Minnesota Zoo Foundation
Minnesota Zoo Foundation reported $14.5 million in revenue and $10.3 million in expenses for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $66.51 went to program services, $20.05 to management and general costs and $13.44 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 95.0% of the total. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $198,152 (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR). 4 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 132% between FY2020 and FY2025. Source: Form 990, FY2025.
Where $100 of spending went
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $10MFor 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 June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $14MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | FY2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 66.5% | 82.1% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 20.0% | 9.2% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 13.4% | 6.5% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.10 | $0.10 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 95.0% | 67.3% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 0.0% | 19.3% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $198,152 | $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 | 4 | 10 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 20.6 | 26.8 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 18 of 18 | 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 expenseZoo capital projects:our support propels leading-edge ideas that redefine the role and impact of modern zoos, such as the creation of innovative nature experiences, best-in-class education programs, and industry-leading conservation efforts. We empower the Minnesota Zoo to continuously raise the bar for excellence in animal care and operations by funding the most advanced equipment, best-in-class facilities and industry-leading staff development opportunities. The Minnesota Zoo Foundation's financial support of the treetop trail has expanded the zoo's role and impact in our communities. As…
Zoo support:the Minnesota Zoo Foundation helps open doors to uniquely immersive nature experiences that benefit the well-being of all by sponsoring programs that bring the Minnesota Zoo experience to minnesota communities and reduce physical, financial, and cultural barriers to the zoo. We empower the zoo to continuously raise the bar for excellence in animal care and operations by funding the most advanced equipment, best-in-class facilities and industry-leading staff development opportunities. Efforts by the Minnesota Zoo Foundation, including grants to the Minnesota Zoo and support of zoo…
Conservation:the Minnesota Zoo is able to lead and participate in industry-leading conservation programs that are saving wildlife because of funding from the Minnesota Zoo Foundation. From native mussel restoration work and turtle head-start programs here in minnesota to global efforts through the ulysses s. Seal conservation grant program and black rhino restoration in namibia, the foundation helps further the zoo's conservation footprint.the Minnesota Zoo Foundation funds several saving animals from extinction (safe) programs and the Zoo and Foundation co-host the tiger conservation…
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $187,048 | $0 | $11,104 | $198,152 |
| PRESIDENT Officer, 10.00 hrs/week | $80,468 | $0 | $78,000 | $158,468 |
| DIRECTOR OF MAJOR GIFTS Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $122,052 | $0 | $10,001 | $132,053 |
| DIR CORPORATE & FOUNDATION RELATIONS Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $107,126 | $0 | $8,591 | $115,717 |
| DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $106,470 | $0 | $5,608 | $112,078 |
4 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Minnesota Zoo Foundation (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $469K (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–1b18 · 18 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 524
- Volunteers Part I, line 6150
Largest outside contractors
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| ALLEGIANCE FUNDRAISING LLC Fundraising consultants | $179,477 |
| HAMMEL GREEN ABRAHAMSON INC Facility planning consultants | $164,259 |
| SSA GROUP LLC Catering services | $151,220 |
| GROWTH OPERATORS ADVISORY SERVICES LLC Hr and payroll processing consultants | $139,810 |
| ADVENTURE Foundation marketing and website design | $137,000 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 7 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
38 private foundations reported grants to Minnesota Zoo Foundation totaling $1.2M 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 Minnesota Zoo Foundation's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for Minnesota Zoo Foundation, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 Minnesota Zoo Foundation spent in FY2025, $66.51 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- Birmingham ZooBirmingham, AL · revenue $14M · programs 90.0% · 2024
- Save the ChimpsFt Pierce, FL · revenue $14M · programs 77.2% · 2024
- Richmond Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to AnimalsRichmond, VA · revenue $14M · programs 83.6% · FY2025
- Associated Humane SocietiesNewark, NJ · revenue $15M · programs 79.0% · FY2025
- Inter-American Tropical Tuna CommissionLA Jolla, CA · revenue $14M · programs 82.9% · 2024
All animal-related charities · Largest charities in Minnesota
Questions people ask
How much of Minnesota Zoo Foundation's spending goes to programs?
In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, Minnesota Zoo Foundation reported that 66.5% of its $10.3 million in expenses went to program services, 20.0% to management and general and 13.4% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does Minnesota Zoo Foundation pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation Minnesota Zoo Foundation reported for one person in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 was $198,152, for the role of EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does Minnesota Zoo Foundation get its money?
Of $14.5 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, 95.0% came from contributions and grants and 0.0% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is Minnesota Zoo Foundation a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 51-0147653 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 June 30, 2025, object 202621249349300622 · read the filing · XML
- FY2024: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, object 202541349349305489 · read the filing
- FY2023: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, object 202410899349301201 · read the filing
- FY2022: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, object 202321329349302457 · read the filing
- FY2021: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, object 202240879349300424 · read the filing
- FY2020: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, object 202101269349300535 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 51-0147653: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.