Akron Zoological Park
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
WE CONNECT YOUR LIFE TO WILDLIFE WHILE INSPIRING LIFELONG LEARNING AND CONSERVATION ACTION.
- Income
- $25.2 million
- Spending
- $18.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 19.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 68%
- Employees
- 356
- Volunteers
- 180
- Highest pay
- $361,114, president & 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 19.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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 19% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2530 of 30 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 (5)
- $6.4 million spent. HORTICULTURE & PRESERVATIONTHE MISSION OF THE HORTICULTURE AND PRESERVATION PROGRAM IS TO FOSTER A CONNECTION WITH WILDLIFE AND A DESIRE TO PROTECT WILD PLACES BY CREATING A POSITIVE GUEST EXPERIENCE. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH IMMERSIVE THEMING THROUGH LANDSCAPE PLANTS, HIGHLIGHTING THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PLANTS AND ANIMALS, AND THE DEMONSTRATION OF SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPING PRACTICES. THE AKRON ZOO IS AN ACCREDITED PUBLIC GARDEN THROUGH THE AMERICAN PUBLIC GARDENS ASSOCIATION (APGA) AND MAINTAINS A WIDE COLLECTION OF UNIQUE PLANTS FOR DISPLAY AND EDUCATION PURPOSES. ALL LANDSCAPING AT THE ZOO IS DESIGNED TO INCLUDE NATIVE PLANT SPECIES, DROUGHT-TOLERANT SPECIES, HOST OR FOOD PLANTS FOR NATIVE WILDLIFE, AND OTHER ECOLOGICALLY-BENEFICIAL PLANTS. THE AKRON ZOO GARDENS INCLUDE A MONARCH WAYSTATION. AS CONSERVATORS OF WILDLIFE, THE AKRON ZOO DOES NOT INSTALL INVASIVE OR POTENTIALLY INVASIVE PLANTS.PROVIDED 365 DAYS OF FACILITY MAINTENANCE.
- $4.1 million spent. ANIMAL CAREFROM AFRICAN LIONS TO MICROSCOPIC CORAL, THE AKRON ZOO PROVIDES CARE TO OVER 3,108 ANIMALS REPRESENTING APPROXIMATELY 230 SPECIES. PARTICIPATION IN CONSERVATION PROGRAMS, (I.E. CORAL REEF RESTORATION, WHITE WING WOOD DUCK RESEARCH) AND SPECIES SURVIVAL PLANS IS AN IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF THE ANIMAL CARE PROGRAM. THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS, THE ZOO IS ACTIVELY SAVING WILDLIFE AND THEIR HABITATS, AS WELL AS TAKING A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ENDANGERED SPECIES (I.E. RED WOLF, NORTH AMERICAN SONGBIRDS, SNOW LEOPARDS).IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SPECIES SURVIVAL EFFORTS, THE ANIMAL CARE PROGRAM PROVIDES INDIVIDUALIZED HUSBANDRY, VETERINARY CARE, NUTRITION, ENRICHMENT, WELFARE AND TRAINING TO EACH ANIMAL.PROVIDED 365 DAYS OF ANIMAL CARE.
- $1.8 million spent. MEMBERSHIP AND GUEST SERVICES: THE AKRON ZOO'S MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ANYONE TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE ZOO BY PURCHASING AN ANNUAL PASS. THERE ARE MULTIPLE OPTIONS FROM AN INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP TO A FAMILY DELUXE MEMBERSHIP TO ACCOMMODATE A RANGE OF FAMILY SIZES AND NEEDS. EACH MEMBERSHIP COMES WITH BENEFITS SUCH AS UNLIMITED FREE ADMISSION TO THE ZOO YEAR ROUND, FREE PARKING, DISCOUNTS ON PURCHASES IN THE GIFTSHOP, SPECIAL MEMBER ONLY EVENTS AND PREVIEWS OF NEW AREAS, DISCOUNTED ADMISSION TO OVER 150 ACCREDITED ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS NATIONWIDE, AND DISCOUNTS ON EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND SPECIAL EVENTS LIKE BOO AT THE ZOO AND WILD LIGHTS. THE ZOO'S MEMBERSHIP HOUSEHOLDS TOTALS AROUND 14,000. THE ZOO'S GUEST SERVICES INCLUDE GUEST EXPERIENCES, FOOD SERVICE AND GIFT SHOP. THE ZOO WELCOMES GUESTS THROUGH OUR WELCOME CENTER WHERE GUESTS CAN PURCHASE ADMISSION AT OUR TICKET COUNTER BEFORE ENTERING THE ZOO. THROUGHOUT THE ZOO, THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GUESTS TO ENJOY ACTIVITIES SUCH AS CAROUSEL AND TRAIN RIDES, PURCHASE CRACKERS TO FEED OUR GOATS OR EXPERIENCE VIRTUAL REALITY ON OUR VIRTUAL REALITY RIDE. ALL OF THESE ACTIVITIES GENERATE REVENUE TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS. OUR KOMODO KINGDOM CAFE PROVIDES FOOD OPTIONS YEAR ROUND TO GUESTS, WE ALSO HAVE MULTIPLE STANDS THROUGHOUT THE PARK THAT PROVIDE SEASONAL OFFERINGS DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS AND SELECT SPECIAL EVENTS. IN TOTAL WE HAVE FIVE LOCATIONS WHERE GUESTS CAN PURCHASE FOOD AND BEVERAGES. THE GIFT SHOP OFFERS GUESTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO REMEMBER THEIR VISIT WITH A SOUVENIR OR GIFT. THE MAIN SHOP IS IN THE WELCOME CENTER AND GUESTS EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP TO EXIT THE ZOO. THERE IS ALSO A CART JUST INSIDE THE ENTRANCE TO THE ZOO THAT OFFERS SCOOTER AND STROLLER RENTALS, AS WELL AS SOME SELECT ITEMS SUCH AS HATS AND SUNGLASSES.
- $1.7 million spent. EDUCATIONTHE EDUCATION PROGRAM SUPPORTS THE MISSION OF THE ZOO. THROUGH EDUCATION WE WORK TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO WILDLIFE AND FOSTER APPRECIATION FOR OUR NATURAL WORLD. COMBINED WITH OTHER METHODS, EDUCATION CAN HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN SAVING WILDLIFE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. PROGRAMS WERE CONDUCTED ON AND OFF SITE TO A VARIETY OF AUDIENCES. PROGRAMS ARE FEE BASED TO GENERATE REVENUE, AS WELL AS, GRANT FUNDED TO SUPPORT LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND UNDERSERVED AUDIENCES. HABITAT SIGNAGE, ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS AND PRESENTATIONS, DISCOVERY CARTS, AND INTERACTIVE AREAS ARE WAYS TO EDUCATE AND CONNECT WITH GUESTS WHILE AT THE ZOO AND HELPS ACCOMPLISH OUR MISSION.57,102 PARTICIPANTS SERVED.
- $1.1 million spent. SPECIAL AND GROUP EVENTS: THE AKRON ZOO HOSTS AROUND 90 EVENTS ANNUALLY. THESE EVENTS RANGE FROM EVENTS THAT FOCUS ON CONNECTING CHILDREN TO ANIMALS SUCH AS INTERNATIONAL RED PANDA DAY OR WORLD TURTLE DAY, TO ADULT ONLY AFTER HOUR EVENTS SUCH AS BREW AT THE ZOO OR LOCKEDZOO. TWO OF OUR LARGEST EVENTS ARE BOO AT THE ZOO IN OCTOBER AND WILD LIGHTS, WHICH STARTS IN LATE NOVEMBER AND RUNS THROUGH DECEMBER. THE ZOO OFFERS A VARIETY OF RENTAL OPTIONS AND PROGRAMS INCLUDING BIRTHDAY PARTY PACKAGES, PICNIC RENTALS, AFTER HOURS RENTALS OF A SPECIFIC AREA OF THE ZOO, LIKE PRIDE OF AFRICA, OR THE ENTIRE ZOO. WE HAVE THREE SPECIFIC AREAS THAT CAN BE RENTED DURING THE DAY WHEN WE ARE OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, THESE INCLUDE NATURE'S VIEW. THIS SPACE ACCOMMODATES 40 PEOPLE AND IS OFTEN RENTED FOR BABY SHOWERS, BRIDAL SHOWERS OR CORPORATE RETREATS/MEETINGS. THERE ARE ALSO TWO PICNIC PAVILION AVAILABLE FOR RENT. EACH PAVILION ACCOMODATES 125 TO 150 PEOPLE. THE PAVILIONS ARE OFTEN RENTED FOR CORPORATE PICNICS, FAMILY REUNIONS OR SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS LIKE GRADUATION PARTIES.
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 August 1952.
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.
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