EIN 84-0502539

Denver Zoological Foundation

IRS 501(c) type
501(c)(3)
Num. employees
629
City
Year formed
1950
Most recent tax filings
2022-12-01
Description
The Denver Zoological Foundation inspires communities to save wildlife for future generations. They conduct extensive field work in four different countries for animals in the wild and are a dedicated player in the movement to save wildlife. Their approach is to work with communities.
Total revenues
$57,669,047
2022
Total expenses
$53,497,871
2022
Total assets
$50,327,766
2022
Num. employees
629
2022

Program areas at Denver Zoological Foundation

Life sciences: Denver zoo's mission is inspiring communities to save wildlife for future generations. Our largest program area is caring for our animal residents. Denver zoo is a recognized leader in all areas relating to the highest level of care for our animal collection as we are focused on providing the best nutritional, emotional, social, and physical care possible. Animals at Denver zoo are very well cared for by their dedicated keepers, animal behaviorists, veterinary medicine, zoo nutrition and welfare staff. Our animals are bred under the recommendations of the association of zoos and aquariums' (aza) species survival plan (ssp), which ensures genetic diversity and healthy populations. Animal welfare is everyone's job at Denver zoo. Denver zoo is accredited by the aza and certified by american humane.
Learning experiences: Denver zoos conservation learning and engagement, community engagement, and community research & evaluation teams aim to help students, families, and communities connect with the environment, become scientific thinkers, and ultimately champions for animals and habitats. The Denver zoo is a one-of-a-kind place where people of all ages and backgrounds can experience the joy and wonders of animals, conservation, and the environment. The conservation learning team hosted a variety of virtual and in-person learning experiences which were very well received by our local schools and community partners. The Denver zoo had nearly 27,000 participants in education and outreach programs.
Guest experiences: Denver zoo exists to help our community connect with wildlife here and around the world so that we can all be part of the solution to helping species thrive. Our passion and reason for being is to inspire communities to save wildlife for future generations. We achieve this by providing an outstanding guest experience each and every day. Denver zoo monitors and evaluates the visitor experience through a mystery shopper program, guest comment cards and extensive guest satisfaction surveys. The Denver zoo continues to make a profound impact, creating meaningful experiences for guests, both at the Denver zoo and off-site in the community, engaging citizens through impactful animal encounters that inspire a lifelong love of science learning. The Denver zoo is a place where visitors make local, regional, and international connections, linking people, animals, and nature. The Denver zoo connects people with animals, inspiring them to champion the Denver zoo's mission to inspire communities to save wildlife for future generations. As an accredited association of zoos and aquariums (aza) institution, the Denver zoo is an important resource for the Denver metro region to understand wildlife and the need to conserve the places animals live. The Denver zoo's visitors learn about the important role zoos have as leaders in conservation research. With up-close experiences, visitors experience a stronger connection to nature, consider their role in environmental problems and conservation action, and see themselves as part of the solution as a result of their visit. Denver zoo inspires communities to save wildlife for futurer generations. Our community connections program ensures equitable access to the zoo and our wildlife conservation programs for all community members. Through this program, Denver zoo ensures at least 25% of annual visitors enjoy the zoo and zoo programs for free or significantly reduced fees.
Field conservation: the Denver zoo is a zoo-based conservation organization and a dedicated player in the movement to save wildlife. We support community-led field work in Colorado and globally for animals and habitats in the wild. Our approach is to work with communities to understand conservation issues, then co-develop sustainable strategies to protect wildlife and wild places. Denver zoo is a leader among zoos in field conservation. In addition to connecting audiences with a wide variety of species at our 84 acre urban campus, we work to protect animals and habitat through four core programs around the world in - mongolia, vietnam, peru, and the Colorado rocky mountains and great plains. We commit full-time, part-time, and contract staff along with other resources to these programs each year. Using both social and ecological science to identify and understand target species and threats to their survival, we work to mitigate threats by strengthening protected area management, engaging local communities, influencing conservation policy, and building the capacity of individuals and organizations to engage in conservation action.

Grants made by Denver Zoological Foundation

GranteeGrant descriptionAmount
International Elephant FoundationEehv Vaccine Researc$10,000
Smithsonian Institution (SI)Eehv Consortium Memb$6,000

Who funds Denver Zoological Foundation

Grants from foundations and other nonprofits
GrantmakerDescriptionAmount
Colorado Zoological TrustSupport for DZF$1,388,234
Schlessman FoundationAnimal Care and Vet Services Installment on $2,000,000.00 Pledge.$400,000
Colorado Gives FoundationGeneral Purpose$159,122
...and 51 more grants received totalling $2,868,973

Personnel at Denver Zoological Foundation

NameTitleCompensation
Bert VescolaniPresident and Chief Executive Officer$521,212
Amber ChristopherChief Operating Officer$216,592
Charles WrightChief Financial Officer and Treasurer$239,496
Charlie WrightTreasurer and Chief Financial Officer$258,029
Marie RevenewSenior Vice President Ex$187,600
...and 14 more key personnel

Financials for Denver Zoological Foundation

RevenuesFYE 12/2022
Total grants, contributions, etc.$32,369,623
Program services$25,050,731
Investment income and dividends$156,433
Tax-exempt bond proceeds$0
Royalty revenue$0
Net rental income$0
Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets$32,495
Net income from fundraising events$0
Net income from gaming activities$0
Net income from sales of inventory$0
Miscellaneous revenues$59,765
Total revenues$57,669,047

Form 990s for Denver Zoological Foundation

Fiscal year endingDate received by IRSFormPDF link
2022-122023-06-21990View PDF
2021-122022-06-29990View PDF
2020-122021-06-23990View PDF
2019-122020-12-01990View PDF
2018-122019-10-12990View PDF
...and 9 more Form 990s

Organizations like Denver Zoological Foundation

OrganizationLocationRevenue
Audubon Nature InstituteNew Orleans, LA$32,674,283
Zoological Society of CincinnatiCincinnati, OH$73,083,333
Toledo Zoological SocietyToledo, OH$45,038,256
Utah's Hogle ZooSalt Lake City, UT$20,973,376
Philadelphia ZooPhiladelphia, PA$35,542,324
Pittsburgh Zoological and PPG AquariumPittsburgh, PA$28,895,919
Houston ZooHouston, TX$68,161,300
The Maryland Zoo in BaltimoreBaltimore, MD$20,547,927
Woodland Park ZooSeattle, WA$61,363,354
Columbus Zoological Park AssociationPowell, OH$89,903,001
Data update history
December 26, 2023
Received grants
Identified 8 new grant, including a grant for $159,122 from Colorado Gives Foundation
August 19, 2023
Received grants
Identified 47 new grant, including a grant for $1,388,234 from Colorado Zoological Trust
August 14, 2023
Posted financials
Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2021
August 8, 2023
Posted financials
Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2020
August 2, 2023
Posted financials
Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2022
Nonprofit Types
Social advocacy organizationsZoosAnimal organizationsAnimal sheltersHeadquarter / parent organizationsCharities
Issues
Animals
Characteristics
MembershipsLobbyingFundraising eventsOperates internationallyState / local levelReceives government fundingCommunity engagement / volunteeringTax deductible donations
General information
Address
2300 Steele St
Denver, CO 80205
Metro area
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
County
Denver County, CO
Website URL
denverzoo.org/ 
Facebook page
DenverZoo 
IRS details
EIN
84-0502539
Fiscal year end
December
Taxreturn type
Form 990
Year formed
1950
Eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions (Pub 78)
Yes
Categorization
NTEE code, primary
D50: Zoo, Zoological Society
NAICS code, primary
813312: Environment, Conservation, and Wildlife Organizations
Parent/child status
Central organization
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