Fort Worth Zoological Association Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
WITH MORE THAN 1 MILLION VISITORS ANNUALLY, THE FORT WORTH ZOO STRENGTHENS THE BOND BETWEEN HUMANS AND THE ENVIRONMENT BY PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP OF WILDLIFE AND ENSURING DIVERSE, HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINING FAMILY EXPERIENCES THROUGH EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT OF ITS RESOURCES.
- Income
- $62.2 million
- Spending
- $52.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- 21.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 37%
- Employees
- 947
- Volunteers
- 200
- Highest pay
- $586,175, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 21.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 6% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 18% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 2545 of 45 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 September 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 (4)
- $21.8 million spent. ANIMAL AND CONSERVATION: THE LIVING ANIMAL COLLECTION INCLUDES ALMOST 600 SPECIES AND NEARLY 7,000 INDIVIDUAL SPECIMENS OF MAMMALS, BIRDS, REPTILES, FISH, AMPHIBIANS, AND INVERTEBRATES. ANIMAL PROGRAMS INCLUDE A STATE-OF-THE-ART ANIMAL HOSPITAL AND NUTRITION LAB, ANIMAL COMMISSARY, AND CONSERVATION RESEARCH CENTER. THE ANIMAL STAFF ALSO SUPPORTS NUMEROUS PROJECTS IN TEXAS AND APPROXIMATELY 30 COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE.
- $15.8 million spent. ADMISSIONS AND ATTRACTIONS: MORE THAN 1 MILLION GUESTS VISIT THE ZOO EACH YEAR DURING REGULAR OPERATING HOURS. APPROXIMATELY 75% OF OUR VISITORS COMING FROM THE DALLAS-FORT WORTH METROPLEX. ZOO VISITORS ARE TREATED TO NATURALISTIC ANIMAL HABITATS, INTERACTIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES, AND ENTERTAINING ATTRACTIONS.
- $2.6 million spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: APPROXIMATELY 30,000 STUDENTS AND TEACHERS ATTENDED ZOO EDUCATION PROGRAMS INCLUDING WEEKDAY ZOO SCHOOL, SUMMER ZOO CAMP, ZOO CAREERS CAMP, HOME SCHOOL DAYS, OVERNIGHTS, BIRTHDAY PARTIES, TEACHER WORKSHOPS, AND MORE. MORE THAN 100,000 STUDENTS AND CHAPERONES VISIT THE ZOO ON ORGANIZED FIELD TRIPS. THE WILD ONES MOBILE EDUCATION SERVES MORE THAN 5,000 CHILDREN ATTENDING TITLE I SCHOOLS IN TARRANT COUNTY, EXTENDING THE ZOO'S EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH BEYOND ITS 64 ACRES.
- $1.1 million spent. MEMBERSHIP ACTIVITIES: THE ZOO HAS MORE THAN 50,000 MEMBERS, WHO RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIP PRIVILEGES INCLUDING FREE ADMISSION TO THE ZOO, FREE PARKING, GIFT SHOP DISCOUNTS, AN ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION TO ROAR MAGAZINE, PRIORITY REGISTRATION FOR ZOO EDUCATION PROGRAMS, AND INVITATIONS TO HABITAT OPENINGS AND SPECIAL MEMBERS-ONLY EVENTS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 September 2025.
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 September 1952.
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.