Sacramento Zoological Society
Sacramento Zoological Society reported $12.4 million in revenue and $11.9 million in expenses for calendar year 2024. Of every $100 it spent, $73.15 went to program services, $23.47 to management and general costs and $3.38 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was program service revenue such as fees, sales and contracts: 67.4% of the total. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $233,890 (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/CEO). 7 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 42% between 2019 and 2024. Source: Form 990, 2024.
Where $100 of spending went
Calendar year 2024 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $12MFor 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 $12MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | 2024 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 73.1% | 82.1% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 23.5% | 9.2% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 3.4% | 6.5% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.14 | $0.10 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 22.6% | 67.3% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 2.3% | 0.0% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 67.4% | 19.3% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $233,890 | $314,886 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 1.97% | 1.63% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 7 | 10 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 25.8 | 26.8 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 15 of 16 | 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 expenseAnimal care - the sacramento zoo is proud to have an outstanding collection of animals to educate and inspire our community. The zoo is home to 335 animals representing 94 species. Of that number, 66 species are considered critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable by the international union for conservation of nature (iucn). Of the species housed at the zoo, 38 are managed cooperatively as part of the zoo's participation in programs of the association of zoos and aquariums (aza). Notable births during the year included a capybara, two red pandas, a masai giraffe, and a sumatran…
Membership and visitor services - the sacramento zoo had over 11,000 member households at the end of 2024, and entertained, inspired, and educated 460,219 guests over the course of the year. In addition to a vibrant living collection, the zoo hosted a traveling exhibit of climbable animal sculptures that was popular with our young guests
Education and sustainability - the zoo's educational programs are designed to comply with california science standards. These programs incorporate education, recreation, and the unique setting of the zoo. Over 55,000 guests enjoyed the zoo as part of school field trips in 2024. This represents a 22% increase over 2023. As a conservation organization, the sacramento zoo remains committed to supporting wildlife conservation through financial and in-kind support. In 2024, the sacramento zoo distributed or committed conservation grant funds in support of the following species: western pond…
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/CEO Director/trustee, officer, 45.00 hrs/week | $214,521 | $0 | $19,369 | $233,890 |
| COO/CFO Officer, 45.00 hrs/week | $190,021 | $0 | $4,143 | $194,164 |
| DIRECTOR OF ANIMAL CARE, HEALTH & FACILITIES Highest compensated employee, 45.00 hrs/week | $145,148 | $0 | $3,336 | $148,484 |
| CAPITAL CAMPAIGN MGR Highest compensated employee, 45.00 hrs/week | $128,276 | $0 | $0 | $128,276 |
| SR. MGR ANIMAL CAR & HEALTH Highest compensated employee, 45.00 hrs/week | $117,700 | $0 | $2,903 | $120,603 |
| SR. DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Highest compensated employee, 45.00 hrs/week | $101,226 | $0 | $2,684 | $103,910 |
| DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTIONAL MARKETING Highest compensated employee, 45.00 hrs/week | $100,967 | $0 | $2,282 | $103,249 |
7 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Sacramento Zoological Society (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $428K (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–1b16 · 15 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 4No
- 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 5155
- Volunteers Part I, line 6119
Largest outside contractors
2024 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| SHR STUDIOS Architectural services | $1,726,298 |
| THE REGENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF CA Veterinary services | $240,075 |
| SSA VENTURES LLC Special event vendor | $118,487 |
| RELEVANT STRATEGIES AND SOLUTIONS Professional services | $106,211 |
| THE SUPERLATIVE GROUP Professional services | $103,750 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 5 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
3 private foundations reported grants to Sacramento Zoological Society totaling $28,062 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 Sacramento Zoological Society's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for Sacramento Zoological Society, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
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Of every $100 Sacramento Zoological Society spent in 2024, $73.15 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- Southern Southeast Regional AquacultureKetchikan, AK · revenue $12M · programs 88.7% · FY2025
- Houston Humane SocietyHouston, TX · revenue $12M · programs 92.8% · 2024
- Anicira Veterinary CenterHarrisonburg, VA · revenue $12M · programs 93.4% · 2025
- Seward Association for the Advancement of Marine ScienceSeward, AK · revenue $13M · programs 78.7% · FY2025
- Idaho Humane SocietyBoise, ID · revenue $12M · programs 89.3% · FY2025
All animal-related charities · Largest charities in California
Questions people ask
How much of Sacramento Zoological Society's spending goes to programs?
In calendar year 2024, Sacramento Zoological Society reported that 73.1% of its $11.9 million in expenses went to program services, 23.5% to management and general and 3.4% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does Sacramento Zoological Society pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation Sacramento Zoological Society reported for one person in calendar year 2024 was $233,890, for the role of EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/CEO (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does Sacramento Zoological Society get its money?
Of $12.4 million in revenue in calendar year 2024, 22.6% came from contributions and grants (including 2.3% from government grants) and 67.4% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is Sacramento Zoological Society a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 94-2861667 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 202533219349306648 · read the filing · XML
- 2023: Form 990 for calendar year 2023, object 202413199349316936 · read the filing
- 2022: Form 990 for calendar year 2022, object 202323179349307227 · read the filing
- 2021: Form 990 for calendar year 2021, object 202233189349319723 · read the filing
- 2020: Form 990 for calendar year 2020, object 202113179349301926 · read the filing
- 2019: Form 990 for calendar year 2019, object 202013199349302166 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 94-2861667: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.