Chicago Zoological Society

Organization Overview

Chicago Zoological Society, operating under the name Brookfield Zoo, is located in Brookfield, IL. The organization was established in 1941. According to its NTEE Classification (D50) the organization is classified as: Zoos & Aquariums, under the broad grouping of Animal-Related and related organizations. As of 03/2022, Brookfield Zoo employed 644 individuals. This organization is an independent organization and not affiliated with a larger national or regional group of organizations. Brookfield Zoo is a 501(c)(3) and as such, is described as a "Charitable or Religous organization or a private foundation" by the IRS.

For the year ending 12/2020, Brookfield Zoo generated $59.8m in total revenue. This represents a relatively dramatic decline in revenue. Over the past 6 years, the organization has seen revenues fall by an average of (3.2%) each year. All expenses for the organization totaled $56.8m during the year ending 12/2020. As we would expect to see with falling revenues, expenses have declined by (3.6%) per year over the past 6 years. You can explore the organizations financials more deeply in the financial statements section below.

Since 2014, Brookfield Zoo has awarded 41 individual grants totaling $1,291,296. If you would like to learn more about the grant giving history of this organization, scroll down to the grant profile section of this page.

Mission & Program ActivityExcerpts From the 990 Filing

TAX YEAR

2020

Describe the Organization's Mission:

Part 3 - Line 1

TO INSPIRE CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP BY CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH WILDLIFE AND NATURE.

Describe the Organization's Program Activity:

Part 3 - Line 4a

PARK OPERATIONS THE CZS MAINTAINS 75 BUILDINGS ON 214 ACRES OF LAND TO EXHIBIT OVER 2,500 ANIMALS. IN A TYPICAL YEAR, TWO MILLION VISITORS ANNUALLY ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE OF SEEING AND LEARNING ABOUT THE ANIMALS OF THE WORLD. EACH INDIVIDUAL THAT ENTERS THROUGH BROOKFIELD ZOOS GATES REPRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE WILD WORLD, TO CONVEY OUR INTERTWINED CONNECTIONS TO THE ANIMAL KINGDOM, AND TO ENCOURAGE POSITIVE CHANGE IN THE WORLD. THE ZOO IS OPEN EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR. ADMISSION IS FREE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC 52 DAYS/YEAR AND AT ALL TIMES TO ILLINOIS SCHOOL GROUPS AND MILITARY PERSONNEL. THE MEMBERSHIP TEAM SERVICES OUR 111,000 MEMBER HOUSEHOLDS, PROVIDING THEM WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CONSERVATION AND EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS OF CZS. THE EVENTS TEAM PROVIDES SEASONAL AND ANIMAL THEMED EVENTS SUCH AS EARTH DAY PARTY, APE AWARENESS WEEKEND, HOLIDAY MAGIC AND BOO AT THE ZOO. VISITOR SERVICES PROVIDES NARRATED TRAM TOURS AND ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS IN THE PARK.


CENTER FOR SCIENCE AND ANIMAL WELL-BEING CSAW MORE THAN 2500 AMBASSADORS OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM PROVIDE OUR VISITORS WITH A RARE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE SPECIES FROM AROUND THE GLOBE AND EXPERIENCE UP CLOSE, PERSONAL ENCOUNTERS WITH SOME. EXPERT CARE OF THESE AMBASSADORS IS A TIME-HONORED TRADITION AT CZS, WHERE INNOVATIONS IN HUSBANDRY TECHNIQUES AND PIONEERING BREEDING PROGRAMS ARE PART OF THE CUTTTING EDGE CULTURE OF EXCELLENCE. CSAW STAFF INTEGRATE DISCIPLINES SUCH AS POPULATION BIOLOGY, BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE, NUTRITION AND VETERINARY SCIENCE TO DETERMINE THE BEST WAYS TO PROVIDE AND CONTINUOUSLY CARE FOR THE ANIMALS. THEY ALSO INCORPORATE MODELS AND PRACTICES FROM AROUND THE WORLD, AND FROM AN ARRAY OF ANIMAL CARE PROFESSIONALS, TO DEVELOP THE BEST POSSIBLE ZOO-BASED ANIMAL CARE AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES. THROUGH KEEPER CHATS AND AMBASSADOR ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS, CSAW STAFF SHARE THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF THE ANIMALS IN THEIR CARE WITH ZOO GUESTS, HELPING THEM GAIN AN APPRECIATION FOR ALL CITIZENS OF THE NATURAL WORLD.


CENTER FOR CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP CCL THROUGH ITS MANY CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS, CZS COMMUNICATES WITH OTHERS TO ENGENDER IN THEM A SENSE OF OWNERSHIP ABOUT LIVING HARMONIOUSLY WITH NATURE AND HELPING SAVE ENDANGERED SPECIES. EDUCATION SPECIALISTS, VOLUNTEERS, CURATORS, GRAPHIC AND EXHIBIT DESIGNERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS AND MANY OTHERS CONTRIBUTE TO SHARING THIS INFORMATION BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY. AS WELL AS REACHING THE DAILY VISITORS TO THE ZOO, CZS ENGAGES WOULD BE CONSERVATIONISTS OUTSIDE OF THE ZOO INCLUDING CLASSROOMS OF SCHOOL CHILDREN, TEACHERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS. ADDITIONALLY THROUGH FIELD PROGRAMS, CZS SUPPORTS EFFORTS TO PROTECT AND RESTORE POPULATIONS OF THREATENED SPECIES IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD. THE CCL STRENGTHENS THE BRIDGE BETWEEN EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION, BETWEEN FIELD RESEARCH AND THE ANIMALS IN OUR CARE.


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Outside Vendors & Contractors

Vendor Name (Service)Compensation
Chilton Yambert Porter Llp
Legal Services
$613,035
Two By Four
Advertising
$1,135,331
University Of Illinois
Veterinary/pathology/lab Services
$508,626
The Northern Trust Company
Banking And Investment Services
$347,564
Paymentech Llc
Payment Card Processing Services
$489,388
View All Vendors

Financial Statements

Statement of Revenue
Federated campaigns$0
Membership dues$57,700
Fundraising events$1,336,116
Related organizations$0
Government grants $21,344,982
All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above$15,454,886
Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f $3,932,052
Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar$38,193,684
Total Program Service Revenue$19,503,699
Investment income $838,085
Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Net Rental Income $58,650
Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales $1,068,415
Net Income from Fundraising Events $82,064
Net Income from Gaming Activities $0
Net Income from Sales of Inventory $100,122
Miscellaneous Revenue$0
Total Revenue $59,844,719

Grants Awarded

Over the last fiscal year, Chicago Zoological Society has awarded $360,000 in support to 2 organizations.

Grant RecipientAmount

VOTE YES FOR CLEAN AIR CLEAN WATER AND WILDLIFE NFP

PURPOSE: Contrib to spt work on referendum campaign

$350,000

INTERNATIONAL MARINE ANIMAL TRAINERS ASSOC

Org PageRecipient Profile

Copley, OH

PURPOSE: Annual Conference Sponsor

$10,000
View Grant Profile

Grants Recieved

Over the last fiscal year, we have identified 1 grants that Chicago Zoological Society has recieved totaling $1,500.

Awarding OrganizationAmount
David And Mary Sterling Foundation Inc

Hinsdale, IL

PURPOSE: EDUCATIONAL

$1,500
View Grant Recipient Profile

Endowment Analysis

Beg. Balance$25,383,000
Earnings$256,000
Admin Expense$53,000
Net Contributions$28,000
Other Expense$874,000
Ending Balance$24,740,000

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