Nonprofit · EIN 59-1259270
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE PALM BEACHES INC
Tax-exempt · WEST PALM BCH, FL 33405
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2025 | 990 | $26,669,019 | $14,594,913 | $12,074,106 | $68,182,329 | $3,031,712 | $65,150,617 |
| September 30, 2024 | 990 | $22,261,365 | $12,815,990 | $9,445,375 | $55,930,410 | $2,857,543 | $53,072,867 |
| September 30, 2023 | 990 | $15,445,592 | $12,562,461 | $2,883,131 | $45,802,463 | $2,182,701 | $43,619,762 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $18,807,152
- of which government grants
- $261,525
- Membership dues
- $935,914
- Program service revenue
- $7,209,481
- Investment income
- $823,905
- Net gain from sales of assets
- -$256
- Net income from fundraising events
- -$846,673
- Net income from sales of inventory
- $675,154
- Other revenue
- -$171,519
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $146,200
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $913,322
- Other salaries and wages
- $4,573,191
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $6,633,034
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $238
- Accounting fees
- $46,863
- Occupancy
- $668,426
- Travel
- $42,308
- Depreciation
- $1,981,564
- Program services (functional)
- $11,410,206
- Management and general (functional)
- $1,777,385
- Fundraising (functional)
- $1,407,322
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $55,930,410
- Total assets, end of year
- $68,182,329
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $3,031,712
- Net assets, end of year
- $65,150,617
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $29,498,559
- Publicly traded securities
- $6,841,748
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $44,500,586
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $20,650,031
- Gross unrelated business income
- $5,400
- Gross receipts
- $27,763,050
- Employees
- 125
- Volunteers
- 113
- Year formed
- 1969
- State of legal domicile
- FL
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 September 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MARGO MCKNIGHT | PRESIDENT/CEO Officer | 40 | $249,399 | $8,508 |
| KATHLEEN BRELAND | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 40 | $180,416 | $5,448 |
| CASEY COY | CHIEF OPERATING & SECURITY OFFICER Officer | 40 | $152,047 | $5,470 |
| RENEE BUMPUS | CHIEF ANIMAL & CONSERVATION OFFICER Officer | 40 | $135,281 | $4,006 |
| TARA SEVAREID | DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES Highest-paid employee | 40 | $111,824 | $4,444 |
| JOE CYTACKI | VP OF GUEST SERVICES Highest-paid employee | 40 | $109,612 | $4,280 |
| DOUGLAS LIPKE | DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE DESIGN & DESIGN DEVELOPMENT Highest-paid employee | 40 | $100,353 | $2,256 |
| MICHELE KESSLER | CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| LUIS J FERNANDEZ | CO-VICE CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| JONATHAN CLAY | CO-VICE CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| GARY E KRIEGER | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| DANIEL J COMERFORD III PHD | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| MAURA Z CHRISTU | AT-LARGE MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| GUILLERMO PEREZ-VARGAS | AT-LARGE MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JOSH MCGRAW | AT-LARGE MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
9 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MATT VALLE | AT-LARGE MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| MARILYN N BEUTTENMULLER ESQ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DEBORAH DAUMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| CAROLINE DEAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| ROBERT B DUNKIN II | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MEI SZE GREENE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MITCH QUAIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| CAROLE MORAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| THOMAS C QUICK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
990 for the year ended September 30, 2024: 26 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MARGO MCKNIGHT | PRESIDENT/CEO Officer | 40 | $250,270 | $8,543 |
| KATHLEEN BRELAND | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 40 | $181,017 | $5,483 |
| CASEY COY | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Officer | 40 | $142,597 | $5,189 |
| RENEE BUMPUS | CHIEF ANIMAL & CONSERVATION OFFICER Officer | 40 | $135,277 | $960 |
| LISA LOOMIS | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Officer | 40 | $125,271 | $960 |
| MICHELE KESSLER | CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| LUIS J FERNANDEZ | CO-VICE CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| JONATHAN CLAY | CO-VICE CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| GARY E KRIEGER | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| DANIEL J COMERFORD III PHD | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| MAURA ZISKA CHRISTU | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MITCH QUAIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| GUILLERMO PEREZ-VARGAS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MATT VALLE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| MARILYN N BEUTTENMULLER ESQ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WHITNEY WOOD BYLIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JULIE CONNORS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DALE H COUDERT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBERT B DUNKIN II | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MEI SZE GREENE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CAROLE MORAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHEN E MYERS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| THOMAS TOM C QUICK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JOSH MCGRAW | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CAROLINE DEAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DEBORAH DAUMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended September 30, 2023: 31 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MARGO MCKNIGHT | PRESIDENT/CEO Officer | 40 | $234,422 | $7,660 |
| KATHLEEN BRELAND | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 40 | $174,604 | $5,100 |
| CASEY COY | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Officer | 40 | $140,304 | $5,160 |
| KAREN CARR HUEBBERS | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER (10/1/22 - 5/26/23) Officer | 40 | $133,898 | $4,013 |
| MICHELE KESSLER | CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| LUIS J FERNANDEZ | VICE CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| GARY E KRIEGER | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| DANIEL J COMERFORD III PHD | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| RUTH BAUM | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| MAURA ZISKA CHRISTU | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MITCH QUAIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| GUILLERMO PEREZ-VARGAS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MATT VALLE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| KANE K BAKER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARILYN N BEUTTENMULLER ESQ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WHITNEY WOOD BYLIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JULIE CONNORS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DALE H COUDERT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBERT B DUNKIN II | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MEI SZE GREENE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSANNA POULSON HAGER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CANDACE CANDY S HAMM | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GEORGE F LADDIE MERCK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CAROLE MORAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHEN E MYERS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| THOMAS TOM C QUICK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| SANDRA S ROONEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOSH MCGRAW | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JONATHAN CLAY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CAROLINE DEAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DEBORAH DAUMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 1301 SUMMIT BLVD, WEST PALM BCH, FL 33405-3035
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- KATHLEEN BRELAND, 1301 SUMMIT BLVD, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33405
- Signed the 990
- KATHLEEN BRELAND, CFO
- Phone
- (561) 533-0887
- Website
- WWW.PALMBEACHZOO.ORG
- Return prepared by
- TEMPLETON & COMPANY LLP
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.
Program accomplishments
- WILDLIFE PROGRAMS:THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE PALM BEACHES IS A FULLY ACCREDITED PUBLIC ZOO CARING FOR OVER 400 ANIMALS, MANY OF WHOM ARE ENDANGERED AND WHOSE NATIVE TERRITORIES ARE THREATENED. THE PRIMARY MISSION OF THE ZOO IS TO INSPIRE THE ALMOST 400,000 GUESTS WHO VISIT THE ZOO ANNUALLY TO TAKE ACTION THAT WILL HAVE A POSITIVE, LIFE-SAVING 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 $10,629,701 · revenue $7,749,686
- CONSERVATION PROGRAMS: THE ZOO IS COMMITTED TO CONSERVATION OF ANIMALS IN THE WILD AND THEIR HOMES IN THE WILD. WE PARTICIPATE IN PROJECTS IN THE FIELD THAT ALIGN WITH OUR MISSION BY PROVIDING MONETARY SUPPORT TO OTHER CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH OUR GRANT PROGRAM AS WELL AS PERFORMING HANDS ON CONSERVATION WORK BOTH WITHIN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY AS WELL AS OTHER WILD AREAS OF THE WORLD. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE SUPPORT OF AVIAN RESEARCH & CONSERVATION INSTITUTE'S SWALLOW TAIL KITE AND SNAIL KITE PROGRAMS AND THE BELIZE ZOO & TROPICAL EDUCATION CENTER'S JAGUAR CONSERVATION PROGRAMS.OUR STAFF WORKS DIRECTLY IN OUR COMMUNITY IN CONSERVATION PROGRAMS INCLUDING THE SWALLOW TAIL KITE AND SNAIL KITE PROGRAMS IN ASSOCIATION WITH PALM BEACH COUNTY'S DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, CORAL MONITORING OFF THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA IN COOPERATION WITH THE FLORIDA WILDLIFE COMMISSION AND SHEDD AQUARIUM, CITIZEN SCIENCE PROGRAMS INCLUDING FROG WATCH AND OTHER SMALLER PROGRAMS THAT ARE SAVING WILDLIFE.Expenses $507,485 · grants $146,200
- EDUCATION PROGRAMS:WE ROLLED OUT A NEW APPROACH TO EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT AT THE ZOO DURING OUR FISCAL YEAR '23 THAT REDEFINES OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO CREATE CONNECTIONS WITH ALL OUR AUDIENCES. WE SPENT THE NEXT YEAR PILOTING THE NEW PROGRAMMING WITH TWO OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS. THE PROGRAMMING PROVIDES A MORE PURPOSEFUL ALIGNMENT OF OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMS WITH OUR CORE MISSION OF INSPIRING PEOPLE TO ACT ON BEHALF OF WILDLIFE. AND THIS YEAR, WE HAVE LAUNCHED A NEW TEEN SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM AS WELL AS A TEEN VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS, PROVIDING A VERY IMPORTANT CONNECTION BETWEEN NATURE AND OUR NEXT GENERATION OF CONSERVATIONISTS.Expenses $273,020 · revenue $129,549
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 September, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | September 30, 2026 | February 16, 2027 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | September 30, 2025 | February 17, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | September 30, 2024 | February 18, 2025 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 59-1259270
- 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
- September
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Animal-related (D500)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $68,182,329
- Income (IRS master file)
- $27,763,050
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | September 2025 | $26,669,019 | $14,594,913 | $68,182,329 | XML |
| 990-T | September 2025 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2024 | $22,261,365 | $12,815,990 | $55,930,410 | XML |
| 990-T | September 2024 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2023 | $15,445,592 | $12,562,461 | $45,802,463 | XML |
| 990-T | September 2023 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2022 | $12,769,380 | $10,785,409 | $43,921,907 | IRS |
| 990-T | September 2022 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-T | September 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 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 59-1259270).
Questions about ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE PALM BEACHES INC
- What is the EIN of ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE PALM BEACHES INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE PALM BEACHES INC is 59-1259270.
- Is ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE PALM BEACHES INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1969.
- Are donations to ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE PALM BEACHES INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE PALM BEACHES 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 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE PALM BEACHES INC due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending September 30, 2026) is due February 16, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE PALM BEACHES INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended September 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE PALM BEACHES INC?
- The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 names KATHLEEN BRELAND.
- Who are the officers and directors of ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE PALM BEACHES INC?
- The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 lists 24 people; 7 received compensation from the organization, the highest $249,399 (MARGO MCKNIGHT, PRESIDENT/CEO).
- How much revenue does ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE PALM BEACHES INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $26,669,019, expenses of $14,594,913 and total assets of $68,182,329 at year end.
Other nonprofits in WEST PALM BCH
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- PEGGY ADAMS ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE OF THE PALM BEACHES INC EIN 59-0637811 · last filed 990 for 2025
- PAWS 2 HELP INC EIN 65-0618157 · last filed 990 for 2025
- DARBSTER FOUNDATION INC EIN 27-0879529 · last filed 990 for 2025
- MCCARTHYS WILDLIFE SANCTUARY INC EIN 65-0807253 · last filed 990 for 2025
- FRIENDS OF MANATEE LAGOON EIN 82-5477621 · last filed 990 for 2025
- MISFIT RESQ INC EIN 27-3955522 · last filed 990-PF for 2024
- ANIMAL RESCUE FORCE OF SOUTH FLORIDA INC EIN 20-3420468 · last filed 990 for 2025