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Animals : Zoos and Aquariums

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Adventure, conservation, education and community

91.59

3400 Vine Street Cincinnati, OH 45220
tel: (513) 559-7716   Web Site
EIN: 31-0537171

Board Leadership
Francie S Hiltz
Chairman

CEO
William T. Maynard
Executive Director

Charity Navigator

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  Score
(out of 100) 		Rating
Overall Score & Rating 91.59
  Financial 95.49
  Accountability & Transparency 89.00
This rating was published 12/01/2021 and includes data from FY2020, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden was founded in 1873 and officially opened its doors in 1875, making it the second oldest Zoo in the United States. The mission and vision of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is dedicated to creating adventure, conveying knowledge, conserving nature, and serving the community. Over one million people visit the Zoo's award-winning exhibits, and more than 500 animal and 3,000 plant species annually.

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden was founded in 1873 and officially opened its doors in 1875, making it the second oldest Zoo in the United States. The mission and vision of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is dedicated to creating adventure, conveying knowledge, conserving nature, and serving the community. Over one million people visit the Zoo's award-winning exhibits, and more than 500 animal and 3,000 plant species annually.

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

Financial

95.49

Accountability & Transparency

89.00

This rating was published 12/01/2021 and includes data from FY2020, 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)		 88.0%
  Administrative Expenses 9.1%
  Fundraising Expenses 2.7%
  Fundraising Efficiency $0.02
  Working Capital Ratio (years) 3.87
  Program Expenses Growth 7.0%
  Liabilities to Assets 11.6%
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden 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
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (OH) 91.59
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo (NE) 87.00
Woodland Park Zoo (WA) 88.55
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (OH) 89.07
National Aviary (PA) 93.16

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

REVENUE  
Contributions  
   Contributions, Gifts & Grants $25,418,584
   Federated Campaigns $0
   Membership Dues $10,768,512
   Fundraising Events $725,337
   Related Organizations $3,530,587
   Government Grants $9,933,039
Total Contributions $50,376,059
   Program Service Revenue $16,946,517
Total Primary Revenue $67,322,576
   Other Revenue $4,467,638
TOTAL REVENUE $71,790,214
   
EXPENSES  
   Program Expenses $42,896,483
   Administrative Expenses $4,588,893
   Fundraising Expenses $1,459,355
TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES $48,944,731
   
Payments to Affiliates $0
Excess (or Deficit) for the year $22,845,483
   
Net Assets $180,305,507

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.

Due to an error on this organization's Form 990, we are unable to display program information.

Ratings History
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has received 6 consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator.

Form 990 FYE Date Published Overall Score Overall Rating
CN 2.1
2020-03 12/01/2021 91.59
2019-03 03/01/2020 91.64
2018-03 05/01/2019 90.73
2017-03 06/01/2018 90.09
2016-03 05/01/2017 90.39
2015-03 06/01/2016 90.08
 
CN 2.0
2015-03 02/01/2016 86.57
2014-03 09/01/2015 89.55
2013-03 04/01/2014 93.06
2011-12 03/01/2013 94.89
2010-12 02/01/2012 94.18
2009-12 09/20/2011 92.17
 
CN 1.0
2009-12 06/01/2011 95.24
2008-12 04/01/2010 91.52
2007-12 08/01/2009 87.38
2006-12 08/01/2008 92.69
2005-12 04/01/2007 82.22
2004-12 05/01/2006 87.10
2003-12 04/01/2005 76.34
2002-12 05/01/2004 64.81

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

EIN 31-0537171
Name in IRS Master File ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF CINCINNATI
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 (59) Other school related activities
(904) Government instrumentality or agency (see also 254)
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 June, 1941
Filing Requirement 990 (all other) or 990EZ return
Fiscal Year End March
IRS Forms 990
(provided courtesy of Foundation Center)		 (Log In or Register Now to View Forms 990!)
  • March, 2019
  • March, 2018
  • March, 2017
  • March, 2016
  • March, 2015
Compensation % of Expenses Paid to Title
$327,990 0.67% William T. Maynard Executive Director

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (OH) 91.59
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo (NE) 87.00
Palm Beach Zoo (FL) 92.22
Wildlife Conservation Society (NY) 94.50
National Aviary (PA) 93.16

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

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Charity Contact Info

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
3400 Vine Street
Cincinnati, OH 45220
tel: (513) 559-7716
EIN: 31-0537171

Visit Web Site

Board Leadership

Francie S Hiltz
Chairman

CEO

William T. Maynard
Executive Director

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