MINNESOTA ZOO FOUNDATION

EIN: 510147653 501(c)(3) Animal-Related

APPLE VALLEY, MN

Total Revenue
$14,486,591
Total Expenses
$10,344,349
Total Assets
$18,850,827
Net Assets
$17,785,227
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Financial Vulnerability Assessment (Tuckman-Chang)

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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
1974
Legal Domicile
MN
Principal Officer
JOHN FRAWLEY
Phone
9524319237
Tax Period
2024-07-01 to 2025-06-30

MINNESOTA ZOO FOUNDATION, founded in 1974, is a mid-sized nonprofit in the Animal-Related sector that reported $14.5M in total revenue in fiscal year 2024. Revenue surged 71% from the prior year, signaling strong growth momentum. The organization ran a surplus of $4.1M, a strong 29% operating margin.

Mission

THE MINNESOTA ZOO FOUNDATION IS A 501(C)3 NONPROFIT DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING THE MINNESOTA ZOO'S MISSION TO CONNECT PEOPLE, ANIMALS, AND THE NATURAL WORLD TO SAVE WILDLIFE. WE PROVIDE CRITICAL FUNDING AND RESOURCES TO SUPPORT AND SCALE THE IMPACT OF IMPORTANT ZOO INITIATIVES. WE RELY ON DONOR SUPPORT TO IMPACT THE WELL-BEING OF HUMANS, ANIMALS, AND THE PLANET AND TO MAKE A LASTING DIFFERENCE IN MINNESOTA, AND AROUND THE WORLD.

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Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

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Financial Overview (2024)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $13,764,890
Program Service Revenue $0
Investment Income $619,599
Other Revenue $102,102
TOTAL REVENUE $14,486,591

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $6,417,847
Salaries & Benefits $2,252,020
Fundraising Expenses $1,390,799
Program Expenses $6,880,003
Other Expenses $1,528,533
TOTAL EXPENSES $10,344,349

Year-over-Year Comparison

2024 2023 Change
Revenue $14,486,591 $8,484,895 +0.7%
Expenses $10,344,349 $8,991,857 +0.2%
Net Income $4,142,242 $-506,962 -9.2%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Liquidity & Cash Position

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Altman Z-Score • Liquidity Ratios • Solvency Analysis • Growth Indicators • Efficiency Metrics

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Governance

Voting Members
18
Independent Members
18
Employees
24
Volunteers
150

Governance Policies

Conflict of Interest Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

Operated a School
Operated a Hospital
Provided First Class Travel
Reported Conflict of Interest
Reported Asset Diversion
Excess Benefit Transaction
Made Political Expenditures
Engaged in Lobbying
Operated Donor Advised Fund
Maintained Art Collections
Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
7
$468,698
Total Directors
18
$0
Key Employees
0
$0
Highest Compensated
2
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
BLAKE GRAMS BOARD CHAIR 3.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
SUZANNE GAPPA BOARD VICE CHAIR 3.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
CHET ELLINGSON BOARD SECRETARY 3.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
MARK LARSEN BOARD TREASURER 3.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
AIMEE DAYHOFF TRUSTEE 2.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
CHARLENE JUNDT TRUSTEE 2.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
DALE KIVIMAKI TRUSTEE 2.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JULIE KUNKEL TRUSTEE 2.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ELLIE CROSBY TRUSTEE 2.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JANE PIRTLE TRUSTEE 2.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JEAN TAYLOR TRUSTEE 2.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JENNIFER SHOMENTA MAKI TRUSTEE 2.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JESSICA DAVIS TRUSTEE 2.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
LOUIS DOTH TRUSTEE 2.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
NANCY NORDMEYER TRUSTEE 2.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
PEGGY BURNET TRUSTEE 2.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
PHIL GAARDER TRUSTEE 2.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MATTHEW MCCARTHY TRUSTEE 2.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JAMIE FLAWS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00
Officer
$187,048 $11,104 $198,152
RYAN SWEENEY DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS 40.00
Officer
$106,470 $5,608 $112,078
JOHN FRAWLEY PRESIDENT 10.00
Officer
$80,468 $78,000 $158,468
ELISABETH COMEAUX DIR CORPORATE & FOUNDATION RELATIONS 40.00
Highest
$107,126 $8,591 $115,717
JEFFREY SULZBACH DIRECTOR OF MAJOR GIFTS 40.00
Highest
$122,052 $10,001 $132,053
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2025 $14,486,591 $10,344,349 $18,850,827 $4,142,242
2024 No data No data No data No data
2023 $6,270,098 $9,382,230 $14,549,028 $-3,112,132
2022 $10,864,177 $10,533,077 $17,621,312 $331,100
2021 $7,959,459 $4,964,056 $17,754,103 $2,995,403
2020 $6,244,952 $6,255,107 $13,711,600 $-10,155
2019 $10,999,926 $3,390,223 $13,611,111 $7,609,703
2018 $3,996,423 $4,045,939 $5,716,339 $-49,516
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