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Nonprofit · EIN 35-6068234

FORT WAYNE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY INC

Tax-exempt · FORT WAYNE, IN 46808

Financials

$15.7M$18.6M2023$18.2M$18.1M2024
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of FORT WAYNE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY INC by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
December 31, 2024990$18,153,771$18,065,551$88,220$40,131,058$4,322,820$35,808,238
December 31, 2023990$15,740,300$18,577,780-$2,837,480$39,161,489$4,117,082$35,044,407
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$3,994,170
Program service revenue
$11,275,942
Investment income
$1,761,131
Net rental income
$1,060,813
Net gain from sales of assets
$927,649
Net income from fundraising events
$61,715
Other revenue
$1,122,528

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$149,231
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$383,899
Other salaries and wages
$7,197,340
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$8,802,138
Professional fundraising fees
$0
Legal fees
$38,696
Accounting fees
$154,978
Occupancy
$1,076,317
Travel
$145,156
Depreciation
$404,841
Program services (functional)
$12,560,778
Management and general (functional)
$4,878,910
Fundraising (functional)
$625,863

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$39,161,489
Total assets, end of year
$40,131,058
Total liabilities, end of year
$4,322,820
Net assets, end of year
$35,808,238
Land, buildings and equipment
$5,575,949
Publicly traded securities
$25,350,837
Net assets without donor restrictions
$16,735,569
Net assets with donor restrictions
$19,072,669
Gross receipts
$28,668,417
Employees
425
Volunteers
459
Year formed
1966
State of legal domicile
IN

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
RICK SCHUITEMANEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - ZOO
Officer
50$220,086$31,008
AMY LAZOFFDIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY A
Highest-paid employee
50$140,460$12,392
SARA MORALESDIRECTOR OF FINANCE & ADMI
Officer
50$117,315$15,490
MICHELLE SMURLDIRECTOR OF ANIMAL CARE
Highest-paid employee
50$120,062$8,152
BONNIE KEMPDIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATION
Highest-paid employee
50$111,387$11,639
KAMI FOXDIRECTOR OF ANIMAL HEALTH
Highest-paid employee
50$110,166$11,480
AARON HARPERDIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Highest-paid employee
50$105,615$11,344
TOM ACKMANNPRESIDENT
Trustee or director, Officer
3$0$0
SARAH EARLSVICE PRESIDENT
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
PARIS MCFARTHINGTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
DOMINIC FREIBURGERSECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
KATIE DAVISDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CHRIS GOMEZDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ASHLEY HARMANDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MOLLY JORGENSENDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
16 more people on this return
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
MARK HAGERMANDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
RON HOWARDDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
KATHLEEN ANDERSONDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
RANDY BROWNDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
DON CATESDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
TOM ELLISDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
KYLE KRISHDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
HEATHER SCHIMMELEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
GARY SHEARERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
CARLY MAXWELLDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
CHUCK SURACKDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
BILL KHORSHIDDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
ASHLEY MARCUCCILLIDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
RACHEL STEINHOFERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
RON TURPINDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
NICK TALARICODIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 31 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
RICK SCHUITEMANEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - ZOO
Officer
50$190,049$32,424
AMY LAZOFFDIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Highest-paid employee
50$127,177$12,718
SARA MORALESDIRECTOR OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
Officer
50$115,075$8,598
BONNIE KEMPDIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATION
Highest-paid employee
50$108,559$11,986
KAMI FOXDIRECTOR OF ANIMAL HEALTH AND CONSERVATION
Highest-paid employee
50$106,931$11,829
MICHELLE SMURLDIRECTOR OF ANIMAL CARE
Highest-paid employee
50$111,172$6,449
AARON HARPERDIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Highest-paid employee
50$102,030$10,225
CHRIS GOMEZPRESIDENT
Trustee or director, Officer
3$0$0
TOM ACKMANNVICE PRESIDENT
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
SARAH EARLSTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
KRISTIN MARCUCCILLIDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
KATIE DAVISDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
WHITNEY BANDEMERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
BRIAN EMERICKDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
DAVE MCCOMBDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MARK HAGERMANDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
RON HOWARDDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
KATHLEEN ANDERSONDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
RANDY BROWNSECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
DON CATESDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
TOM ELLISDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
KYLE KRISHDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
HEATHER SCHIMMELEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
GARY SHEARERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
DOMINIC FREIBURGERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CHUCK SURACKDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
BILL KHORSHIDDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
PARIS MCFARTHINGDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
RACHEL STEINHOFERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
RON TURPINDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
NANCY LOURAINEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
3411 SHERMAN BLVD, FORT WAYNE, IN 46808-1522
Principal officer (990 for 2024)
TOM ACKMANN, 3411 SHERMAN BLVD, FORT WAYNE, IN 46808
Signed the 990
TOM ACKMANN, BOARD PRESIDENT
Phone
(260) 427-6800
Return prepared by
KSM BUSINESS SERVICES INC

Mission

CONNECTING KIDS AND ANIMALS, STRENGTHENING FAMILIES, AND INSPIRING PEOPLE TO CARE.

990 for the year ended December 31, 2024

Program accomplishments

  • EDUCATIONAL & MEMBERSHIP SERVICES:AT THE END OF 2024, WE HAD JUST OVER 19,000 ACTIVE MEMBER HOUSEHOLDS, ABOUT AN 8% INCREASE FROM 2023. WE KICKED OFF OUR 2024 SEASON WITH AN EXCLUSIVE MEMBER DAY ON APRIL 26TH. MEMBERS WERE PROVIDED WITH A NUMBER OF SPECIAL DISCOUNTS AND EARLY-ACCESS OFFERINGS ALL SEASON LONG, INCLUDING A DISCOUNT IN THE WILD THINGS GIFT SHOP, A MEMBER PRESALE OF ZOOFARI TICKETS, ETC. AS PART OF THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS (AZA) RECIPROCITY PROGRAM, ZOO MEMBERS WERE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN DISCOUNTED ADMISSION TO OVER 150 ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS THROUGHOUT NORTH AMERICA. THIS INCLUDED TEMPORARY, 100% ADMISSION RECIPROCITY WITH TOLEDO ZOO. IN AUGUST, MEMBER APPRECIATION MONTH WAS ONCE AGAIN A BIG HIT WITH OUR MEMBERS. FAMILIES ALSO ENJOYED FREE ADMISSION TO OUR WILD ZOO HALLOWEEN AND WILD ZOO WONDERLAND EVENTS. LAST YEAR'S CYBER MONDAY INCENTIVE WAS EXTENDED THIS YEAR TO BLACK FRIDAY THROUGH GIVING TUESDAY, GIVING TWO COMPLIMENTARY GUEST PASSES TO NEW, RENEWING, OR GIFT MEMBERSHIPS PURCHASED FROM NOVEMBER 29TH - DECEMBER 3RD. THIS PROMOTION DROVE HOLIDAY MEMBERSHIP SALES, WITH OVER 660 MEMBERSHIPS SOLD IN FIVE DAYS. CONSERVATION EDUCATION CONTINUES TO BE A FOCUS OF THE FORT WAYNE ZOO EDUCATORS. IN 2024 16,439 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN 1,681 ZOO EDUCATION PROGRAMS. 446 AREA SCHOOL CLASSROOMS WERE VISITED AND KIDS FOR NATURE SUMMER CAMP HOSTED 1,448 CAMPERS WHERE ZOO CONSERVATION EDUCATORS CONNECTED KIDS TO ANIMALS AND THE NATURAL WORLD AROUND THEM. 286 TEENS FOR NATURE VOLUNTEER AND LEADERSHIP PARTICIPANTS SPENT THE SUMMER AT THE ZOO PARTICIPATING IN LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES, CONSERVATION PROJECTS, ZOO KEEPING, INTERACTING WITH ZOO GUESTS, AND VOLUNTEERING FOR OVER 23,240 HOURS. VOLUNTEERS HELP THE ZOO FULFILL OUR MISSION BY ACTIVELY ENGAGING WITH GUESTS DURING THE SEASON AND HELPING BEHIND THE SCENES DURING THE OFF SEASON. 459 ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS DONATED 41,184 HOURS WITH A VALUE OF MORE THAN $1.31 MILLION DOLLARS (BASED ON THE INDEPENDENT SECTOR'S CURRENT VALUE OF VOLUNTEER HOURS).
    Expenses $4,019,449 · grants $11,280 · revenue $3,234,598
  • ANIMAL EXHIBITS AND IMPROVEMENTS:ANIMAL PROGRAMS: IN 2024, THE FORT WAYNE ZOO CONTINUED TO GROW AND EVOLVE IN EXCITING WAYS, FROM NEW BIRTHS AND ANIMAL ADDITIONS TO MAJOR EXHIBIT TRANSFORMATIONS THAT DEEPEN OUR COMMITMENT TO CONSERVATION AND GUEST ENGAGEMENT. IN AUGUST WE CELEBRATED THE BIRTH OF A FEMALE GIRAFFE CALF, A SIGNIFICANT CONSERVATION MILESTONE FOR THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS (AZA) SPECIES SURVIVAL PROGRAM (SSP). THE ZOO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATES IN OVER 60 SSP PROGRAMS, WORKING TO ENSURE GENETICALLY DIVERSE, SUSTAINABLE POPULATIONS OF THREATENED SPECIES. EARLIER IN APRIL, WE WELCOMED THE RETURN OF TWO MALE RING-TAILED LEMURS, REINTRODUCING THEM TO THE AFRICA SECTION. THEY WERE SOON JOINED BY ANOTHER MALE AND A FEMALE. BEHIND-THE-SCENES INTRODUCTIONS HAVE GONE SMOOTHLY, WITH PROMISING SIGNS OF A COHESIVE SOCIAL GROUP FORMING. IN OUR LUSH, TROPICAL INDONESIAN RAIN FOREST DOME AVIARY, THE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED MARIANA FRUIT DOVES WERE ADDED AND HAVE ALREADY BEEN OBSERVED ENGAGING IN NEST-BUILDING BEHAVIOR, AN ENCOURAGING STEP FOR THIS RARE SPECIES. OUR SCHMIDT'S GUENONS (MONKEYS) ALSO HAD EXCITING NEWS: A NEW PAIR WAS SUCCESSFULLY INTRODUCED. ON NOVEMBER 16, THEY WELCOMED A MALE INFANT, ANOTHER SUCCESS FOR OUR PRIMATE CONSERVATION AND BREEDING PROGRAMS. TODAY, MORE THAN 1,500 ANIMALS CALL THE FORT WAYNE ZOO HOME. OUR DEDICATED ANIMAL CARE AND HEALTH TEAMS PROVIDE DAILY CARE THAT INCLUDES ENRICHMENT, BEHAVIORAL TRAINING FOR VOLUNTARY MEDICAL PARTICIPATION, AND ASSESSMENTS OF ANIMAL WELLBEING. WITH OVER 80 KEEPER CHATS EACH WEEK, OUR TEAM WORKS TIRELESSLY TO EDUCATE AND INSPIRE OUR GUESTS WHILE ENSURING EVERY ANIMAL RECEIVES THE HIGHEST STANDARD OF CARE.
    Expenses $5,149,919 · revenue $5,491,178
  • CONSERVATION & RESEARCH: CONSERVATION & RESEARCH THE ZOO IS A CONSERVATION LEADER, PROVIDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO 40 CONSERVATION PARTNERS AROUND THE GLOBE IN 2024. THE KIDS FOR NATURE CONSERVATION KIOSK CONTINUES TO INVOLVE GUESTS IN CONSERVATION, ALLOWING THEM TO VOTE AMONG THREE PROJECTS WITH THEIR ZOO PROVIDED PENNY AT THE ENTRANCE. FUNDS ARE GENERATED THROUGH TICKET SALES AND MEMBERSHIPS, ALONG WITH CORKS FOR CONSERVATION EVENT PROCEEDS, EMPLOYEE GIVING, GUESTS DONATIONS AND WILD THINGS GIFT SHOP "ROUND UP" PROGRAM. THE ZOO PARTICIPATES IN VARIOUS RESEARCH PROJECTS INITIATED BY EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL INVESTIGATORS THAT WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ANIMALS THAT CALL OUR ZOO HOME. ONE OF OUR SIGNATURE CONSERVATION PROGRAMS IS HEADSTARTING EASTERN HELLBENDERS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PURDUE UNIVERSITY, THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, AND SEVERAL OTHER MIDWEST ZOOS. WE CURRENTLY HAVE OVER 300 HELLBENDERS THAT ARE BEING RAISED FOR FUTURE RELEASE INTO THE WILD. IN COLLABORATION WITH PURDUE UNIVERSITY, WE HAVE COMPLETED OUR INITIAL GROWTH RATE TRENDS AND UNIQUE SPOT PATTERN RETENTION POTENTIAL. THE DATA WILL THEN BE USED AS WE INVESTIGATE IF SIZE VERSUS AGE HAS A MORE SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON SURVIVABILITY IN THE WILD WITH THEIR RELEASE OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS. AS PART OF THE ONE-YEAR VETERINARY INTERNSHIP AT THE FORT WAYNE ZOO, POST-GRADUATE VETERINARIANS ARE MENTORED AND TRAINED IN ZOO MEDICINE AND CONSERVATION RESEARCH. THE CURRENT INTERN, DR. EMMA ZHANG, HAS INITIATED A RESEARCH STUDY THAT AIMS TO DETERMINE REFERENCE RANGES OF SEVERAL GASTROINTESTINAL TESTS IN RED PANDAS SO THAT POTENTIAL ABNORMAL RESULTS CAN BE BETTER INTERPRETED. THIS MAY ASSIST IN DIAGNOSING GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASE IN THIS ENDANGERED SPECIES AND GUIDE FUTURE TREATMENTS. SERUM SAMPLES ARE BEING UTILIZED FROM RED PANDAS ACROSS THE U.S. AND ANALYZED AT TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY DIAGNOSTIC LAB, WHO IS COLLABORATING ON THIS ENDEAVOR. DIRECTOR OF ANIMAL HEALTH AND CONSERVATION, DR. KAMI FOX REPRESENTED THE FORT WAYNE ZOO BY PARTICIPATING IN THE MARIANA AVIFAUNA CONSERVATION PROGRAM (MAC) IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC. HEADING UP THE VETERINARY AND RESEARCH COMPONENTS OF THIS PROJECT, SHE AND THE TEAM FOCUSED ON AN ENDANGERED BIRD, THE SAIPAN REED WARBLER, THAT ONLY EXISTS ON THE SINGLE ISLAND OF SAIPAN. WITH VERY LITTLE INFORMATION KNOWN ABOUT THIS SPECIES, DATA WAS COLLECTED ON BEHAVIOR, HUSBANDRY, HEALTH, AND DISEASE DURING THE TRIP. OVER THE NEXT 5 YEARS, THE FOCUS WILL BE SHIFTED TO ANOTHER ENDANGERED SPECIES, THE ROTA WHITE-EYE, WITH AN EXTENSIVE RECOVERY PLAN THAT INVOLVES FUTURE TRANSLOCATIONS TO CREATE INSURANCE POPULATIONS, IN HOPES OF SECURING THEIR LONG-TERM SURVIVAL. THE FORT WAYNE ZOO HAS BEEN PARTICIPATING IN THE MAC PROGRAM FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS.
    Expenses $376,823 · grants $137,951 · revenue $1,689,248
  • ATTENDANCE: IN 2024, THE ZOO HOSTED OVER 630,000 GUESTS. THE ZOO WAS OPEN 9 MONTHS FOR GUESTS AND MEMBERS EXTENDING THE TRADITIONAL 6 MONTH ZOO SEASON. THE ZOO OPENED FOR THE FIRST TIME DURING SPRING BREAK AND REMAINED OPENED FOR THE WILD ZOO SPRING PREVIEW THROUGHOUT WEEKENDS IN APRIL. EXTENDING PAST HALLOWEEN, THE ZOO WAS OPEN WEEKENDS IN NOVEMBER FOR FALL WEEKENDS AND ENDED THE YEAR WITH THE FAMILY FAVORITE WILD ZOO WONDERLAND IN DECEMBER. NEW CONSUMER EVENTS WERE A HIT WITH GUESTS AND HELPED THE ZOO REACH NEW AUDIENCES, INCLUDING THE BIG BUGABALOO, FEATURING GIANT ANIMATRONIC BUGS ON EXHIBIT IN AUGUST, OUR NEW ADULT ONLY ROCK & ROAR EVENTS SAW 2,800 GUESTS OVER 5 EVENINGS THROUGHOUT THE SEASON. WILD ZOO HALLOWEEN, OUR LARGEST ANNUAL CONSUMER EVENT HOSTED 2 SOLD OUT BRUNCHES WHERE KIDS COULD INTERACT WITH THEIR FAVORITE PRINCESSES.
    Expenses $3,014,587 · revenue $860,918

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

Tax yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025December 31, 2025May 15, 2026Not on file
2024December 31, 2024May 15, 2025990 on file
2023December 31, 2023May 15, 2024990 on file

IRS record

EIN
35-6068234
Tax-exempt status
501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
Foundation status
Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
Donations deductible (Pub 78)
Public charity, 50% deduction limit
Exempt since
1967
Accounting year ends
December
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Category (NTEE)
Animal-related (D115)
Assets (IRS master file)
$40,131,058
Income (IRS master file)
$28,668,417

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990December 2024$18,153,771$18,065,551$40,131,058XML
990December 2023$15,740,300$18,577,780$39,161,489XML
990December 2022$15,430,147$12,754,297$39,339,495IRS
990December 2021–––IRS
990December 2020–––IRS
990December 2018–––IRS

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 35-6068234).

Questions about FORT WAYNE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY INC

What is the EIN of FORT WAYNE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY INC?
The employer identification number (EIN) of FORT WAYNE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY INC is 35-6068234.
Is FORT WAYNE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY INC tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1967.
Are donations to FORT WAYNE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY INC tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does FORT WAYNE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY INC file?
Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
When is the next return of FORT WAYNE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY INC due?
The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending December 31, 2025) is due May 15, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did FORT WAYNE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY INC last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2024.
Who is the principal officer of FORT WAYNE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY INC?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 names TOM ACKMANN.
Who are the officers and directors of FORT WAYNE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY INC?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 lists 31 people; 7 received compensation from the organization, the highest $220,086 (RICK SCHUITEMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - ZOO).
How much revenue does FORT WAYNE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY INC have?
On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 it reported revenue of $18,153,771, expenses of $18,065,551 and total assets of $40,131,058 at year end.

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