Totals
- Total revenue
- $47,398,988
- Total expenses
- $29,504,935
- Contributions and grants received
- $27,055,592
- Grants paid
- $840,735
- Program service revenue
- $11,381,862
- Investment income
- -$1,089,705
- Other revenue
- $10,051,239
- Total assets, end of year
- $178,231,426
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $10,036,200
- Net assets or fund balances, end of year
- $168,195,226
- Program services expenses (Part IX)
- $24,891,716
- Management and general expenses
- $3,078,702
- Fundraising expenses
- $1,534,517
- Program service expenses (Part III)
- $24,891,716
Program services were 84.4% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.
Line items
Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.
Revenue
Part VIII, the statement of revenue.
-
1b · Membership dues
$5,795,466
-
1c · Fundraising events
$207,106
-
1e · Government grants (contributions)
$15,190,308
-
1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants
$5,862,712
-
1g · Noncash contributions included above
$370,169
-
2a · Program service revenue: ZOO ADMISSIONS
total $10,743,574 · related or exempt $10,743,574
-
2b · Program service revenue: EDUCATION PROGRAMS
total $638,288 · related or exempt $638,288
-
3 · Investment income
total $2,063,111 · excluded $2,063,111
-
6a · Gross rents
real property $216,382 · personal property $961,121
-
6b · Less rental expenses
real property $210,562 · personal property $888,069
-
6c · Rental income or loss
real property $5,820 · personal property $73,052
-
6d · Net rental income or loss
total $78,872 · unrelated business $78,872
-
7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory
securities $1,120,732 · other assets $620,990
-
7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses
securities $1,347,999 · other assets $3,546,539
-
7c · Gain or loss
securities -$227,267 · other assets -$2,925,549
-
7d · Net gain or loss
total -$3,152,816 · excluded -$3,152,816
-
8a · Fundraising events: gross income
$3,438,034
-
8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c
$207,106
-
8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses
$1,956,819
-
8c · Net income from fundraising events
total $1,481,215 · excluded $1,481,215
-
11a · Other revenue: VENDING
total $6,021,604 · excluded $6,021,604
-
11b · Other revenue: PARKING
total $1,357,328 · excluded $1,357,328
-
11c · Other revenue: CATERING COMMISSIONS
total $105,269 · unrelated business $105,269
-
11d · All other revenue
total $1,006,951 · excluded $1,006,951
-
11e · Other revenue, total
$8,491,152
Functional expenses
Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.
-
1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments
total $367,578 · program services $367,578
-
3 · Grants to foreign organizations and individuals
total $473,157 · program services $473,157
-
5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
total $1,665,512 · program services $999,307 · management and general $249,827 · fundraising $416,378
-
7 · Other salaries and wages
total $10,978,797 · program services $9,353,593 · management and general $950,596 · fundraising $674,608
-
8 · Pension plan contributions
total $329,897 · program services $254,419 · management and general $44,950 · fundraising $30,528
-
9 · Other employee benefits
total $1,296,106 · program services $989,466 · management and general $182,617 · fundraising $124,023
-
10 · Payroll taxes
total $925,327 · program services $713,618 · management and general $126,082 · fundraising $85,627
-
11c · Fees: accounting
total $48,000 · program services $15,806 · management and general $32,194
-
11d · Fees: lobbying
total $93,750 · program services $30,870 · management and general $62,880
-
11f · Fees: investment management
total $55,192 · management and general $2,425 · fundraising $52,767
-
11g · Fees: other
total $390,020 · program services $128,428 · management and general $261,592
-
12 · Advertising and promotion
total $449,032 · program services $449,032
-
13 · Office expenses
total $605,063 · program services $458,211 · management and general $81,788 · fundraising $65,064
-
14 · Information technology
total $797,151 · program services $681,410 · management and general $115,741
-
16 · Occupancy
total $1,032,918 · program services $1,032,238 · management and general $680
-
17 · Travel
total $81,370 · program services $19,298 · management and general $58,592 · fundraising $3,480
-
19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings
total $119,756 · program services $64,486 · management and general $55,082 · fundraising $188
-
22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization
total $5,283,568 · program services $5,283,568
-
23 · Insurance
total $320,701 · program services $320,701
-
24a · Other expenses: REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE
total $1,915,362 · program services $1,876,293 · management and general $7,727 · fundraising $31,342
-
24b · Other expenses: ANIMAL CARE
total $1,154,385 · program services $1,154,038 · management and general $328 · fundraising $19
-
24c · Other expenses: BANK FEES
total $614,816 · program services $899 · management and general $613,917
-
24d · Other expenses: OTHER EXPENSES
total $177,864 · program services $56,129 · management and general $121,735
-
24e · All other expenses
total $329,613 · program services $169,171 · management and general $109,949 · fundraising $50,493
Balance sheet
Part X, book values.
-
1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing
beginning of year $18,742,327 · end of year $6,427,813
-
2 · Savings and temporary cash investments
beginning of year $20,045,578 · end of year $19,434,001
-
3 · Pledges and grants receivable
beginning of year $335,909 · end of year $1,098,307
-
9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges
beginning of year $931,447 · end of year $520,404
-
10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis
$109,019,858
-
10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation
$50,731,408
-
10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net
beginning of year $64,637,488 · end of year $58,288,450
-
11 · Investments: publicly traded securities
beginning of year $30,428,760 · end of year $35,300,013
-
15 · Other assets
beginning of year $20,674,550 · end of year $57,162,438
-
17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses
beginning of year $4,060,308 · end of year $4,501,902
-
19 · Deferred revenue
beginning of year $4,939,121 · end of year $5,030,014
-
23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable
end of year $504,284
-
27 · Net assets without donor restrictions
beginning of year $108,370,890 · end of year $138,530,704
-
28 · Net assets with donor restrictions
beginning of year $38,425,740 · end of year $29,664,522
Mission and programs · 2023
Mission
IN FULFILLMENT OF OUR MISSION TO INSPIRE A CULTURE OF UNDERSTANDING AND DISCOVERY OF OUR NATURAL WORLD THROUGH CONSERVATION, INNOVATION AND LEADERSHIP, OUR GOAL IS TO BUILD A FIRST CLASS ZOO FOR MIDDLE TENNESSEE AND TO DEVELOP A FACILITY THAT IS RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE IN ANIMAL CARE AND GLOBAL CONSERVATION WITH STRONG COMMUNITY VALUE IN MIND. WE STRIVE TO BE THE BEST AT CREATING UNIQUE DESIGNS AND INNOVATIVE ARCHITECTURE AND HORTICULTURAL COMPONENTS TO ENHANCE EXHIBITS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ANIMALS, OUR VISITORS AND THE ZOOLOGICAL COMMUNITY.
Activities or mission (Part I)
TO CONTINUE TO GROW AND PROVIDE A PARK/FACILITY THAT IS RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE IN ANIMAL CARE, INNOVATIVE DESIGN AND GLOBAL CONSERVATION WHILE DELIVERING STRONG EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY VALUE.
-
ZOO: 2023 SAW THE RETURN OF GUEST FAVORITES, ADDITIONAL NEW FEATURES, AND A FEW NEW RECORDS ALONG THE WAY - ALL THANKS TO THE GENEROSITY OF OUR SUPPORTERS! DINOTREK ROARED BACK FOR ITS SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR FEATURING MORE THAN 20 GIANT, LIFE-SIZE ANIMATRONIC DINOSAURS. BLACK HISTORY TOURS AT MORTON FAMILY CABIN WERE INTRODUCED AT THE ZOO'S HISTORIC HOME AND FARM, OFFERING GUESTS TO LEARN ABOUT THE MORTON FAMILY WHO LIVED AND WORKED AT GRASSMERE FOR DECADES. NASHVILLE ZOO OPENED THE LARGEST KOMODO DRAGON HABITAT IN THE COUNTRY IN JULY AND DONATED $50,000 TO KOMODO DRAGON CONSERVATION. THE HCA HEALTHCARE VETERINARY CENTER WAS AWARDED TOP HONORS FOR THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOO AND AQUARIUMS 2023 FACILITY AWARD. ZOOLUMINATION RETURNED IN NOVEMBER OF 2023 FEATURING MORE THAN 1,000 HAND-MADE, SILK CHINESE LANTERNS WELCOMING MORE THAN 140,000 GUESTS. A NEW KOI POND OFFICIALLY DEBUTED IN AUGUST OF 2023 AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE ZOO'S JUNGLE GYM PLAYGROUND AND FEATURES HAND-LAID TILE WORK, SPECIALIZED SCULPTURES AND HAND-SELECTED JAPANESE KOI FISH. SIPS FOR SPECIES, A BRAND-NEW ADULTS-ONLY EVENT THAT SUPPORTS CONSERVATION, WELCOMED A SOLD-OUT CROWD OF MORE THAN 2,000 PEOPLE. NASHVILLE ZOO ALSO CELEBRATED RECORD-BREAKING NUMBERS ACROSS THE BOARD IN 2023 INCLUDING 1.4 MILLION IN ATTENDANCE AND 43,529 MEMBERSHIP HOUSEHOLDS.
Expenses $24,050,981 · Revenue $10,743,574
-
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. IN 2023, STAFF MEMBERS WORKED TO SAVE, RESEARCH AND BOLSTER POPULATIONS RIGHT HERE IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS. IN MAY OF 2023, THE ZOO'S ECTOTHERM TEAM SUCCESSFULLY RELEASED 24 EASTERN HELLBENDERS BACK INTO THE WILD AS PART OF THE HEADSTART PROGRAM. THE ZOO HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THIS STATE-ENDANGERED SPECIES FOR OVER TWO DECADES. IN THE SPRING AND SUMMER OF 2023, THE AQUATICS TEAM SURVEYED OVER 400 NASHVILLE CRAYFISH IN MILL CREEK TO CONTINUE TRACKING POPULATION TRENDS AND LEARN MORE ABOUT WATER QUALITY IN THE AREA. DURING ITS SECOND YEAR, THE ZOO'S MOTUS TOWER, A RADIO TELEMETRY SYSTEM, DETECTED MORE THAN 130 BIRDS. THE GOAL OF THIS ONGOING PROJECT IS TO HELP WITH THE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION OF SMALLER MIGRATORY BIRD SPECIES TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THEIR ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION. NASHVILLE ZOO LAUNCHED A NEW POLLINATOR PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPORTANCE OF BOTH NATIVE AND POLLINATOR SPECIES AND THEIR HABITATS THROUGH GUEST ENGAGEMENT AND CURATION OF POLLINATOR HABITATS ON ZOO GROUNDS. THE ZOO ALSO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATES IN THE AZA SAFE (SAVING ANIMALS FROM EXTINCTION) NORTH AMERICAN MONARCH PROGRAM AND HAVE BEEN TAGGING MONARCHS FOR MONARCH WATCH'S MIGRATION STUDY. NASHVILLE ZOO CELEBRATED A CONSERVATION MILESTONE WITH THE FIRST-EVER BIRTH OF THREE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED SUMATRAN TIGER CUBS IN OCTOBER OF 2023. OTHER NOTABLE BIRTHS IN 2023 INCLUDED RED RUFFED LEMUR, ELAND, CIVET, CLOUDED LEOPARD, NIGERIAN DWARF GOAT TRIPLETS AND TWO BONTEBOKS. THE ZOO WELCOMED FOUR NEW SPECIES IN 2023 INCLUDING THE AMUR LEOPARD AND EASTERN BLACK-AND-WHITE COLOBUS MONKEY, BOTH SET TO MAKE THEIR DEBUT IN 2024. NASHVILLE ZOO PARTICIPATES IN OVER 70 OF THE AZA'S SPECIES SURVIVAL PLANS, WORKING TO MAINTAIN GENETICALLY DIVERSE AND SELF-SUSTAINING POPULATIONS IN HUMAN CARE. BY THE END OF 2023, NASHVILLE ZOO DONATED MORE THAN $800,000 IN FINANCIAL SUPPORT, SUPPLIES AND SKILLS TO CONSERVATION EFFORTS AROUND THE WORLD.
Expenses $840,735 · Grants $840,735
-
EDUCATION: OVERALL NASHVILLE ZOO SERVED A TOTAL OF 457,955 INDIVIDUALS THROUGH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING IN 2023.WE HAD 39,502 STUDENTS VISIT THE ZOO THROUGH FIELD TRIPS, COMING FROM 36 DIFFERENT COUNTIES.ATTENDANCE FOR TRADITIONAL PROGRAMMING INCLUDES:*HOMESCHOOL DAYS SERVED 1,417 STUDENTS IN 2023 BETWEEN THE AGES OF 5-14*ZOOTOTS SERVED 2,275 STUDENTS IN AGES 0-4*SCOUT WORKSHOPS SERVED 603 STUDENTS IN 2023*ZOOVENTURES OUTREACH VIRTUAL PROGRAMS SERVED 23,386 STUDENTS*SUMMER CAMPS SERVED 1,170 STUDENTS IN 2023IN ADDITION TO TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM-BASED PROGRAMMING, OUR INTERPRETIVE STAFF SERVED A TOTAL OF 160,398 GUESTS THROUGH INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMMING.
Revenue $638,288
As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.
Listed in Part VII
-
Ed GoodrichED GOODRICH
CHAIRMAN
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 5.26
-
Terry BruggemanTERRY BRUGGEMAN
SECRETARY
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.54
-
Samantha BoydSAMANTHA BOYD
TREASURER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.66
-
Lee BeamanLEE BEAMAN
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0
-
Clara BeldenCLARA BELDEN
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.43
-
Mike BrackenMIKE BRACKEN
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.16
-
Meg CroftonMEG CROFTON
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0
-
Adam DretlerADAM DRETLER
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.26
-
Laurie EskindLAURIE ESKIND
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.28
-
Ryan FluryRYAN FLURY
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.53
-
Tony GiarratanaTONY GIARRATANA
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.08
-
Alice GoldbergALICE GOLDBERG
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.17
-
Jimmy GranberyJIMMY GRANBERY
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.19
-
Jr GreeneJR GREENE
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.39
-
Barbara HagoodBARBARA HAGOOD
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.32
-
Allie HallALLIE HALL
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.22
-
Scott HamiltonSCOTT HAMILTON
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0
-
Diane HollowayDIANE HOLLOWAY
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.08
-
Patrick JohnsonPATRICK JOHNSON
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.17
-
Rhonda Scott KinslowRHONDA SCOTT KINSLOW
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.13
-
Karen MooreKAREN MOORE
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.27
-
Sandra MorganSANDRA MORGAN
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1.05
-
Trish MunroTRISH MUNRO
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.38
-
Monique Horton OdomMONIQUE HORTON ODOM
EX-OFFICIO
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.06
-
Wilson PattonWILSON PATTON
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.07
-
Michael PeacockMICHAEL PEACOCK
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.1
-
Colin ReedCOLIN REED
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0
-
Tim SchoettleTIM SCHOETTLE
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.13
-
Laurie SeaburyLAURIE SEABURY
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.82
-
Alexandra SollbergerALEXANDRA SOLLBERGER
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.13
-
Butch SpyridonBUTCH SPYRIDON
EX-OFFICIO
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.09
-
Barbara TurnerBARBARA TURNER
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.48
-
John WeisenseelJOHN WEISENSEEL
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.19
-
Larry WieckLARRY WIECK
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.35
-
Rick SchwartzRICK SCHWARTZ
PRESIDENT
- Total calculated
- $730,766
- From this org
- $611,831
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $118,935
- Hours/week
- 60
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $603,750
- Bonus
- $5,000
- Other
- $3,081
- Deferred
- $98,864
- Nontaxable benefits
- $20,071
- Filer's total
- $730,766
-
Kim PridgenKIM PRIDGEN
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
- Total calculated
- $232,929
- From this org
- $201,669
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $31,260
- Hours/week
- 50
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $188,669
- Bonus
- $13,000
- Other
- $0
- Deferred
- $21,844
- Nontaxable benefits
- $9,416
- Filer's total
- $232,929
-
Suzanne IlerSUZANNE ILER
CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
- Total calculated
- $152,864
- From this org
- $135,050
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $17,814
- Hours/week
- 50
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $130,050
- Bonus
- $5,000
- Other
- $0
- Deferred
- $14,906
- Nontaxable benefits
- $2,908
- Filer's total
- $152,864
-
Andy TillmanANDY TILLMAN
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
- Total calculated
- $168,622
- From this org
- $143,200
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $25,422
- Hours/week
- 50
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $138,200
- Bonus
- $5,000
- Other
- $0
- Deferred
- $16,522
- Nontaxable benefits
- $8,900
- Filer's total
- $168,622
-
David OehlerDAVID OEHLER
VICE PRESIDENT
- Total calculated
- $238,676
- From this org
- $203,086
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $35,590
- Hours/week
- 50
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $193,086
- Bonus
- $10,000
- Other
- $0
- Deferred
- $22,057
- Nontaxable benefits
- $13,533
- Filer's total
- $238,676
-
Jamie GeselleJAMIE GESELLE
CHIEF HUMAN RESOURSES OFFICER
- Total calculated
- $141,655
- From this org
- $117,437
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $24,218
- Hours/week
- 50
-
Heather SchwartzHEATHER SCHWARTZ
VETERINARIAN
- Total calculated
- $140,884
- From this org
- $135,193
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $5,691
- Hours/week
- 50
-
Chris McBrideCHRIS MCBRIDE
DIRECTOR OF IT
- Total calculated
- $116,006
- From this org
- $106,829
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $9,177
- Hours/week
- 50
Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.
Schedule J
Answered yes
- 3 · Compensation committee
- 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
- 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
- 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
Answered no
- 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
- 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
- 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
- 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
- 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
- 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
- 7 · Other non-fixed payments
- 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception
The filer's explanations (Part III)
- PART I, LINE 4B
- ALL EXECUTIVE TEAM MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN A 457B PLAN - JAMI L. GESELLE. - $8,460.39 SUZANNE S. ILER - $9,380.21 DAVID A. OEHLER - $14,664.69 KIM K. PRIDGEN - $13,719.02 RICK J. SCHWARTZ - $22,500.00 ANDREW K. TILLMAN - $10,584.75
Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.
Grants on this return
-
CONSERVATION
-
CONSERVATION
-
INTERNATIONAL RHINO FOUNDATION
$50,000
CONSERVATION
-
$32,965
CONSERVATION
-
$25,000
CONSERVATION
-
$25,000
CONSERVATION
-
$15,000
CONSERVATION
-
$5,345
CONSERVATION
-
$5,100
CONSERVATION
Provenance
- Return type
- form_990
- Tax year
- 2023
- Filed
- 20 September 2024
- IRS schema version
- 2023v5.1
- Source object
- 202422829349301127
Check it against the return as filed: the GivingTuesday Data Lake hosts a public copy of the original XML.
The source document this was parsed from is served over the API, which is where bulk and document access live.