John Ball Zoo

Analysis

John Ball Zoo is a registered charity in United States, based in Grand Rapids, MI. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in May 1951, 75 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, John Ball Zoo reported income of $24.2m and spending of $23.3m, spending 96% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $19.6m to $24.2m (+23%), an average of +5.4% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2021, when income rose by 51%. Over the whole period it spent 85% of the income it received.

Among 14,470 United States charities whose main cause is animals and that reported income, John Ball Zoo sits at the 99th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 97th percentile, and in the 98th percentile within MI. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Akron Zoological Park ($23.9m), Helen Woodward Animal Center ($24.3m) and Espanola Valley Humane Society ($23.9m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 34% and program service revenue 56% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $1.1m (4.9% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $8.1m. At year end it held assets of $29.4m against liabilities of $7.2m, net assets of $22.3m. It reported 554 employees.