Denver Zoological Foundation
Also known as Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance
Denver Zoological Foundation reported $66.0 million in revenue and $71.0 million in expenses for calendar year 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $80.04 went to program services, $14.70 to management and general costs and $5.26 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 52.1% of the total. Government grants made up 26.9%. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $823,247 (PRESIDENT EN). 47 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 25% between 2019 and 2025. Source: Form 990, 2025.
Where $100 of spending went
Calendar year 2025 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $71MFor 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 2025 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $66MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | 2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 80.0% | 82.1% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 14.7% | 9.2% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 5.3% | 6.5% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.11 | $0.10 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 52.1% | 67.3% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 26.9% | 0.0% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 47.1% | 19.3% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $823,247 | $314,886 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 1.16% | 1.63% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 47 | 10 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 2.7 | 26.8 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 13 of 13 | 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
2025 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseLife sciences: the denver zoo's mission is inspiring communities to save wildlife for future generations. The denver zoo cares for approximately 2,600 animals, representing over 450 species, many of which are endangered or threatened. Our largest program area is caring for our animal residents who connect our guests to wildlife around the world. Denver zoo is a recognized leader in all areas relating to the highest level of care for our animal collection as we are focused on providing the best nutritional, emotional, social, and physical care possible. With the addition of the lembke family…
Guest experiences: the denver zoo exists to help our community connect with wildlife here and around the world so that we can all be part of the solution to helping species thrive. Our passion and reason for being is to inspire communities to save wildlife for future generations. We achieve this by providing an outstanding guest experience every day. The denver zoo monitors and evaluates the guest experience through a mystery shopper program, consistently monitoring online feedback, and extensive guest satisfaction surveys. The denver zoo continues to make a profound impact, creating…
Learning experiences: denver zoos conservation learning, conservation engagement, community engagement and community research & evaluation teams aim to help students, families, and communities connect with the environment, become scientific thinkers, and ultimately champions for animals and habitats. The denver zoo is a one-of-a-kind place where people of all ages and backgrounds can experience the joy and wonders of animals, conservation, and the environment. The conservation learning team provided a variety of in-person learning experiences which were very well received by our local schools…
Highest reported compensation
2025 · 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 EN Officer, 45.00 hrs/week | $780,600 | $0 | $42,647 | $823,247 |
| ACTING CEO Officer, 45.00 hrs/week | $335,148 | $0 | $27,695 | $362,843 |
| TREAS./CFO Officer, 45.00 hrs/week | $320,413 | $0 | $30,749 | $351,162 |
| CHRO END 11/ Officer, 45.00 hrs/week | $271,060 | $0 | $25,593 | $296,653 |
| CHIEF COMM. Officer, 45.00 hrs/week | $246,882 | $0 | $37,351 | $284,233 |
| CHIEF CONSER Officer, 45.00 hrs/week | $251,993 | $0 | $23,778 | $275,771 |
| SR DIR OF WI Highest compensated employee, 45.00 hrs/week | $180,242 | $0 | $21,031 | $201,273 |
| DIR OF PLANN Highest compensated employee, 45.00 hrs/week | $184,379 | $0 | $11,171 | $195,550 |
47 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Denver Zoological Foundation (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $2.7M (Part IX, line 5).
7 years of filings
Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linkedGovernance answers, as filed
2025 · 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–1b13 · 13 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 14bYes
- Employees Part I, line 5686
- Volunteers Part I, line 6648
Largest outside contractors
2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| VERTIX BUILDERS INC Construction | $6,689,183 |
| BT CONSTRUCTION INC Construction | $2,735,020 |
| AHW CONSTRUCTION (DBA) Construction | $717,495 |
| D&J SOLUTIONS (DBA) Event install | $535,473 |
| GOODWAY GROUP INC Advertising | $474,454 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 5 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
35 private foundations reported grants to Denver Zoological Foundation totaling $427K 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 Denver Zoological 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 Denver Zoological Foundation, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 Denver Zoological Foundation spent in 2025, $80.04 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- Governors Island CorporationNew York, NY · revenue $65M · programs 85.8% · FY2025
- San Diego Humane Society and SPCASan Diego, CA · revenue $68M · programs 85.6% · FY2025
- Detroit Zoological SocietyRoyal Oak, MI · revenue $64M · programs 84.8% · 2024
- Zoological Society of CincinnatiCincinnati, OH · revenue $69M · programs 88.1% · FY2025
- Arizona Center for Nature ConservationPhoenix, AZ · revenue $64M · programs 82.7% · FY2025
All animal-related charities · Largest charities in Colorado
Questions people ask
How much of Denver Zoological Foundation's spending goes to programs?
In calendar year 2025, Denver Zoological Foundation reported that 80.0% of its $71.0 million in expenses went to program services, 14.7% to management and general and 5.3% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does Denver Zoological Foundation pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation Denver Zoological Foundation reported for one person in calendar year 2025 was $823,247, for the role of PRESIDENT EN (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does Denver Zoological Foundation get its money?
Of $66.0 million in revenue in calendar year 2025, 52.1% came from contributions and grants (including 26.9% from government grants) and 47.1% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is Denver Zoological Foundation a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 84-0502539 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, 2025. A filing shows what the organization reported; it doesn't by itself show whether a program works.
Sources
- 2025: Form 990 for calendar year 2025, object 202621879349301427 · read the filing · XML
- 2024: Form 990 for calendar year 2024, object 202531749349300133 · read the filing
- 2023: Form 990 for calendar year 2023, object 202411839349300976 · read the filing
- 2022: Form 990 for calendar year 2022, object 202331729349300238 · read the filing
- 2021: Form 990 for calendar year 2021, object 202211809349300206 · read the filing
- 2020: Form 990 for calendar year 2020, object 202111749349300611 · read the filing
- 2019: Form 990 for calendar year 2019, object 202002389349301855 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 84-0502539: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.