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Nonprofiteer
← ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE PALM BEACHES INC

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE PALM BEACHES INC.

Totals

Total revenue
$22,261,365
Total expenses
$12,815,990
Contributions and grants received
$15,100,779
Grants paid
$113,200
Program service revenue
$6,806,441
Investment income
$643,742
Other revenue
-$289,597
Total assets, end of year
$55,930,410
Total liabilities, end of year
$2,857,543
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$53,072,867
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$10,422,908
Management and general expenses
$1,042,249
Fundraising expenses
$1,350,833
Program service expenses (Part III)
$10,422,908

Program services were 81.3% 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

    $910,343

  • 1c · Fundraising events

    $2,351,407

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $331,549

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $11,507,480

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $216,435

  • 2a · Program service revenue: ZOO ADMISSIONS

    total $6,664,480 · related or exempt $6,664,480

  • 2b · Program service revenue: EDUCATION AND MISC

    total $141,961 · related or exempt $141,961

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $638,663 · excluded $638,663

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $5,079

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $0

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $5,079

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $5,079 · excluded $5,079

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $233,477

  • 8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

    $2,351,407

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $1,115,371

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total -$881,894 · excluded -$881,894

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $592,297

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $0

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $592,297 · related or exempt $590,659 · unrelated business $1,638

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $94,180 · program services $94,180

  • 3 · Grants to foreign organizations and individuals

    total $19,020 · program services $19,020

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $796,045 · program services $612,948 · management and general $108,720 · fundraising $74,377

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $4,195,119 · program services $3,233,722 · management and general $582,875 · fundraising $378,522

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $101,350 · program services $77,411 · management and general $20,281 · fundraising $3,658

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $453,244 · program services $342,312 · management and general $45,096 · fundraising $65,836

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $370,096 · program services $288,766 · management and general $50,989 · fundraising $30,341

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $1,876 · management and general $1,876

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $48,137 · management and general $48,137

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $398 · management and general $398

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $728,367 · program services $722,812 · fundraising $5,555

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $15,718 · management and general $4,963 · fundraising $10,755

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $165,000 · program services $103,707 · management and general $46,683 · fundraising $14,610

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $661,357 · program services $644,093 · management and general $8,632 · fundraising $8,632

  • 17 · Travel

    total $52,492 · program services $40,601 · management and general $3,708 · fundraising $8,183

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $1,840,025 · program services $1,789,936 · management and general $45,653 · fundraising $4,436

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $875,440 · program services $764,924 · management and general $27,024 · fundraising $83,492

  • 24a · Other expenses: OUTSIDE SERVICES

    total $744,477 · program services $320,407 · management and general $26,121 · fundraising $397,949

  • 24b · Other expenses: SPECIAL EVENTS - ZOO GU

    total $344,137 · program services $295,788 · fundraising $48,349

  • 24c · Other expenses: OTHER

    total $330,782 · program services $276,739 · management and general $4,462 · fundraising $49,581

  • 24d · Other expenses: ANIMAL FEED PROGRAM EXP

    total $324,478 · program services $324,478

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $654,252 · program services $471,064 · management and general $16,631 · fundraising $166,557

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $3,055,678 · end of year $12,936,005

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $2,885,521 · end of year $1,857,747

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $73,909 · end of year $99,926

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $754,290 · end of year $330,728

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $55,115,287

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $27,590,570

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $27,379,545 · end of year $27,524,717

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $6,096,323 · end of year $6,531,144

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $5,557,197 · end of year $6,650,143

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $783,816 · end of year $841,544

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $1,281,466 · end of year $1,549,178

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $117,419 · end of year $466,821

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $38,903,923 · end of year $42,047,870

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $4,715,839 · end of year $11,024,997

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE PALM BEACHES, INC. EXISTS TO INSPIRE PEOPLE TO ACT ON BEHALF OF WILDLIFE AND THE NATURAL WORLD. WE ADVANCE OUR CONSERVATION MISSION THROUGH ENDANGERED SPECIES PROPAGATION, EDUCATION AND SUPPORT OF CONSERVATION INITIATIVES IN THE FIELD. OUR COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PRACTICES ELEVATES OUR CAPACITY TO INSPIRE OTHERS.

Activities or mission (Part I)

TO INSPIRE PEOPLE TO ACT ON BEHALF OF WILDLIFE AND THE NATURAL WORLD.

  • ANIMAL PROGRAMS & ZOO OPERATIONS:THE PALM BEACH ZOO & CONSERVATION SOCIETY IS A FULLY ACCREDITED PUBLIC ZOO CARING FOR OVER 400 ANIMALS, MANY OF WHOM ARE ENDANGERED AND WHOSE NATIVE TERRITORIES ARE THREATENED. THE PRIMARY FUNCTION OF THE ZOO IS TO INSPIRE THE ALMOST 400,000 GUESTS WHO COME TO THE ZOO ANNUALLY TO TAKE ACTION THAT WILL HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THESE SAME SPECIES IN THE WILD. WE DO THIS THROUGH A SERIES OF DAILY ZOOLOGIST CHATS, TRAINING DEMONSTRATIONS AND UP CLOSE ANIMAL EXPERIENCES FOR THE PUBLIC. INCLUDED WITHIN THIS PRIMARY FUNCTION IS THE OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE ZOO'S GROUNDS, GUEST EXPERIENCES, ANIMAL HABITATS AND A STATE OF THE ART ANIMAL HOSPITAL WHICH PROVIDES BOTH PREVENTATIVE AND RESPONSIVE CARE FOR THE ANIMALS WHO MAKE THEIR HOME AT THE PALM BEACH ZOO.

    Expenses $9,903,997 · Revenue $7,255,139

  • CONSERVATION PROGRAMS:THE ZOO PARTICIPATES IN CONSERVATION PROJECTS IN THE FIELD THAT ALIGN WITH OUR MISSION THROUGH THE PROVISION OF MONETARY SUPPORT TO OTHER CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH OUR GRANT PROGRAM AS WELL AS HANDS ON CONSERVATION WORK IN THE FIELD. OUR STAFF WORKS DIRECTLY IN OUR COMMUNITY AND ABROAD IN PROGRAMS TO PROTECT JAGUARS IN BELIZE IN COOPERATION WITH THE BELIZE ZOO & TROPICAL EDUCATION CENTER, PROTECTING FLORIDA PANTHERS THROUGH OUR PARTICIPATION WITH THE FLORIDA WILDLIFE CORRIDOR, THE SWALLOW TAIL KITE AND SNAIL KITE IN ASSOCIATION WITH PALM BEACH COUNTY'S DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, CORAL AND QUEEN CONCH MONITORING OFF THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA IN COOPERATION WITH THE FLORIDA WILDLIFE COMMISSION, AND WE PROVIDE CITIZEN SCIENCE PROGRAMS INCLUDING FROG WATCH AND OTHER SMALLER PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT OUR MISSION. OUR GRANT PROGRAM FUNDED FIELD WORK IN THE WILD TO ORGANIZATIONS WORKING WITH JAGUAR, GIRAFFE, MALAYAN TIGER, GIANT ARMADILLO AND KITES.

    Expenses $288,880 · Grants $113,200

  • EDUCATION PROGRAMS:THE ZOO ROLLED OUT A NEW APPROACH TO EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT AT THE ZOO DURING FY'24, REDEFINING AND RESTRUCTURING OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO CREATE CONNECTIONS WITH ALL OUR AUDIENCES. WE PILOTED NEW PROGRAMMING WITH TWO NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS WITH MORE PURPOSEFUL ALIGNMENT OF OUR PROGRAMMING WITH OUR MISSION OF CONSERVATION.

    Expenses $230,031 · Revenue $141,961

As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Michele Kessler

    CHAIRMAN

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • Luis J Fernandez

    CO-VICE CHAIRMAN

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • Jonathan Clay

    CO-VICE CHAIRMAN

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • Gary E Krieger

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • Daniel J Comerford III PhD

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • Maura Ziska Christu

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Mitch Quain

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • Guillermo Perez-Vargas

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Matt Valle

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    4

  • Marilyn N Beuttenmuller Esq

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Whitney Wood Bylin

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Julie Connors

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Dale H Coudert

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Robert B Dunkin II

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mei Sze Greene

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Carole Moran

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Stephen E Myers

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Thomas Tom C Quick

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Josh McGraw

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Caroline Dean

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Deborah Dauman

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • Margo McKnight

    PRESIDENT/CEO

    Total calculated
    $258,813
    From this org
    $250,270
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $8,543
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $250,270
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $7,583
    Nontaxable benefits
    $960
    Filer's total
    $258,813

  • Kathleen Breland

    CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $186,500
    From this org
    $181,017
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $5,483
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $181,017
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $5,483
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $186,500

  • Casey Coy

    CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $147,786
    From this org
    $142,597
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $5,189
    Hours/week
    40

  • Lisa Loomis

    CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $126,231
    From this org
    $125,271
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $960
    Hours/week
    40

  • Renee Bumpus

    CHIEF ANIMAL & CONSERVATION OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $136,237
    From this org
    $135,277
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $960
    Hours/week
    40

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 · Independent compensation consultant
  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 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

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

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
14 August 2025
IRS schema version
2023v6.0
Source object
202522269349300442

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