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Cosley Foundation Inc

EIN 36-3461739 · Wheaton, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE COSLEY FOUNDATION ENGAGES IN FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES TO BENEFIT THE COSLEY ZOO, AN AZA-ACCREDITED SMALL ZOO WHOLLY OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE WHEATON PARK DISTRICT IN WHEATON, IL. THE FOUNDATION RAISES FUNDS VIA DONOR DEVELOPMENT OF INDIVIDUALS AND FOUNDATIONS, AND ALSO HOLDS COMMUNITY-CENTRIC EVENTS SUCH AS CHRISTMAS TREE SALES,A 5K/10K RUN FOR THE ANIMALS, THE MIKE WILLIAMS COSLEY CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT, AND FALL PUMPKIN SALES. THE COSLEY FOUNDATION BOARD IS COMPRISED OF VOLUNTEER BOARD MEMBERS WHO SERVE AS ADVOCATES FOR THE COSLEY ZOO WITHIN THE DUPAGE COUNTY COMMUNITY (CHICAGO SUBURBS); BOARD MEMBERS ALSO PROVIDE FISCALLY SOUND STRATEGIC COUNSEL PERTAINING TO THE ZOOS CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER POLICIES AND PROGRAMS. THE COSLEY FOUNDATION WHOLLY SUPPORTS THE COSLEY ZOOS MISSION: TO CREATE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN PEOPLE AND ANIMALS THAT WILL INSPIRE LIFELONG CONSERVATION OF THE NATURAL WORLD. THE ZOO PURSUES ITS MISSION VIA WORLD-CLASS ANIMAL WELFARE, SCIENCE-BASED CONSERVATION IN

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
8.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 62%
Employees
0
Volunteers
95
Highest pay
$274,547, secretary

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 45% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 63% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 12 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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, 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 (4)
  1. $1.3 million spent. THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO HELP FUND THE OPERATION OF THE COSLEY ZOO BY THE WHEATON PARK DISTRICT. THE ZOOS OPERATIONS INCLUDE FREE ADMISSION TO ALL CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18 Y/O, REGARDLESS OF RESIDENCE WITHIN THE WHEATON PARK DISTRICT BOUNDS AND FREE ADMISSION TO ALL WHEATON PARK DISTRICT ADULTS. ADMISSION TO THE ZOO ALLOWS ACCESS TO MORE THAN 20 ANIMAL EXHIBITS, INCLUDING A DUCK POND AND CHICKEN COOP WHERE VISITORS CAN PARTICIPATE IN ANIMAL FEEDINGS FOR A SMALL ADDITIONAL FEE. WITHIN THE GROUNDS OF THE ZOO THERE IS ALSO A UNIQUE GIFT SHOP AND SMALL CONCESSIONS STAND. SINCE 2000, THE COSLEY ZOO HAS MAINTAINED ACCREDITATION BY THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS & AQUARIUMS (AZA), AND AS SUCH ADHERES TO THE WORLDS STRICTEST STANDARDS OF ANIMAL WELFARE AND CONSERVATION ADVOCACY WITHIN EVERY ASPECT OF ITS OPERATING PLAN. THE ZOO IS ALSO BELOVED BY THE COMMUNITY FOR ITS STRONG AND INCLUSIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, WITH EDUCATION BEING A PRIMARY OPERATIONAL FOCUS. THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO HELP FUND THE OPERATION OF THE COSLEY ZOO BY THE WHEATON PARK DISTRICT. THE ZOOS OPERATIONS INCLUDE FREE ADMISSION TO ALL CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18 Y/O, REGARDLESS OF RESIDENCE WITHIN THE WHEATON PARK DISTRICT BOUNDS AND FREE ADMISSION TO ALL WHEATON PARK DISTRICT ADULTS. ADMISSION TO THE ZOO ALLOWS ACCESS TO MORE THAN 20 ANIMAL EXHIBITS, INCLUDING A DUCK POND AND CHICKEN COOP WHERE VISITORS CAN PARTICIPATE IN ANIMAL FEEDINGS FOR A SMALL ADDITIONAL FEE. WITHIN THE GROUNDS OF THE ZOO THERE IS ALSO A UNIQUE GIFT SHOP AND SMALL CONCESSIONS STAND. SINCE 2000, THE COSLEY ZOO HAS MAINTAINED ACCREDITATION BY THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS & AQUARIUMS (AZA), AND AS SUCH ADHERES TO THE WORLDS STRICTEST STANDARDS OF ANIMAL WELFARE AND CONSERVATION ADVOCACY WITHIN EVERY ASPECT OF ITS OPERATING PLAN. THE ZOO IS ALSO BELOVED BY THE COMMUNITY FOR ITS STRONG AND INCLUSIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, WITH EDUCATION BEING A PRIMARY OPERATIONAL FOCUS.
  2. $2,500 spent. THE FOUNDATION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH A DONORS WISHES, IS PROVIDING ONE SCHOLARSHIP IN MEMORY OF THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE FOUNDATION.
  3. $133,506 spent. THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE ZOO. THE FOUNDATION INVESTS IN DONOR RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND THE ENGAGEMENT OF SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS.
  4. $19,672 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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? 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 2025.

    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 October 1986.

    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.