Friends of the Bergen County Zoo Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Friends of the Bergen County Zoo's sole primary purpose is to provide financial support to the Bergen County Zoological Park in its efforts to:1. Provide a clean beautiful zoological facility for the educational and recreational enjoyment of the citizens and visitors to Bergen County Zoo.2. Assist with acquisition and transportation of zoological specimens for exhibition, promotion of conservation initiatives and support the endeavors of the Zoo's education department and docent program. 3. Secure equipment, accessories, property and appointments as may be considered necessary and/or desirable for the development, improvement, maintenance, and general operation of the zoo.4. Support staff growth by providing financial assistance to attend conferences and special courses.5. Assist financially with the Zoo's accredation.
- Income
- $643,565
- Spending
- $380,240
- Spent on programs
- 68%
- Reserves
- 42.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- other income, 62%
- Employees
- 17
- Highest pay
- $65,894, treasurer
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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 42.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 41% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 21% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1568% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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: 60 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
0 of 5Reports that it does not keep 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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)
- $233,774 spent. Support Zoo Operation Programs:Assist the zoo with its operation and development program. Funding may be used for any aspect of the operation, but is primarily used in animal care and exhibit maintenance.(Approximate annual zoo attendance 250,000)
- $15,400 spent. Sponsor Programs:Activities for the general public, held to support operational needs of the Zoo. Annual Halloween (Zoo-Boo)event. (Approximate attendance 13,000) Other activities include:Easter Egg Hunt (8,000 in attendance)Holiday with the Animals ( 1,500 in attendance) Members Night ( 850 in attendance)Plus Seasonal ExhibitsLet it Glow Lantern Event (22,500 tickets sold)
- $9,889 spent. Maintain Membership Program:Support on-going membership program that provides financial base for organization to create awareness of the organization's goals. (Annual membership 1,036)
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 October 13, 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 November 2004.
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 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.