Skip to content
Nonprofiteer
← AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOOLOGICAL PARKS AND AQUARIUMS INC

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOOLOGICAL PARKS AND AQUARIUMS INC.

Totals

Total revenue
$13,318,166
Total expenses
$12,145,369
Contributions and grants received
$2,382,069
Grants paid
$1,567,893
Program service revenue
$10,574,040
Investment income
$335,379
Other revenue
$26,678
Total assets, end of year
$32,978,351
Total liabilities, end of year
$11,884,839
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$21,093,512
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$9,625,398
Management and general expenses
$2,244,548
Fundraising expenses
$275,423
Program service expenses (Part III)
$9,625,398

Program services were 79.3% 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.

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $270,832

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $2,111,237

  • 2a · Program service revenue: MEMBERSHIP DUES

    total $6,981,346 · related or exempt $6,981,346

  • 2b · Program service revenue: CONFERENCE FEES

    total $3,039,554 · related or exempt $3,039,554

  • 2c · Program service revenue: ADVERTISING

    total $361,690 · unrelated business $322,710 · excluded $38,980

  • 2d · Program service revenue: ACCREDITATION FEES

    total $184,500 · related or exempt $184,500

  • 2e · Program service revenue: PUBLICATION SALES

    total $6,950 · related or exempt $6,950

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $521,255 · excluded $521,255

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $14,616,247

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

    securities $14,802,123

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities -$185,876

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total -$185,876 · excluded -$185,876

  • 11d · All other revenue

    total $26,678 · related or exempt $26,678

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $26,678

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $1,442,110 · program services $1,442,110

  • 3 · Grants to foreign organizations and individuals

    total $125,783 · program services $125,783

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $1,152,076 · program services $156,993 · management and general $985,550 · fundraising $9,533

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $3,683,982 · program services $2,989,704 · management and general $534,728 · fundraising $159,550

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $298,625 · program services $238,547 · management and general $52,112 · fundraising $7,966

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $368,437 · program services $244,573 · management and general $97,138 · fundraising $26,726

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $309,704 · program services $214,211 · management and general $88,778 · fundraising $6,715

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $10,950 · management and general $996 · fundraising $9,954

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $64,090 · management and general $64,090

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $25,323 · program services $25,323

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $98,030 · management and general $98,030

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $678,559 · program services $665,241 · management and general $13,318

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $793,770 · program services $705,300 · management and general $66,344 · fundraising $22,126

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $297,605 · program services $158,734 · management and general $138,871

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $388,957 · program services $255,351 · management and general $120,187 · fundraising $13,419

  • 17 · Travel

    total $293,321 · program services $213,708 · management and general $75,494 · fundraising $4,119

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $1,907,776 · program services $1,832,398 · management and general $72,190 · fundraising $3,188

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $119,727 · program services $78,601 · management and general $36,995 · fundraising $4,131

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $65,411 · program services $7,866 · management and general $57,545

  • 24a · Other expenses: INCOME TAXES

    total $21,133 · management and general $21,133

  • 24b · Other expenses: OVERHEAD ALLOCATION

    total $0 · program services $270,955 · management and general -$278,951 · fundraising $7,996

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $300 · end of year $300

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $8,865,415 · end of year $4,677,533

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $1,464,336 · end of year $149,648

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $344,632 · end of year $435,943

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

    $2,106,835

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

    $1,495,598

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $612,020 · end of year $611,237

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $14,772,164 · end of year $23,775,518

  • 14 · Intangible assets

    beginning of year $3,515,919 · end of year $3,203,859

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $42,801 · end of year $124,313

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $1,738,338 · end of year $1,382,241

  • 18 · Grants payable

    end of year $48,393

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $5,318,065 · end of year $5,845,165

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $4,782,502 · end of year $4,609,040

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $10,239,216 · end of year $12,488,213

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $7,539,466 · end of year $8,605,299

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

THE ASSOCIATION IS AN EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF ZOOLOGICAL PARKS AND AQUARIUMS IN THE AREAS OF SPECIES CONSERVATION, ANIMAL WELFARE, AND CONSERVATION EDUCATION.

Activities or mission (Part I)

SEE SCHEDULE O

  • CONSERVATION & SCIENCE: AZA FACILITATES, SUPPORTS, PROMOTES AND COORDINATES COOPERATIVE ANIMAL MANAGEMENT, CONSERVATION AND SCIENTIFIC INITIATIVES OF AZA MEMBER INSTITUTIONS. PROGRAM PROVIDES GRANTS FOR CONSERVATION THROUGH THE CONSERVATION GRANTS FUND.

    Expenses $2,909,122 · Grants $1,319,890

  • CONSERVATION EDUCATION: AZA PROVIDES SUPPORT TO AZA MEMBERS IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF ZOO AND AQUARIUM EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO ADVANCE THE UNDERSTANDING OF WILDLIFE. AZA PROVIDES ON-GOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES, BOTH ON SITE AND ONLINE AND THROUGH CONFERENCES, PUBLICATIONS, WEBSITES, NEWSLETTERS, ETC. OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE EXCHANGE OF EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION ON A RANGE OF TOPICS RELEVANT TO THE ZOO AND AQUARIUM COMMUNITY.

    Expenses $2,890,436 · Grants $165,495 · Revenue $3,039,554

  • ACCREDITATION & MEMBERSHIP

    Expenses $2,039,141 · Grants $54,774 · Revenue $7,172,596

  • ENDANGERED SPECIES RELIEF FUND: THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS (AZA) AND THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (FWS) HAVE ENTERED INTO A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT TO IMPLEMENT SECTION 6003(A)(2) OF PUBLIC LAW (P.L.) 117-2, THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT.FWS ENTERED INTO A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH AZA TO PROVIDE REIMBURSEMENTS TO ELIGIBLE FACILITIES THAT CARED FOR NATIVE ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES AND RESCUED AND CONFISCATED WILDLIFE AND THAT EXPERIENCED EARNED REVENUE DECLINES AS A RESULT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. FUNDS WERE DIRECTED TOWARD REIMBURSING ELIGIBLE FACILITIES FOR THE FOLLOWING THREE CAPTIVE CARE CATEGORIES: 1) U.S. NATIVE PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES LISTED (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)

    Expenses $73,421 · Grants $10,444

  • GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

    Expenses $569,273 · Grants $17,290

  • WILDLIFE TRAFICKING ALLIANCE

    Expenses $445,288

  • PUBLIC EDUCATION & COMMUNICATION

    Expenses $698,717 · Revenue $361,890

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

Listed in Part VII

  • Lisa New

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    6
  • Denise Verret

    CHAIR-ELECT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    6
  • Christopher Dold

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    6
  • Adrienne Rowland

    PAST CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    6
  • Kyle Burks

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3
  • Becky Dewitz

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3
  • Roger Germann

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3
  • Charles Hopper

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3
  • Chris Pfefferkorn

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3
  • Douglas Piekarz

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3
  • Eric J Rose

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3
  • Megan R Ross

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3
  • Dwight Scott

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3
  • Daniel M Ashe

    PRESIDENT & CEO

    Total calculated
    $605,117
    From this org
    $572,117
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $33,000
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $522,117
    Bonus
    $50,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $33,000
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $605,117
  • Philip F Wagner

    SR. VP OF FINANCE

    Total calculated
    $249,469
    From this org
    $205,077
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $44,392
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $183,483
    Bonus
    $21,594
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $21,436
    Nontaxable benefits
    $22,956
    Filer's total
    $249,469
  • Craig Hoover

    EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $297,491
    From this org
    $270,427
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $27,064
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $231,493
    Bonus
    $38,934
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $27,064
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $297,491
  • John C Keeney Jr

    GENERAL COUNSEL

    Total calculated
    $239,190
    From this org
    $217,445
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $21,745
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $205,575
    Bonus
    $11,870
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $21,745
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $239,190
  • Robert Vernon

    SR. VP OF COMMUNICATIONS &

    Total calculated
    $202,543
    From this org
    $176,953
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $25,590
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $165,784
    Bonus
    $11,169
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $17,842
    Nontaxable benefits
    $7,748
    Filer's total
    $202,543
  • Candice Dorsey

    SR. VP CONSERVATION & MGMT

    Total calculated
    $238,562
    From this org
    $202,435
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $36,127
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $175,235
    Bonus
    $27,200
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $20,598
    Nontaxable benefits
    $15,529
    Filer's total
    $238,562
  • Sara Walker

    SR. ADVISOR ON WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING

    Total calculated
    $185,968
    From this org
    $169,222
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $16,746
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $156,569
    Bonus
    $12,653
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $16,746
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $185,968
  • Melissa Howerton

    SR. VP OF MEMBER SERVICES

    Total calculated
    $242,569
    From this org
    $210,245
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $32,324
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $178,245
    Bonus
    $32,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $21,587
    Nontaxable benefits
    $10,737
    Filer's total
    $242,569

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 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments

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
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 7
AZA PROVIDED BONUS PAYMENTS TO VARIOUS SENIOR MANAGEMENT STAFF ONCE APPROVED BY THE BOARD CHAIR. THESE BONUSES WERE NOT CONTINGENT ON THE REVENUES OR NET EARNINGS OF THE ORGANIZATION.

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

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
12 November 2024
IRS schema version
2023v5.1
Source object
202433179349302523

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.