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The Saint Louis Zoo Foundation

EIN 43-1727309 · Saint Louis, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE SAINT LOUIS ZOO ASSOCIATION WAS ESTABLISHED TO SUPPORT AND ENHANCE THE SAINT LOUIS ZOO BY PROVIDING FACILITIES, FUNDS, AND ADVICE. THE ASSOCIATION PROVIDES DIRECT FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE ZOO FOR RENOVATIONS, NEW FACILITIES, PROGRAMS, CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH; ADMINISTERS FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGNS AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE ZOO; AND MANAGES THE ZOO'S ENDOWMENT. THE SAINT LOUIS ZOO ASSOCIATION WORKS TO ADVANCE THE SAINT LOUIS ZOO'S MISSION TO CONSERVE ANIMALS AND THEIR HABITATS THROUGH ANIMAL MANAGEMENT, RESEARCH, RECREATION AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT ENCOURAGE THE SUPPORT AND ENRICH THE EXPERIENCE OF THE PUBLIC.

Income
$53.8 million
Spending
$38.8 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
46.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 70%
Employees
49
Volunteers
921
Highest pay
$769,806, president & ceo

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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 46.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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 19% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    68 of 68 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 (6)
  1. $23.1 million spent. FINANCIAL SUPPORT - DIRECT FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE SAINT LOUIS ZOO FOR RENOVATIONS, NEW FACILITIES, PROGRAMS, CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH.
  2. $1.4 million spent. MEMBERSHIP - THE ASSOCIATION MAINTAINED A MEMBERSHIP BASE OF OVER 50,583 HOUSEHOLDS, REPRESENTING APPROXIMATELY 126,458 INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITY. THIS PROGRAM GENERATED $3,233,136 IN REVENUE IN 2025.
  3. $3.2 million spent. DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION - ADMINISTERING DONOR DEVELOPMENT AND CULTIVATION THAT GENERATES PROCEEDS TO BE USED TO RENOVATE EXHIBITS AND EXPAND PROGRAMS AT THE SAINT LOUIS ZOO, EDUCATING AND BENEFITING MILLIONS OF VISITORS EACH YEAR.
  4. $3.9 million spent. ENDOWMENT HARVEST - IN 2025, THE ASSOCIATION PROVIDED FUNDING FOR THE SAINT LOUIS ZOO WILDCARE INSTITUTE ($1,128,535), VETERINARY MEDICINE ($126,175), EMPLOYEE AND VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION ($17,325), EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ($201,225), AND UNRESTRICTED/ZOO OPERATIONS ($2,431,740).
  5. $388,249 spent. PARENT PROGRAM - THIS PROGRAM ALLOWS FOR DIRECT COMPENSATION TO THE ZOO'S COMMISSARY BUDGET TO OFFSET THE COSTS OF FEEDING THE ANIMALS. THIS PROGRAM ALSO CREATES EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ITS DONORS. ANIMAL FACT SHEETS ARE OFFERED TO DONORS, AND AN ANNUAL ZOO PARENTS CELEBRATION IS HELD WHERE DONORS ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE COMMISSARY AND VETERINARY HOSPITAL.
  6. $380,999 spent. DOCENT & VOLUNTEER SERVICES - ORGANIZING AND MANAGING A BASE OF OVER 921 VOLUNTEERS AND DOCENTS WHO PROVIDE TIME AND SERVICES TO PROVIDE AN ENRICHED EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE TO SAINT LOUIS ZOO VISITORS.

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 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 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 November 1995.

    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.