Nonprofit · EIN 39-6077242
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY
Tax-exempt · MILWAUKEE, WI 53226
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $14,059,943 | $16,809,299 | -$2,749,356 | $16,736,798 | $8,682,149 | $8,054,649 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $13,032,943 | $14,662,609 | -$1,629,666 | $17,662,694 | $6,858,706 | $10,803,988 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $12,217,753 | $12,845,596 | -$627,843 | $17,325,828 | $4,448,969 | $12,876,859 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $12,769,439
- Membership dues
- $7,833,911
- Program service revenue
- $581,410
- Investment income
- $835,923
- Net gain from sales of assets
- -$56,746
- Net income from fundraising events
- -$139,842
- Net income from sales of inventory
- $13,013
- Other revenue
- -$126,829
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $4,337,159
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $558,383
- Other salaries and wages
- $3,334,505
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $5,015,034
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $38,228
- Accounting fees
- $33,200
- Travel
- $24,326
- Depreciation
- $134,480
- Program services (functional)
- $12,232,766
- Management and general (functional)
- $3,695,162
- Fundraising (functional)
- $881,371
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $17,662,694
- Total assets, end of year
- $16,736,798
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $8,682,149
- Net assets, end of year
- $8,054,649
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $334,941
- Publicly traded securities
- $7,756,399
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $1,974,491
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $6,080,158
- Gross receipts
- $17,565,267
- Employees
- 121
- Volunteers
- 456
- Year formed
- 1910
- State of legal domicile
- WI
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, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JODI GIBSON | PRESIDENT AND CEO Officer | 40 | $314,077 | $31,391 |
| JENNIFER MUELLER | CHIEF REVENUE DEVELOPMENT Highest-paid employee | 40 | $182,989 | $48,987 |
| JASON KOEHLER | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 40 | $155,280 | $45,848 |
| ELIZABETH HELLER | VP - PROGRAMS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $145,977 | $8,888 |
| TAMI GARRISON | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN KISSINGER | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PEGGY KELSEY | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JON SOHN | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DEREK TYUS | IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ROB BERES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARK BERKOFF | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JANETTE BRAVERMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PRESTON COLE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSAN DOYLE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JASON FATHALLAH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
27 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEAN FINNIGAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOE FROHNA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MARIA GONZALEZ KNAVEL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MARGARET HARRIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| NEZIH HASANOGLU | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JUDY HOLZ STATHAS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| EMORY IRELAND | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CHRISTINE IRGENS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| TODD JONES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MARK KASS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOHN KELLERMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DAN KEMPKEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOE KRESL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CAROLINE KRIDER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JENNA KUNDE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DR DEMOND MEANS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KAT MORROW | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KRISTIN OCCHETTI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JON CROWELL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOE ROCK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CHUCK ROEDEL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BARRY SATTELL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| RICK SCHMIDT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ROGER SMITH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DAVE STRELITZ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| TONY STANIAK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JAMES WARD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 44 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JODI GIBSON | PRESIDENT AND CEO Officer | 40 | $311,871 | $28,017 |
| JENNIFER MUELLER | CHIEF REVENUE DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $172,783 | $39,586 |
| JASON KOEHLER | CFO - PART YEAR Officer | 40 | $123,025 | $30,321 |
| BETH HELLER | VP - PROGRAMS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $139,418 | $7,910 |
| KATE HALFWASSEN | CFO - PART YEAR Officer | 40 | $2,030 | $0 |
| DEREK TYUS | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TAMI SCULLY GARRISON | VICE CHAIR AND CHAIR ELECT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN KISSINGER | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PEGGY KELSY | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN SOHN | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAY MCKENNA | IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARK A BERKOFF | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ROB BERES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JANETTE BRAVERMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JASON FATHALLAH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOE FROHNA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARIA GONZALEZ KNAVEL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARGARET HARRIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NEZIH HASANOGLU | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TANYA HINES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| EMORY IRELAND | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRISTINE IRGENS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN KELLERMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAN KEMPKEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOE KRESL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CAROLINE KRIDER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JENNA KUNDE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR DEMOND MEANS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KAT MORROW | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KRISTIN OCCHETTI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SCOTT REDLINGER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HAROLD REDMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DON ROBERTSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOE ROCK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHUCK ROEDEL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BARRY SATTELL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RICK SCHMIDT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ROGER SMITH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TONY STANIAK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JUDY HOLZ STATHAS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MATT SWENTKOFSKE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVE STRELITZ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAMES WARD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WENDELL WILLIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 46 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JODI GIBSON | PRESIDENT/CEO/DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $270,526 | $24,316 |
| PENNY GUTEKUNST | VP-DEVELOPMENT Highest-paid employee | 40 | $258,098 | $21,804 |
| ROBIN HIGGINS | VP - MEMBERSHIP Highest-paid employee | 40 | $182,710 | $9,262 |
| KATE HALFWASSEN | CFO Officer | 40 | $136,592 | $40,722 |
| BETH HELLER | VP - PROGRAMS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $139,803 | $7,889 |
| DEREK TYUS | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TAMI SCULLY GARRISON | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN KISSINGER | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PEGGY KELSY | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN SOHN | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAY MCKENNA | IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARK A BERKOFF | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ROB BERES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JANETTE BRAVERMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JASON FATHALLAH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOE FROHNA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARIA GONZALEZ KNAVEL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARGARET HARRIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NEZIH HASANOGLU | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TANYA HINES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DUSTIN HINTON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| EMORY IRELAND | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRISTINE IRGENS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN KELLERMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAN KEMPKEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RUSS KOHL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOE KRESL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CAROLINE KRIDER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JENNA KUNDE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TONY MARINO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR DEMOND MEANS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TOM MILLER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KAT MORROW | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SCOTT REDLINGER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HAROLD REDMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DON ROBERTSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOE ROCK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHUCK ROEDEL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BARRY SATTELL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RICK SCHMIDT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ROGER SMITH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TONY STANIAK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JODY HOLZ STATHAS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVE STRELITZ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAMES WARD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WILLIS WENDELL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 10005 W BLUEMOUND RD, MILWAUKEE, WI 53226-4346
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- JASON KOEHLER, 10005 WEST BLUEMOUND ROAD, MILWAUKEE, WI 53226
- Signed the 990
- JASON KOEHLER, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
- Phone
- (414) 258-2333
- Website
- WWW.ZOOSOCIETY.ORG
- Return prepared by
- REILLY PENNER & BENTON LLP
Mission
THE MISSION OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY IS TO CONSERVE WILDLIFE AND ENDANGERED SPECIES, TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF WILDLIFE AND THE ENVIRONMENT, AND TO SUPPORT THE MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO.
Program accomplishments
- DIRECT SUPPORT OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO THROUGH CONSTRUCTION OF EXHIBITS, ANIMAL CONSERVATION, AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.Expenses $12,098,609 · grants $4,306,049 · revenue $537,639
- RESEARCH GRANTS FOR ADVANCED STUDIES IN CONSERVATION AND ENDANGERED SPECIES.Expenses $134,157 · grants $31,110
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 year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 39-6077242
- 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
- 1956
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Animal-related (D115)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $16,736,798
- Income (IRS master file)
- $17,565,267
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $14,059,943 | $16,809,299 | $16,736,798 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $13,032,943 | $14,662,609 | $17,662,694 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $12,217,753 | $12,845,596 | $17,325,828 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $2,889,576 | $2,933,236 | $17,515,542 | IRS |
| 990 | September 2022 | $16,366,634 | $11,867,102 | $17,363,245 | IRS |
| 990 | September 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 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 39-6077242).
Questions about ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY
- What is the EIN of ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY is 39-6077242.
- Is ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1956.
- Are donations to ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY 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 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names JASON KOEHLER.
- Who are the officers and directors of ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 42 people; 4 received compensation from the organization, the highest $314,077 (JODI GIBSON, PRESIDENT AND CEO).
- How much revenue does ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $14,059,943, expenses of $16,809,299 and total assets of $16,736,798 at year end.
Other nonprofits in MILWAUKEE
- WISCONSIN HUMANE SOCIETY EIN 39-0810533 · last filed 990 for 2025
- SALONGA CONSERVATION INITIATIVE INC EIN 85-0645869 · last filed 990-PF for 2024
- ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY ENDOWMENT TR EIN 39-6795665 · last filed 990 for 2025
- SAOLA FOUNDATION EIN 82-3731270 · last filed 990 for 2025
- FRIENDS OF MILWAUKEE AREA DOMESTIC ANIMAL CONTROL COMMISSION EIN 26-2650117 · last filed 990 for 2025
- MILWAUKEE DOG TRAINING CLUB INC EIN 39-1230626 · last filed 990 for 2025
- BLUE RIBBON SALE OF CHAMPIONS FOUNDATION INC EIN 27-1404082 · last filed 990 for 2025
- JESSIE MERRILL TR FBO WE CARE ANIMAL SOCIETY 84-14139247 EIN 94-6773500 · last filed 990-PF for 2025