DENVER ZOOLOGICAL FOUNDATION

EIN: 840502539 501(c)(3) Animal-Related

DENVER, CO

Total Revenue
$60,103,137
Total Expenses
$68,912,773
Total Assets
$32,583,107
Net Assets
$20,954,009
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Organization Details

Formation Year
1950
Legal Domicile
CO
Principal Officer
GREG VOCHIS
Phone
7203371400
Tax Period
2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31

DENVER ZOOLOGICAL FOUNDATION, founded in 1950, is a mid-sized nonprofit in the Animal-Related sector that reported $60.1M in total revenue in fiscal year 2024. Expenses of $68.9M exceeded revenue, resulting in a 15% operating deficit.

Mission

INSPIRING COMMUNITIES TO SAVE WILDLIFE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $43,924,554 Revenue: $8,651,665

LIFE SCIENCES: THE DENVER ZOO'S MISSION IS INSPIRING COMMUNITIES TO SAVE WILDLIFE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. THE DENVER ZOO CARES FOR APPROXIMATELY 2,500 ANIMALS, REPRESENTING OVER 400 SPECIES, MANY OF...

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LIFE SCIENCES: THE DENVER ZOO'S MISSION IS INSPIRING COMMUNITIES TO SAVE WILDLIFE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. THE DENVER ZOO CARES FOR APPROXIMATELY 2,500 ANIMALS, REPRESENTING OVER 400 SPECIES, MANY OF WHICH ARE ENDANGERED OR THREATENED. OUR LARGEST PROGRAM AREA IS CARING FOR OUR ANIMAL RESIDENTS WHO CONNECT OUR GUESTS TO WILDLIFE AROUND THE WORLD. DENVER ZOO IS A RECOGNIZED LEADER IN ALL AREAS RELATING TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF CARE FOR OUR ANIMAL COLLECTION AS WE ARE FOCUSED ON PROVIDING THE BEST NUTRITIONAL, EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, AND PHYSICAL CARE POSSIBLE. WITH THE ADDITION OF THE LEMBKE FAMILY PRESERVE, A 570-ACRE PARCEL IN WELD COUNTY, COLORADO, THE DENVER ZOO WILL BE ABLE TO DRAMATICALLY INCREASE ITS HOLDING, BREEDING, RESEARCH AND REINTRODUCTION EFFORTS. ANIMALS AT THE DENVER ZOO RECEIVE THE VERY BEST CARE FROM THEIR DEDICATED ANIMAL CARE STAFF, ANIMAL BEHAVIORISTS, VETERINARY MEDICINE STAFF, AND ZOO NUTRITION AND WELFARE STAFF. OUR ANIMALS ARE BRED UNDER THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS' (AZA) SPECIES SURVIVAL PLAN (SSP), WHICH ENSURES GENETIC DIVERSITY AND HEALTHY POPULATIONS. ANIMAL WELFARE IS EVERYONE'S JOB AT THE DENVER ZOO. THE DENVER ZOO IS ACCREDITED BY THE AZA AND CONSERVATION CERTIFIED BY AMERICAN HUMANE. AN IMPORTANT FIRST SETP IN TACKLING THE GLOBAL ISSUE OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IS FOR PEOPLE TO CONNECT WITH ANIMALS. ONE OF THE UNIQUE BENEFITS OF A ZOO IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO SEE ANIMALS UP CLOSE, WHICH IS TYPICALLY MORE COMPELLING THAN SEEING THEM ON TV OR IN A PUBLICATION.

Program 2
Expenses: $8,520,158 Revenue: $18,137,049

GUEST EXPERIENCES: THE DENVER ZOO EXISTS TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY CONNECT WITH WILDLIFE HERE AND AROUND THE WORLD SO THAT WE CAN ALL BE PART OF THE SOLUTION TO HELPING SPECIES THRIVE. OUR PASSION AND...

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GUEST EXPERIENCES: THE DENVER ZOO EXISTS TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY CONNECT WITH WILDLIFE HERE AND AROUND THE WORLD SO THAT WE CAN ALL BE PART OF THE SOLUTION TO HELPING SPECIES THRIVE. OUR PASSION AND REASON FOR BEING IS TO INSPIRE COMMUNITIES TO SAVE WILDLIFE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. WE ACHIEVE THIS BY PROVIDING AN OUTSTANDING GUEST EXPERIENCE EACH AND EVERY DAY. THE DENVER ZOO MONITORS AND EVALUATES THE GUEST EXPERIENCE THROUGH A MYSTERY SHOPPER PROGRAM, CONSISTENTLY MONITORING ONLINE FEEDBACK, AND EXTENSIVE GUEST SATISFACTION SURVEYS. THE DENVER ZOO CONTINUES TO MAKE A PROFOUND IMPACT, CREATING MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES FOR GUESTS, BOTH AT THE DENVER ZOO AND OFF-SITE IN THE COMMUNITY, ENGAGING CITIZENS THROUGH IMPACTFUL ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS THAT INSPIRE A LIFELONG LOVE OF SCIENCE LEARNING. THE DENVER ZOO IS A PLACE WHERE GUESTS MAKE LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS, LINKING PEOPLE, ANIMALS, AND NATURE. THE DENVER ZOO CONNECTS PEOPLE WITH ANIMALS, INSPIRING THEM TO CHAMPION THE DENVER ZOO'S MISSION TO INSPIRE COMMUNITIES TO SAVE WILDLIFE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. AS AN ACCREDITED ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS (AZA) INSTITUTION, THE DENVER ZOO IS AN IMPORTANT RESOURCE FOR THE DENVER METRO REGION TO UNDERSTAND WILDLIFE AND THE NEED TO CONSERVE THE PLACES ANIMALS LIVE. THE DENVER ZOO IS ALSO AMERICAN HUMANE CERTIFIED, RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE IN ANIMAL WELLBEING. THE DENVER ZOO'S GUESTS LEARN ABOUT THE IMPORTANT ROLE ZOOS HAVE AS LEADERS IN CONSERVATION RESEARCH. THROUGH UP-CLOSE EXPERIENCES, VISITORS EXPERIENCE A STRONGER CONNECTION TO NATURE, CONSIDER THEIR ROLE IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND CONSERVATION ACTION, AND SEE THEMSELVES AS PART OF THE SOLUTION AS A RESULT OF THEIR VISIT. THE DENVER ZOO INSPIRES COMMUNITIES TO SAVE WILDLIFE FOR FUTURER GENERATIONS. OUR COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS PROGRAM ENSURES EQUITABLE ACCESS TO THE ZOO AND OUR WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PROGRAMS FOR ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, THE DENVER ZOO ENSURES AT LEAST 25% OF ANNUAL GUESTS ENJOY THE ZOO AND ZOO PROGRAMS FOR FREE OR SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED FEES.

Program 3
Expenses: $3,492,415 Revenue: $856,154

LEARNING EXPERIENCES: DENVER ZOOS CONSERVATION LEARNING, CONSERVATION ENGAGEMENT, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY RESEARCH & EVALUATION TEAMS AIM TO HELP STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES...

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LEARNING EXPERIENCES: DENVER ZOOS CONSERVATION LEARNING, CONSERVATION ENGAGEMENT, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY RESEARCH & EVALUATION TEAMS AIM TO HELP STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES CONNECT WITH THE ENVIRONMENT, BECOME SCIENTIFIC THINKERS, AND ULTIMATELY CHAMPIONS FOR ANIMALS AND HABITATS. THE DENVER ZOO IS A ONE-OF-A-KIND PLACE WHERE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS CAN EXPERIENCE THE JOY AND WONDERS OF ANIMALS, CONSERVATION, AND THE ENVIRONMENT. THE CONSERVATION LEARNING TEAM PROVIDED A VARIETY OF IN-PERSON LEARNING EXPERIENCES WHICH WERE VERY WELL RECEIVED BY OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS. THE DENVER ZOO HAD NEARLY 87,000 PARTICIPANTS IN EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS IN 2024.

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

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Financial Overview (2024)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $31,883,792
Program Service Revenue $27,682,102
Investment Income $537,243
Other Revenue $0
TOTAL REVENUE $60,103,137

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $364,958
Salaries & Benefits $33,972,949
Fundraising Expenses $2,822,066
Program Expenses $57,589,309
Other Expenses $34,574,866
TOTAL EXPENSES $68,912,773

Year-over-Year Comparison

2024 2023 Change
Revenue $60,103,137 $61,780,844 0.0%
Expenses $68,912,773 $72,480,753 0.0%
Net Income $-8,809,636 $-10,699,909 -0.2%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Governance

Voting Members
13
Independent Members
13
Employees
683
Volunteers
573

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
14
$2,269,004
Total Directors
13
$0
Key Employees
0
$0
Highest Compensated
5
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
MARCELA DE LA MAR CHAIR 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
CHARLES SCOGGIN VICE CHAIR 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
MEREDITH COORS SECRETARY 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
JASON ROMERO VICE CHAIR F 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
DESTA ASFAW BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
BRET BOLIN BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JOLON CLARK BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
OLGA DONAHUE BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ROB KAUFMANN PAST CHAIR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JENN RIDDER BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
CHRIS ROSS BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
REBECCA WILSON MACSOVITS IMMEDIATE PA 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
YOUNGDON YUN BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
BERT VESCOLANI PRESIDENT/CE 45.00
Officer
$582,535 $40,110 $622,645
CHARLIE WRIGHT TREAS./CFO T 45.00
Officer
$102,596 $4,930 $107,526
GREG VOCHIS TREAS./CFO B 45.00
Officer
$144,980 $9,705 $154,685
AMBER CHRISTOPHER COO THRU 4/2 45.00
Officer
$132,227 $11,837 $144,064
CRISTAL TORRES COO BEG 7/24 45.00
Officer
$132,521 $6,521 $139,042
PAT MOREDOCK ASSISTANT SE 40.00
Officer
$101,389 $14,091 $115,480
BRIAN AUCONE CHIEF CONSER 45.00
Officer
$238,095 $21,174 $259,269
NOELLE DELAGE CHIEF COMM. 45.00
Officer
$244,543 $33,542 $278,085
ELKIN ALFRED CHIEF BELONG 45.00
Officer
$159,914 $17,801 $177,715
JACQUE TAYLOR CHIEF OF HUM 45.00
Officer
$246,064 $24,429 $270,493
EMILY INSALACO SR DIR OF WI 45.00
Highest
$158,922 $20,094 $179,016
DEAN PAULSON SR DIR OF IT 45.00
Highest
$157,521 $29,409 $186,930
JIM LEVESQUE SR DIR OF PL 45.00
Highest
$173,975 $18,456 $192,431
STACY VEGA SR DIR OF FI 45.00
Highest
$161,175 $21,411 $182,586
PATRICK PHELAN SR DIR OF GU 45.00
Highest
$156,862 $23,114 $179,976
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 No data No data No data No data
2024 $60,103,137 $68,912,773 $32,583,107 $-8,809,636
2023 $61,780,844 $72,480,753 $45,509,396 $-10,699,909
2022 $57,669,047 $53,497,871 $50,327,766 $4,171,176
2021 $59,658,498 $40,336,824 $46,289,969 $19,321,674
2020 $46,304,543 $47,797,640 $28,196,722 $-1,493,097
2019 $52,738,933 $56,005,660 $29,537,832 $-3,266,727
2018 $43,360,376 $44,612,981 $27,528,572 $-1,252,605
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