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Reid Park Zoological Society

EIN 94-2379052 · Tucson, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood79 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO CONNECT PEOPLE WITH ANIMALS, INSPIRING THE PROTECTION OF WILD ANIMALS AND WILD PLACES.

Income
$13.2 million
Spending
$13.3 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
11 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 79%
Employees
182
Volunteers
530
Highest pay
$230,246, president & ceo

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

Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 46 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 19% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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 (1)
  1. $11.6 million spent. ANIMAL CARE AND ANIMAL HEALTH - REID PARK ZOO'S LARGEST PROGRAM AREA IS PROVIDING THE BEST LIFE FOR THE ANIMALS UNDER OUR CARE. REID PARK ZOO'S HIGHLY DEDICATED ANIMAL CARE AND VETERINARY TEAM WORK TO ENSURE THE ZOO'S COLLECTION OF NEARLY 400 ANIMALS IS HEALTHY AND THRIVING. ANIMAL WELLNESS IS OVERSEEN BY THE ZOO'S ANIMAL BEHAVIOR AND WELL-BEING PROGRAM LEADER. REID PARK ZOO PARTICIPATES IN THE SPECIES SURVIVAL PLAN (SSP) THROUGH THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS (AZA) TO ENSURE GENETIC DIVERSITY AND HEALTHY POPULATIONS. THE ZOO ALSO HAS A ROBUST SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH PROGRAM, PARTICIPATING IN RESEARCH THAT ADVANCES THE HEALTH AND KNOWLEDGE OF SPECIES IN HUMAN CARE AND IN THE WILD.CONSERVATION PROGRAMS: REID PARK ZOO CONTINUES TO EXPAND ITS CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM TO PROTECT WILD ANIMALS AND WILD PLACES AROUND THE WORLD. IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, 15 GRANTS WERE AWARDED. THE ZOO REMAINS CO-VICE CHAIR FOR THE SAFE: ANDEAN HIGHLAND FLAMINGO PROGRAM AND HAS A LEADING ROLE IN THE EDUCATION WORKING GROUPS FOR SAFE: NORTH AMERICAN SONGBIRD AND SAFE: NORTH AMERICAN MONARCH. THE ZOO REGULARLY CONDUCTS FREE COMMUNITY SCIENCE PROGRAMS FOCUSING ON THE NATIVE SONGBIRDS AND MONARCHS THAT VISIT THE ZOO IN ADDITION TO MAINTAINING A POLLINATOR GARDEN TO PROVIDE HABITAT FOR THESE NATIVE SPECIES. TO HIGHLIGHT ITS SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES, THE ZOO WAS CERTIFIED AS A GREEN BUSINESS BY LOCAL FIRST ARIZONA.EDUCATION PROGRAMS: REID PARK ZOO'S EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE COMMITTED TO CONNECTING OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITY WITH WILD ANIMALS AND WILD PLACES, TO PROMOTE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE ZOO'S ROLE IN ANIMAL CARE AND CONSERVATION, AND TO INSTILL RESPONSIBILITY FOR INDIVIDUAL CHOICES THAT HELP PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT. PROGRAMS THIS YEAR INCLUDED EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOLS OFFERED EITHER AT THE ZOO OR AT THE SCHOOLS, ANIMAL EXPERIENCES FOR NON-SCHOOL GROUPS, OUTREACH PROGRAMS TO COMMUNITY GROUPS, AND SUMMER AND WINTER CAMPS. THIS PAST FISCAL YEAR, WE REACHED 31,982 PEOPLE, 80% (25,427) PEOPLE RECEIVED ZOO EDUCATION EXPERIENCES FOR FREE DUE TO GRANT FUNDING OR PROGRAMS PROVIDED AT NO COST.

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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1977.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.