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Monterey Zoological Society

EIN 26-0391615 · Salinas, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak49 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR GOAL IS TO EDUCATE VISITORS ABOUT THE CHALLENGES FACING BOTH CAPTIVE AND WILD ANIMALS TO INCREASE UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT WHILE PROMOTING CONSERVATION. MONTEREY ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY STRIVES TO MAINTAIN A DIVERSE GROUP OF WILDLIFE SPECIES AS WE BELIEVE THAT A SUSTAINABLE CAPTIVE ANIMAL POPULATION IS IMPERATIVE TO ENSURING THE SURVIVAL OF ALL SPECIES.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
-0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 73%
Employees
28
Highest pay
$58,240, president

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

Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% 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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 11 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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 (1)
  1. $1.8 million spent. THE ZOO PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS INSTRUCTING VISITORS ON THE HISTORY, RESEARCH,AND CONSERVATION OF THE ANIMALS EXHIBITED. THIS SERVICE IS PROVIDED AT A LOW COST FOR GROUPS OF SCHOOL CHILDREN, SENIORS, AND SPECIAL NEEDS GROUPS IN ORDER TO INSURE ALL CITIZENS HAVE ACCESS. THE EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT ALSO HOSTS PRIVATE TOURS OF THE EXHIBITS, WEEKEND CLASSES, SUMMER CAMPS, DAILY PROGRAMS, OVERNIGHT PROGRAMS, AND SPECIAL EVENTS. FOR GROUPS THAT ARE UNABLE TO REACH THE ZOO, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OFFERS OUTREACH PROGRAMS AT THEIR LOCATION. WE OFFER A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS TO DIFFERENT GROUPS OF PEOPLE TO PROMOTE MULTIPLE VISITS AND ACCESS TO THOSE WHO MAY NOT BE ABLE TO VISIT BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL RESTRICTIONS OR THOSE WHO CAN ONLY GET TRANSPORTATION TO THE ZOO AS PART OF A GROUP. OFFERING GROUP ACTIVITIES ALLOWS OUR EDUCATION DEPARTMENT A BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE MORE INTERACTION AND TIME WITH SMALLER GROUPS OF PEOPLE. BECAUSE OF THIS WE ARE ABLE TO FOCUS ON FOSTERING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE ANIMALS WE CARE FOR. THE ZOO PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS INSTRUCTING VISITORS ON THE HISTORY, RESEARCH,AND CONSERVATION OF THE ANIMALS EXHIBITED. THIS SERVICE IS PROVIDED AT A LOW COST FOR GROUPS OF SCHOOL CHILDREN, SENIORS, AND SPECIAL NEEDS GROUPS IN ORDER TO INSURE ALL CITIZENS HAVE ACCESS. THE EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT ALSO HOSTS PRIVATE TOURS OF THE EXHIBITS, WEEKEND CLASSES, SUMMER CAMPS, DAILY PROGRAMS, OVERNIGHT PROGRAMS, AND SPECIAL EVENTS. FOR GROUPS THAT ARE UNABLE TO REACH THE ZOO, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OFFERS OUTREACH PROGRAMS AT THEIR LOCATION. WE OFFER A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS TO DIFFERENT GROUPS OF PEOPLE TO PROMOTE MULTIPLE VISITS AND ACCESS TO THOSE WHO MAY NOT BE ABLE TO VISIT BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL RESTRICTIONS OR THOSE WHO CAN ONLY GET TRANSPORTATION TO THE ZOO AS PART OF A GROUP. OFFERING GROUP ACTIVITIES ALLOWS OUR EDUCATION DEPARTMENT A BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE MORE INTERACTION AND TIME WITH SMALLER GROUPS OF PEOPLE. BECAUSE OF THIS WE ARE ABLE TO FOCUS ON FOSTERING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE ANIMALS WE CARE FOR.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2010 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2010.

    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 December 2011.

    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.