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American Association of Zoo Keepers

EIN 23-7274856 · Tucson, AZ

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong97 out of 100GovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOO KEEPERS EXISTS TO ADVANCE EXCELLENCE IN THE ANIMAL KEEPING PROFESSION, FOSTER EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION BENEFICIAL TO ANIMAL CARE, SUPPORT DESERVING CONSERVATION PROJECTS, AND PROMOTE THE PRESERVATION OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES AND ANIMAL LIFE.

Income
$633,834
Spending
$632,740
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
12.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
4
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$45,000, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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)
  1. $319,571 spent. BOWLING FOR RHINOS - CONCEIVED TO PROVIDE CONSISTENT ANNUAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THREE INTERNATIONAL SPECIES CONSERVATION SANCTUARIES THAT PRIMARILY EXIST TO PROVIDE HABITAT AND ANTI-POACHING PROTECTION FOR FIVE (5) SPECIES OF RHINO. THE SANCTUARIES ALSO PROTECT A MYRIAD OF SPECIES COMMONLY FOUND WITHIN THE SHARED ECOSYSTEM. OVER 80 ANNUAL BOWLING FOR RHINO EVENTS ARE HELD THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES, CANADA AND AUSTRALIA. MONEY DONATIONS ARE ALSO RECEIVED VIA THE INTERNET. THE PROGRAM ALSO FUNDS AN ANNUAL DEDICATED GRANTING OPPORTUNITY IN RHINO RESEARCH, CONSERVATION OR RHINO HORN DEMAND EDUCATION ADMINISTERED BY THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOO KEEPERS.
  2. $9,279 spent. TREES FOR YOU AND ME - A CLIMATE CHANGE INITIATIVE PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES GRANT(S) TO FELLOW NON-PROFITS OR INTERNATIONAL REGISTED CHARITIES, THAT REFOREST AREAS IMPACTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE, NATURAL DISASTERS OR OTHER REFORESTATION PROGRAMS BOTH WITH THE US OR OUTSIDE THE US.
  3. $70,890 spent. ANIMAL KEEPERS' FORUM - PUBLICATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF A MONTHLY MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO EXOTIC ANIMAL HUSBANDRY REACHING APPROXIMATELY 2,600 MEMBERS WORLDWIDE IN PRINT AND ELECTRONIC FORMAT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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.

  2. 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 November 6, 2026.

  3. 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.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1992.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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 November 4, 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.