Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Lake Superior Zoological Society

EIN 41-0944885 · Duluth, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE CLOSE-UP ANIMAL EXPERIENCES THAT INSPIRE CONNECTIONS TO WILDLIFE AND ACTION TOWARD CONSERVATION IN OUR REGION AND AROUND THE WORLD.

Income
$2.9 million
Spending
$2.7 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
0 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 74%
Employees
84
Volunteers
185
Highest pay
$112,443, 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

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 -0.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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 73% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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, 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 (4)
  1. $1.7 million spent. ZOO SERVICES:THE LAKE SUPERIOR ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OPERATES THE CITY-OWNED ZOO THROUGH A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP, PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY ANIMAL CARE, GUEST SERVICES, AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING. AS AN AZA-ACCREDITED INSTITUTION, WE MEET THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF ANIMAL WELFARE, VETERINARY CARE, AND ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE. OUR PROFESSIONAL TEAM MANAGES A COLLECTION OF APPROXIMATELY 300 ANIMALS ACROSS 140 SPECIES, MANY OF WHICH ARE PART OF THE AZA'S SPECIES SURVIVAL PLAN (SSP) PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON CONSERVATION AND POPULATION SUSTAINABILITY. ZOO SERVICES INCLUDES HIRING, TRAINING, AND RETAINING EXPERT ANIMAL CARE STAFF; ENSURING REGULATORY COMPLIANCE AND SAFETY; AND DELIVERING ENGAGING, MISSION-DRIVEN EXPERIENCES TO THE PUBLIC. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, WE SERVE AS A TRUSTED COMMUNITY RESOURCE, A PARTNER IN GLOBAL CONSERVATION, AND A REGIONAL DESTINATION FOR FAMILIES, STUDENTS, AND VISITORS SEEKING MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS WITH WILDLIFE.
  2. $236,456 spent. PRESCHOOL:OUR NATURE-BASED PRESCHOOL SERVES CHILDREN AGES 33 MONTHS-5 YEARS OLD. WE PROVIDED FULL-TIME CARE (M-F FROM 8:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.) TO 20 CHILDREN AND PART-TIME CARE TO 20 CHILDREN OVER THE COURSE OF 2024. AS A NATURE-BASED PRESCHOOL, LSZS BRINGS TOGETHER THE TENANTS OF HIGH-QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, WITH A FOCUS ON CONNECTING YOUNG CHILDREN TO ANIMALS AND NATURE FOR THE BENEFIT OF BOTH THE CHILD AND THE NATURAL WORLD. THE PRESCHOOL FOLLOWS AN EMERGENT, PLAY-BASED CURRICULUM WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROJECT-BASED LEARNING ROOTED IN THE CHILDREN'S INTERESTS AND DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS. DAILY WALKING FIELD TRIPS IN THE ZOO OFFER THE CHILDREN RICH EXPERIENCES WITH ANIMALS, NATURE PLAY, AND THE ZOO COMMUNITY. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR FAMILIES WITH FINANCIAL NEED.
  3. $193,464 spent. EDUCATION:EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING IS ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS OUR ZOO FULFILLS ITS MISSION AND FOSTERS ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION. WE GIVE PARTICIPANTS CLOSE-UP EXPERIENCES WITH ANIMALS TO HELP THEM FEEL EMPATHY, RESPECT, AND CONCERN FOR THAT ANIMAL AND OTHERS LIKE IT. EMOTIONAL ENGAGEMENT COMBINED WITH CONSERVATION MESSAGES HELP INSPIRE OUR AUDIENCES TO IMPROVE THE WORLD FOR ANIMALS AND THEIR NATURAL HABITATS. IN 2024, 11,275 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN 356 EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
  4. $141,405 spent. MEMBER SERVICES:PROVIDING PERSONALIZED SERVICES TO OUR MEMBERS AND CREATING AWARENESS AMONG THE GENERAL PUBLIC REGARDING OUR MEMBER SERVICES, WHICH INCLUDE UNLIMITED GENERAL ADMISSION, DISCOUNTS ON CAFE AND GIFT SHOP PURCHASES, AS WELL AS GENEROUS DISCOUNTS ON CAMPS AND PARTY RENTALS. WE PARTICIPATE IN THE AZA RECIPROCAL PROGRAM AND THE ASTC PASSPORT PROGRAM ALLOWING OUR MEMBERS TO ENJOY FREE OR DISCOUNTED ADMISSIONS TO OVER 500 ZOOS, AQUARIUMS, MUSEUMS, AND SCIENCE CENTERS. MEMBERS RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE UPDATES ON ZOO EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, AND SPECIAL "MEMBERS ONLY" EVENTS ARE HOSTED IN APPRECIATION FOR THEIR SUPPORT.

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 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 July 1969.

    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.