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Animals : Zoos and Aquariums

Fort Worth Zoo

Strengthening the bond between humans and the environment

four stars

90.10

1989 Colonial Parkway Fort Worth, TX 76110
tel: (817) 759-7555   Web Site
EIN: 75-0991727

Board Leadership
Ramona Bass & Kit Moncrief
Co-Chairs

CEO
Michael Fouraker
Executive Director

 
 
  Score
(out of 100) 		Rating
Overall Score & Rating 90.10 four stars
  Financial 100.00 four stars
  Accountability & Transparency 86.00 three stars
This rating was published 02/01/2021 and includes data from FY2019, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?

The oldest zoo in Texas, the Fort Worth Zoo was founded in 1909 with one lion, two bear cubs, an alligator, a coyote, a peacock and a few rabbits. From these humble beginnings, the Zoo has grown into a nationally ranked facility, housing more than 5,000 native and exotic species. The Zoo works to strengthen the bond between humans and the environment by promoting responsible stewardship of wildlife and ensuring diverse, high-quality educational and entertaining family experiences through effective and efficient management of its resources.

The oldest zoo in Texas, the Fort Worth Zoo was founded in 1909 with one lion, two bear cubs, an alligator, a coyote, a peacock and a few rabbits. From these humble beginnings, the Zoo has grown into a nationally ranked facility, housing more than 5,000 native and exotic species. The Zoo works to strengthen the bond between humans and the environment by promoting responsible stewardship of wildlife and ensuring diverse, high-quality educational and entertaining family experiences through effective and efficient management of its resources.

Learn more about how we calculate the overall score and rating.

Financial

four stars

100.00

Accountability & Transparency

three stars

86.00

This rating was published 02/01/2021 and includes data from FY2019, 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)		 86.5%
  Administrative Expenses 11.8%
  Fundraising Expenses 1.6%
  Fundraising Efficiency $0.02
  Working Capital Ratio (years) 2.83
  Program Expenses Growth 50.1%
  Liabilities to Assets 4.8%
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Fort Worth Zoo on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Fort Worth Zoo 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
Fort Worth Zoo (TX) 90.10 four stars
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens (FL) 92.08 four stars
Palm Beach Zoo (FL) 89.06 three stars
National Aviary (PA) 93.16 four stars
Knoxville Zoological Gardens (TN) 90.30 four stars

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REVENUE  
Contributions  
   Contributions, Gifts & Grants $4,047,112
   Federated Campaigns $0
   Membership Dues $0
   Fundraising Events $549,871
   Related Organizations $0
   Government Grants $10,631,389
Total Contributions $15,228,372
   Program Service Revenue $15,779,878
Total Primary Revenue $31,008,250
   Other Revenue $1,488,776
TOTAL REVENUE $32,497,026
   
EXPENSES  
   Program Expenses $54,233,527
   Administrative Expenses $4,640,118
   Fundraising Expenses $562,856
TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES $59,436,501
   
Payments to Affiliates $0
Excess (or Deficit) for the year $-26,939,475
   
Net Assets $104,561,449

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
Animal and Conservation $44,491,142 82.0%
Admissions and Attractions $6,873,588 12.7%
Educational Programs $2,235,867 4.1%

Ratings History

Form 990 FYE Date Published Overall Score Overall Rating
CN 2.1
2019-09 02/01/2021 90.10 four stars
2018-09 02/01/2020 86.04 three stars
2017-09 03/01/2019 85.70 three stars
2016-09 03/01/2018 82.33 three stars
2015-09 02/01/2017 86.84 three stars
2014-09 06/01/2016 85.76 three stars
 
CN 2.0
2014-09 12/22/2015 85.54 three stars
2013-09 06/01/2015 84.16 three stars
2012-09 03/01/2014 82.73 three stars
2011-09 11/06/2012 82.80 three stars
2010-09 02/01/2012 78.67 two stars
2009-09 09/20/2011 72.89 two stars
 
CN 1.0
2009-09 02/01/2011 76.13 two stars
2008-09 04/01/2010 82.94 three stars
2007-09 02/01/2009 89.58 three stars
2006-09 02/01/2008 85.92 three stars
2005-09 02/01/2007 70.22 two stars
2004-09 02/01/2006 76.08 two stars
2003-09 12/01/2004 75.19 two stars
2002-09 01/01/2004 85.92 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 75-0991727
Name in IRS Master File FORT WORTH ZOOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION INC
NTEE Code D50
NTEE Classification Zoo, Zoological Society
NTEE Type Animal-Related
Classification Educational Organization
Subsection 501(c)(3)  (View the list of codes)
Activities (60) Museum, zoo, planetarium, etc.
(916) Cafeteria, restaurant, snack bar, food services, etc.
Foundation Status Organization that normally receives no more than one-third of its support from gross investment income and unrelated business income and at the same time more than one-third of its support from contributions, fees, and gross receipts related to exempt purposes.  509(a)(2)
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, 1952
Filing Requirement 990 (all other) or 990EZ return
Fiscal Year End September
IRS Forms 990
(provided courtesy of Foundation Center)		 (Log In or Register Now to View Forms 990!)
  • September, 2018
  • September, 2017
  • September, 2016
  • September, 2015
  • September, 2014
Compensation % of Expenses Paid to Title
$431,141 0.72% Michael Fouraker Executive Director

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Fort Worth Zoo (TX) 90.10 four stars
The Living Desert (CA) 94.28 four stars
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (OH) 89.07 three stars
Tulsa Zoo Friends (OK) 86.82 three stars
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens (FL) 92.08 four stars

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Charity Contact Info

Fort Worth Zoo
1989 Colonial Parkway
Fort Worth, TX 76110
tel: (817) 759-7555
fax: (817) 759-7501
EIN: 75-0991727

Visit Web Site

Board Leadership

Ramona Bass & Kit Moncrief
Co-Chairs

CEO

Michael Fouraker
Executive Director

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