Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Mo
93% goes to programs $4 to raise $100 Strong reserves
Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Mo is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Kansas City, Missouri, registered in 1964, with $53,626,478 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A+, and it directs about 93% of spending to programs.
6800 Zoo Dr, Kansas City, MO, 64132 EIN 43-6048888 Since 1964
Revenue (FY2024)
$53.6M
▼ 14.2% vs prior year
Animals median: $151K
Expenses (FY2024)
$51.5M
Net assets
$27.7M
Employees
725
CharityIndex rating
One independent A+ to F grade from four published criteria, each scored separately from IRS filings and combined by weight.
A+
A+Program efficiency40% of the rating93% to programs · $4 to raise $100
Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. For Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Mo: 93% to programs · $4 to raise $100 earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
AFinancial health25% of the rating6 mo reserves · +4% margin
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Mo: 6 mo reserves · +4% margin earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Governance25% of the rating6 of 6 checks met
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. For Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Mo: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Transparency10% of the rating5 of 5 disclosure signals
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Mo: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Mission
The kansas city zoo & aquarium, with its world-class animal habitats and exceptional programs, attracts visitors from around the world and families from close to home.
What they do
Education and volunteer programs - see schedule o
Contact & location
- Address
- 6800 Zoo Dr, Kansas City, MO, 64132
- City
- Kansas City
- State
- Missouri
- Category
- Animal-Related
- Subcategory
- Support Foundations & Fundraising
- Phone
- …
- Website
- …
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $26.6M (FY2013) to $53.6M (FY2024) across 12 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2024)
Liabilities $9.4MNet assets $27.7M
Operating margin
4.0%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$37.1M
Total liabilities
$9.4M
Net assets
$27.7M
Salaries & benefits
$20.6M
40% of expenses
Board members
20
20 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $53,626,478▼14.2% | $51,471,670▼10.4% | $27,695,838▲12.1% | $37,145,143▲12.4% | 990 |
| 2023 | $62,517,690▼15.6% | $57,477,891▼21.5% | $24,715,656▲34.3% | $33,032,953▲13.2% | 990 |
| 2022 | $74,114,095▲42.6% | $73,256,938▲61.2% | $18,399,005▼7.1% | $29,168,657▲4.9% | 990 |
| 2021 | $51,977,490▲65.1% | $45,451,504▲37.1% | $19,804,275▲35.2% | $27,796,456▲49.9% | 990 |
| 2020 | $31,488,365▲8.3% | $33,156,313▲13.3% | $14,645,870▲13.7% | $18,549,141▲4.8% | 990 |
| 2019 | $29,071,413▲5.7% | $29,262,911▲10.8% | $12,879,614▲4.9% | $17,692,240▲20.0% | 990 |
| 2018 | $27,507,443▲2.7% | $26,413,978▲2.2% | $12,278,186▼0.4% | $14,748,160▼2.4% | 990 |
| 2017 | $26,796,717▲3.6% | $25,836,557▼0.8% | $12,332,279▲12.2% | $15,115,755▲15.6% | 990 |
| 2016 | $25,858,553▼4.5% | $26,036,140▼0.3% | $10,988,041▲2.0% | $13,078,807▲5.3% | 990 |
| 2015 | $27,074,269▲0.9% | $26,126,994▲4.4% | $10,776,227▲5.2% | $12,424,960▲3.2% | 990 |
| 2014 | $26,825,266▲1.0% | $25,025,853▼19.7% | $10,240,370▲18.8% | $12,043,843▼2.4% | 990 |
| 2013 | $26,562,931 | $31,182,542▲84.5% | $8,618,233▼31.7% | $12,340,221▼14.8% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $16,902,203▲16.4% | $12,611,973▲251% | $14,482,530▲134% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $14,514,826▲25.7% | $3,590,452▼14.1% | $6,190,985▼10.5% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $11,546,794 | $4,177,864 | $6,917,784 | 990 |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
Leadership & compensation (FY2024)
Highest-paid: Sean Putney — $355,570 (0.69% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Putney | Executive Director/ceo | 40 | $355,570 |
| Linda Falk | Chief Operating Officer | 40 | $277,168 |
| Randy Wisthoff | Former Ceo | 0 | $250,000 |
| Charlisa Shelly | Chief People Officer | 40 | $218,145 |
| Dr Kirk Suedmeyer | Director of Veterinary Hea | 40 | $161,149 |
| Cora Storbeck | Dir of Development & Gov A | 40 | $156,696 |
| Julie Meyer | Director of Finance | 40 | $145,861 |
| Frank Wilburn | Director of Guest Services | 40 | $144,279 |
| Kim Romary | Director of Marketing | 40 | $143,313 |
| Al Mauro Jr | Board Member/secretary | 2 | — |
| Ana Nubia Duin | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Brian Pung | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Chris Cotten | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Dave Sanchez | Board Member/treasurer | 2 | — |
| Dr Ellen Crowe | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Dr Yolanda Cargile | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Hayley Hanson | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Janet Miles-bartee | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Jan Francis Thru 102024 | Board Member | 2 | — |
| Jc Alonzo | Board Member | 1 | — |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2024)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Centric Projects | Construction | $2,249,751 |
| Musselman & Hall | Construction | $899,000 |
| Lippert Mechancial | Hvac Construction | $441,018 |
| Tessere | Architectural Services | $414,941 |
| Chance Rides | Train/tram Builder | $380,713 |
Grants received · $1.3M total
35 grants to Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Mo totaling $1.3M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Kansas City Community Foundation | Environment & animals | 2024 | $83,626 |
| American Endowment Foundation | Animal-related | 2024 | $20,000 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $11,825 |
| Give Back Foundation | Program support | 2024 | $5,975 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2023 | $13,506 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2023 | $11,380 |
| Give Back Foundation | Program support | 2023 | $5,975 |
| American Endowment Foundation | Animal-related | 2022 | $20,000 |
| Donor Advised Charitable Giving | Environmental and animals | 2022 | $9,000 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2022 | $6,896 |
| Give Back Foundation | Program support | 2022 | $5,840 |
| American Endowment Foundation | Animal-related | 2022 | $5,500 |
| Childrens Mercy Hospital | To support child & youth development programs. | 2022 | $5,100 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2021 | $10,230 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2021 | $10,230 |
Grants made · $112K in FY2024
7 grants totaling $112K in FY2024. All grants made by Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Mo →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Mammal Center | Conservation | $22,000 |
| International Crane Foundation Inc | Conservation | $20,000 |
| Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation | Conservation | $20,000 |
| Marine Megafauna Foundation | Conservation | $20,000 |
| Polar Bears International | Conservation | $13,100 |
| Rewild | Conservation | $10,000 |
| Save Giraffes Now | Conservation | $7,100 |
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Compare Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Mo
Frequently asked questions
- Is Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Mo a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Mo is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 43-6048888, based in Kansas City, Missouri. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Mo's EIN?
- Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Mo's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 43-6048888.
- How much revenue does Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Mo report?
- Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Mo reported $53,626,478 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Mo's spending goes to programs?
- Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Mo spends about 93% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Mo have?
- CharityIndex grades Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Mo A+, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Mo's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Mo's latest Form 990 is $355,570, paid to Sean Putney (Executive Director/ceo).
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Data for Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Mo (EIN 43-6048888) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.