Birmingham Zoo Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Birmingham Zoo's purpose is to exhibit animals for the education of visitors, to promote and conduct conservation programs and research studies, and sponsor educational activities for the community.
- Income
- $14.4 million
- Spending
- $13.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- 3.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 44%
- Employees
- 210
- Volunteers
- 276
- Highest pay
- $314,886, president & 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
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 17% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1590% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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 21% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2525 of 25 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $12.1 million spent. Management of facility operations of the Birmingham Zoo, sponsorship of educational, environmental, and conservation programs, and promotion of the zoo and animal and horticultural life through exhibits, programs and activities, enlightening visitors about the plight of endangered animals and the support needed for global wildlife conservation efforts. The Birmingham Zoo is accredited by the association of zoos and aquariums, relationship with the Birmingham chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers, this partnership furthers conservation awareness and the education and appreciation for animal care specifically, the organization helps maintain the species survival programs - a worldwide cooperative breeding and conservation program.
- $67,316 spent. Birmingham Zoo's Educational Programs -Students visiting Zoo on field trips was 32,570 and 35 out of 67 Alabama counties and 12 states outside of Alabama served by educational programs. The number of individuals served in ALL programming is below.o Behind the Scenes Tour Participants - 91o Twilight Tour Participants -152o Zoo Snooze Participants -227o Endangered Species Day 1,154o Digital Discovery Program Participants 1,067o Digital Field Experience Program Participants 771o ZooSchool Participants 659o Field Trip Program Participants 1,617o Zoo Events Participants (CCC Day, eRecycling Day) 770o Homeschool Class Participation 749 o Zoo to You Outreach Participants 1,734o Summer Zoo Camp Participants 839o Break Camp Participants 191o Teacher Professional Development Participants 41 o Teacher Night Participants 69
- Publication and distribution of animal tracks and other periodic publications.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 2001.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.