Omaha Zoological Society Inc is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Omaha, Nebraska, registered in 1953, with $82,044,812 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A+, and it directs about 93% of spending to programs.
Revenue (FY2024)
$82.0M
▲ 15.8% vs prior year
Animals median: $151K
Expenses (FY2024)
$79.8M
Net assets
$312.4M
Employees
1,344
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 Omaha Zoological Society Inc: 93% to programs · $1 to raise $100 earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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 Omaha Zoological Society Inc: 47 mo reserves · +3% margin earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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 Omaha Zoological Society Inc: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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 Omaha Zoological Society Inc: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Omaha's henry doorly zoo and aquarium's mission is to inspire, educate, and engage people to serve as lifelong stewards for the conseravtion of animals and their habitats.
Omaha's henry doorly zoo and aquarium's center for conservation and research conducts valuable conservation science research in the areas of veterinary medicine, reproductive sciences, genetics, nutrition, and behavioral husbandry and welfare. the scientific teams conducting research in 2025 included seven veterinarians, six ph.d. scientists and post-docs, two master's level researchers and eight additional technical staff. these teams were actively participating in multiple research projects that led to the publication of manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals. in addition, our researchers presented at international conferences and scientific meetings, and gave invited talks and lectures at universities, scientific conferences, and industry meetings. omaha's henry doorly zoo and aquarium supported several conservation projects focusing on north america, south america, asia, madagascar, mainland africa, and the oceans. support not only included financial contributions to the projects but staff expertise and time with direct participation and leadership in conservation efforts for the rescue, propagation and restoration of coral reefs through secore, breeding and release of salt creek tiger beetles in nebraska, breeding and release of amphibians in north america and puerto rico, and sunflower sea star propagation and field efforts. staff also provide extensive leadership and expertise in key services roles on sustainability programs through the association of zoos and aquariums as advisors, species survival plan program leaders, studbook keepers, committee members, project coordinators, instructors, and taxon advisory group chairs, and steering committee members.
Omaha zoological society's educational initiatives are local, national, and internationally focused. more than 2,750 educational programs were conducted in 2024. this programming, which included day camps, classes, distance learning classes, campouts, and on-grounds programming reached over 72,500 individuals. in addition, interpretive programs at the zoo and wildlife safari park reached over 893,000 guests.the zoo also has conservation-oriented education programs in veterinary medicine, reproductive sciences, molecular genetics, nutrition, and animal management and husbandry in the grewcock center for conservation and research. programming includes high school students through our zoo academy program at the zoo, undergraduate experiences and research opportunities, as well as graduate and post-graduate professional training programs. in addition, the zoo's professional staff participate in a range of offsite education programs which cover a broad spectrum from lectures at universities to longer duration professional training programs in specific scientific or conservation techniques, as well as supporting primary and secondary school conservation education programs.
Revenue grew from $43.4M (FY2013) to $82.0M (FY2024) across 12 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Operating margin
2.8%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$340.4M
Total liabilities
$28.0M
Net assets
$312.4M
Salaries & benefits
$32.9M
41% of expenses
Board members
7
7 independent
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $82,044,812▲15.8% | $79,787,526▲9.7% | $312,367,972▲0.7% | $340,374,906▲0.7% | 990 |
| 2023 | $70,820,977▼2.0% | $72,761,626▲6.4% | $310,110,686▼0.6% | $338,019,191 | 990 |
| 2022 | $72,264,487▼16.0% | $68,386,945▲20.2% | $312,051,335▲1.3% | $338,005,963▲1.1% | 990 |
| 2021 | $85,983,221▲9.8% | $56,881,454▲22.4% | $308,173,793▲10.4% | $334,182,960▲11.3% | 990 |
| 2020 | $78,337,061▲8.1% | $46,484,923▼15.2% | $279,072,026▲12.9% | $300,288,348▲10.7% | 990 |
| 2019 | $72,462,794▲17.2% | $54,842,518▲2.6% | $247,219,888▲7.7% | $271,241,766▲8.1% | 990 |
| 2018 | $61,826,109▼5.3% | $53,457,969▲1.0% | $229,599,612▲3.8% | $250,924,187▲3.1% | 990 |
| 2017 | $65,255,633▼23.3% | $52,945,602▲13.9% | $221,231,472▲5.9% | $243,392,056▲3.8% | 990 |
| 2016 | $85,058,191▲3.8% | $46,482,503▲18.8% | $208,921,441▲22.6% | $234,575,677▲23.0% | 990 |
| 2015 | $81,931,702▲89.9% | $39,111,923▲6.4% | $170,345,753▲33.6% | $190,671,736▲29.6% | 990 |
| 2014 | $43,152,807▼0.5% | $36,744,922▲4.7% | $127,525,974▲5.2% | $147,080,958▲7.1% | 990 |
| 2013 | $43,387,431 | $35,097,876▲7.3% | $121,171,077▲7.3% | $137,328,855▲5.2% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $32,703,921▲8.0% | $112,931,786▲3.9% | $130,569,591▲3.0% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $30,277,145▲0.1% | $108,744,066▲1.6% | $126,720,076▲3.1% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $30,236,719 | $107,052,798 | $122,900,629 | 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.
Highest-paid: Luis Padilla — $662,360 (0.83% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Padilla | President & Ceo | 40 | $662,360 |
| Jeremy C Eddie | Svp of Finance & Admin, & Cfo | 40 | $252,820 |
| Todd Scholz | Vp of Capital Projects | 40 | $220,826 |
| Craig Jacobs | Vp of Hr, Safety & Security | 40 | $177,349 |
| Jason Herrick | Vp of Conservation & Animal Health | 40 | $171,672 |
| Megan Longo | Svp of Guest Exp, Brand, & Rev | 40 | $154,949 |
| Amanda Rosenquist | Director of Marketing and Comms | 40 | $152,907 |
| Taylor Yaw | Director of Animal Health | 40 | $149,786 |
| Dan Cassidy | Vp of Animal Management | 40 | $142,675 |
| Dennis Schnurbusch II | Svp of Operations & Coo (thru 1/2/24) | 40 | $134,178 |
| Calvin Sisson | Vice Chair | 1 | — |
| Carmen Tapio | Director | 1 | — |
| Dr Anne Hubbard | Director | 1 | — |
| Jane Miller | Secretary | 1 | — |
| Lance M Fritz | Director | 1 | — |
| Michael R Mccarthy | Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Mogens Bay | Chairman | 1 | — |
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Kiewit Construction Company | Construction | $13,310,986 |
| Je Dunn Construction Company | Construction | $2,160,786 |
| Edge Themed Environments LLC | Construction | $1,340,745 |
| Fbg Service Corporation | Cleaning Services | $1,108,350 |
| Holland Basham Architects | Architectural Services | $978,508 |
31 grants to Omaha Zoological Society Inc totaling $184.3M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha Zoo Foundation | General support | 2024 | $20,751,271 |
| California Academy of Sciences | Support for african penguin program | 2024 | $25,000 |
| Omaha Zoo Foundation | General support | 2023 | $7,897,098 |
| Johnson Charitable Gift Fund | African penguin safe | 2023 | $10,000 |
| Omaha Zoo Foundation | General support | 2022 | $15,520,045 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2022 | $33,800 |
| Nebraska Community Foundation | Zoofari support | 2022 | $25,000 |
| Mammel Family Foundation | Animal related | 2022 | $10,000 |
| Omaha Zoo Foundation | General support | 2021 | $16,249,129 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2021 | $53,100 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2021 | $53,100 |
| Rewild | Research conservation | 2021 | $20,000 |
| Omaha Zoo Foundation | General support | 2020 | $43,098,020 |
| Rewild | Research conservation | 2020 | $95,000 |
| Nebraska Children and Families Foundation | Operating expenses | 2020 | $29,000 |
1 grant totaling $2.1M in FY2024. All grants made by Omaha Zoological Society Inc →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha Zoo Foundation | General support | $2,062,737 |
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Data for Omaha Zoological Society Inc (EIN 47-0469782) 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.