Nonprofit · EIN 41-0944885
LAKE SUPERIOR ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Tax-exempt · DULUTH, MN 55807
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $2,922,401 | $2,706,584 | $215,817 | $2,016,353 | $483,156 | $1,533,197 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $2,876,238 | $2,576,156 | $300,082 | $1,749,585 | $434,235 | $1,315,350 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $489,578
- of which government grants
- $276,994
- Program service revenue
- $2,156,256
- Investment income
- $1,508
- Net income from fundraising events
- $18,819
- Net income from sales of inventory
- $188,360
- Other revenue
- $275,059
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $112,443
- Other salaries and wages
- $1,314,311
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $1,613,933
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Accounting fees
- $23,835
- Occupancy
- $186,286
- Depreciation
- $126,513
- Program services (functional)
- $2,262,619
- Management and general (functional)
- $343,907
- Fundraising (functional)
- $100,058
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $1,749,585
- Total assets, end of year
- $2,016,353
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $483,156
- Net assets, end of year
- $1,533,197
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $1,478,579
- Publicly traded securities
- $34,538
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $1,468,817
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $64,380
- Gross unrelated business income
- $36,633
- Gross receipts
- $3,028,106
- Employees
- 84
- Volunteers
- 185
- Year formed
- 1959
- State of legal domicile
- MN
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.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HALEY HEDSTROM | CEO Officer | 40 | $110,663 | $1,780 |
| JAMES LEWIS | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| DODIE BROWN | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KYLE DICKINSON | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOEY ENGSETH | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JULIE BENFIELD | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JENNIFER GARLAND | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NOAH HOBBS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BAILEY OLSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHLEEN PRIVETTE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MIKE POLZIN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ERICA WALLI | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JACOB ZIKMUND | BOARD MEMBER (THRU FEB 2024) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 16 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HALEY HEDSTROM | CEO Officer | 40 | $101,457 | $3,743 |
| JOEY ENGSETH | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSAN WALDIE | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAMES LEWIS | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KALA PEDERSEN | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NICKI BRITTON | BOARD MEMBER (THRU MARCH 23') Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DODIE BROWN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NOAH HOBBS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MAYA MATTKE | BOARD MEMBER (THRU MAY 23') Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BAILEY OLSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHELLE PENSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHLEEN PRIVETTE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MIKE POLZIN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LAURALEE RAUKAR | BOARD MEMBER (THRU AUG. 23') Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRITTA SCHIELKE | BOARD MEMBER (THRU DEC. 23') Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JACOB ZIKMUND | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 7210 FREMONT ST, DULUTH, MN 55807-1854
- In care of
- % PARKS AND RECREATION DEPT
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- JIM LEWIS, 7210 FREMONT STREET, DULUTH, MN 55807
- Signed the 990
- JIM LEWIS, PRESIDENT
- Phone
- (218) 730-4500
- Website
- WWW.LSZOODULUTH.ORG
- Return prepared by
- WIPFLI ADVISORY LLC
Mission
TO PROVIDE CLOSE-UP ANIMAL EXPERIENCES THAT INSPIRE CONNECTIONS TO WILDLIFE AND ACTION TOWARD CONSERVATION IN OUR REGION AND AROUND THE WORLD.
Program accomplishments
- ZOO SERVICES:THE LAKE SUPERIOR ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OPERATES THE CITY-OWNED ZOO THROUGH A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP, PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY ANIMAL CARE, GUEST SERVICES, AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING. AS AN AZA-ACCREDITED INSTITUTION, WE MEET THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF ANIMAL WELFARE, VETERINARY CARE, AND ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE. OUR PROFESSIONAL TEAM MANAGES A COLLECTION OF APPROXIMATELY 300 ANIMALS ACROSS 140 SPECIES, MANY OF WHICH ARE PART OF THE AZA'S SPECIES SURVIVAL PLAN (SSP) PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON CONSERVATION AND POPULATION SUSTAINABILITY. ZOO SERVICES INCLUDES HIRING, TRAINING, AND RETAINING EXPERT ANIMAL CARE STAFF; ENSURING REGULATORY COMPLIANCE AND SAFETY; AND DELIVERING ENGAGING, MISSION-DRIVEN EXPERIENCES TO THE PUBLIC. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, WE SERVE AS A TRUSTED COMMUNITY RESOURCE, A PARTNER IN GLOBAL CONSERVATION, AND A REGIONAL DESTINATION FOR FAMILIES, STUDENTS, AND VISITORS SEEKING MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS WITH WILDLIFE.Expenses $1,691,294 · revenue $1,873,465
- PRESCHOOL:OUR NATURE-BASED PRESCHOOL SERVES CHILDREN AGES 33 MONTHS-5 YEARS OLD. WE PROVIDED FULL-TIME CARE (M-F FROM 8:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.) TO 20 CHILDREN AND PART-TIME CARE TO 20 CHILDREN OVER THE COURSE OF 2024. AS A NATURE-BASED PRESCHOOL, LSZS BRINGS TOGETHER THE TENANTS OF HIGH-QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, WITH A FOCUS ON CONNECTING YOUNG CHILDREN TO ANIMALS AND NATURE FOR THE BENEFIT OF BOTH THE CHILD AND THE NATURAL WORLD. THE PRESCHOOL FOLLOWS AN EMERGENT, PLAY-BASED CURRICULUM WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROJECT-BASED LEARNING ROOTED IN THE CHILDREN'S INTERESTS AND DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS. DAILY WALKING FIELD TRIPS IN THE ZOO OFFER THE CHILDREN RICH EXPERIENCES WITH ANIMALS, NATURE PLAY, AND THE ZOO COMMUNITY. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR FAMILIES WITH FINANCIAL NEED.Expenses $236,456 · revenue $205,511
- EDUCATION:EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING IS ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS OUR ZOO FULFILLS ITS MISSION AND FOSTERS ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION. WE GIVE PARTICIPANTS CLOSE-UP EXPERIENCES WITH ANIMALS TO HELP THEM FEEL EMPATHY, RESPECT, AND CONCERN FOR THAT ANIMAL AND OTHERS LIKE IT. EMOTIONAL ENGAGEMENT COMBINED WITH CONSERVATION MESSAGES HELP INSPIRE OUR AUDIENCES TO IMPROVE THE WORLD FOR ANIMALS AND THEIR NATURAL HABITATS. IN 2024, 11,275 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN 356 EDUCATION PROGRAMS.Expenses $193,464 · revenue $65,177
- MEMBER SERVICES:PROVIDING PERSONALIZED SERVICES TO OUR MEMBERS AND CREATING AWARENESS AMONG THE GENERAL PUBLIC REGARDING OUR MEMBER SERVICES, WHICH INCLUDE UNLIMITED GENERAL ADMISSION, DISCOUNTS ON CAFE AND GIFT SHOP PURCHASES, AS WELL AS GENEROUS DISCOUNTS ON CAMPS AND PARTY RENTALS. WE PARTICIPATE IN THE AZA RECIPROCAL PROGRAM AND THE ASTC PASSPORT PROGRAM ALLOWING OUR MEMBERS TO ENJOY FREE OR DISCOUNTED ADMISSIONS TO OVER 500 ZOOS, AQUARIUMS, MUSEUMS, AND SCIENCE CENTERS. MEMBERS RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE UPDATES ON ZOO EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, AND SPECIAL "MEMBERS ONLY" EVENTS ARE HOSTED IN APPRECIATION FOR THEIR SUPPORT.Expenses $141,405 · revenue $231,710
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 year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | Not on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 41-0944885
- 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
- 1969
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Animal-related (D500)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $2,016,353
- Income (IRS master file)
- $3,028,106
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2024 | $2,922,401 | $2,706,584 | $2,016,353 | XML |
| 990-T | December 2024 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2023 | $2,876,238 | $2,576,156 | $1,749,585 | XML |
| 990-T | December 2023 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2022 | $2,608,501 | $2,704,334 | $1,493,495 | IRS |
| 990-T | December 2022 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-T | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-T | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 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 41-0944885).
Questions about LAKE SUPERIOR ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
- What is the EIN of LAKE SUPERIOR ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of LAKE SUPERIOR ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY is 41-0944885.
- Is LAKE SUPERIOR ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1969.
- Are donations to LAKE SUPERIOR ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does LAKE SUPERIOR ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 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 LAKE SUPERIOR ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 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 LAKE SUPERIOR ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 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 LAKE SUPERIOR ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 names JIM LEWIS.
- Who are the officers and directors of LAKE SUPERIOR ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 lists 13 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $110,663 (HALEY HEDSTROM, CEO).
- How much revenue does LAKE SUPERIOR ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 it reported revenue of $2,922,401, expenses of $2,706,584 and total assets of $2,016,353 at year end.
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