Zoological Society of Philadelphia
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
AT PHILADELPHIA ZOO, OUR MISSION IS TO FLOURISH AS AN URBAN OASIS, WHERE PEOPLE AND ANIMALS THRIVE, TRANSFORMATIONAL MEMORIES ARE MADE, AND OUR PASSION FOR CONSERVATION SAVES WILDLIFE (SEE SCHEDULE O).GUIDED BY A THREE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN, THE ZOO IS SEEKING TO BOTH STRENGTHEN AND DIVERSIFY REVENUE LINES IN ORDER TO SUSTAIN ITS HISTORIC CAMPUS AND PROTECT ITS PRECIOUS ANIMAL COLLECTION. THE ZOO SEEKS TO BE IMPACTFUL THROUGH 6 IMPACT AREAS: AMAZING ANIMALS, TRANSFORMATIONAL MEMORIES, CONNECTED SCIENCE AND CONSERVATION COMMUNITIES, INNOVATIVE LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT, UNITED TEAM AND CULTURE AND STRATEGIC FINANCIAL GROWTH.
- Income
- $43.7 million
- Spending
- $44.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 74%
- Reserves
- 5.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 43%
- Employees
- 547
- Volunteers
- 645
- Highest pay
- $587,706, president and ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 11% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1574% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2532 of 32 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $11.9 million spent. EXHIBITS AND GARDEN CARE: PHILADELPHIA ZOO SERVES AS ONE OF PHILADELPHIA'S MOST VISITED CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS, TYPICALLY WELCOMING APPROXIMATELY 900,000 VISITORS EACH YEAR. ACCREDITED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS, PHILADELPHIA ZOO, PROVIDES UNIQUE AND INSPIRING EXPERIENCES THAT EDUCATE AND INSPIRE ITS GUEST AND COMMUNITIES BOTH THROUGH ON SITE AS WELL AS OFF SITE PROGRAMS. PHILADELPHIA ZOO HAS WORKED DILIGENTLY TO REIMAGINE AND TRANSFORM ITS CAMPUS AND THE OVERALL ZOO EXPERIENCE, WITH THE ADDITIONS OF AWARD-WINNING EXHIBITS SUCH AS THE PIONEERING ZOO360, KIDZOOU: HAMILTON FAMILY CHILDREN'S ZOO & FARIS FAMILY EDUCATION CENTER (KIDZOOU), MCNEIL AVIAN CENTER AND BIG CAT FALLS. (SEE SCHED O).OVER THE PAST DECADE, OTHER UPDATES AND EXHIBIT ENHANCEMENTS INCLUDE:ZOO360: ZOO360 IS AN INNOVATIVE, FIRST-IN-THE-WORLD SYSTEM OF SEE-THROUGH TRAILS PASSING THROUGH TREETOPS, CROSSING OVER PATHWAYS AND CONNECTING HABITATS, PROVIDING ANIMALS LIKE AMAZING BIG CATS, MAJESTIC PRIMATES AND MARVELOUS MEERKATS OPPORTUNITIES TO TRAVEL AND EXPLORE. ZOO360 OFFERS EXCITING AND ENRICHING EXPERIENCES FOR ANIMALS AND VISITORS ALIKE, TAKING THE ZOO EXPERIENCE TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL. ZOO360 BENEFITS ANIMALS BY OFFERING MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LONG-DISTANCE TRAVEL, GREATER ENVIRONMENTAL VARIETY AND AN INCREASED ABILITY TO DETERMINE THEIR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHILE SIMILARLY ENHANCING THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE BY CREATING A MORE DYNAMIC ENGAGEMENT. ANIMALS ARE ON THE MOVE LIKE NEVER BEFORE AT THE PHILADELPHIA ZOO, NOW AS YOU MOVE AROUND THE ZOO, THE ZOO MOVES AROUND YOU.ZOO360 TRAILS LINK EXISTING HABITATS, SO ANIMALS WITH SIMILAR HABITAT REQUIREMENTS CAN UTILIZE EACH OTHER'S SPACES IN A TIME-SHARING SITUATION. ZOO360 IS ANOTHER FIRST AT PHILADELPHIA ZOO AND IN THE WORLD, AND SHOWCASES THE ZOO'S COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE IN ANIMAL CARE AND INSPIRING GUESTS TO CONSERVATION ACTION. KIDZOOU, HAMILTON FAMILY CHILDREN'S ZOO & FARIS FAMILY EDUCATION CENTER: AT THE HEART OF THE CAMPUS IS KIDZOOU: AN INDOOR-OUTDOOR WILDLIFE ACADEMY AND CHILDREN'S ZOO THAT BOASTS INTERACTIVE, EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES FOR THE YOUNGEST ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS. KIDZOOU OFFERS DYNAMIC DISPLAYS, HANDS-ON LEARNING AND RARE AND UNUSUAL GOATS, SHEEP, CHICKENS AND DUCKS FOR TODDLERS AND TWEENS ALIKE. LOCATED ON THE SITE OF THE FORMER PACHYDERM HOUSE, KIDZOOU WAS DESIGNED WITH SPECIAL NEEDS COMMUNITIES IN MIND AND WITH THE INPUT OF EXPERTS FROM THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA'S CENTER FOR AUTISM RESEARCH, THE OVERBROOK SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND AND OTHERS. EXHIBITS FEATURE UNIVERSAL DESIGN ELEMENTS, SIGNAGE IN BRAILLE, SIGN LANGUAGE AND A PICTURE EXCHANGE SYSTEM FOR VERY YOUNG CHILDREN OR THOSE ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM, AS WELL AS AUDIO AND TACTILE ELEMENTS. THE SITE IS WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE AND BUILDINGS FEATURE POWER DOORS. AMENITIES ALSO INCLUDE ADOLESCENT-SIZE CHANGING TABLES IN FAMILY RESTROOMS.KIDZOOU IS LEED GOLD CERTIFIED AND UTILIZES ELEMENTS SUCH AS GEOTHERMAL WELLS FOR HEATING AND COOLING; DAYLIGHTING; RAIN WATER COLLECTION FOR USE AS GRAY WATER TO FLUSH THE PUBLIC TOILETS; RAIN GARDENS AND VEGETATED ROOFS TO REDUCE WATER RUNOFF INTO STORM DRAINS; BUILDING REUSE (RENOVATION OF THE FORMER PACHYDERM EXHIBIT); AND RECYCLED AND SALVAGE BUILDING MATERIALS.KIDZOOU HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL PRESTIGIOUS HONORS INCLUDING:-THE GROUNDBREAKER AWARD FROM THE DELAWARE VALLEY GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL-THE CONSTRUCTION AWARD FROM PRESERVATION PENNSYLVANIA-BEST NEW STORMWATER CONTROL MEASURE FROM TEMPLE/VILLANOVA SUSTAINABLE STORMWATER INITIATIVE-THE MAYOR'S COMMISSION ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES-THE GRAND JURY AWARD FROM THE PRESERVATION ALLIANCE FOR GREATER PHILADELPHIA-2014 EXHIBIT OF THE YEAR FROM ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS (AZA)MCNEIL AVIAN CENTER SHOWCASES LUSH WALK-THROUGH HABITATS, WHICH HOUSE OVER 100 RARE AND ENDANGERED BIRDS FROM AROUND THE WORLD. NOTABLE FEATURES INCLUDE THE RAINFOREST, WHICH IMMERSES VISITORS IN COLOR AND SOUND AS THEY ARE SURROUNDED BY BIRD SPECIES, AND THE MULTI-SENSORY 4-D MIGRATION THEATER.BIG CAT FALLS OFFERS A STUNNING LANDSCAPE OF HABITATS WHERE GUESTS COME FACE-TO-FACE WITH ENDANGERED BIG CATS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, INCLUDING BEAUTIFUL SNOW LEOPARDS, PLAYFUL PUMAS, CRITICALLY-ENDANGERED AMUR TIGERS, AFRICAN LIONS, JAGUARS AND AMUR LEOPARDS AND MORE. BIG CATS MOVE FROM ONE EXHIBIT TO ANOTHER UTILIZING BIG CAT CROSSING, AN EXTENSION OF ZOO360 THAT CROSSES OVER THE MAIN VISITOR PATH STOPPING GUESTS IN THEIR TRACKS.OUTBACK OUTPOSTPHILADELPHIA ZOO'S AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK EXHIBIT LETS GUESTS EXPLORE THE LAND OF THE RED KANGAROO, THE WORLD'S LARGEST MARSUPIAL, AND THE EMU, THE SECOND TALLEST BIRD IN THE WORLD. VISITORS CAN TAKE AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY OF THE JOEY, SAY G'DAY TO A FEW OF AUSTRALIA'S GIANTS, AND JUMP INTO THE POUCH OF GIANT KANGAROO STATUE TO TAKE A SELFIE OR KICK BACK AND RELAX IN A NEW OUTDOOR SEATING AREA.WINGS OF THE WORLDREPLICATING A GARDEN, WINGS OF THE WORLD IS FILLED WITH COLOR, SOUND AND A SPECTACULAR COLLECTION OF UNIQUE BIRDS! THIS FREE FLIGHT AVIARY OFFERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAND-FEED AMAZING CREATURES, PROVIDING AN UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BIRDS ON THE PLANET.RAPTOR RIDGEHOME TO THE ZOO'S BALD EAGLES , ONE OF NORTH AMERICA'S MOST RECOGNIZABLE BIRDS OF PREY, RAPTOR RIDGE ALSO FEATURES WORK FROM LOCAL ARTISTS THAT ACCENTUATE THE EXHIBIT INCLUDING EXQUISITE BENCHES MADE WITH CHAINSAWS AND A 40-FOOT-LONG MURAL FEATURING PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES FOR GUESTS TO SOAR LIKE THE IMPRESSIVE BIRDS ILLUSTRATED IN THE ARTWORK.WATER IS LIFEA COMPLETE REDESIGN OF THE FORMER CARNIVORE KINGDOM EXHIBIT, WATER IS LIFE HIGHLIGHTS ONE OF THE PLANET'S MOST IMPORTANT RESOURCES AND SHOWCASES ITS ROLE IN SHELTER, NOURISHMENT, ANIMALS AND HUMANS. OFFERING TWO ZONES TO EXPLORE, RED PANDA PASS OFFERS A WINDING MAZE OF OVERHEAD BRIDGES AND OTTER FALLS, A NEW AQUATIC VERSION OF ZOO360, PROVIDES OVERSIZED SLIDES FOR GIANT RIVER OTTERS TO ENJOY.LUMINATURE IS A FANTASTICAL, HOLIDAY-SEASON LIGHT EXPERIENCE THAT
- $9.6 million spent. ANIMAL CARE: PHILADELPHIA ZOO IS ONE OF FOREMOST CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS AND CURRENTLY HOME TO APPROXIMATELY 1,700 ANIMALS OF MORE THAN 240 DIFFERENT SPECIES. THROUGHOUT ITS HISTORY, PHILADELPHIA ZOO HAS PROVIDED EXCEPTIONAL CARE FOR ANIMALS WHILE EDUCATING AND INSPIRING GUESTS AND PARTICIPATING IN WORLDWIDE CONSERVATION EFFORTS. KNOWN FOR CONTINUED INNOVATION, COMMITMENT TO WILDLIFE, AND ACHIEVING LONGEVITY RECORDS, PHILADELPHIA ZOO IS A ZOO OF MANY FIRSTS. RANGING FROM HAVING THE FIRST ORANGUTAN AND CHIMPANZEE BORN IN THE U.S. IN THE 1920'S, TO THE FIRST GIANT RIVER OTTER BORN IN THE U.S. IN 2004, TO THE CREATION OF ZOO360 A FIRST-IN-THE-WORLD ANIMAL TRAVEL AND EXPLORATION SYSTEM DEVELOPED IN 2011, AND NOW IMPLEMENTED IN MORE THAN 20 ZOOS ACROSS THE GLOBE. (SEE SCHED O).PHILADELPHIA ZOO, CONTINUES TO SET STANDARDS ACROSS THE INDUSTRY.PHILADELPHIA ZOO IS PART OF A GREATER MISSION TO CREATE NATIONAL ZOO CONSERVATION AND BREEDING PROGRAMS FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES. THE ZOO WORKS IN COOPERATION WITH OTHER ACCREDITED ZOOS IN NORTH AMERICA AND WORLDWIDE VIA THE SPECIES SURVIVAL PLAN (SSP), A COOPERATIVE EFFORT USED TO MANAGE AND BREED ENDANGERED AND OTHER ANIMAL SPECIES TO ENSURE HEALTHY, SELF-SUSTAINING GENETICALLY DIVERSE ANIMAL POPULATIONS. THESE BREEDING PROGRAMS SERVE AS SAFETY NETS FOR SPECIES THAT ARE THREATENED WITH EXTINCTION IN THE WILD.PHILADELPHIA ZOO CONTINUES TO REACH NEW HEIGHTS IN ALL AREAS OF ITS MISSION, OFFERING STATE-OF-THE-ART ANIMAL EXHIBITS AND HEALTH-CARE FACILITIES, AWARD-WINNING EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS, EXCEPTIONAL GUEST SERVICES, SCIENTIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS MAKING THIS HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT VENUE ONE OF THE MOST RENOWNED ZOOS IN THE WORLD.
- $11.4 million spent. EDUCATION, CONSERVATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMMING: DRIVEN BY A PASSION FOR PROMOTING ACTION THAT SUPPORTS WILDLIFE CONSERVATION, THE ZOO OFFERS A BROAD PORTFOLIO OF DYNAMIC EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. AS THE REGION'S LARGEST LIVING CLASSROOM, THE ZOO OFFERS HANDS-ON, CURRICULUM-CONNECTED AND MISSION-FOCUSED ANIMAL EXPERIENCES TO THOUSANDS OF SCHOOL CHILDREN EACH YEAR. THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS, THE ZOO HELPS TO GROW THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS, GIVING YOUNG PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THEIR NEW WILDLIFE AND CONSERVATION KNOWLEDGE WITH THEIR COMMUNITIES. (SEE SCHED O).FIELD TRIPSNOT ONLY ARE FIELD TRIPS FUN, BUT THEY ALSO IMMERSE STUDENTS IN THE WORLD'S WILDLIFE, BUILDING EMPATHY AND ENCOURAGING THEM TO MAKE SMALL CHANGES IN THEIR EVERYDAY LIFE THAT CAN HAVE AN IMPACT ON ANIMALS. A FIELD TRIP TO THE ZOO IS AN EXPERIENCE THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME.COMMUNITY ACCESS PROGRAM (CAP)IN PARTNERSHIP WITH INDIVIDUAL, CORPORATE, AND FOUNDATION DONORS THROUGHOUT OUR REGION, THE ZOO PROVIDES FREE VISITS AND ENGAGING LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO K-12 STUDENTS FROM TITLE I SCHOOLS ANNUALLY. BY COMMITTING TO PROVIDING ACCESS TO THE ZOO IN ECONOMICALLY DISTRESSED COMMUNITIES, THE ZOO HAS MADE FREE ZOO VISITS POSSIBLE FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS FROM AROUND THE REGION.THE UNLESS CONTESTTHE ALBERT M. GREENFIELD UNLESS CONTEST CHALLENGES STUDENTS FROM K THROUGH 12 TO DEVELOP CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS THAT IMPACT WILDLIFE. STUDENTS ARE PRESENTED WITH A CHALLENGE TO ADDRESS, AND THEY WORK TO OBTAIN A SOLUTION THROUGH ADVOCACY. SINCE THE START OF UNLESS, THE CONTEST HAS ENGAGED THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS FROM MORE THAN 400 SCHOOLS ACROSS THE REGION, AND THEIR CAMPAIGNS ARE ESTIMATED TO HAVE REACHED MILLIONS.PHILLY ZOO TO YOUPHILLY ZOO TO YOU IS A WEB-BASED SUITE OF CROSS-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES THAT CONNECT TEACHERS AND STUDENTS TO SCIENCE, NATURE, AND CONSERVATION. THESE VIRTUAL SCIENCE LEARNING OPTIONS K-4 GRADE STUDENTS ARE OFFERED AT NO COST TO FAMILIES AND TEACHERS.WILD CONNECTIONSWILD CONNECTIONS A COMPONENT OF PHILLY ZOO TO YOU, IS A 45-MINUTE CURRICULAR-FOCUSED PROGRAM THAT FEATURES LIVE ANIMALS ALONG WITH ZOO EXPERTS. EACH LIVE PROGRAM DIRECTLY CONNECTS PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT CLASSROOM TEACHERS AND THEIR STUDENTS WITH ZOO EDUCATORS, WHILE LEARNING CORE SCIENCE CONCEPTS THAT INTRODUCE OR REINFORCE STATE AND NATIONAL SCIENCE STANDARDS.NEIGHBORHOOD MEMBERSHIP PROGRAMTHE NEIGHBORHOOD MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM IS A FREE MEMBERSHIP TO THE ZOO AT THE FAMILY PLUS ($200) LEVEL FOR RESIDENTS OF MANTUA, EAST PARKSIDE, BELMONT, AND BREWERYTOWN. THIS MEMBERSHIP LEVEL INCLUDES UNLIMITED FREE ADMISSION FOR TWO ADULTS AND UP TO FOUR CHILDREN. THE GOAL IS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE CIVIC LIFE OF OUR REGION AND OUR NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES BY AMPLIFYING THE ZOO'S IMPACT ON QUALITY OF LIFE, CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY, AND LIFELONG LEARNING THAT BEGINS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD.COMMUNITY NIGHTCOMMUNITY NIGHT AT THE ZOO STARTED IN DECEMBER OF 2020 WITH THE ZOO CLOSING FOR AN EVENING EXCLUSIVE FOR NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS TO ATTEND. WITH THE FIRST OF THE COMMUNITY NIGHTS WELCOMING APPROXIMATELY 400 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, COMMUNITY NIGHT HAS NOW BECOME A SEASONAL TRADITION, WITH 3-4 NIGHTS HELD PER YEAR. EACH OF THOSE NIGHTS NOW AVERAGE 2,000 VISITORS. NOT ONLY DO GUESTS ENJOY A FREE NIGHT AT THE ZOO, BUT THEY ALSO BENEFIT FROM THE RESOURCE TABLES AND EXPERIENCES PRESENT THROUGHOUT CAMPUS FOR THOSE EVENINGS. WEST PHILADELPHIA ZOO SCHOLARSLAUNCHED IN 2022, THE ZOO RECRUITS UP TO 75 WEST PHILADELPHIA AREA STUDENTS FROM GRADES 10 THROUGH 12 FOR AN IMMERSIVE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE IN THE ZOOLOGICAL SCIENCES. THROUGH ACADEMIC AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AT THE ZOO, THE PROGRAM WILL PREPARE STUDENTS FOR A WIDE RANGE OF CAREERS INCLUDING ZOOLOGICAL AND ANIMAL SCIENCES WITH AN EMPHASIS ON ZOOKEEPING, WILDLIFE CONSERVATION, AND VETERINARY SCIENCES. UPON HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION, STUDENTS PURSUING POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION IN STEM DISCIPLINES WILL CONTINUE RECEIVING GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT FROM THE PROGRAM INCLUDING PAID INTERNSHIPS. ONCE STUDENTS GRADUATE COLLEGE, THEY WILL HAVE MET THE NATIONAL STANDARD FOR ENTRY-LEVEL ZOOLOGICAL POSITIONS: A DEGREE IN ZOOLOGICAL OR ANIMAL SCIENCES, AND TWO YEARS OF WORK EXPERIENCE.THROUGH A SERIES OF FOCUSED EFFORTS, THE ZOO HAS DEFINED ITS ROLE AS A CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION WORKING TO SIGNIFICANTLY DEEPEN POSITIVE IMPACT ON WILDLIFE AND THE ENVIRONMENT. THE GREATEST OPPORTUNITY TO ACHIEVE CONSERVATION IMPACT IS THROUGH PARTNERING WITH THE MILLIONS OF DAY-TO-DAY GUESTS THAT VISIT ONSITE OR ONLINE; THE THOUSANDS OF SCHOOLCHILDREN INSPIRED EACH YEAR THROUGH VISITS AND OUTREACH; AND BY LEVERAGING ACCESS TO A DIVERSE GROUP OF LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS WHO SHARE COMMITMENT TO MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE FOR PEOPLE AND WILDLIFE.THE ZOO HAS ADOPTED AN ACTION-ORIENTED VISION FOR OUR CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION EFFORTS, DEDICATING RESOURCES TO IMPLEMENTING PROGRAMMING TO ENGAGE OUR ONSITE AUDIENCES AND OUR COMMUNITY IN DIRECT CONSERVATION ACTION. OUR PROGRAM IS DESIGNED AROUND A THEORY OF CHANGE. OUR CHANGE FRAMEWORK LEVERAGES THE EMPATHETIC CONNECTION GUESTS MAKE WITH ANIMALS AT THE ZOO AND BY SHARING TOOLS THAT EMPOWER EVERYONE TO TAKE ACTION IN THEIR DAILY LIVES, PEOPLE WHO CONNECT WITH THE ZOO WILL MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE BY BECOMING CONSERVATION-MINDED, CIVICALLY ENGAGED ADVOCATES FOR WILDLIFE AND HABITAT.PHILADELPHIA ZOO WORKS TO ENGAGE VISITORS ABOUT THE POSITIVE CORRELATION BETWEEN REDUCING CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS AND CONSERVING THE PLANET'S WILDLIFE POPULATION. ENERGY USE AND FOREST LOSS ARE THE LEADING GLOBAL SOURCES OF CARBON EMISSIONS WHICH ARE ALREADY CHANGING THE CLIMATE AND THREATENING THE SURVIVAL OF MANY ENDANGERED SPECIES. MIGRATORY PATTERNS OF BIRDS AND POLLINATORS LIKE BUTTERFLIES AND BEES ARE DISRUPTED, RAINFALL CHANGES ARE IMPACTING THE MOIST CONDITIONS NECESSARY FOR SPECIES LIKE FROGS TO BREED, RISING OCEAN TEMPERATURES ARE JEOPARDIZING ENTIRE
Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending February 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1942.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.