Lincoln Park Zoological Society
87% goes to programs $13 to raise $100 Strong reserves Declining revenue
Lincoln Park Zoological Society is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Chicago, Illinois, registered in 1961, with $50,519,973 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 87% of spending to programs.
2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60614 EIN 36-2512404 Since 1961
Revenue (FY2024)
$50.5M
▼ 10.5% vs prior year
Animals median: $151K
Expenses (FY2024)
$44.3M
Net assets
$196.8M
Employees
546
CharityIndex rating
One independent A+ to F grade from four published criteria, each scored separately from IRS filings and combined by weight.
A
AProgram efficiency40% of the rating87% to programs · $13 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 Lincoln Park Zoological Society: 87% to programs · $13 to raise $100 earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
AFinancial health25% of the rating53 mo reserves · +12% 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 Lincoln Park Zoological Society: 53 mo reserves · +12% 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 Lincoln Park Zoological Society: 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 Lincoln Park Zoological Society: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Mission
Lincoln park zoo is dedicated to connecting people with nature by providing a free, family-oriented wildlife experience in the heart of chicago and by advancing the highest quality of animal care, education, science and conservation.
What they do
Animal care and conservation lincoln park zoo is home to both the largest zoo-based conservation & science departments and the largest zoo-based animal welfare department in the country, with experts in areas including urban wildlife; behavior cognition, statistical population modeling; veterinary services; and the correlation between human, animal and ecosystem health.
Visitor services lincoln park zoo welcomes more than 3.5 million visitors every year to discover ther wonders of wildlife in the heart of chicago. the zoo is open 365 days per year and is dedicated to a family-friendly and safe place for visitors.
Other program services - including public education and membership.
Contact & location
- Address
- 2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60614
- City
- Chicago
- State
- Illinois
- Category
- Animal-Related
- Subcategory
- Zoos & Aquariums
- Phone
- …
- Website
- …
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $42.5M (FY2013) to $50.5M (FY2024) across 12 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2024)
Liabilities $57.2MNet assets $196.8M
Operating margin
12.4%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$254.0M
Total liabilities
$57.2M
Net assets
$196.8M
Salaries & benefits
$23.9M
54% of expenses
Board members
65
64 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $50,519,973▼10.5% | $44,259,231▲2.7% | $196,785,143▲6.2% | $253,968,470▼4.1% | 990 |
| 2023 | $56,439,039▲16.6% | $43,076,073▲7.7% | $185,310,719▲23.6% | $264,865,031▲17.3% | 990 |
| 2022 | $48,421,031▼24.5% | $40,005,808▼0.2% | $149,913,919▼3.0% | $225,884,838▼5.0% | 990 |
| 2021 | $64,159,516▲120% | $40,075,721▼20.4% | $154,607,309▲20.9% | $237,808,256▲11.3% | 990 |
| 2020 | $29,163,519▼43.2% | $50,341,084▲34.6% | $127,905,057▲26.4% | $213,615,035▲20.0% | 990 |
| 2019 | $51,352,751▲21.5% | $37,391,439▼9.3% | $101,180,026▼0.7% | $177,977,452▼0.1% | 990 |
| 2018 | $42,262,357▼2.7% | $41,232,150▲16.3% | $101,862,983▼0.1% | $178,139,439▲0.3% | 990 |
| 2017 | $43,430,242▲11.6% | $35,441,197▼18.4% | $101,958,806▲20.3% | $177,533,194▲10.4% | 990 |
| 2016 | $38,912,922▲19.8% | $43,412,852▼5.0% | $84,729,660▲8.2% | $160,771,191▲6.4% | 990 |
| 2015 | $32,478,794▼23.3% | $45,675,646▲14.6% | $78,333,188▼21.5% | $151,061,813▼5.2% | 990 |
| 2014 | $42,319,087▼0.5% | $39,859,288▲34.0% | $99,726,905▲4.0% | $159,389,127▲10.7% | 990 |
| 2013 | $42,528,628 | $29,756,696▲14.9% | $95,893,487▲27.8% | $143,956,098▲21.5% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $25,907,435▲2.3% | $75,045,468▲69.4% | $118,456,999▲35.7% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $25,336,565▼1.9% | $44,292,152▼1.4% | $87,271,088▲0.1% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $25,819,923▼6.3% | $44,929,716▲8.0% | $87,177,951▲2.4% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $27,546,925 | $41,605,980 | $85,159,102 | 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: Megan Ross — $500,929 (1.13% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Megan Ross | President/ceo | 40 | $500,929 |
| Rena Solano | Cfo | 40 | $299,972 |
| Ginevra Ranney | Vp of Development | 40 | $273,468 |
| Brendan Daley | Vp of Operations | 40 | $176,860 |
| Maureen Leahy | Vp of Animal Care and Horticulture | 40 | $174,519 |
| Dana Murphy | Vp of Learning | 40 | $167,348 |
| Katie Cronin | Director of Animal Welfare | 40 | $159,376 |
| Kevin Bell | President Emeritus / Life Trustee | 0 | $158,024 |
| Adam Nordin | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Barbara A Higgins | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Barbara Malott Kizziah | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Betsy Ziegler | Trustee | 0 | — |
| Brenda Palms | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Brian Egwele | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Buck Betten | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Charles A Barone | Secretary | 1 | — |
| Christine Tierney | Trustee | 0 | — |
| C John Mostofi | Trustee | 1 | — |
| David Heyman | Trustee | 1 | — |
| David L Nichols | Trustee | 1 | — |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2024)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| C & W Services | Engineering Services | $1,737,833 |
| Abbey Paving Co Inc | Construction Services | $901,424 |
| Stanton Mechanical Inc | Mechanical Contractor | $855,626 |
| Monterrey Security | Security Services | $811,449 |
| Illuminight Lighting | Holiday Lighting Display | $549,028 |
Grants received · $15.6M total
154 grants to Lincoln Park Zoological Society totaling $15.6M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund For Wealth Management Inc | Environment & animal protection | 2024 | $156,250 |
| Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc | Conservation | 2024 | $80,000 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $71,500 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $62,188 |
| Impactassets Inc | General support | 2024 | $27,104 |
| Charities Aid Foundation America | Charitable donation | 2024 | $21,309 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $20,000 |
| The Blackbaud Giving Fund | General support | 2024 | $16,257 |
| Paypal Charitable Giving Fund | General support | 2024 | $12,654 |
| Detroit Zoological Society | Conservation support | 2024 | $10,000 |
| Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund | General support | 2024 | $8,000 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2023 | $387,764 |
| The Chicago Community Trust | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | 2023 | $348,178 |
| Ncrc Community Development Fund Inc | Illinois coronavirus fiscal recovery funds | 2023 | $250,000 |
| Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program | For recipient's exempt purpose | 2023 | $190,250 |
Grants made · $361K in FY2024
15 grants totaling $361K in FY2024. All grants made by Lincoln Park Zoological Society →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wildlife Conservation Society | Conservation | $48,774 |
| Mad Dog Initiative | Conservation | $37,830 |
| Latinos Progresando | Community outreach | $33,827 |
| Open Center For the Arts | Community outreach | $30,959 |
| Organization For Tropical Studies Inc | Conservation | $30,775 |
| Rare Species Conservatory Foundation Inc | Conservation | $27,000 |
| University of Connecticut | Conservation | $25,924 |
| Trustees of Boston University | Conservation | $24,925 |
| Fundacion Balsiero | Conservation | $17,930 |
| Ngogo Chimpanzee Project Inc | Conservation | $16,650 |
| Utah State University | Conservation | $16,210 |
| Chimfunshi-usa | Conservation | $14,000 |
| Tonkolili Chimpanzee Project Inc | Conservation | $13,803 |
| Regents of the University of California At Berkeley | Conservation | $13,357 |
| Enlace Chicago | Community outreach | $9,134 |
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Lincoln Park Zoological Society a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. Lincoln Park Zoological Society is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 36-2512404, based in Chicago, Illinois. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is Lincoln Park Zoological Society's EIN?
- Lincoln Park Zoological Society's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 36-2512404.
- How much revenue does Lincoln Park Zoological Society report?
- Lincoln Park Zoological Society reported $50,519,973 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of Lincoln Park Zoological Society's spending goes to programs?
- Lincoln Park Zoological Society spends about 87% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does Lincoln Park Zoological Society have?
- CharityIndex grades Lincoln Park Zoological Society A, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does Lincoln Park Zoological Society's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on Lincoln Park Zoological Society's latest Form 990 is $500,929, paid to Megan Ross (President/ceo).
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Data for Lincoln Park Zoological Society (EIN 36-2512404) 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.