Nonprofit · EIN 41-1943928
COMO FRIENDS
Tax-exempt · SAINT PAUL, MN 55103
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $5,414,890 | $6,993,104 | -$1,578,214 | $19,733,646 | $1,442,242 | $18,291,404 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $4,447,538 | $4,883,103 | -$435,565 | $18,950,875 | $159,195 | $18,791,680 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $5,445,916 | $4,280,466 | $1,165,450 | $18,490,549 | $131,743 | $18,358,806 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $3,641,919
- Membership dues
- $326,899
- Program service revenue
- $0
- Investment income
- $280,092
- Net income from fundraising events
- -$238,860
- Net income from sales of inventory
- $1,621,082
- Other revenue
- $1,492,879
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $4,146,063
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $226,151
- Other salaries and wages
- $1,401,327
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $1,937,170
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $11,220
- Accounting fees
- $97,250
- Occupancy
- $186,747
- Depreciation
- $37,967
- Program services (functional)
- $5,230,060
- Management and general (functional)
- $1,117,492
- Fundraising (functional)
- $645,552
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $18,950,875
- Total assets, end of year
- $19,733,646
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $1,442,242
- Net assets, end of year
- $18,291,404
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $152,845
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $5,646,347
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $12,645,057
- Gross unrelated business income
- $18,857
- Gross receipts
- $6,794,518
- Employees
- 57
- Volunteers
- 175
- Year formed
- 1999
- State of legal domicile
- MN
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAROLINE MEHLHOP | DIRECTOR OF Highest-paid employee | 40 | $110,586 | $39,208 |
| JEFFERY MUNDINGER | DIRECTOR OF Highest-paid employee | 40 | $123,597 | $26,185 |
| LAUREL LUNDBERG | DIRECTOR OF Highest-paid employee | 40 | $121,335 | $21,996 |
| JACQUELINE STICHA THRU 725 | PRESIDENT/BO Officer | 45 | $108,938 | $21,900 |
| SUSANNAH BAUDHUIN | CREATIVE DIR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $105,990 | $20,263 |
| KATHERINE HILL BEGAN 725 | PRESIDENT/BO Officer | 45 | $90,773 | $4,539 |
| ANDY DAVIS | BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| SHEILA BROWN | BOARD VICE C Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| WENDY HARDEN | BOARD TREASU Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| ADAM PROCK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| AMY HICKS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANNIE HUIDEKOPER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BARB SHUMSKER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID MCKINNEY THRU 925 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ERIKA PERRAULT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
17 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ERIN WACH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| FORD NICHOLSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| GREG PEELMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JANE GERBER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JEN SYVERSEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOHN BAUER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KARL HALLING | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KELLY BLOCH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KELLY SAM | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| LYNETTE PALMGREN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PATRICIA KAUFMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PETER EVERETT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| RENEE LEE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SHERYL ZAWORSKI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| STEVE PROESCHEL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| THERESA NEAL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| TOM FRATTALLONE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 31 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JACKIE STICHA | PRESIDENT/BO Officer | 45 | $172,333 | $33,025 |
| JEFFERY MUNDINGER | DIRECTOR OF Highest-paid employee | 40 | $118,677 | $25,896 |
| CAROLINE MEHLHOP | DIRECTOR OF Highest-paid employee | 40 | $107,493 | $36,179 |
| LAUREL LUNDBERG | DIRECTOR OF Highest-paid employee | 40 | $115,534 | $27,220 |
| SUSANNAH BAUDHUIN | CREATIVE DIR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $100,627 | $19,821 |
| STEVE PROESCHEL | BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| ANDY DAVIS | BOARD VICE C Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| WENDY HARDEN | BOARD TREASU Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN BAUER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KELLY BLOCH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SHEILA BROWN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PETER EVERETT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TOM FRATTALLONE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JANE GERBER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KARL HALLING | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| AMY HICKS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANNIE HUIDEKOPER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RENEE LEE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PATRICK MCINTYRE THRU 1024 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID MCKINNEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| THERESA NEAL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARTHA NELSON THRU 1024 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MATT NELSON THRU 1024 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| FORD NICHOLSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LYNETTE PALMGREN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GREG PEELMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ERIKA PERRAULT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KELLY SAM | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BARB SHUMSKER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LIZ SMITH THRU 1024 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SHERYL ZAWORSKI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 33 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JACKIE STICHA | PRESIDENT/BO Officer | 45 | $173,234 | $18,433 |
| JEFFERY MUNDINGER | DIRECTOR OF Highest-paid employee | 40 | $114,085 | $12,725 |
| LAUREL LUNDBERG | DIR. OF INDV Highest-paid employee | 40 | $110,847 | $13,633 |
| CAROLINE MEHLHOP | DIRECTOR OF Highest-paid employee | 40 | $103,048 | $18,768 |
| PATRICK MCINTYRE | BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| STEVE PROESCHEL | BOARD VICE P Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| WENDY HARDEN | BOARD TREASU Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN BAUER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KELLY BLOCH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SHEILA BROWN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANDY DAVIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PETER EVERETT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHEN FOSS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TOM FRATTALLONE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JANE GERBER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KARL HALLING | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PATRICK HARRIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANNIE HUIDEKOPER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RENEE LEE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID MCKINNEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| THERESA NEAL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MATT NELSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARTHA NELSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| FORD NICHOLSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ERIK ORDWAY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LYNETTE PALMGREN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GREG PEELMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ERIKA PERRAULT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KELLY SAM | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ARVIND SHARMA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BARB SHUMSKER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LIZ SMITH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SHERYL ZAWORSKI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 1225 ESTABROOK DR, SAINT PAUL, MN 55103-1022
- In care of
- % COMO
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- KATHERINE HILL BEGAN 725, 1225 ESTABROOK DRIVE, ST PAUL, MN 55103
- Signed the 990
- KATHERINE HILL BEGAN 725, PRESIDENT/BOARD SEC
- Phone
- (651) 487-8229
- Website
- WWW.COMOFRIENDS.ORG
- Return prepared by
- BOYUM & BARENSCHEER PLLP
Mission
WE INSPIRE COMMUNITY GENEROSITY IN SUPPORT OF COMO PARK ZOO & CONSERVATORY SO IT THRIVES FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
Program accomplishments
- COMO FRIENDS SECURES DONATIONS AND GENERATES RETAIL REVENUES TO INVEST IN COMO PARK ZOO & CONSERVATORY. INVESTMENTS SUPPORT NEW CAPITAL PROJECTS SUCH AS COMO HARBOR AND THE ORDWAY GARDENS, ANNUAL IMPROVEMENTS TO ANIMAL EXHIBITS AND GARDENS, CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIPS AROUND THE WORLD, PROGRESSIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND FREE AND EQUITABLE ACCESS FOR ALL VISITORS. THE PAST DECADE OF TRANSFORMATIVE IMPROVEMENTS CHAMPIONED BY COMO FRIENDS HAVE MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR COMO TO MEET AND EXCEED BEST PRACTICE STANDARDS FOR ANIMAL CARE, GROW AND CURATE WORLD-CLASS HORTICULTURAL COLLECTIONS, AND TO PROVIDE FREE ADMISSION FOR ALL.Expenses $4,287,284 · grants $4,146,063
- COMO FRIENDS OPERATES GARDEN SAFARI GIFTS IN THE VISITOR CENTER. THREE SATELLITE LOCATIONS ARE OPEN DURING THE SPRING, SUMMER AND FALL MONTHS. PROCEEDS ARE INVESTED AT COMO PARK ZOO & CONSERVATORY TO HELP COMO THRIVE TODAY AND FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.Expenses $942,776 · revenue $1,712,882
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
- 41-1943928
- 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
- 1999
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Animal-related (D110)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $19,733,646
- Income (IRS master file)
- $6,794,518
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $5,414,890 | $6,993,104 | $19,733,646 | XML |
| 990-T | December 2025 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2024 | $4,447,538 | $4,883,103 | $18,950,875 | XML |
| 990-T | December 2024 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2023 | $5,445,916 | $4,280,466 | $18,490,549 | XML |
| 990-T | December 2023 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2022 | $4,864,821 | $3,992,903 | $15,847,385 | IRS |
| 990-T | December 2022 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-T | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-T | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 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 41-1943928).
Questions about COMO FRIENDS
- What is the EIN of COMO FRIENDS?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of COMO FRIENDS is 41-1943928.
- Is COMO FRIENDS tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1999.
- Are donations to COMO FRIENDS tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does COMO FRIENDS 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 COMO FRIENDS 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 COMO FRIENDS 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 COMO FRIENDS?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names KATHERINE HILL BEGAN 725.
- Who are the officers and directors of COMO FRIENDS?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 32 people; 6 received compensation from the organization, the highest $110,586 (CAROLINE MEHLHOP, DIRECTOR OF).
- How much revenue does COMO FRIENDS have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $5,414,890, expenses of $6,993,104 and total assets of $19,733,646 at year end.
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