Detroit Zoological Society

Analysis

Detroit Zoological Society is a registered charity in United States, based in Royal Oak, MI. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in June 1958, 68 years ago. Its declared purposes cover animal-related, which this site groups under animals. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (gross receipts test) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, Detroit Zoological Society reported income of $54.3m and spending of $56.2m, spending 103% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $46.9m to $54.3m (+16%), an average of +3.7% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2021, when income rose by 77%. Over the whole period it spent 89% of the income it received.

Among 14,470 United States charities whose main cause is animals and that reported income, Detroit Zoological Society sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 99th percentile, and in the 99th percentile within MI. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Seattle Aquarium Society-Seas ($53.3m), National Aquarium Inc ($55.6m) and Rewild ($53.3m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 49% and program service revenue 46% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $1.9m (3.4% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $18.4m. At year end it held assets of $70.8m against liabilities of $9.4m, net assets of $61.4m. It reported 568 employees.