- Volunteers
- 15
- Year formed
- 1985
- State of legal domicile
- CA
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MR RICHARD MATSUDA | INTERIM OBS. DIRECTOR/ ASS Officer | 55 | $348,607 | $86,397 |
| DR JOHN O'MEARA | CHIEF SCIENTIST Highest-paid employee | 45 | $295,951 | $70,047 |
| MS MARGARITA SCHEFFEL | OBSERVATORY CFO Highest-paid employee | 50 | $273,603 | $82,710 |
| DR PETER WIZINOWICH | CHIEF OF TECHNICAL DEVELOP Highest-paid employee | 50 | $243,836 | $66,447 |
| MR ED HARRIS | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Highest-paid employee | 45 | $241,302 | $63,277 |
| MR JEFFREY HUBER | CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER Highest-paid employee | 45 | $241,517 | $49,839 |
| DR GEORGE BLUMENTHAL | CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DR B THOMAS SOIFER | VICE-CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DR KATHERINE NEWMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DR FIONA HARRISON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DR CHRIS MARTIN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DR BRUCE MACINTOSH | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MS CAROL SCHUIL | SECRETARY Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| MR NATHAN BROSTROM | TREASURER Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended September 30, 2024: 15 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MR HILTON LEWIS | FORMER OBSERVATORY DIRECTOR (TILL 6/11/23) Former | 45 | $591,195 | $51,724 |
| MR RICHARD MATSUDA | INTERIM OBS. DIRECTOR/ ASSOC. DIRECTOR EXTERNAL RE Officer | 55 | $302,684 | $73,856 |
| MS MARGARITA SCHEFFEL | OBSERVATORY CFO Highest-paid employee | 50 | $270,865 | $79,990 |
| DR JOHN O'MEARA | CHIEF SCIENTIST Highest-paid employee | 45 | $282,725 | $64,817 |
| DR PETER WIZINOWICH | CHIEF OF TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT Highest-paid employee | 50 | $253,303 | $70,361 |
| MR JEFFREY HUBER | CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER Highest-paid employee | 45 | $248,023 | $57,243 |
| MR ED HARRIS | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Highest-paid employee | 45 | $238,144 | $58,961 |
| DR GEORGE BLUMENTHAL | CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DR B THOMAS SOIFER | VICE-CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DR KATHERINE NEWMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DR FIONA HARRISON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DR CHRIS MARTIN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DR BRUCE MACINTOSH | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MS CAROL SCHUIL | SECRETARY Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| MR NATHAN BROSTROM | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended September 30, 2023: 21 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MR HILTON LEWIS | OBSERVATORY DIRECTOR Officer | 45 | $369,794 | $68,880 |
| DR JOHN O'MEARA | CHIEF SCIENTIST Key employee | 45 | $262,983 | $59,562 |
| MS MARGARITA SCHEFFEL | OBSERVATORY CFO Key employee | 50 | $248,449 | $72,954 |
| MR RICHARD MATSUDA | INTERIM OBS. DIRECTOR/ ASSOC. DIRECTOR EXTERNAL RE Officer | 55 | $250,985 | $70,186 |
| DR PETER WIZINOWICH | CHIEF OF TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT Key employee | 50 | $232,796 | $64,758 |
| MR ED HARRIS | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Highest-paid employee | 45 | $224,504 | $54,705 |
| MR JASON CHIN | ENGINEERING MANAGER Highest-paid employee | 45 | $213,406 | $65,203 |
| MR DENNIS MCBRIDE | PRINCIPAL ENGINEER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $209,764 | $36,145 |
| MR JOEL PAYNE | MECHANICAL ENGINEERING MANAGER Highest-paid employee | 45 | $185,350 | $47,106 |
| MR ANDREW ODELL | CHIEF OF OPERATIONS Highest-paid employee | 45 | $190,873 | $36,473 |
| MR MARC KASSIS | INSTRUMENT PROGRAMS MANAGER Key employee | 50 | $172,199 | $47,051 |
| MS CAROL SCHUIL | SECRETARY Officer | 4 | $30,515 | $0 |
| DR GEORGE BLUMENTHAL | CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DR B THOMAS SOIFER | VICE-CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DR MICHAEL BROWN | BOARD MEMBER - DEPARTED 2023 Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DR KATHERINE NEWMAN | BOARD MEMBER - SINCE JAN 2023 Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DR FIONA HARRISON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DR CHRIS MARTIN | BOARD MEMBER - SINCE MAY 2023 Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DR BRUCE MACINTOSH | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DR JONAS ZMUIDZINAS | BOARD MEMBER - DEPARTED 2023 Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MR NATHAN BROSTROM | TREASURER Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 65-1120 MAMALAHOA HWY, KAMUELA, HI 96743-8431
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- NATHAN BROSTROM, 65-1120 MAMALAHOA HWY, KAMUELA, HI 96743
- Signed the 990
- NATHAN BROSTROM, TREASURER
- Phone
- (808) 885-7887
- Website
- WWW.KECKOBSERVATORY.ORG
- Return prepared by
- ACCUITY ADVISORS LLC
Mission
SEE SCHEDULE O
Program accomplishments
- SEE SCHEDULE OExpenses $28,059,023 · grants $1,686,829 · revenue $25,913,080
- PUBLIC INFORMATION:KECK OBSERVATORY'S EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION PROGRAMS TELL OUR STORY OF SCIENCE, STEWARDSHIP, AND COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS TO AFFIRM THE OBSERVATORY'S ROLE AS A GLOBAL SCIENCE LEADER ROOTED IN HAWAII. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE PUBLIC ASTRONOMY TALKS, SCIENCE ENGAGEMENT IN CLASSROOMS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS, FACILITY TOURS, AND SHARING DISCOVERIES OVER DIGITAL PLATFORMS. OUR AUDIENCE IS GLOBAL WITH OVER 86,000 ASTRONOMY PROFESSIONALS AND ENTHUSIASTS ACROSS OUR DIGITAL PLATFORMS, AND WE EMPHASIZE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE LOCAL HAWAII COMMUNITY.Expenses $351,696
- RESEARCH:KECK OBSERVATORY'S ACTIVITIES INCLUDE SUBMITTING GRANT PROPOSALS TO CARRY OUT SPECIFIC RESEARCH PROJECTS.Expenses $256,389
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in September, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | September 30, 2026 | February 16, 2027 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | September 30, 2025 | February 17, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | September 30, 2024 | February 18, 2025 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 95-3972799
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1992
- Accounting year ends
- September
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Science and technology (U310)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $59,444,554
- Income (IRS master file)
- $30,117,370
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | September 2025 | $30,106,569 | $33,961,961 | $59,444,554 | XML |
| 990 | September 2024 | $30,370,507 | $32,945,269 | $62,041,473 | XML |
| 990 | September 2023 | $29,589,145 | $44,659,977 | $63,697,264 | XML |
| 990 | September 2022 | $28,518,344 | $29,041,238 | $76,552,850 | IRS |
| 990 | September 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 95-3972799).
Questions about CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH IN ASTRONOMY
- What is the EIN of CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH IN ASTRONOMY?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH IN ASTRONOMY is 95-3972799.
- Is CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH IN ASTRONOMY tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1992.
- Are donations to CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH IN ASTRONOMY tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH IN ASTRONOMY file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH IN ASTRONOMY due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending September 30, 2026) is due February 16, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH IN ASTRONOMY last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended September 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH IN ASTRONOMY?
- The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 names NATHAN BROSTROM.
- Who are the officers and directors of CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH IN ASTRONOMY?
- The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 lists 14 people; 6 received compensation from the organization, the highest $348,607 (MR RICHARD MATSUDA, INTERIM OBS. DIRECTOR/ ASS).
- How much revenue does CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH IN ASTRONOMY have?
- On its 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $30,106,569, expenses of $33,961,961 and total assets of $59,444,554 at year end.
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