Nonprofit · EIN 55-0526930
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOOLOGICAL PARKS AND AQUARIUMS INC
Tax-exempt · SILVER SPRING, MD 20910
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $20,870,405 | $18,320,152 | $2,550,253 | $35,169,032 | $10,868,902 | $24,300,130 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $13,318,166 | $12,145,369 | $1,172,797 | $32,978,351 | $11,884,839 | $21,093,512 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $8,444,373
- of which government grants
- $6,285,154
- Program service revenue
- $11,038,226
- Investment income
- $1,385,684
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $640,336
- Other revenue
- $2,122
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $7,326,357
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $1,133,215
- Other salaries and wages
- $3,596,216
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $5,737,081
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $15,598
- Accounting fees
- $51,545
- Occupancy
- $381,409
- Travel
- $314,210
- Depreciation
- $122,139
- Program services (functional)
- $15,793,820
- Management and general (functional)
- $2,251,135
- Fundraising (functional)
- $275,197
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $32,978,351
- Total assets, end of year
- $35,169,032
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $10,868,902
- Net assets, end of year
- $24,300,130
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $548,745
- Publicly traded securities
- $25,335,283
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $14,477,882
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $9,822,248
- Gross unrelated business income
- $280,305
- Gross receipts
- $34,322,909
- Employees
- 50
- Volunteers
- 13
- Year formed
- 1971
- State of legal domicile
- WV
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DANIEL M ASHE | PRESIDENT & CEO Officer | 40 | $537,925 | $36,075 |
| CRAIG M HOOVER | EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Officer | 40 | $258,436 | $27,064 |
| PHILIP F WAGNER | SR. VP OF FINANCE Officer | 40 | $205,906 | $55,294 |
| JOHN C KEENEY JR | GENERAL COUNSEL Highest-paid employee | 40 | $225,953 | $21,745 |
| MELISSA A HOWERTON | SR. VP OF MEMBER SERVICES Highest-paid employee | 40 | $194,944 | $48,171 |
| CANDICE DORSEY | SR. VP CONSERVATION & MGMT Highest-paid employee | 40 | $196,250 | $41,266 |
| SARA WALKER | SR. ADVISOR ON WILDLIFE TR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $186,094 | $19,373 |
| SARAH E MILBERG | SR. VP OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $139,982 | $8,979 |
| DENISE VERRET | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRISTOPHER DOLD | CHAIR-ELECT Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $0 | $0 |
| DWIGHT SCOTT | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $0 | $0 |
| LISA NEW | PAST CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $0 | $0 |
| KYLE BURKS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| BECKY DEWITZ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| ROGER GERMANN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
8 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHARLES HOPPER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| CARRIE LEWIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| LUIS PADILLA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| LISA PETERSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| CHRIS PFEFFERKORN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| DOUGLAS PIEKARZ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| ERIC ROSE | DIRECTOR (UNTIL 9/24) Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| MEGAN ROSS | DIRECTOR (UNTIL 9/24) Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 21 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DANIEL M ASHE | PRESIDENT & CEO Officer | 40 | $572,117 | $33,000 |
| CRAIG HOOVER | EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Officer | 40 | $270,427 | $27,064 |
| PHILIP F WAGNER | SR. VP OF FINANCE Officer | 40 | $205,077 | $44,392 |
| MELISSA HOWERTON | SR. VP OF MEMBER SERVICES Highest-paid employee | 40 | $210,245 | $32,324 |
| JOHN C KEENEY JR | GENERAL COUNSEL Highest-paid employee | 40 | $217,445 | $21,745 |
| CANDICE DORSEY | SR. VP CONSERVATION & MGMT Highest-paid employee | 40 | $202,435 | $36,127 |
| ROBERT VERNON | SR. VP OF COMMUNICATIONS & Highest-paid employee | 40 | $176,953 | $25,590 |
| SARA WALKER | SR. ADVISOR ON WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING Highest-paid employee | 40 | $169,222 | $16,746 |
| LISA NEW | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $0 | $0 |
| DENISE VERRET | CHAIR-ELECT Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRISTOPHER DOLD | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $0 | $0 |
| ADRIENNE ROWLAND | PAST CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $0 | $0 |
| KYLE BURKS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| BECKY DEWITZ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| ROGER GERMANN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| CHARLES HOPPER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRIS PFEFFERKORN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| DOUGLAS PIEKARZ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| ERIC J ROSE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| MEGAN R ROSS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| DWIGHT SCOTT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 8403 COLESVILLE RD STE 710, SILVER SPRING, MD 20910-3397
- In care of
- % PHIL WAGNER
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- DANIEL ASHE, 8403 COLESVILLE ROAD SUITE 710, SILVER SPRING, MD 20910
- Signed the 990
- DANIEL ASHE, PRESIDENT & CEO
- Phone
- (301) 562-0777
- Website
- WWW.AZA.ORG
- Return prepared by
- COHNREZNICK ADVISORY LLC
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.
Program accomplishments
- 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 $6,176,656 · grants $5,923,288
- 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 $3,093,748 · grants $135,373 · revenue $3,086,878
- 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 $2,847,260 · grants $1,171,750
- GOVERNMENT AFFAIRSExpenses $547,165 · grants $5,400
- WILDLIFE TRAFICKING ALLIANCEExpenses $428,782 · grants $1,046
- PUBLIC EDUCATION & COMMUNICATIONExpenses $729,163
- ACCREDITATION & MEMBERSHIPExpenses $1,971,046 · grants $89,500 · revenue $7,559,692
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
- 55-0526930
- 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
- 1972
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Animal-related (D030)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $35,169,032
- Income (IRS master file)
- $34,322,909
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2024 | $20,870,405 | $18,320,152 | $35,169,032 | XML |
| 990-T | December 2024 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2023 | $13,318,166 | $12,145,369 | $32,978,351 | XML |
| 990-T | December 2023 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2022 | $31,309,593 | $28,739,293 | $29,617,587 | 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 55-0526930).
Questions about AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOOLOGICAL PARKS AND AQUARIUMS INC
- What is the EIN of AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOOLOGICAL PARKS AND AQUARIUMS INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOOLOGICAL PARKS AND AQUARIUMS INC is 55-0526930.
- Is AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOOLOGICAL PARKS AND AQUARIUMS INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1972.
- Are donations to AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOOLOGICAL PARKS AND AQUARIUMS INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOOLOGICAL PARKS AND AQUARIUMS INC 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 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOOLOGICAL PARKS AND AQUARIUMS INC 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 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOOLOGICAL PARKS AND AQUARIUMS INC 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 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOOLOGICAL PARKS AND AQUARIUMS INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 names DANIEL ASHE.
- Who are the officers and directors of AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOOLOGICAL PARKS AND AQUARIUMS INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 lists 23 people; 8 received compensation from the organization, the highest $537,925 (DANIEL M ASHE, PRESIDENT & CEO).
- How much revenue does AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOOLOGICAL PARKS AND AQUARIUMS INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 it reported revenue of $20,870,405, expenses of $18,320,152 and total assets of $35,169,032 at year end.
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