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Nonprofit · EIN 34-6003866

AKRON ZOOLOGICAL PARK

Tax-exempt · AKRON, OH 44307

Financials

$23.9M$18.4M2023$25.2M$18.8M2024
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of AKRON ZOOLOGICAL PARK by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
December 31, 2024990$25,160,371$18,806,803$6,353,568$102,731,475$2,862,327$99,869,148
December 31, 2023990$23,912,106$18,433,843$5,478,263$95,823,320$2,991,291$92,832,029
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$19,250,833
of which government grants
$17,065,924
Program service revenue
$4,950,272
Investment income
$652,195
Royalties
$166
Net gain from sales of assets
$35,226
Net income from fundraising events
$10,236
Net income from sales of inventory
$280,209
Other revenue
$307,071

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$21,756
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$1,514,249
Other salaries and wages
$7,265,339
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$11,308,999
Professional fundraising fees
$0
Legal fees
$89,900
Accounting fees
$36,415
Occupancy
$1,117,197
Travel
$14,331
Depreciation
$2,964,771
Program services (functional)
$15,161,194
Management and general (functional)
$2,622,133
Fundraising (functional)
$1,023,476

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$95,823,320
Total assets, end of year
$102,731,475
Total liabilities, end of year
$2,862,327
Net assets, end of year
$99,869,148
Land, buildings and equipment
$64,144,428
Net assets without donor restrictions
$94,684,371
Net assets with donor restrictions
$5,184,777
Gross receipts
$31,754,605
Employees
356
Volunteers
180
Year formed
1953
State of legal domicile
OH

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
DOUG PIEKARZPRESIDENT & CEO
Officer
50$289,832$71,282
LINDA CRISSCHIEF OPERATING OFFICER & SR. VP
Officer
50$172,568$44,360
PAMELA HOLTZCHIEF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS OFFICER & SR. VP
Officer
50$186,829$24,253
MICHELLE VECTIRELISVP OF PEOPLE & CULTURE
Officer
50$165,019$44,831
VINCENT JEFFRIESVP OF COMMUNICATIONS/EDUCATION
Officer
50$143,105$34,395
BOB LESSNAUVP OF LIFE SCIENCES
Officer
50$143,574$31,590
MELLISSA REED THRU 053124CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER & SR. VP
Officer
50$129,809$32,802
BRITTANY RIZZODIRECTOR OF ANIMAL HEALTH
Highest-paid employee
50$120,766$22,679
TARI KAUFMANDIRECTOR OF FINANCE
Highest-paid employee
50$105,788$14,374
SHANE GOODSR DIRECTOR OF LIFE SCIENCES
Highest-paid employee
50$107,799$10,867
MICHELE SANTANACHAIRMAN
Trustee or director, Officer
1.2$0$0
JOHN SLAGTERVICE-CHAIRMAN
Trustee or director, Officer
0.9$0$0
EDDIE TAYLORVICE-CHAIRMAN
Trustee or director, Officer
0.5$0$0
EREN DEMIRAYSECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
0.6$0$0
BETH REHOTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
0.6$0$0
25 more people on this return
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
CAROLE BECERRATRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.2$0
ROBERT BERKTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.6$0
FRANK BEVILACQUATRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.6$0
PATRICK BRAVOTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.3$0
VERONICA COOK EUELLTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.4$0
DAVE FREDERICKTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.2$0
RYAN FULMERTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.4$0
ANUSHA GIBSONTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.2$0
LEIGH GREENFELDERTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.2$0
CAROL HULSEMANNTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.3$0
RON KLEINMANTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.2$0
DAVID KOLYTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.3$0
ROBERT LITTMANTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.2$0
PAT MCMAHONTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.1$0
CATHRYN O'MALLEYTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.1$0
NANCY RAYTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.5$0
GLORIA RODGERSTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.2$0
BETHANNE SCRUGGSTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.2$0
JIM SNIDERTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.7$0
CRAIG STANLEYTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.5$0
BEN SUTTONTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.5$0
STEVE TAYLORTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.5$0
TOM TEODOSIOTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.1$0
CANDICE WATKINSTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.4$0
SOPHIE VEILLETTETRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.7$0
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 40 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
DOUG PIEKARZPRESIDENT & CEO
Officer
50$275,062$67,473
MELLISSA REEDCHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER & SR VP
Officer
50$182,554$48,135
LINDA CRISSCHIEF OPERATING OFFICE & SR VP
Officer
50$160,012$42,241
PAMELA HOLTZCHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER & SR VP
Officer
50$176,716$22,449
MICHELLE VECTIRELISVICE-PRESIDENT PEOPLE & CULTURE
Officer
50$148,203$45,564
VINCE JEFFRIESVICE-PRESIDENT COMMUNICATION/EDUCATION
Officer
50$120,559$28,792
TARI KAUFMANDIRECTOR OF FINANCE
Highest-paid employee
50$105,229$24,436
BRITTANY RIZZODIRECTOR OF ANIMAL HEALTH
Highest-paid employee
50$106,859$21,984
CHRISTOPHER RODDYSR DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES & GROUNDS
Highest-paid employee
50$109,215$13,124
BOB LESSNAU START 7623VICE-PRESIDENT OF LIFE SCIENCES
Officer
50$61,132$9,344
MICHELE SANTANACHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
1.3$0$0
JOHN SLAGTERVICE-CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
0.5$0$0
EDDIE TAYLORVICE-CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
0.4$0$0
EREN DEMIRAYSECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
0.5$0$0
BETH REHOTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
0.6$0$0
CAROLE BECERRATRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.3$0$0
ROBERT BERKTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.2$0$0
FRANK BEVILACQUATRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.7$0$0
PATRICK BRAVOTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.2$0$0
CANDICE CARLYONTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.3$0$0
VERONICA COOK EUELLTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.3$0$0
DAVE FREDERICKTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.2$0$0
RYAN FULMERTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.3$0$0
ANUSHA GIBSONTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.2$0$0
LEIGH GREENFELDERTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.3$0$0
DAVID HAMILTONTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.1$0$0
CAROL HULSEMANNTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.3$0$0
RON KLEINMANTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.2$0$0
DAVID KOLYTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.4$0$0
ROBERT LITTMANTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.3$0$0
PAT MCMAHONTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.2$0$0
NANCY RAYTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.3$0$0
GLORIA RODGERSTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.2$0$0
BETHANNE SCRUGGSTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.2$0$0
JIM SNIDERTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.6$0$0
CRAIG STANLEYTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.4$0$0
BEN SUTTONTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.4$0$0
STEVE TAYLORTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.3$0$0
TOM TEODOSIOTRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.2$0$0
SOPHIE VEILLETTETRUSTEE
Trustee or director
0.6$0$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
500 EDGEWOOD AVE, AKRON, OH 44307-2114
Principal officer (990 for 2024)
DOUG PIEKARZ, 500 EDGEWOOD AVE, AKRON, OH 443072199
Signed the 990
DOUG PIEKARZ, PRESIDENT/CEO
Phone
(330) 375-2550
Return prepared by
SIKICH LLC

Mission

WE CONNECT YOUR LIFE TO WILDLIFE WHILE INSPIRING LIFELONG LEARNING AND CONSERVATION ACTION.

990 for the year ended December 31, 2024

Program accomplishments

  • HORTICULTURE & PRESERVATIONTHE MISSION OF THE HORTICULTURE AND PRESERVATION PROGRAM IS TO FOSTER A CONNECTION WITH WILDLIFE AND A DESIRE TO PROTECT WILD PLACES BY CREATING A POSITIVE GUEST EXPERIENCE. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH IMMERSIVE THEMING THROUGH LANDSCAPE PLANTS, HIGHLIGHTING THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PLANTS AND ANIMALS, AND THE DEMONSTRATION OF SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPING PRACTICES. THE AKRON ZOO IS AN ACCREDITED PUBLIC GARDEN THROUGH THE AMERICAN PUBLIC GARDENS ASSOCIATION (APGA) AND MAINTAINS A WIDE COLLECTION OF UNIQUE PLANTS FOR DISPLAY AND EDUCATION PURPOSES. ALL LANDSCAPING AT THE ZOO IS DESIGNED TO INCLUDE NATIVE PLANT SPECIES, DROUGHT-TOLERANT SPECIES, HOST OR FOOD PLANTS FOR NATIVE WILDLIFE, AND OTHER ECOLOGICALLY-BENEFICIAL PLANTS. THE AKRON ZOO GARDENS INCLUDE A MONARCH WAYSTATION. AS CONSERVATORS OF WILDLIFE, THE AKRON ZOO DOES NOT INSTALL INVASIVE OR POTENTIALLY INVASIVE PLANTS.PROVIDED 365 DAYS OF FACILITY MAINTENANCE.
    Expenses $6,422,096
  • ANIMAL CAREFROM AFRICAN LIONS TO MICROSCOPIC CORAL, THE AKRON ZOO PROVIDES CARE TO OVER 3,108 ANIMALS REPRESENTING APPROXIMATELY 230 SPECIES. PARTICIPATION IN CONSERVATION PROGRAMS, (I.E. CORAL REEF RESTORATION, WHITE WING WOOD DUCK RESEARCH) AND SPECIES SURVIVAL PLANS IS AN IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF THE ANIMAL CARE PROGRAM. THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS, THE ZOO IS ACTIVELY SAVING WILDLIFE AND THEIR HABITATS, AS WELL AS TAKING A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ENDANGERED SPECIES (I.E. RED WOLF, NORTH AMERICAN SONGBIRDS, SNOW LEOPARDS).IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SPECIES SURVIVAL EFFORTS, THE ANIMAL CARE PROGRAM PROVIDES INDIVIDUALIZED HUSBANDRY, VETERINARY CARE, NUTRITION, ENRICHMENT, WELFARE AND TRAINING TO EACH ANIMAL.PROVIDED 365 DAYS OF ANIMAL CARE.
    Expenses $4,121,009
  • MEMBERSHIP AND GUEST SERVICES: THE AKRON ZOO'S MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ANYONE TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE ZOO BY PURCHASING AN ANNUAL PASS. THERE ARE MULTIPLE OPTIONS FROM AN INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP TO A FAMILY DELUXE MEMBERSHIP TO ACCOMMODATE A RANGE OF FAMILY SIZES AND NEEDS. EACH MEMBERSHIP COMES WITH BENEFITS SUCH AS UNLIMITED FREE ADMISSION TO THE ZOO YEAR ROUND, FREE PARKING, DISCOUNTS ON PURCHASES IN THE GIFTSHOP, SPECIAL MEMBER ONLY EVENTS AND PREVIEWS OF NEW AREAS, DISCOUNTED ADMISSION TO OVER 150 ACCREDITED ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS NATIONWIDE, AND DISCOUNTS ON EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND SPECIAL EVENTS LIKE BOO AT THE ZOO AND WILD LIGHTS. THE ZOO'S MEMBERSHIP HOUSEHOLDS TOTALS AROUND 14,000. THE ZOO'S GUEST SERVICES INCLUDE GUEST EXPERIENCES, FOOD SERVICE AND GIFT SHOP. THE ZOO WELCOMES GUESTS THROUGH OUR WELCOME CENTER WHERE GUESTS CAN PURCHASE ADMISSION AT OUR TICKET COUNTER BEFORE ENTERING THE ZOO. THROUGHOUT THE ZOO, THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GUESTS TO ENJOY ACTIVITIES SUCH AS CAROUSEL AND TRAIN RIDES, PURCHASE CRACKERS TO FEED OUR GOATS OR EXPERIENCE VIRTUAL REALITY ON OUR VIRTUAL REALITY RIDE. ALL OF THESE ACTIVITIES GENERATE REVENUE TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS. OUR KOMODO KINGDOM CAFE PROVIDES FOOD OPTIONS YEAR ROUND TO GUESTS, WE ALSO HAVE MULTIPLE STANDS THROUGHOUT THE PARK THAT PROVIDE SEASONAL OFFERINGS DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS AND SELECT SPECIAL EVENTS. IN TOTAL WE HAVE FIVE LOCATIONS WHERE GUESTS CAN PURCHASE FOOD AND BEVERAGES. THE GIFT SHOP OFFERS GUESTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO REMEMBER THEIR VISIT WITH A SOUVENIR OR GIFT. THE MAIN SHOP IS IN THE WELCOME CENTER AND GUESTS EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP TO EXIT THE ZOO. THERE IS ALSO A CART JUST INSIDE THE ENTRANCE TO THE ZOO THAT OFFERS SCOOTER AND STROLLER RENTALS, AS WELL AS SOME SELECT ITEMS SUCH AS HATS AND SUNGLASSES.
    Expenses $1,782,715 · grants $21,756 · revenue $3,543,762
  • EDUCATIONTHE EDUCATION PROGRAM SUPPORTS THE MISSION OF THE ZOO. THROUGH EDUCATION WE WORK TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO WILDLIFE AND FOSTER APPRECIATION FOR OUR NATURAL WORLD. COMBINED WITH OTHER METHODS, EDUCATION CAN HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN SAVING WILDLIFE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. PROGRAMS WERE CONDUCTED ON AND OFF SITE TO A VARIETY OF AUDIENCES. PROGRAMS ARE FEE BASED TO GENERATE REVENUE, AS WELL AS, GRANT FUNDED TO SUPPORT LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND UNDERSERVED AUDIENCES. HABITAT SIGNAGE, ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS AND PRESENTATIONS, DISCOVERY CARTS, AND INTERACTIVE AREAS ARE WAYS TO EDUCATE AND CONNECT WITH GUESTS WHILE AT THE ZOO AND HELPS ACCOMPLISH OUR MISSION.57,102 PARTICIPANTS SERVED.
    Expenses $1,698,442 · revenue $339,461
  • SPECIAL AND GROUP EVENTS: THE AKRON ZOO HOSTS AROUND 90 EVENTS ANNUALLY. THESE EVENTS RANGE FROM EVENTS THAT FOCUS ON CONNECTING CHILDREN TO ANIMALS SUCH AS INTERNATIONAL RED PANDA DAY OR WORLD TURTLE DAY, TO ADULT ONLY AFTER HOUR EVENTS SUCH AS BREW AT THE ZOO OR LOCKEDZOO. TWO OF OUR LARGEST EVENTS ARE BOO AT THE ZOO IN OCTOBER AND WILD LIGHTS, WHICH STARTS IN LATE NOVEMBER AND RUNS THROUGH DECEMBER. THE ZOO OFFERS A VARIETY OF RENTAL OPTIONS AND PROGRAMS INCLUDING BIRTHDAY PARTY PACKAGES, PICNIC RENTALS, AFTER HOURS RENTALS OF A SPECIFIC AREA OF THE ZOO, LIKE PRIDE OF AFRICA, OR THE ENTIRE ZOO. WE HAVE THREE SPECIFIC AREAS THAT CAN BE RENTED DURING THE DAY WHEN WE ARE OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, THESE INCLUDE NATURE'S VIEW. THIS SPACE ACCOMMODATES 40 PEOPLE AND IS OFTEN RENTED FOR BABY SHOWERS, BRIDAL SHOWERS OR CORPORATE RETREATS/MEETINGS. THERE ARE ALSO TWO PICNIC PAVILION AVAILABLE FOR RENT. EACH PAVILION ACCOMODATES 125 TO 150 PEOPLE. THE PAVILIONS ARE OFTEN RENTED FOR CORPORATE PICNICS, FAMILY REUNIONS OR SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS LIKE GRADUATION PARTIES.
    Expenses $1,136,932 · revenue $1,067,049

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

Tax yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025December 31, 2025May 15, 2026Not on file
2024December 31, 2024May 15, 2025990 on file
2023December 31, 2023May 15, 2024990 on file

IRS record

EIN
34-6003866
Tax-exempt status
501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
Foundation status
Publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))
Donations deductible (Pub 78)
Public charity, 50% deduction limit
Exempt since
1952
Accounting year ends
December
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Category (NTEE)
Animal-related (D500)
Assets (IRS master file)
$102,731,475
Income (IRS master file)
$31,754,605

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990December 2024$25,160,371$18,806,803$102,731,475XML
990December 2023$23,912,106$18,433,843$95,823,320XML
990December 2022$21,451,189$16,779,078$89,255,955IRS
990December 2021–––IRS
990December 2020–––IRS
990December 2018–––IRS

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 34-6003866).

Questions about AKRON ZOOLOGICAL PARK

What is the EIN of AKRON ZOOLOGICAL PARK?
The employer identification number (EIN) of AKRON ZOOLOGICAL PARK is 34-6003866.
Is AKRON ZOOLOGICAL PARK tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1952.
Are donations to AKRON ZOOLOGICAL PARK tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does AKRON ZOOLOGICAL PARK file?
Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
When is the next return of AKRON ZOOLOGICAL PARK due?
The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending December 31, 2025) is due May 15, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did AKRON ZOOLOGICAL PARK last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2024.
Who is the principal officer of AKRON ZOOLOGICAL PARK?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 names DOUG PIEKARZ.
Who are the officers and directors of AKRON ZOOLOGICAL PARK?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 lists 40 people; 10 received compensation from the organization, the highest $289,832 (DOUG PIEKARZ, PRESIDENT & CEO).
How much revenue does AKRON ZOOLOGICAL PARK have?
On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 it reported revenue of $25,160,371, expenses of $18,806,803 and total assets of $102,731,475 at year end.

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