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Zoo Learning Fund

EIN 47-3220134 · Kansas City, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ZOO LEARNING FUND (ZLF) MANAGES AN ENDOWMENT FUND THAT FINANCIALLY SUPPORTS, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS CENTERED ON CURRICULUM ABOUT ANIMALS FOR SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN THROUGHOUT KANSAS CITY AND COMMUNITIES IN ADJACENT COUNTIES. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)ZLF MAKES GRANTS TO THE FRIENDS OF THE ZOO INC OF KANSAS CITY, MO (DBA KANSAS CITY ZOO) TO CARRY OUT SUCH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. FUNDED PROGRAMS TAKE PLACE BOTH ON THE GROUNDS OF THE KANSAS CITY ZOO AND IN LOCAL SCHOOLS OR COMMUNITY FACILITIES.

Income
$601,644
Spending
$688,692
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
96 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
9

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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 96.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 141% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs.

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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
  1. $657,786 spent. ZOO LEARNING FUND (ZLF) MANAGES AN ENDOWMENT FUND THAT FINANCIALLY SUPPORTS, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS CENTERED ON CURRICULUM ABOUT ANIMALS FOR SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN THROUGHOUT KANSAS CITY AND COMMUNITIES IN ADJACENT COUNTIES. ZLF MAKES GRANTS TO THE KANSAS CITY ZOO TO CARRY OUT SUCH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. FUNDED PROGRAMS TAKE PLACE BOTH ON THE GROUNDS OF THE KANSAS CITY ZOO AND IN LOCAL SCHOOLS OR COMMUNITY FACILITIES.SPECIFIC PROGRAMS SUPPORTED BY ZLF ARE CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O.A. STEAM PROGRAMS STEAM CAMP HOMESCHOOL TECHNOLOGY YOUNG REMBRANDTS GLOWFORGE BEEBOTS SWARMB. EDUCATION GENERAL FUNDEDUCATION DEPARTMENT GENERAL CLASSROOM 2-4 FLOORING UPGRADES CLASSROOM 2-4 TABLES AND CHAIRS CAMPGROUND UPGRADES YURTS COT BUNK BEDS STORAGE SHED QUEEN MATTRESSES VOLUNTEERS VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS - VOLGISTICS AND NEW PORTALS AND ACA DUES SUPPLIES, BANQUETS, CATERING, AND AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS ON-SITE, OFF-SITE AND CAMPC. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AMERICAN CAMP ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE VISITOR STUDIES ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE CERTIFIED INTERPRETIVE GUIDE TRAINING AZA ANNUAL CONFERENCE PROJECT LEAD THE WAY TRAINING CPR TRAINING SWAN RELEASE WYOMING TOAD RELEASE VOLUNTEER & DOCENT TRIPS

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 2015.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.