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Wilderness Trails Animal Park Inc

EIN 32-0013455 · Birch Run, MI

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF WILDERNESS TRAILS ZOO IS TO STRENGTHEN FAMILY BONDS AND TO PROMOTE CONSERVATION OF THE NATURAL WORLD. WE STRIVE TO REACH OUR GOAL THROUGH: HANDS-ON AND CLOSE UP EXPERIENCES WITH ANIMALS, PROMOTING HARMONY BETWEEN NATURE AND DEVELOPMENT THROUGH EXAMPLE. PROMOTING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF CONSERVATION ISSUES AND TO EDUCATE HOW EASY IT CAN BE TO HELP WITH KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF ANIMALS. CREATING NEW AND INNOVATIVE EXHIBITS WITH PLENTY OF RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH WHICH EMPLOYEES CAN USE AND EXPAND THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM AND SHARE THIS KNOWLEDGE WITH THE PUBLIC IN A FUN, FAMILY FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE. THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR HANDS-ON ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS AND THE NATURAL SURROUNDING OF THE ZOO HAVE ALWAYS BEEN REGARDED AS COMMUNITY TREASURES. HUNDREDS OF SCHOOL GROUPS VISIT THE ZOO EACH SPRING AND THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES MAKE THE ZOO A TRADITIONAL VISIT FOR SUMMER VACATION. AREA RESIDENTS APPRECIATE THE SERVICES THAT THE ZO

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$972,505
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 75%
Employees
72
Highest pay
$46,440, v 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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs.

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

Governance

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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. $972,505 spent. EDUCATING CHILDREN ON HOW ANIMALS LIVE, GROW, AND RAISE THEIR YOUNG.

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 October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.

    The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(3) charitable organization as not deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 August 2002.

    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 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.