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Emporia Friends of the Zoo Inc

EIN 48-0912929 · Emporia, KS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceFair59 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE EMPORIA FRIENDS OF THE ZOO SERVES AS THE CHARITABLE ARM OF THE DAVID TRAYLOR ZOO OF EMPORIA, RAISING FUNDS TO FACILITATE EDUCATIONAL & CONSERVATION PROGRAMS, CAPITAL PROJECTS & ENDOWMENT INITIATIVES WHICH EHANCES THE EXPERIENCE & OPPORTUNITIES OF CHILDREN & ADULTS

Income
$424,478
Spending
$359,306
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
47.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 58%
Employees
0

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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 47.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 (3)
  1. $130,515 spent. TO PROVIDE FOR AND ENHANCE THE EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL, AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS PROVIDED BY EMPORIA FRIENDS OF THE ZOO TO THE CHILDREN, FAMILIIES, AND ADULTS VISITING THE ZOO; AS WELL AS PROGRAMS FOR THE CONSERVATION OF WILDLIFE
  2. $148,727 spent. TO PROVIDE FUNDING ASSISTANCE IN THE ACQUISITION OF NEW ANIMALS AND BIRDS FOR THE ZOO, AND FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR EXHIBITS
  3. $17,694 spent. ESTABLISHMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF RESERVE AND ENDOWED FUNDS TO ENSURE QUALITY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES AND ONGOING MAINTENANCE OF EXHIBITS AND ANIMAL POPULATION

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 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 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 February 1979.

    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.