Erie Zoological Society
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
See Schedule O
- Income
- $5.1 million
- Spending
- $5.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 1.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 46%
- Employees
- 139
- Volunteers
- 100
- Highest pay
- $138,282, ceo
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
Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 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 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)
- $3.6 million spent. The Zoo's purpose is to nurture an appreciaiton for conservation through meaningful educational experiences. The Zoo first joined the International Species Inventory System in 1975 and began supporting its first Species Survival Plan in 1985. 38 years later, the Zoo is proud to actively participate in over 20 Species Survival Plans by partnering with like-minded zoos and aquariums to foster healthy animal breeding programs grounded in animal well-being, science and research. These partnerships continue the first pillar of the Zoo's mission by proactively supporting the conservation of endangered species. Meaningful educational experiences comprise the second pillar of the Zoo's mission through multiple education-based opportunites including on-site programming (including classes and school-age camp programs, internships, animal meet-&-greets, behind-the-scene tours, keeper presentations and animal training presentations), signage, outreach programming (including schools, libraries and other regional organizations) and virtual experiences utilizing the ZOOM platform to foster further mission reach.
- $371,133 spent. Education - Our education programs are offered on grounds for 6 month olds up to adults as well as off grounds to pre K to high school students. Our in house programming offers a variety of classes from our Zootots programs to our Teacher's Workshops which are eligible for Act 48 credits. We also offer classes that can be taken while on a group trip here at the Zoo. Each class is tailored especially for the age level by teaching different categories related to the same topic. Our outreach programs are offered in much the same way, having different topics for a specific age level. Both group classes and outreach are designed to meet certain PA Standards for Science and Technology, PA Standards for Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, or PA Standards for Environment and Ecology. In doing this we are able to ensure the content of our classes are in line with our State's standards. All classes offered by the Zoo are designed to spread our message of conservation and to educate the public about both our animals and animals in the wild as well as teach important science topics.
- $367,853 spent. Rink - Our Flo Fabrizio Ice Center is used by Erie Youth Hockey and the Westminster Skating Club as a practice facility to teach youngsters to skate.
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
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 December 2024.
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 December 1964.
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.