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The Maryland Zoological Society Inc

EIN 52-0996352 · Baltimore, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENGAGE PEOPLE IN THE WONDERS OF THE LIVING WORLD THROUGH PERSONAL ENCOUNTERS WITH ANIMALS, FOSTERING EMPATHY AND LIFELONG SUPPORT FOR CONSERVATION OF WILDLIFE AND WILD PLACES.

Income
$25.0 million
Spending
$21.6 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
-0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 52%
Employees
262
Volunteers
1,169
Highest pay
$331,967, presidentceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    44 of 44 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 June 30, 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 (3)
  1. $13.7 million spent. VISITOR SERVICES: PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO OVER 383,000 GUESTS, ANNUALLY. SERVICES INCLUDE TICKET AND MEMBERSHIP SALES, SHUTTLE SERVICE, CAROUSEL AND TRAIN RIDES AND ANIMAL EXPERIENCES, INCLUDING GIRAFFE FEEDING AND PENGUIN ENCOUNTERS. THE ZOO ALSO PROVIDES SECURITY AND FIRST AID. ZOO PUBLICATIONS INCLUDE AN ANNUAL REPORT AND MONTHLY E-MAIL UPDATES. THE ZOO MAINTAINS PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MARKETING PROGRAMS (INCLUDING WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA) TO INFORM VISITORS OF ZOO NEWS AND SUPPORT POSITIVE GUEST EXPERIENCES.
  2. $4.5 million spent. FLORA AND FAUNA: ZOO STAFF PROVIDE DAILY CARE FOR OVER 1,130 ANIMALS FROM ROUTINE HUSBANDRY PROCEDURES, I.E. CARE AND FEEDING, TRAINING AND ENRICHMENT, SPECIAL ASSISTANCE WITH BREEDING AND BIRTHS. ZOO ANIMAL, HORTICULTURE, MAINTENANCE AND EXHIBIT STAFF PROVIDE UPKEEP TO EXHIBIT AREAS, AS WELL AS GARDENS AND FAUNA FOUND ELSEWHERE ON ZOO GROUNDS.
  3. $589,846 spent. EDUCATIONAL SERVICES: THE ZOO OFFERS A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS, BOTH ON AND OFF ZOO GROUNDS. STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS ARE STATIONED THROUGHOUT THE ZOO DAILY TO TEACH GUESTS ABOUT WILDLIFE AND CONSERVATION THROUGH STATIONS, SCRIPTED TALKS, EXHIBIT INTERPRETATION, AND HANDLING ANIMAL AMBASSADORS. THE ZOO TO YOU MOBILE OUTREACH PROGRAM TAKES THE ZOO TO CLASSROOMS, SENIOR CENTERS AND OTHER FACILITIES ALL OVER THE STATE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 June 2025.

    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 May 1974.

    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.