John Ball Zoo is located in Grand Rapids, MI. The organization was established in 1951. According to its NTEE Classification (D11) the organization is classified as: Single Organization Support, under the broad grouping of Animal-Related and related organizations. As of 12/2023, John Ball Zoo employed 554 individuals. This organization is an independent organization and not affiliated with a larger national or regional group of organizations. John Ball 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 12/2023, John Ball Zoo generated $24.2m in total revenue. This organization has experienced exceptional growth, as over the past 9 years, it has increased revenue by an average of 13.7% each year . All expenses for the organization totaled $23.3m during the year ending 12/2023. While expenses have increased by 8.3% per year over the past 9 years. They've been increasing with an increasing level of total revenue. You can explore the organizations financials more deeply in the financial statements section below.
Form
990
Mission & Program ActivityExcerpts From the 990 Filing
TAX YEAR
2023
Describe the Organization's Mission:
Part 3 - Line 1
INSPIRING OUR COMMUNITY TO BE ENGAGED IN CONSERVATION OF WILDLIFE AND OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.
Describe the Organization's Program Activity:
Part 3 - Line 4a
GUEST SERVICES-THE ZOO INCURS EXPENSES RELATED TO THE OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF ITS FOOD SERVICE, GIFT SHOP, VISITOR EXPERIENCES AND ADMISSION SALES.
ANIMAL CARE-THE ZOO INCURS EXPENSES RELATED TO THE SUPPORT IN CARING FOR THEIR ANIMAL COLLECTION. THIS INCLUDES FOOD, VETERINARY SERVICES, ANIMAL ENRICHMENT, EQUIPMENT AND APPROPRIATE STAFFING.
ZOO OPERATIONS-THE ZOO INCURS EXPENSES RELATED TO THE MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE BUILDINGS, EQUIPMENT, AND ZOO AND PARK OUTDOOR SPACES. THIS INCLUDES REPAIRS, RENOVATIONS, EXHIBIT DEVELOPMENT AND EXHIBIT CONSTRUCTION.
| Name (title) | Role | Hours | Compensation | 
|---|---|---|---|
Matt Becker Board Chair  | OfficerTrustee | 1 | $0 | 
Rob Verheulen Board Vice Chair  | OfficerTrustee | 1 | $0 | 
Jeff Lumpp Treasurer  | OfficerTrustee | 1 | $0 | 
Lori Smith Director  | Trustee | 1 | $0 | 
Carol Hennessy Director  | Trustee | 1 | $0 | 
Curt Mulder Director  | Trustee | 1 | $0 | 
| Vendor Name (Service) | Service Year | Compensation | 
|---|---|---|
Wolverine Building Group Construction Services  | 12/30/23 | $5,091,606 | 
Tessere Inc Design Services  | 12/30/23 | $308,850 | 
Eco's Communication Fabrication Fees  | 12/30/23 | $227,394 | 
Joe Malchow Camel Experience  | 12/30/23 | $182,175 | 
Intellectual Ninjas Marketing Services  | 12/30/23 | $180,903 | 
| Statement of Revenue | |
|---|---|
| Federated campaigns | $0 | 
| Membership dues | $2,022,446 | 
| Fundraising events | $231,150 | 
| Related organizations | $0 | 
| Government grants | $1,507,258 | 
| All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above | $4,353,483 | 
| Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f | $0 | 
| Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar | $8,114,337 | 
| Total Program Service Revenue | $13,456,449 | 
| Investment income | $34,442 | 
| Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds | $0 | 
| Royalties | $0 | 
| Net Rental Income | -$228,407 | 
| Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales | $10,057 | 
| Net Income from Fundraising Events | $63,488 | 
| Net Income from Gaming Activities | $0 | 
| Net Income from Sales of Inventory | $2,692,822 | 
| Miscellaneous Revenue | $0 | 
| Total Revenue | $24,160,715 | 
| Statement of Expenses | |
|---|---|
| Grants and other assistance to domestic organizations and domestic governments. | $94,111 | 
| Grants and other assistance to domestic individuals. | $0 | 
| Grants and other assistance to Foreign Orgs/Individuals | $0 | 
| Benefits paid to or for members | $0 | 
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $1,149,937 | 
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $734,833 | 
| Compensation to disqualified persons | $0 | 
| Other salaries and wages | $8,110,262 | 
| Pension plan accruals and contributions | $431,951 | 
| Other employee benefits | $1,304,464 | 
| Payroll taxes | $652,582 | 
| Fees for services: Management | $0 | 
| Fees for services: Legal | $37,170 | 
| Fees for services: Accounting | $28,750 | 
| Fees for services: Lobbying | $52,000 | 
| Fees for services: Fundraising | $0 | 
| Fees for services: Investment Management | $1,212 | 
| Fees for services: Other | $85,384 | 
| Advertising and promotion | $531,951 | 
| Office expenses | $35,466 | 
| Information technology | $317,879 | 
| Royalties | $0 | 
| Occupancy | $700,375 | 
| Travel | $27,250 | 
| Payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any federal, state, or local public officials | $0 | 
| Conferences, conventions, and meetings | $256,561 | 
| Interest | $8,591 | 
| Payments to affiliates | $0 | 
| Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | $412,274 | 
| Insurance | $110,027 | 
| All other expenses | $1,773,592 | 
| Total functional expenses | $23,280,582 | 
| Balance Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Cash—non-interest-bearing | $927 | 
| Savings and temporary cash investments | $266,920 | 
| Pledges and grants receivable | $3,712,987 | 
| Accounts receivable, net | $24,429 | 
| Loans from Officers, Directors, or Controlling Persons | $0 | 
| Loans from Disqualified Persons | $0 | 
| Notes and loans receivable | $0 | 
| Inventories for sale or use | $414,894 | 
| Prepaid expenses and deferred charges | $173,000 | 
| Net Land, buildings, and equipment | $2,036,508 | 
| Investments—publicly traded securities | $4,660,977 | 
| Investments—other securities | $96,789 | 
| Investments—program-related | $0 | 
| Intangible assets | $7,167 | 
| Other assets | $18,051,488 | 
| Total assets | $29,446,086 | 
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $1,412,061 | 
| Grants payable | $0 | 
| Deferred revenue | $445,724 | 
| Tax-exempt bond liabilities | $0 | 
| Escrow or custodial account liability | $0 | 
| Loans and other payables to any current Officer, Director, or Controlling Person | $0 | 
| Secured mortgages and notes payable | $0 | 
| Unsecured mortgages and notes payable | $0 | 
| Other liabilities | $5,332,021 | 
| Total liabilities | $7,189,806 | 
| Net assets without donor restrictions | $19,250,118 | 
| Net assets with donor restrictions | $3,006,162 | 
| Capital stock or trust principal, or current funds | $0 | 
| Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building, or equipment fund | $0 | 
| Retained earnings, endowment, accumulated income, or other funds | $0 | 
| Total liabilities and net assets/fund balances | $29,446,086 | 
Over the last fiscal year, John Ball Zoo has awarded $84,111 in support to 3 organizations.
| Grant Recipient | Amount | 
|---|---|
RED PANDA NETWORK PURPOSE: RED PANDA CONSERVATION  | $10,000 | 
SNOW LEOPARD TRUST PURPOSE: SNOW LEOPARD CONSERVATION  | $15,000 | 
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY PURPOSE: FRESHWATER MUSSEL RESEARCH GRANT  | $59,111 |