EIN 62-1411210

Nashville Zoo

IRS 501(c) type
501(c)(3)
Num. employees
444
Year formed
1989
Most recent tax filings
2022-12-01
Description
Nashville Zoo grows, excels in animal care, and emphasizes global conservation. They inspire understanding of the natural world through innovative leadership.
Total revenues
$34,976,521
2022
Total expenses
$26,363,992
2022
Total assets
$155,796,059
2022
Num. employees
444
2022

Program areas at Nashville Zoo

Zoo: 2022 was packed with new animal friends, fun features, immersive events and impactful initiatives - all thanks to the generosity of our supporters! After an eight-year hiatus, dinotrek made a roaring return with 218,770 visitors enjoying giant life-size animatronic dinosaurs along a hidden path. 70,894 guests have enjoyed five 4d short films featuring thrilling 3d and multi-sensory special effects since the 50-seat adventure 4d theater opened on april 6. After a lengthy construction process, the jungle gym reopened in march with the addition of thisbe and noah's promise park, a new area that allows kids with all abilities and disabilities to play side-by-side. Nighttime came to life from april to july at night visions. The captivating show of stunning projections set to music illuminated the Zoo's scenery in a kaleidoscope of color and whimsical imagery. The morton family exhibit was awarded top honors for the association of zoos and aquariums' angela peterson excellence in diversity award, as well as five additional awards from notable history organizations. We rolled out a new partnership with wego public transit and unveiled a wild bus wrap in june. The collaboration was part of an initiative that offered discounted admission to some of Nashville's hottest attractions. Zoolumination, presented by asurion, returned from november 18 to february 4 and welcomed more than 150,000 guests into a world of dazzling scenes made of 1,000+ custom-made silk lanterns. The Nashville predators' 2023 calendar went on sale in november and featured dozens of your favorite Zoo animals, including pekka the nigerian dwarf goat who was named in february for retired Nashville predators' goalie pekka rinne. Despite returning to a timed ticketing system in september, attendance for the year was at an all-time high of 1,322,324. Membership also hit a record in 2022 with 42,756 households. April was the highest overall attendance month in Zoo history!
Education: overall Nashville Zoo served a total of 291,789 individuals through educational programming in 2022.we had 47,456 students visit the Zoo through field trips, coming from 36 different counties.attendance for traditional programming includes:*homeschool days served 1,141 students in 2022 between the ages of 5 - 14*zootots served 1,922 students in ages 0-4*scout workshops served 367 students in 2022*zooventures outreach virtual programs served 14,202 students*summer camps served 1,003 students in 2022in addition to traditional classroom-based programming, our interpretive staff served a total of 141,479 guests through interpretive programming.
Conservation: over the past 25 years, Nashville Zoo has become a recognized leader in the conservation of many species due to our commitment to global and local conservation through research, habitat protection, breeding programs and education initiatives. We are proud to report that in 2022, we strengthened partnerships and worked to save species and protect habitats near and far. This year, 4,600+ puerto rican crested toads were hatched at Nashville Zoo and then sent to their native home to be released in protected streams. The Zoo's efforts with this species have resulted in the release of more than 25,000 tadpoles in the past ten years. In july, a carnivore keeper spent a month at cheetah conservation fund (ccf) in somaliland, providing medical supplies and helping to rehabilitate 38 cheetahs battling multiple illnesses. We've supported ccf's work to help save and protect this vulnerable species since 2014. In september, two staff members traveled to rainforest awareness rescue and education center (rarec) in peru to provide medical supplies to aid in the care of the amazonian wildlife they rescue and rehabilitate. We've provided rarec with significant financial support since 2015 to address infrastructure improvements and support their operations.

Grants made by Nashville Zoo

GranteeGrant descriptionAmount
International Rhino Foundation (IRF)To Support Rhinos$59,075
Cheetah Conservation FundTo Support Cheetahs$26,883
Utopia FoundationSupport Orphans$25,000
...and 5 more grants made

Who funds Nashville Zoo

Grants from foundations and other nonprofits
GrantmakerDescriptionAmount
The Frist FoundationPayment of 2017 Set-Aside - Support for Exhibit Buildout$5,000,000
The Frist FoundationAdditional Support for the Zoo'S Grow Wild Campaign$4,500,000
Thisbe and Noah Scott FoundationGrant for Promise Park All-Inclusive Playground$1,500,000
...and 55 more grants received totalling $13,695,100

Personnel at Nashville Zoo

NameTitleCompensation
Andy TillmanChief Operating Officer$135,093
Kim PridgenChief Financial Officer$176,615
Suzanne IlerChief Development Officer$195,441
Rick SchwartzPresident$574,973
Heather SchwartzVeterinarian$131,089
...and 13 more key personnel

Financials for Nashville Zoo

RevenuesFYE 12/2022
Total grants, contributions, etc.$14,915,297
Program services$9,852,538
Investment income and dividends$938,447
Tax-exempt bond proceeds$0
Royalty revenue$0
Net rental income$76,524
Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets$-819,915
Net income from fundraising events$2,695,201
Net income from gaming activities$0
Net income from sales of inventory$0
Miscellaneous revenues$7,318,429
Total revenues$34,976,521

Form 990s for Nashville Zoo

Fiscal year endingDate received by IRSFormPDF link
2022-122023-10-19990View PDF
2021-122022-11-11990View PDF
2020-122021-09-22990View PDF
2019-122021-04-02990View PDF
2018-122020-01-31990View PDF
...and 9 more Form 990s
Data update history
January 3, 2024
Received grants
Identified 28 new grant, including a grant for $5,000,000 from The Frist Foundation
December 5, 2023
Posted financials
Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2022
December 4, 2023
Updated personnel
Identified 6 new personnel
November 28, 2023
Used new vendors
Identified 2 new vendors, including , and
October 25, 2023
Received grants
Identified 5 new grant, including a grant for $1,027,000 from American Endowment Foundation
Nonprofit Types
ZoosAnimal organizationsMuseumsCharities
Issues
Animals
Characteristics
MembershipsLobbyingFundraising eventsOperates internationallyState / local levelReceives government fundingEndowed supportCommunity engagement / volunteeringTax deductible donations
General information
Address
3777 Nolensville Rd
Nashville, TN 37211
Metro area
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
County
Davidson County, TN
Website URL
nashvillezoo.org/ 
Phone
(615) 833-1534
Facebook page
nashvillezoo 
Twitter profile
@nashvillezoo 
IRS details
EIN
62-1411210
Fiscal year end
December
Taxreturn type
Form 990
Year formed
1989
Eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions (Pub 78)
Yes
Categorization
NTEE code, primary
D50: Zoo, Zoological Society
NAICS code, primary
7121: Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions
Parent/child status
Independent
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