Akron Zoological Park
Akron Zoological Park reported $25.2 million in revenue and $18.8 million in expenses for calendar year 2024. Of every $100 it spent, $80.62 went to program services, $13.94 to management and general costs and $5.44 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 76.5% of the total. Government grants made up 67.8%. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $361,114 (PRESIDENT & CEO). 10 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 64% between 2019 and 2024. Source: Form 990, 2024.
Where $100 of spending went
Calendar year 2024 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $19MFor 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
Calendar year 2024 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $25MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | 2024 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 80.6% | 82.1% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 13.9% | 9.2% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 5.4% | 6.5% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.05 | $0.10 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 76.5% | 67.3% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 67.8% | 0.0% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 19.7% | 19.3% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $361,114 | $314,886 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 1.92% | 1.63% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 10 | 10 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 63.7 | 26.8 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 30 of 30 | 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
2024 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseHorticulture & preservationthe mission of the horticulture and preservation program is to foster a connection with wildlife and a desire to protect wild places by creating a positive guest experience. This is accomplished through immersive theming through landscape plants, highlighting the relationships between plants and animals, and the demonstration of sustainable landscaping practices. The akron zoo is an accredited public garden through the american public gardens association (apga) and maintains a wide collection of unique plants for display and education purposes. All landscaping at…
Animal carefrom african lions to microscopic coral, the akron zoo provides care to over 3,108 animals representing approximately 230 species. Participation in conservation programs, (I.e. Coral reef restoration, white wing wood duck research) and species survival plans is an important function of the animal care program. Through these programs, the zoo is actively saving wildlife and their habitats, as well as taking a leadership role in the management of endangered species (I.e. Red wolf, north american songbirds, snow leopards).in conjunction with the species survival efforts, the animal…
Membership and guest services: the akron zoo's membership program provides an opportunity for anyone to become a member of the zoo by purchasing an annual pass. There are multiple options from an individual membership to a family deluxe membership to accommodate a range of family sizes and needs. Each membership comes with benefits such as unlimited free admission to the zoo year round, free parking, discounts on purchases in the giftshop, special member only events and previews of new areas, discounted admission to over 150 accredited zoos and aquariums nationwide, and discounts on education…
Highest reported compensation
2024 · 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 & CEO Officer, 50.00 hrs/week | $289,832 | $0 | $71,282 | $361,114 |
| CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER & SR. VP Officer, 50.00 hrs/week | $172,568 | $0 | $44,360 | $216,928 |
| CHIEF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS OFFICER & SR. VP Officer, 50.00 hrs/week | $186,829 | $0 | $24,253 | $211,082 |
| VP OF PEOPLE & CULTURE Officer, 50.00 hrs/week | $165,019 | $0 | $44,831 | $209,850 |
| VP OF COMMUNICATIONS/EDUCATION Officer, 50.00 hrs/week | $143,105 | $0 | $34,395 | $177,500 |
| VP OF LIFE SCIENCES Officer, 50.00 hrs/week | $143,574 | $0 | $31,590 | $175,164 |
| CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER & SR. VP Officer, 50.00 hrs/week | $129,809 | $0 | $32,802 | $162,611 |
| DIRECTOR OF ANIMAL HEALTH Highest compensated employee, 50.00 hrs/week | $120,766 | $0 | $22,679 | $143,445 |
10 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Akron Zoological Park (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
2024 · 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–1b30 · 30 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 18No
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bNo
- Employees Part I, line 5356
- Volunteers Part I, line 6180
Largest outside contractors
2024 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| SUMMIT CONSTRUCTION Building construction | $1,195,880 |
| CAVANAUGH BUILDING CORPORATION General habitat construction/repairs | $284,944 |
| DVA ARCHITECTURE Architectural services | $253,448 |
| ATNETPLUS INC It services | $249,221 |
| DESIGN LEVEL LLC Architectural services | $190,119 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 10 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
17 private foundations reported grants to Akron Zoological Park totaling $85,532 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 Akron Zoological Park's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for Akron Zoological Park, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 Akron Zoological Park spent in 2024, $80.62 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- Maryland Zoological SocietyBaltimore, MD · revenue $25M · programs 86.7% · FY2025
- Lifeline Animal ProjectAtlanta, GA · revenue $25M · programs 92.1% · 2024
- Animal Humane SocietyGolden Valley, MN · revenue $25M · programs 69.3% · FY2025
- Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida ITallahassee, FL · revenue $26M · programs 90.6% · FY2025
- California TroutSan Francisco, CA · revenue $25M · programs 83.9% · FY2025
Questions people ask
How much of Akron Zoological Park's spending goes to programs?
In calendar year 2024, Akron Zoological Park reported that 80.6% of its $18.8 million in expenses went to program services, 13.9% to management and general and 5.4% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does Akron Zoological Park pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation Akron Zoological Park reported for one person in calendar year 2024 was $361,114, for the role of PRESIDENT & CEO (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does Akron Zoological Park get its money?
Of $25.2 million in revenue in calendar year 2024, 76.5% came from contributions and grants (including 67.8% from government grants) and 19.7% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is Akron Zoological Park a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 34-6003866 as a 501(c)(3) organization (publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))), 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
- 2024: Form 990 for calendar year 2024, object 202502739349301840 · read the filing
- 2023: Form 990 for calendar year 2023, object 202422749349300522 · read the filing
- 2022: Form 990 for calendar year 2022, object 202312859349301511 · read the filing
- 2021: Form 990 for calendar year 2021, object 202212849349300706 · read the filing
- 2020: Form 990 for calendar year 2020, object 202112989349300956 · read the filing
- 2019: Form 990 for calendar year 2019, object 202043049349301444 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 34-6003866: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.