Chicago Zoological Society
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
To inspire conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature.
- Income
- $108.0 million
- Spending
- $78.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- -3.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 38%
- Employees
- 791
- Volunteers
- 242
- Highest pay
- $797,411, president and ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 61 out of 100.
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 30% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 90 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2541 of 44 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
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, 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)
- $28.6 million spent. Park Operations The CZS maintains 75 buildings on 235 acres of land to exhibit over 2,500 animals. In a typical year, two million visitors annually enjoy the experience of seeing and learning about the animals of the world. Each individual that enters through Brookfield Zoos gates represents an opportunity to introduce representatives of the wild world, to convey our intertwined connections to the animal kingdom, and to encourage positive change in the world. The Zoo is open almost every day of the year. Admission is free to the general public 52 days/year and at all times to Illinois school groups and military personnel. The membership team services our 109,000 member households, providing them with the opportunity to participate in the conservation and educational efforts of CZS. The events team provides seasonal and animal themed events such as Earth Day, Spring Fest, Hispanic Heritagefest, Holiday Magic and Boo at the Zoo. Visitor services provides narrated tram tours and accessible transportation options in the park.
- $29.9 million spent. Animal Health, Welfare, Care and Programs More than 2500 ambassadors of the animal kingdom provide our visitors with a rare opportunity to see species from around the globe and experience up close, personal encounters. CZS staff provide expert care of these ambassadors, where innovations in husbandry techniques and pioneering breeding programs are part of the cuttting edge culture of excellence and integrating disciplines such as population biology, behavioral science, nutrition and veterinary science help determine the best ways to provide and continuously care for the animals. CZS also incorporates models and practices from an array of animal care professionals around the world, to develop the best possible zoo-based animal care and management practices. Through Keeper Chats and Ambassador Animal Encounters, staff share their knowledge of the animals in their care with zoo guests, helping them gain an appreciation for all citizens of the natural world. Through field programs,CZS support efforts to protect and restore populations of threatened species in other parts of the world.
- $4.1 million spent. Education and Community Engagement Through its education programs, CZS communicates with others to engender in them a sense of ownership about living harmoniously with nature and helping save endangered species. Education specialists, volunteers, curators, graphic and exhibit designers, photographers and many others contribute to sharing this information both in person and virtually. As well as reaching the daily visitors to the Zoo, CZSs education and outreach programming reaches out to would be conservationists outside of the Zoo including classrooms of school children and teachers, local libraries and community organizations to engage them in nature based programs, strengthening the bridge between education and conservation and working together to create healthy spaces for people and wildlife.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending March 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1941.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.