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Idaho Zoological Society

EIN 82-6005995 · Boise, ID

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 16% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE FOZB IS A MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION THAT SUPPORTS ZOO BOISE IN THE AREAS OF ANIMAL ACQUISITION, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES, VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. THE GOALS OF EACH OF THESE COMPONENTS IS TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS, KNOWLEDGE, AND APPRECIATION OF THE BOISE ZOO, WILD ANIMALS, ANIMAL HABITAT, CONSERVATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

Income
$5.3 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
16%
Reserves
46.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 66%
Employees
31
Volunteers
523

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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 46.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 64% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    16% 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

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    33 of 33 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 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. $9,154 spent. ZOO AWARENESS - IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING EXHIBITS ARE ADDED EACH YEAR TO IMPROVE THE ZOO'S ABILITY TO PROMOTE THEIR MISSION. EVENTS ARE HELD THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO VISIT THE ZOO AND LEARN ABOUT THE ANIMALS AND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS.
  2. $40,284 spent. THE FRIENDS OF ZOO BOISE EDUCATION PROGRAM PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES TO THE ZOO'S 325,000 ANNUAL VISITORS INCLUDING THE 40,000 SCHOOL CHILDREN THAT VISIT THE ZOO AS PART OF ORGANIZED CLASS FIELD TRIPS. THE EDUCATION PROGRAM ALSO MANAGES THE ZOO VOLUNTEER PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES MORE THAN 38,000 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER HOURS TO THE ZOO. ALL VOLUNTEERS ARE OFFICIALLY CITY OF BOISE ZOO VOLUNTEERS.
  3. $254,196 spent. THE CONSERVATION PROGRAM RAISES AWARENESS FOR CONSERVATION THROUGH EVENTS AND DONATION BOXES SPECIFICALLY FOR CONSERVATION PURPOSES. MONEY COLLECTED FOR CONSERVATION IS THEN GRANTED TO VARIOUS OTHER ORGANIZATIONS FOR SPECIFIC USES.

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 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 January 1964.

    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.