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Animals : Zoos and Aquariums

Chicago Zoological Society

Inspiring conservation leadership

three stars

86.99

3300 Golf Road Brookfield, IL 60513
tel: (708) 688-8341   Web Site
EIN: 36-2167016

Board Leadership
John P. Grube
Chair

CEO
Stuart D. Strahl
President, CEO

 
 
  Score
(out of 100) 		Rating
Overall Score & Rating 86.99 three stars
  Financial 89.35 three stars
  Accountability & Transparency 85.00 three stars
This rating was published 02/01/2020 and includes data from FY2018, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?

The mission of the Chicago Zoological Society is to inspire conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature. Since the opening of Brookfield Zoo in 1934, the Society has had an international reputation for taking a cutting-edge role in animal care and conservation of the natural world. Among its historical firsts are indoor multispecies exhibits, zoo nutrition residencies, methods for animal husbandry, and medical care that includes successful brain surgery for a gorilla. In building its legacy of animal care and compassion, the Society has launched a leadership campaign to create two new centers: the Center for Conservation Leadership and the Center for the Science of Animal Well-Being (CSAW).

The mission of the Chicago Zoological Society is to inspire conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature. Since the opening of Brookfield Zoo in 1934, the Society has had an international reputation for taking a cutting-edge role in animal care and conservation of the natural world. Among its historical firsts are indoor multispecies exhibits, zoo nutrition residencies, methods for animal husbandry, and medical care that includes successful brain surgery for a gorilla. In building its legacy of animal care and compassion, the Society has launched a leadership campaign to create two new centers: the Center for Conservation Leadership and the Center for the Science of Animal Well-Being (CSAW).

Impact Information

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Financial

three stars

89.35

Accountability & Transparency

three stars

85.00

This rating was published 02/01/2020 and includes data from FY2018, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?
Overall Rating Chart
  Program Expenses
(Percent of the charity's total expenses spent on the programs
and services it delivers)		 85.8%
  Administrative Expenses 9.9%
  Fundraising Expenses 4.1%
  Fundraising Efficiency $0.08
  Working Capital Ratio (years) 2.01
  Program Expenses Growth 0.9%
  Liabilities to Assets 25.5%
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Chicago Zoological Society on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Chicago Zoological Society on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
Information Provided on the Form 990  
  Independent Voting Board Members
  No Material diversion of assets
  Audited financials prepared by independent accountant
  Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From related parties
  Documents Board Meeting Minutes
  Provided copy of Form 990 to organization's governing body in advance of filing
  Conflict of Interest Policy
  Whistleblower Policy
  Records Retention and Destruction Policy
  CEO listed with salary
  Process for determining CEO compensation
  Board Listed / Board Members Not Compensated
Is the following information easily accessible on the charity's website?  
  Donor Privacy Policy
  Board Members Listed
  Audited Financials
  Form 990
  Key staff listed

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Chicago Zoological Society (IL) 86.99 three stars
Birmingham Zoo (AL) 96.18 four stars
Sacramento Zoo (CA) 92.47 four stars
Knoxville Zoological Gardens (TN) 90.30 four stars
Woodland Park Zoo (WA) 89.90 three stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

REVENUE  
Contributions  
   Contributions, Gifts & Grants $10,913,721
   Federated Campaigns $0
   Membership Dues $8,597,201
   Fundraising Events $1,661,281
   Related Organizations $0
   Government Grants $15,196,100
Total Contributions $36,368,303
   Program Service Revenue $22,054,634
Total Primary Revenue $58,422,937
   Other Revenue $10,467,584
TOTAL REVENUE $68,890,521
   
EXPENSES  
   Program Expenses $62,688,794
   Administrative Expenses $7,998,148
   Fundraising Expenses $2,664,518
TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES $73,351,460
   
Payments to Affiliates $0
Excess (or Deficit) for the year $-4,460,939
   
Net Assets $155,910,000

Program names and associated costs are listed for the top programs as reported on the charity's most recently filed Form 990. The top programs displayed will include the largest three programs, or those programs covering at least 60% of the charity's total expenses, whichever comes first.

Program Name Amount Spent % of Program Expenses
Park Operations $34,373,794 54.8%
Center for Science and Animal Well-Being $21,916,000 34.9%
Center for Conservation Leadership $6,399,000 10.2%

Ratings History

Form 990 FYE Date Published Overall Score Overall Rating
CN 2.1
2018-12 02/01/2020 86.99 three stars
2017-12 03/01/2019 86.85 three stars
2016-12 03/01/2018 87.14 three stars
2015-12 05/01/2017 85.02 three stars
2014-12 06/01/2016 87.60 three stars
 
CN 2.0
2014-12 04/01/2016 88.00 three stars
2013-12 05/01/2015 86.68 three stars
2012-12 12/20/2013 85.56 three stars
2011-12 03/01/2013 82.53 three stars
2010-12 04/01/2012 89.08 three stars
2009-12 09/20/2011 86.71 three stars
 
CN 1.0
2009-12 06/01/2011 88.19 three stars
2008-12 04/01/2010 96.82 four stars
2007-12 06/01/2009 90.71 four stars
2006-12 10/01/2007 89.37 three stars
2004-12 04/01/2006 74.67 two stars
2003-12 01/05/2005 72.38 two stars
2002-12 03/01/2004 81.62 three stars
2001-12 02/05/2003 83.36 three stars
2000-12 10/15/2002 87.99 three stars

The data displayed on this tab is provided by the IRS in the form of Publication 78 and the Business Master File (BMF).

EIN 36-2167016
Name in IRS Master File CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
NTEE Code D50
NTEE Classification Zoo, Zoological Society
NTEE Type Animal-Related
Classification Charitable Organization
Subsection 501(c)(3)  (View the list of codes)
Activities (350) Preservation of natural resources (conservation)
(59) Other school related activities
Foundation Status Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public   170(b)(1)(A)(vi)
Deductibility Contributions are deductible
Affiliation Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations).
Group Name [Not Applicable]
Ruling Date September, 1941
Filing Requirement 990 (all other) or 990EZ return
Fiscal Year End December
IRS Forms 990
(provided courtesy of Foundation Center)		 (Log In or Register Now to View Forms 990!)
  • December, 2018
  • December, 2017
  • December, 2016
  • December, 2015
  • December, 2014
Compensation % of Expenses Paid to Title
$517,955 0.70% Stuart D. Strahl Phd President, CEO

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Chicago Zoological Society (IL) 86.99 three stars
Woodland Park Zoo (WA) 89.90 three stars
Palm Beach Zoo (FL) 89.06 three stars
The Living Desert (CA) 94.28 four stars
San Diego Zoo Global (CA) 96.37 four stars

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Charity Contact Info

Chicago Zoological Society
3300 Golf Road
Brookfield, IL 60513
tel: (708) 688-8341
fax: (708) 485-5419
EIN: 36-2167016

Visit Web Site

Board Leadership

John P. Grube
Chair

CEO

Stuart D. Strahl
President, CEO

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