Zoological Society of Philadelphia
Zoological Society of Philadelphia reported $43.7 million in revenue and $44.3 million in expenses for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $74.22 went to program services, $18.61 to management and general costs and $7.17 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 46.6% of the total. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $587,706 (PRESIDENT AND CEO). 25 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 7% between FY2020 and FY2025. Source: Form 990, FY2025.
Where $100 of spending went
The fiscal year ending February 28, 2025 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $44MFor context, the median across 245 covered animal-related charities: $83.96 programs, $9.42 management, $6.62 fundraising (medians computed separately, so they may not sum to $100).
Where $100 of revenue came from
The fiscal year ending February 28, 2025 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $44MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | FY2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 74.2% | 82.1% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 18.6% | 9.2% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 7.2% | 6.5% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.16 | $0.10 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 46.6% | 67.3% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 3.8% | 0.0% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 39.0% | 19.3% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $587,706 | $314,886 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 1.33% | 1.63% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 25 | 10 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 33.0 | 26.8 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 32 of 32 | 100.0% |
A median is context, not a target: hospitals, universities, food banks and grantmakers spend in very different ways. What these measures can and can't tell you.
What the money paid for, in its own words
FY2025 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseExhibits and garden care: philadelphia zoo serves as one of philadelphia's most visited cultural attractions, typically welcoming approximately 900,000 visitors each year. Accredited by the association of zoos and aquariums, philadelphia zoo, provides unique and inspiring experiences that educate and inspire its guest and communities both through on site as well as off site programs. Philadelphia zoo has worked diligently to reimagine and transform its campus and the overall zoo experience, with the additions of award-winning exhibits such as the pioneering zoo360, kidzoou: hamilton family…
Animal care: philadelphia zoo is one of foremost conservation organizations and currently home to approximately 1,700 animals of more than 240 different species. Throughout its history, philadelphia zoo has provided exceptional care for animals while educating and inspiring guests and participating in worldwide conservation efforts. Known for continued innovation, commitment to wildlife, and achieving longevity records, philadelphia zoo is a zoo of many firsts. Ranging from having the first orangutan and chimpanzee born in the U.S. In the 1920's, to the first giant river otter born in the…
Education, conservation & community engagement programming: driven by a passion for promoting action that supports wildlife conservation, the zoo offers a broad portfolio of dynamic educational programs. As the region's largest living classroom, the zoo offers hands-on, curriculum-connected and mission-focused animal experiences to thousands of school children each year. Through these programs, the zoo helps to grow the next generation of environmental stewards, giving young people the opportunity to share their new wildlife and conservation knowledge with their communities. (see sched…
Highest reported compensation
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section A · roles as filed; names are in the filing, not here| Role | From this org | From related orgs | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRESIDENT AND CEO Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $546,163 | $0 | $41,543 | $587,706 |
| CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $283,229 | $0 | $47,366 | $330,595 |
| CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $255,223 | $0 | $46,554 | $301,777 |
| VP, ANIMAL WELL BEING Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $205,676 | $0 | $24,315 | $229,991 |
| VP, GUEST ENGAGEMENT Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $191,143 | $0 | $33,109 | $224,252 |
| DIRECTOR, MARKETING Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $168,400 | $0 | $30,363 | $198,763 |
| DIRECTOR, IT Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $174,630 | $0 | $22,886 | $197,516 |
| CHIEF OF STAFF Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $158,292 | $0 | $27,627 | $185,919 |
25 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Zoological Society of Philadelphia (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $1.5M (Part IX, line 5).
6 years of filings
Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linkedGovernance answers, as filed
FY2025 · the organization's own yes/no answers; explanations, if any, are in Schedule O of the filing · what each means- Voting board members, and how many are independent Part VI, lines 1a–1b32 · 32 independent
- Audited financial statements Part XII 2bYes
- Conflict-of-interest policy Part VI 12aYes
- Whistleblower policy Part VI 13Yes
- Document retention policy Part VI 14Yes
- Independent process for top executive pay Part VI 15aYes
- Board given the 990 before filing Part VI 11aYes
- Family or business ties among insiders Part VI 2No
- Aware of a significant diversion of assets Part VI 5No
- Excess benefit transaction with an insider Part IV 25aNo
- Loans to or from insiders outstanding Part IV 26No
- Lobbying, or a 501(h) election in effect Part IV 4Yes
- Over $15,000 of professional fundraising services Part IV 18Yes
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bYes
- Employees Part I, line 5547
- Volunteers Part I, line 6645
Largest outside contractors
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| BITTENBENDER CONSTRUCTION LP Contractor | $388,944 |
| PHILADELPHIA CARPENTRY SYSTEMS LP Contractor | $359,082 |
| COMMUNITY COUNSELLING SERVICE CO LLC Marketing | $339,834 |
| BACKOFFICE THINKING Consulting | $230,025 |
| B MORROW PRODUCTIONS Event services | $200,113 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 9 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
19 private foundations reported grants to Zoological Society of Philadelphia totaling $419K on their tax year 2023 Form 990-PF returns. See which foundations, on WHOFUNDS.
Source: WHOFUNDS open grant graph, matched from Form 990-PF Part XV.
Correct a figure or respond
Every number above is copied from Zoological Society of Philadelphia's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for Zoological Society of Philadelphia, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 Zoological Society of Philadelphia spent in FY2025, $74.22 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
Embed on your site
Similar-sized charities in this cause
- Center for Biological DiversityTucson, AZ · revenue $43M · programs 89.0% · 2025
- International Fund for Animal WelfareWashington, DC · revenue $44M · programs 71.0% · FY2025
- Atlanta Fulton County ZooAtlanta, GA · revenue $42M · programs 90.0% · 2025
- Animal Relief NetworkAustin, TX · revenue $46M · 2025
- Humane Society of Tampa BayTampa, FL · revenue $42M · programs 86.7% · 2025
All animal-related charities · Largest charities in Pennsylvania
Questions people ask
How much of Zoological Society of Philadelphia's spending goes to programs?
In the fiscal year ending February 28, 2025, Zoological Society of Philadelphia reported that 74.2% of its $44.3 million in expenses went to program services, 18.6% to management and general and 7.2% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does Zoological Society of Philadelphia pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation Zoological Society of Philadelphia reported for one person in the fiscal year ending February 28, 2025 was $587,706, for the role of PRESIDENT AND CEO (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does Zoological Society of Philadelphia get its money?
Of $43.7 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending February 28, 2025, 46.6% came from contributions and grants (including 3.8% from government grants) and 39.0% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is Zoological Society of Philadelphia a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 23-1352298 as a 501(c)(3) organization (publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))), and its records show contributions as tax-deductible. Form 990 filings on record here cover tax years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. A filing shows what the organization reported; it doesn't by itself show whether a program works.
Sources
- FY2025: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2025, object 202503589349300705 · read the filing · XML
- FY2024: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending February 29, 2024, object 202423489349300937 · read the filing
- FY2023: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2023, object 202323399349300107 · read the filing
- FY2022: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2022, object 202203369349300625 · read the filing
- FY2021: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2021, object 202132779349300113 · read the filing
- FY2020: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending February 29, 2020, object 202140159349301619 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 23-1352298: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.