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HOUSTON ZOO INC: Form 990, tax year 2019

View the entire original 990 at ProPublica ↗

Organization
HOUSTON ZOO INC (EIN 74-1590271)
Tax period
2019-01-01 to 2019-12-31
Filed
2020-11-13
IRS object ID
202003189349303240
Schema version
2019v5.0
Source
Download XML · Original 990 at ProPublica

Every field in the e-filed return. Faint text is the IRS element name, for citing.

Return header ReturnHeader

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Return2020-11-13T07:53:39-08:00ReturnTs
Tax Period End2019-12-31TaxPeriodEndDt

Preparer Firm PreparerFirmGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Preparer Firm EIN760269860PreparerFirmEIN

Preparer Firm Name PreparerFirmName

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name Line1Blazek & VetterlingBusinessNameLine1Txt

Preparer US Address PreparerUSAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line12900 Weslayan Suite 200AddressLine1Txt
CityHoustonCityNm
State AbbreviationTXStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP77027ZIPCd
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Return Type990ReturnTypeCd
Tax Period Begin2019-01-01TaxPeriodBeginDt

Filer Filer

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
EIN741590271EIN

Business Name BusinessName

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name Line1Houston Zoo IncBusinessNameLine1Txt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name ControlHOUSBusinessNameControlTxt
Phone7135336501PhoneNum

US Address USAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line11513 CambridgeAddressLine1Txt
CityHoustonCityNm
State AbbreviationTXStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP77030ZIPCd

Business Officer BusinessOfficerGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
PersonLee EhmkePersonNm
Person TitlePresident & CEOPersonTitleTxt
Signature2020-11-13SignatureDt
Discuss With Paid PreparerYes (true)DiscussWithPaidPreparerInd

Preparer Person PreparerPersonGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Preparer PersonBarbara MurphyPreparerPersonNm
PTINP01386215PTIN
Phone7134395739PhoneNum
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Tax2019TaxYr
Build TS2021-01-29 14:40:06ZBuildTS

Form 990 IRS990

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Principal OfficerLee EhmkePrincipalOfficerNm

US Address USAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line11513 CambridgeAddressLine1Txt
CityHoustonCityNm
State AbbreviationTXStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP77030ZIPCd
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Gross Receipts$87,957,811GrossReceiptsAmt
Group Return For AffiliatesfalseGroupReturnForAffiliatesInd
Organization501c3Yes (X)Organization501c3Ind
Website Addresswww.houstonzoo.orgWebsiteAddressTxt
Type Of Organization CorpYes (X)TypeOfOrganizationCorpInd
Formation1920FormationYr
Legal Domicile StateTXLegalDomicileStateCd
Activity Or MissionWe strive to be a zoo that practices exemplary animal care, delivers an outstanding guest experience, creates a workplace that instills respect and teamwork, provides learning opportunities, promotes conservation awareness, and inspires community support.ActivityOrMissionDesc
Voting Members Governing Body37VotingMembersGoverningBodyCnt
Voting Members Independent37VotingMembersIndependentCnt
Total Employee675TotalEmployeeCnt
Total Volunteers937TotalVolunteersCnt
Total Gross UBI$0TotalGrossUBIAmt
PY Contributions Grants$65,803,520PYContributionsGrantsAmt
CY Contributions Grants$32,441,395CYContributionsGrantsAmt
PY Program Service Revenue$36,675,604PYProgramServiceRevenueAmt
CY Program Service Revenue$40,199,677CYProgramServiceRevenueAmt
PY Investment Income$838,342PYInvestmentIncomeAmt
CY Investment Income$1,325,179CYInvestmentIncomeAmt
PY Other Revenue-$89,080PYOtherRevenueAmt
CY Other Revenue-$33,920CYOtherRevenueAmt
PY Total Revenue$103,228,386PYTotalRevenueAmt
CY Total Revenue$73,932,331CYTotalRevenueAmt
PY Grants And Similar Paid$2,950,497PYGrantsAndSimilarPaidAmt
CY Grants And Similar Paid$3,383,437CYGrantsAndSimilarPaidAmt
CY Benefits Paid To Members$0CYBenefitsPaidToMembersAmt
PY Salaries Comp Emp Bnft Paid$26,052,083PYSalariesCompEmpBnftPaidAmt
CY Salaries Comp Emp Bnft Paid$27,503,498CYSalariesCompEmpBnftPaidAmt
PY Total Prof Fndrsng Expns$85,282PYTotalProfFndrsngExpnsAmt
CY Total Prof Fndrsng Expns$156,000CYTotalProfFndrsngExpnsAmt
CY Total Fundraising Expense$3,988,520CYTotalFundraisingExpenseAmt
PY Other Expenses$20,770,323PYOtherExpensesAmt
CY Other Expenses$21,854,047CYOtherExpensesAmt
PY Total Expenses$49,858,185PYTotalExpensesAmt
CY Total Expenses$52,896,982CYTotalExpensesAmt
PY Revenues Less Expenses$53,370,201PYRevenuesLessExpensesAmt
CY Revenues Less Expenses$21,035,349CYRevenuesLessExpensesAmt
Total Assets BOY$226,345,789TotalAssetsBOYAmt
Total Assets EOY$253,408,258TotalAssetsEOYAmt
Total Liabilities BOY$9,395,135TotalLiabilitiesBOYAmt
Total Liabilities EOY$14,013,189TotalLiabilitiesEOYAmt
Net Assets Or Fund Balances BOY$216,950,654NetAssetsOrFundBalancesBOYAmt
Net Assets Or Fund Balances EOY$239,395,069NetAssetsOrFundBalancesEOYAmt
MissionConnect communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife.MissionDesc
Significant New Program SrvcfalseSignificantNewProgramSrvcInd
Significant ChangefalseSignificantChangeInd
Expense$39,615,013ExpenseAmt
Revenue$38,765,314RevenueAmt
DescAspiring to be one of the best zoos in the country, the Houston Zoo is focused on ensuring that visitors from both within and outside the Houston area feel like they have been as close to the wild as they can get. The Houston Zoo's animal care team, Conservation Education Department, Zoo Rangers, and our Guest Relations personnel lead this effort.The Zoo's animal keepers provide uncompromising excellence in animal care as well as world class guest experiences. During this reporting period, the Houston Zoo animal care participated in Meet the Keeper talks, behind-the-scenes tours, and many other personal animal experiences for our guests which encourage appreciation and empathy for animals in the zoo and in the wild. These experiences help our guests understand how they can help save animals in the wild and how the Houston Zoo directly supports the conservation of various species across the globe. Providing diverse learning experiences, the Houston Zoo's Education Department promotes connections with the natural world, empowering our guests to inquire, act, and conserve. During this reporting period, the Houston Zoo's Education Department personnel conducted interpretive programs on the grounds reaching approximately 481,327 participants.The Zoo is also committed to ensuring all Houstonians, regardless of means, have access to the Zoo. The Zoo ranks in the bottom 50% of zoo admission prices for comparable accredited zoos in the United States and below average for Texas zoos and similar local attractions. Guests are offered free or heavily discounted pricing through multiple programs. Lone Star Card program - Admission of up to 2 adults and 3 children for $5.25 each when card is presented. Military program - Admission of up to 2 adults and 3 children at 50% discount with military ID. Schools and Groups - Free admission to all schools (school children, teachers and chaperones), within the Houston city limits, accredited by the Texas Education Agency or the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission. Free Days - Free admission to the public on the first Tuesday of each month from September to May. Lone Star, Schools Active Military & Groups Free Days Total 2019 186,010 112,053 53,081 351,144 2018 186,523 107,880 57,033 351,436Desc

Prog Srvc Accom Acty2 ProgSrvcAccomActy2Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Expense$4,354,596ExpenseAmt
Grant$3,383,437GrantAmt
DescThe Houston Zoos Wildlife Conservation Program was initiated in 2004 to facilitate leadership in conservation efforts related to the survival of threatened wildlife, the wise use of natural resources, and the appreciation of our natural world. As of fiscal year 2019, we currently support 42 projects in 22 countries around the world including the US. Accordingly, the Houston Zoo has committed 6% of its annual operating budget to support this program, which compares favorably with other zoos, most of which do not make such substantial commitments to conservation from their operating budgets.The Houston Zoo recognizes the need to work both close to home, supporting a number of wildlife reintroduction projects right here in Texas, and also across the globe where we support critical efforts aligned with the animals we house here at the Houston Zoo. These programs quite often focus not only on wildlife but as much on the support of the human communities living with those species on a daily basis. We believe conservation is not just about saving species but about improving the lives of the local communities so they see the benefits of protecting animals in the wild. Through partnerships with local, national, and international conservation agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), such as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Houston Zoo actively participates in programs designed to protect both animals and their natural habitats worldwide.Desc

Prog Srvc Accom Acty3 ProgSrvcAccomActy3Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Expense$2,021,938ExpenseAmt
Revenue$1,434,363RevenueAmt
DescThe Zoos conservation education programs offer a continuum of learning from birth to adulthood including fee-based educational programs, on-site live interpretation, adult volunteers and interns, and interpretive planning. Fee-based programs include family programs, early childhood programs, summer camp, overnights and ZooMobiles.Conservation Education Programs (1/1/2019 to 12/31/1019): Total persons served: 517,865 (includes onsite guest interactions by staff, teens and volunteer interpreters, pre-schedule fee-based programming) Pro-bono programming: The Houston Zoo values being a Zoo for All. Conservation Education supports this value by offering free weeklong summer camp experiences for need-based children ages 4-16. In addition, 20% of our ZooMobile programs are pro-bono for the community and we award college scholarships to our Zoo Crew teens that are graduating out of the program to college. Summer Camp scholarships: 223 campersZooMobile programs: 64 programs reaching approx. 5,407 peopleZoo Crew teen college scholarships: 4 teens36 projects in 21 countries in 2019Desc
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Program Service Expenses$45,991,547TotalProgramServiceExpensesAmt
Described In Section501c3Yes (true)DescribedInSection501c3Ind
Schedule B RequiredYes (true)ScheduleBRequiredInd
Political Campaign ActyfalsePoliticalCampaignActyInd
Lobbying ActivitiesfalseLobbyingActivitiesInd
Subject To Proxy TaxfalseSubjectToProxyTaxInd
Donor Advised FundfalseDonorAdvisedFundInd
Conservation EasementsfalseConservationEasementsInd
Collections Of ArtYes (true)CollectionsOfArtInd
Credit CounselingYes (true)CreditCounselingInd
Donor Rstr Or Quasi EndowmentsYes (true)DonorRstrOrQuasiEndowmentsInd
Report Land Building EquipmentYes (true)ReportLandBuildingEquipmentInd
Report Investments Other SecfalseReportInvestmentsOtherSecInd
Report Program Related InvstfalseReportProgramRelatedInvstInd
Report Other AssetsfalseReportOtherAssetsInd
Report Other LiabilitiesfalseReportOtherLiabilitiesInd
Include FIN48 FootnotefalseIncludeFIN48FootnoteInd
Independent Audit Fincl StmtYes (true)IndependentAuditFinclStmtInd
Consolidated Audit Fincl StmtfalseConsolidatedAuditFinclStmtInd
School OperatingfalseSchoolOperatingInd
Foreign OfficefalseForeignOfficeInd
Foreign ActivitiesYes (true)ForeignActivitiesInd
More Than5000 K To OrgYes (true)MoreThan5000KToOrgInd
More Than5000 K To IndividualsYes (true)MoreThan5000KToIndividualsInd
Professional FundraisingYes (true)ProfessionalFundraisingInd
Fundraising ActivitiesYes (true)FundraisingActivitiesInd
Gaming ActivitiesfalseGamingActivitiesInd
Operate HospitalfalseOperateHospitalInd
Grants To OrganizationsYes (true)GrantsToOrganizationsInd
Grants To IndividualsYes (true)GrantsToIndividualsInd
Schedule J RequiredYes (true)ScheduleJRequiredInd
Tax Exempt BondsfalseTaxExemptBondsInd
Engaged In Excess Benefit TransfalseEngagedInExcessBenefitTransInd
PY Excess Benefit TransfalsePYExcessBenefitTransInd
Loan OutstandingfalseLoanOutstandingInd
Grant To Related PersonfalseGrantToRelatedPersonInd
Business Rln With Org MemfalseBusinessRlnWithOrgMemInd
Business Rln With Fam MemfalseBusinessRlnWithFamMemInd
Business Rln With35 Ctrl EntfalseBusinessRlnWith35CtrlEntInd
Deductible Non Cash ContriYes (true)DeductibleNonCashContriInd
Deductible Art ContributionfalseDeductibleArtContributionInd
Terminate OperationsfalseTerminateOperationsInd
Partial LiquidationfalsePartialLiquidationInd
Disregarded EntityfalseDisregardedEntityInd
Related EntityfalseRelatedEntityInd
Related Organization Ctrl EntfalseRelatedOrganizationCtrlEntInd
Trnsfr Exmpt Non Chrtbl Rltd OrgfalseTrnsfrExmptNonChrtblRltdOrgInd
Activities Conducted PrtshpfalseActivitiesConductedPrtshpInd
Schedule O RequiredYes (true)ScheduleORequiredInd
IRP Document188IRPDocumentCnt
IRP Document W2 G0IRPDocumentW2GCnt
Backup Wthld ComplianceYes (true)BackupWthldComplianceInd
Employee675EmployeeCnt
Employment Tax Returns FiledYes (true)EmploymentTaxReturnsFiledInd
Unrelated Bus Incm Over LimitfalseUnrelatedBusIncmOverLimitInd
Foreign Financial AccountfalseForeignFinancialAccountInd
Prohibited Tax Shelter TransfalseProhibitedTaxShelterTransInd
Taxable Party NotificationfalseTaxablePartyNotificationInd
Nondeductible ContributionsfalseNondeductibleContributionsInd
Quid Pro Quo ContributionsYes (true)QuidProQuoContributionsInd
Quid Pro Quo Contri DisclYes (true)QuidProQuoContriDisclInd
Form8282 Property Disposed OffalseForm8282PropertyDisposedOfInd
Form8282 Filed0Form8282FiledCnt
Rcv Fnds To Pay Prsnl Bnft CntrctfalseRcvFndsToPayPrsnlBnftCntrctInd
Pay Premiums Prsnl Bnft CntrctfalsePayPremiumsPrsnlBnftCntrctInd
Form8899 FiledindfalseForm8899Filedind
Form1098 C FiledfalseForm1098CFiledInd
Indoor Tanning ServicesfalseIndoorTanningServicesInd
Subj To Tax Rmnrtn Ex Prcht PymtfalseSubjToTaxRmnrtnExPrchtPymtInd
Subject To Excs Tax Net Invst IncfalseSubjectToExcsTaxNetInvstIncInd
Info In Schedule O Part VIYes (X)InfoInScheduleOPartVIInd
Governing Body Voting Members37GoverningBodyVotingMembersCnt
Independent Voting Member37IndependentVotingMemberCnt
Family Or Business RlnfalseFamilyOrBusinessRlnInd
Delegation Of Mgmt DutiesfalseDelegationOfMgmtDutiesInd
Change To Org DocumentsfalseChangeToOrgDocumentsInd
Material Diversion Or MisusefalseMaterialDiversionOrMisuseInd
Members Or StockholdersfalseMembersOrStockholdersInd
Election Of Board MembersYes (true)ElectionOfBoardMembersInd
Decisions Subject To ApprovafalseDecisionsSubjectToApprovaInd
Minutes Of Governing BodyYes (true)MinutesOfGoverningBodyInd
Minutes Of CommitteesYes (true)MinutesOfCommitteesInd
Officer Mailing AddressfalseOfficerMailingAddressInd
Local ChaptersfalseLocalChaptersInd
Form990 Provided To Gvrn BodyYes (true)Form990ProvidedToGvrnBodyInd
Conflict Of Interest PolicyYes (true)ConflictOfInterestPolicyInd
Annual Disclosure Covered PrsnYes (true)AnnualDisclosureCoveredPrsnInd
Regular Monitoring EnfrcYes (true)RegularMonitoringEnfrcInd
Whistleblower PolicyYes (true)WhistleblowerPolicyInd
Document Retention PolicyYes (true)DocumentRetentionPolicyInd
Compensation Process CEOYes (true)CompensationProcessCEOInd
Compensation Process OtherYes (true)CompensationProcessOtherInd
Investment In Joint VenturefalseInvestmentInJointVentureInd
Own WebsiteYes (X)OwnWebsiteInd
Upon RequestYes (X)UponRequestInd

Books In Care Of Detail BooksInCareOfDetail

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
PersonJeri NordbrockPersonNm
Phone7135336750PhoneNum

US Address USAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line11513 CambridgeAddressLine1Txt
CityHoustonCityNm
State AbbreviationTXStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP77030ZIPCd

Form990 Part VII Section A Form990PartVIISectionAGrp (50 entries)

TitleTitleTxtAverage Hours Per WeekAverageHoursPerWeekRtAverage Hours Per Week Rltd OrgAverageHoursPerWeekRltdOrgRtOfficerOfficerIndReportable Comp From OrgReportableCompFromOrgAmtReportable Comp From Rltd OrgReportableCompFromRltdOrgAmtOther CompensationOtherCompensationAmtIndividual Trustee Or DirectorIndividualTrusteeOrDirectorInd
Lee Ehmke
President & CEO40.000.00Yes (X)$436,755$0$18,799
Sheryl Kolasinski
COO40.000.00Yes (X)$243,514$0$17,275
Mark Van Wickler
Exhibit Design Dir40.000.00$200,765$0$14,708
John Trahan
CFO40.000.00Yes (X)$200,152$0$15,306
Roberto Espinosa
VP Development40.000.00$166,606$0$15,748
Kristin Finney
VP HR40.000.00$150,518$0$15,482
Peter Riger
VP Conservation40.000.00$150,486$0$12,396
Lisa Avendano
VP Animal Ops40.000.00$150,149$0$12,375
Leslie Forestier
VP Finance40.000.00Yes (X)$64,640$0$13,030
Stacy Methvin
Board Chair4.000.00Yes (X)$0$0$0Yes (X)
Joe Cleary
Vice Chair1.000.00Yes (X)$0$0$0Yes (X)
Cullen Geiselman
Vice Chair1.000.00Yes (X)$0$0$0Yes (X)
Robert Graham
Vice Chair1.000.00Yes (X)$0$0$0Yes (X)
Neal Manne
Vice Chair1.000.00Yes (X)$0$0$0Yes (X)
Jim Postl
Vice Chair1.000.00Yes (X)$0$0$0Yes (X)
Suzanne Nimocks
Imm Past Chair1.000.00Yes (X)$0$0$0Yes (X)
Sami Ahmad
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Roxanne Almaraz
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Bill Barnett
Member Emeritus1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Carlos Bueno
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Roberto Contreras
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Joshua Davidson
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Joe Dilg
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Mike Dishberger
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Jeff Dudderar
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Anne Duncan
Member Emeritus1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Robert Edwards
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Jenny Elkins
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Kat Gallagher
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Amy Garrou
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Eureka Gilkey
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Marty Goossen
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Gillian Hobson
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Tandra Jackson
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Jill Jewett
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Myrtle Jones
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Peggy Kostial
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Kimberly McKay
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Clay Neff
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Bruce Niemeyer
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Alie Pruner
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Ron Rand
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Tim Roberts
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Brent Smolik
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Bas Solleveld
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Macey Stokes
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Molly Voorhees
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Cynthia Walker
Board Member1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Randa Duncan Williams
Member Emeritus1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
Austin Young
Member Emeritus1.000.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Reportable Comp From Org$1,763,585TotalReportableCompFromOrgAmt
Total Other Compensation$135,119TotalOtherCompensationAmt
Indiv Rcvd Greater Than100 K24IndivRcvdGreaterThan100KCnt
Former Ofcr Employees ListedfalseFormerOfcrEmployeesListedInd
Total Comp Greater Than150 KYes (true)TotalCompGreaterThan150KInd
Compensation From Other SrcsfalseCompensationFromOtherSrcsInd

Contractor Compensation ContractorCompensationGrp (5 entries)

Address Line1ContractorAddress/USAddress/AddressLine1TxtCityContractorAddress/USAddress/CityNmState AbbreviationContractorAddress/USAddress/StateAbbreviationCdZIPContractorAddress/USAddress/ZIPCdServicesServicesDescCompensationCompensationAmt
Tellepsen Builders
777 Benmar 400HoustonTX77060Construction$16,603,718
Brave Architecture
4617 Montrose Blvd C230HoustonTX77006Architect$1,537,329
Studio HansonRoberts
250 Madrona 220Bainbridge IslandWA98110Architect$3,565,020
Strike Marketing
906 Rutland StreetHoustonTX77008Advertising$1,384,345
Service Systems Associates
4624 Central ParkDenverCO80238Food service$2,701,371
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Cntrct Rcvd Greater Than100 K17CntrctRcvdGreaterThan100KCnt
Membership Dues$7,538,100MembershipDuesAmt
Fundraising$1,264,744FundraisingAmt
All Other Contributions$23,638,551AllOtherContributionsAmt
Noncash Contributions$2,771,998NoncashContributionsAmt
Total Contributions$32,441,395TotalContributionsAmt

Program Service Revenue ProgramServiceRevenueGrp (4 entries)

DescDescBusinessBusinessCdTotal Revenue ColumnTotalRevenueColumnAmtRelated Or Exempt Func IncomeRelatedOrExemptFuncIncomeAmt
Admission fees900099$15,322,836$15,322,836
City management fee561499$10,127,489$10,127,489
Concessions722210$3,956,216$3,956,216
Educ. progr. & events611600$10,793,136$10,793,136
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Program Service Revenue$40,199,677TotalProgramServiceRevenueAmt

Investment Income InvestmentIncomeGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Revenue Column$601,681TotalRevenueColumnAmt
Exclusion$601,681ExclusionAmt

Incm From Invest Bond Proceeds IncmFromInvestBondProceedsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Revenue Column$0TotalRevenueColumnAmt

Royalties Revenue RoyaltiesRevenueGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Revenue Column$0TotalRevenueColumnAmt

Net Rental Income Or Loss NetRentalIncomeOrLossGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Revenue Column$0TotalRevenueColumnAmt

Gross Amount Sales Assets GrossAmountSalesAssetsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Securities$14,302,145SecuritiesAmt

Less Cost Oth Basis Sales Expnss LessCostOthBasisSalesExpnssGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Securities$13,578,647SecuritiesAmt

Gain Or Loss GainOrLossGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Securities$723,498SecuritiesAmt

Net Gain Or Loss Investments NetGainOrLossInvestmentsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Revenue Column$723,498TotalRevenueColumnAmt
Exclusion$723,498ExclusionAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Fundraising Gross Income$412,913FundraisingGrossIncomeAmt
Contri Rpt Fundraising Event$1,264,744ContriRptFundraisingEventAmt
Fundraising Direct Expenses$446,833FundraisingDirectExpensesAmt

Net Incm From Fundraising Evt NetIncmFromFundraisingEvtGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Revenue Column-$33,920TotalRevenueColumnAmt
Exclusion-$33,920ExclusionAmt

Net Income From Gaming NetIncomeFromGamingGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Revenue Column$0TotalRevenueColumnAmt

Net Income Or Loss NetIncomeOrLossGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Revenue Column$0TotalRevenueColumnAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Other Revenue Total$0OtherRevenueTotalAmt

Total Revenue TotalRevenueGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Revenue Column$73,932,331TotalRevenueColumnAmt
Related Or Exempt Func Income$40,199,677RelatedOrExemptFuncIncomeAmt
Exclusion$1,291,259ExclusionAmt

Grants To Domestic Orgs GrantsToDomesticOrgsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$1,383,398TotalAmt
Program Services$1,383,398ProgramServicesAmt

Grants To Domestic Individuals GrantsToDomesticIndividualsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$14,496TotalAmt
Program Services$14,496ProgramServicesAmt

Foreign Grants ForeignGrantsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$1,985,543TotalAmt
Program Services$1,985,543ProgramServicesAmt

Benefits To Members BenefitsToMembersGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$0TotalAmt

Comp Current Ofcr Directors CompCurrentOfcrDirectorsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$1,009,471TotalAmt
Program Services$432,668ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$400,369ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$176,434FundraisingAmt

Comp Disqual Persons CompDisqualPersonsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$0TotalAmt

Other Salaries And Wages OtherSalariesAndWagesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$21,425,619TotalAmt
Program Services$18,487,981ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$991,197ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$1,946,441FundraisingAmt

Pension Plan Contributions PensionPlanContributionsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$707,765TotalAmt
Program Services$610,425ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$32,353ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$64,987FundraisingAmt

Other Employee Benefits OtherEmployeeBenefitsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$2,697,542TotalAmt
Program Services$2,296,728ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$146,624ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$254,190FundraisingAmt

Payroll Taxes PayrollTaxesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$1,663,101TotalAmt
Program Services$1,414,652ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$97,679ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$150,770FundraisingAmt

Fees For Services Management FeesForServicesManagementGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$0TotalAmt

Fees For Services Legal FeesForServicesLegalGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$67,070TotalAmt
Management And General$67,070ManagementAndGeneralAmt

Fees For Services Accounting FeesForServicesAccountingGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$28,472TotalAmt
Management And General$28,472ManagementAndGeneralAmt

Fees For Services Lobbying FeesForServicesLobbyingGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$0TotalAmt

Fees For Services Prof Fundraising FeesForServicesProfFundraising

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$156,000TotalAmt
Fundraising$156,000FundraisingAmt

Fees For Srvc Invst Mgmnt Fees FeesForSrvcInvstMgmntFeesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$105,806TotalAmt
Management And General$105,806ManagementAndGeneralAmt

Fees For Services Other FeesForServicesOtherGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$4,022,120TotalAmt
Program Services$3,004,267ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$703,455ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$314,398FundraisingAmt

Advertising AdvertisingGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$1,559,749TotalAmt
Program Services$1,534,985ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$16,076ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$8,688FundraisingAmt

Office Expenses OfficeExpensesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$848,984TotalAmt
Program Services$584,663ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$52,725ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$211,596FundraisingAmt

Information Technology InformationTechnologyGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$397,352TotalAmt
Program Services$181,131ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$137,344ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$78,877FundraisingAmt

Royalties RoyaltiesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$0TotalAmt

Occupancy OccupancyGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$946,537TotalAmt
Program Services$916,751ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$21,662ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$8,124FundraisingAmt

Travel TravelGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$358,567TotalAmt
Program Services$326,924ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$13,360ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$18,283FundraisingAmt

Pymt Travel Entrtnmnt Pub Ofcl PymtTravelEntrtnmntPubOfclGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$0TotalAmt

Conferences Meetings ConferencesMeetingsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$585,307TotalAmt
Program Services$373,819ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$3,279ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$208,209FundraisingAmt

Interest InterestGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$7,615TotalAmt
Management And General$7,615ManagementAndGeneralAmt

Payments To Affiliates PaymentsToAffiliatesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$0TotalAmt

Depreciation Depletion DepreciationDepletionGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$8,754,159TotalAmt
Program Services$8,754,159ProgramServicesAmt

Insurance InsuranceGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$643,294TotalAmt
Program Services$579,116ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$31,145ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$33,033FundraisingAmt

Other Expenses OtherExpensesGrp (4 entries)

DescDescTotalTotalAmtProgram ServicesProgramServicesAmtManagement And GeneralManagementAndGeneralAmtFundraisingFundraisingAmt
Supplies$1,959,317$1,928,080$250$30,987
Printing & publications$647,226$292,136$29,627$325,463
Grounds/Events$485,369$484,533$608$228
Equipment expense$437,103$405,092$30,199$1,812

All Other Expenses AllOtherExpensesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$0TotalAmt

Total Functional Expenses TotalFunctionalExpensesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$52,896,982TotalAmt
Program Services$45,991,547ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$2,916,915ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$3,988,520FundraisingAmt

Cash Non Interest Bearing CashNonInterestBearingGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$12,852,677BOYAmt
EOY$19,681,656EOYAmt

Savings And Temp Cash Invst SavingsAndTempCashInvstGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$20,093,319BOYAmt
EOY$9,918,910EOYAmt

Pledges And Grants Receivable PledgesAndGrantsReceivableGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$54,592,432BOYAmt
EOY$59,616,920EOYAmt

Accounts Receivable AccountsReceivableGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$627,463BOYAmt
EOY$654,804EOYAmt

Receivables From Officers Etc ReceivablesFromOfficersEtcGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
EOY$0EOYAmt

Rcvbl From Disqualified Prsn RcvblFromDisqualifiedPrsnGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
EOY$0EOYAmt

Oth Notes Loans Receivable Net OthNotesLoansReceivableNetGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
EOY$0EOYAmt

Inventories For Sale Or Use InventoriesForSaleOrUseGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$90,526BOYAmt
EOY$102,910EOYAmt

Prepaid Expenses Defrd Charges PrepaidExpensesDefrdChargesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$994,815BOYAmt
EOY$1,022,378EOYAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Land Bldg Equip Cost Or Other Bss$205,268,635LandBldgEquipCostOrOtherBssAmt
Land Bldg Equip Accum Deprec$66,498,745LandBldgEquipAccumDeprecAmt

Land Bldg Equip Basis Net LandBldgEquipBasisNetGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$117,642,177BOYAmt
EOY$138,769,890EOYAmt

Investments Pub Traded Sec InvestmentsPubTradedSecGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$19,452,380BOYAmt
EOY$22,580,443EOYAmt

Investments Other Securities InvestmentsOtherSecuritiesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
EOY$1,060,347EOYAmt

Investments Program Related InvestmentsProgramRelatedGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
EOY$0EOYAmt

Intangible Assets IntangibleAssetsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
EOY$0EOYAmt

Other Assets Total OtherAssetsTotalGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
EOY$0EOYAmt

Total Assets TotalAssetsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$226,345,789BOYAmt
EOY$253,408,258EOYAmt

Accounts Payable Accr Expnss AccountsPayableAccrExpnssGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$5,572,772BOYAmt
EOY$8,933,849EOYAmt

Deferred Revenue DeferredRevenueGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$3,751,880BOYAmt
EOY$4,139,254EOYAmt

Escrow Account Liability EscrowAccountLiabilityGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$70,483BOYAmt
EOY$107,779EOYAmt

Mortg Notes Pybl Scrd Invst Prop MortgNotesPyblScrdInvstPropGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
EOY$832,307EOYAmt

Total Liabilities TotalLiabilitiesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$9,395,135BOYAmt
EOY$14,013,189EOYAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Organization Follows FASB117Yes (X)OrganizationFollowsFASB117Ind

No Donor Restriction Net Assets NoDonorRestrictionNetAssetsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$144,066,349BOYAmt
EOY$161,036,906EOYAmt

Donor Restriction Net Assets DonorRestrictionNetAssetsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$72,884,305BOYAmt
EOY$78,358,163EOYAmt

Total Net Assets Fund Balance TotalNetAssetsFundBalanceGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$216,950,654BOYAmt
EOY$239,395,069EOYAmt

Tot Liab Net Assets Fund Balance TotLiabNetAssetsFundBalanceGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$226,345,789BOYAmt
EOY$253,408,258EOYAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Reconcilation Revenue Expnss$21,035,349ReconcilationRevenueExpnssAmt
Net Unrlzd Gains Losses Invst$1,409,066NetUnrlzdGainsLossesInvstAmt
Method Of Accounting AccrualYes (X)MethodOfAccountingAccrualInd
Accountant Compile Or ReviewfalseAccountantCompileOrReviewInd
FS AuditedYes (true)FSAuditedInd

FS Audited Basis FSAuditedBasisGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Separate Basis Fincl StmtYes (X)SeparateBasisFinclStmtInd
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Audit CommitteeYes (true)AuditCommitteeInd
Federal Grant Audit RequiredfalseFederalGrantAuditRequiredInd

Schedule A IRS990ScheduleA

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Public Organization170Yes (X)PublicOrganization170Ind

Gifts Grants Contri Rcvd170 GiftsGrantsContriRcvd170Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Current Tax Year Minus4 Years$14,246,988CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus3 Years$16,879,194CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus2 Years$33,435,509CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus1 Year$65,803,520CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt
Current Tax Year$32,441,395CurrentTaxYearAmt
Total$162,806,606TotalAmt

Tax Rev Levied Orgnztnl Bnft170 TaxRevLeviedOrgnztnlBnft170Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$0TotalAmt

Govt Furn Srvc Fclts Vl170 GovtFurnSrvcFcltsVl170Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$0TotalAmt

Total Calendar Year170 TotalCalendarYear170Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Current Tax Year Minus4 Years$14,246,988CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus3 Years$16,879,194CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus2 Years$33,435,509CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus1 Year$65,803,520CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt
Current Tax Year$32,441,395CurrentTaxYearAmt
Total$162,806,606TotalAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Substantial Contributors Tot$54,897,706SubstantialContributorsTotAmt
Public Support Total170$107,908,900PublicSupportTotal170Amt

Gross Investment Income170 GrossInvestmentIncome170Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Current Tax Year Minus4 Years$666,304CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus3 Years$603,974CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus2 Years$536,064CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus1 Year$538,598CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt
Current Tax Year$601,681CurrentTaxYearAmt
Total$2,946,621TotalAmt

Unrelated Business Net Incm170 UnrelatedBusinessNetIncm170Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$0TotalAmt

Other Income170 OtherIncome170Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$0TotalAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Support$165,753,227TotalSupportAmt
Gross Receipts Rltd Activities$187,197,761GrossReceiptsRltdActivitiesAmt
Public Support CY1700.65100PublicSupportCY170Pct
Public Support PY1700.63370PublicSupportPY170Pct
Thirty Thr Pct Suprt Tests CY170Yes (X)ThirtyThrPctSuprtTestsCY170Ind

Schedule B IRS990ScheduleB

Contributor Information ContributorInformationGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
ContributorRESTRICTEDContributorNum

Contributor Business Name ContributorBusinessName

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name Line1RESTRICTEDBusinessNameLine1

Contributor US Address ContributorUSAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line1RESTRICTEDAddressLine1
Address Line2RESTRICTEDAddressLine2
CityRESTRICTEDCity
StateRESTRICTEDState
ZIP CodeRESTRICTEDZIPCode
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total ContributionsRESTRICTEDTotalContributionsAmt

Schedule D IRS990ScheduleD

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Collection Used Pub ExhibitionYes (X)CollectionUsedPubExhibitionInd
Coll Used Scholarly RsrchYes (X)CollUsedScholarlyRsrchInd
Collection Used PreservationYes (X)CollectionUsedPreservationInd
Coll Used Loan Or Exch ProgYes (X)CollUsedLoanOrExchProgInd
Solicited Assets SalefalseSolicitedAssetsSaleInd
Agent Trustee EtcfalseAgentTrusteeEtcInd
Incl Escrow Custodial Acct LiabYes (true)InclEscrowCustodialAcctLiabInd
Explanation ProvidedYes (X)ExplanationProvidedInd

CY Endwmt Fund CYEndwmtFundGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Beginning Year Balance$11,709,422BeginningYearBalanceAmt
Contributions$1,292,829ContributionsAmt
Investment Earnings Or Losses$2,407,539InvestmentEarningsOrLossesAmt
Other Expenditures$93,982OtherExpendituresAmt
Administrative Expenses$87,920AdministrativeExpensesAmt
End Year Balance$15,227,888EndYearBalanceAmt

CY Minus1 Yr Endwmt Fund CYMinus1YrEndwmtFundGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Beginning Year Balance$12,473,441BeginningYearBalanceAmt
Contributions$33,368ContributionsAmt
Investment Earnings Or Losses-$711,865InvestmentEarningsOrLossesAmt
Other Expenditures$8,200OtherExpendituresAmt
Administrative Expenses$77,322AdministrativeExpensesAmt
End Year Balance$11,709,422EndYearBalanceAmt

CY Minus2 Yr Endwmt Fund CYMinus2YrEndwmtFundGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Beginning Year Balance$10,825,755BeginningYearBalanceAmt
Contributions$9,000ContributionsAmt
Investment Earnings Or Losses$1,710,324InvestmentEarningsOrLossesAmt
Administrative Expenses$71,638AdministrativeExpensesAmt
End Year Balance$12,473,441EndYearBalanceAmt

CY Minus3 Yr Endwmt Fund CYMinus3YrEndwmtFundGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Beginning Year Balance$9,253,968BeginningYearBalanceAmt
Contributions$1,054,000ContributionsAmt
Investment Earnings Or Losses$598,621InvestmentEarningsOrLossesAmt
Grants Or Scholarships$31,704GrantsOrScholarshipsAmt
Administrative Expenses$49,130AdministrativeExpensesAmt
End Year Balance$10,825,755EndYearBalanceAmt

CY Minus4 Yr Endwmt Fund CYMinus4YrEndwmtFundGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Beginning Year Balance$9,343,383BeginningYearBalanceAmt
Contributions$22,532ContributionsAmt
Investment Earnings Or Losses-$7,048InvestmentEarningsOrLossesAmt
Grants Or Scholarships$29,687GrantsOrScholarshipsAmt
Administrative Expenses$75,212AdministrativeExpensesAmt
End Year Balance$9,253,968EndYearBalanceAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Board Designated Balance EOY0.54540BoardDesignatedBalanceEOYPct
Prmnnt Endowment Balance EOY0.23210PrmnntEndowmentBalanceEOYPct
Term Endowment Balance EOY0.22250TermEndowmentBalanceEOYPct
Endowments Held Unrelated OrgfalseEndowmentsHeldUnrelatedOrgInd
Endowments Held Related OrgfalseEndowmentsHeldRelatedOrgInd
Related Org List Sch RfalseRelatedOrgListSchRInd

Leasehold Improvements LeaseholdImprovementsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Other Cost Or Other Basis$163,709,822OtherCostOrOtherBasisAmt
Depreciation$59,800,079DepreciationAmt
Book Value$103,909,743BookValueAmt

Equipment EquipmentGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Other Cost Or Other Basis$14,352,269OtherCostOrOtherBasisAmt
Depreciation$6,698,666DepreciationAmt
Book Value$7,653,603BookValueAmt

Other Land Buildings OtherLandBuildingsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Other Cost Or Other Basis$27,206,544OtherCostOrOtherBasisAmt
Book Value$27,206,544BookValueAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Book Value Land Buildings$138,769,890TotalBookValueLandBuildingsAmt
Total Rev Etc Audited Fincl Stmt$75,235,591TotalRevEtcAuditedFinclStmtAmt
Net Unrealized Gains Invst$1,409,066NetUnrealizedGainsInvstAmt
Revenue Not Reported$1,409,066RevenueNotReportedAmt
Revenue Subtotal$73,826,525RevenueSubtotalAmt
Investment Expenses Not Incld$105,806InvestmentExpensesNotIncldAmt
Revenue Not Reported Fincl Stmt$105,806RevenueNotReportedFinclStmtAmt
Total Revenue Per Form990$73,932,331TotalRevenuePerForm990Amt
Tot Expns Etc Audited Fincl Stmt$52,791,176TotExpnsEtcAuditedFinclStmtAmt
Expenses Subtotal$52,791,176ExpensesSubtotalAmt
Investment Expenses Not Incld2$105,806InvestmentExpensesNotIncld2Amt
Expenses Not Rpt Fincl Stmt$105,806ExpensesNotRptFinclStmtAmt
Total Expenses Per Form990$52,896,982TotalExpensesPerForm990Amt

Supplemental Information Detail SupplementalInformationDetail (4 entries)

Form And Line ReferenceFormAndLineReferenceDescExplanationExplanationTxt
Part III, Line 1a: If organization elected under SFAS 116 to not report are, historical treasures, oIn accordance with industry practice, the Houston Zoo does not capitalize animal and horticultural collections; acquisitions are reported as expenditures in the period of acquisition. The Houston Zoo is responsible for the health and welfare of its animal and horticultural collections. The Houston Zoo maintains records of its collections and any exchanges with other organizations. Under the direction of the Board of Directors, the President, and the curatorial staff, collections continue to be cared for, used, and expanded. In 2019 and 2018, the Houston Zoo expended approximately $25,000 and $32,000, respectively, to expand its collections.In an ongoing commitment to enhance worldwide reproduction and conservation of animals, the Houston Zoo exchanges animals with other organizations. Consistent with industry practice, the Houston Zoo does not record any liability for such exchange arrangements as generally these arrangements are without monetary consideration.
Part III, Line 4: Description of organization's collections and how it furthers its purpose.The Houston Zoo is a conservation, education, and recreation organization dedicated to the reproduction, protection, and exhibition of animals in their habitats. The Houston Zoo provides a fun, unique and inspirational experience fostering appreciation, knowledge and care for the natural world.
Part IV, Line 2b: Explanation of escrow account liabilityAt 12/31/19, the Zoo held funds on behalf of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Tapir Specialist Group (TSG), which studies tapirs and their habitat in order to gain a better understanding of their biology and promote their long-term survival in the wild. TSG has no mechanism for managing incoming or outgoing funds in the United States. Donors who wish to support TSG make donations to the Houston Zoo on behalf of TSG which the Zoo holds until the TSG Chair requests funding for travel, fieldwork, or individual grants for work performed in Tapir range countries in Central/South America and Malaysia.
Part V, Line 4: Intended uses of the endowment fund.To provide ongoing support for operating needs and program services that are consistent with the Houston Zoo's mission, and to provide growth and expansion of programs and/or creation of new programs.

Schedule F IRS990ScheduleF

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Grant Records MaintainedYes (true)GrantRecordsMaintainedInd

Account Activities Outside US AccountActivitiesOutsideUSGrp (6 entries)

RegionRegionTxtOfficesOfficesCntEmployeeEmployeeCntType Of Activities ConductedTypeOfActivitiesConductedTxtSpecific Services ProvidedSpecificServicesProvidedTxtRegion Total ExpendituresRegionTotalExpendituresAmt
East Asia/Pacific00ProgramConservation$383,530
Sub-Saharan Africa00ProgramConservation$1,185,133
Cntl America/Caribbean00ProgramConservation$66,087
South America00ProgramConservation$325,764
Europe00ProgramConservation$16,650
North America00ProgramConservation$8,379
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Subtotal Spent$1,985,543SubtotalSpentAmt
Total Spent$1,985,543TotalSpentAmt

Grants To Org Outside US GrantsToOrgOutsideUSGrp (19 entries)

RegionRegionTxtPurpose Of GrantPurposeOfGrantTxtCash GrantCashGrantAmtManner Of Cash DisbursementMannerOfCashDisbursementTxt
E Asia/PacificSee Part V$26,730Wire
E Asia/PacificSee Part V$30,000Wire
E Asia/PacificSee Part V$41,000Wire
E Asia/PacificSee Part V$50,000Wire
E Asia/PacificSee Part V$6,000Wire
E Asia/PacificSee Part V$82,500Wire
EuropeSee Part V$16,650Wire
North AmericaSee Part V$7,814Wire
South AmericaSee Part V$106,175Wire
South AmericaSee Part V$113,350Wire
South AmericaSee Part V$52,215Wire
South AmericaSee Part V$54,000Wire
Sub-Sah AfricaSee Part V$149,522Wire
Sub-Sah AfricaSee Part V$164,500Wire
Sub-Sah AfricaSee Part V$175,699Wire
Sub-Sah AfricaSee Part V$35,449Wire
Sub-Sah AfricaSee Part V$439,825Wire
Sub-Sah AfricaSee Part V$76,600Wire
Sub-Sah AfricaSee Part V$87,000Wire
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total501c3 Org19Total501c3OrgCnt

Foreign Individuals Grants ForeignIndividualsGrantsGrp (5 entries)

Type Of AssistanceTypeOfAssistanceTxtRegionRegionTxtRecipientRecipientCntCash GrantCashGrantAmtManner Of Cash DisbursementMannerOfCashDisbursementTxt
Conservation supportCentral America11$66,086Wire transfer
Conservation supportEast Asia/Pacific6$147,300Wire transfer
Conservation supportNorth America1$565Wire transfer
Conservation supportSouth America1$24Wire transfer
Conservation supportSub-Sah Africa4$56,539Wire transfer
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Transfer To Foreign CorpfalseTransferToForeignCorpInd
Interest In Foreign TrustfalseInterestInForeignTrustInd
Foreign Corp OwnershipfalseForeignCorpOwnershipInd
Passive Foreign Investmest CofalsePassiveForeignInvestmestCoInd
Foreign PartnershipfalseForeignPartnershipInd
Boycott CountriesfalseBoycottCountriesInd

Supplemental Information Detail SupplementalInformationDetail

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Form And Line ReferencePart I, Line 2 - Grantmakers Explanation For Monitoring Use of Funds Outside USFormAndLineReferenceDesc
ExplanationThe Houston Zoo's selection standards for awarding grants are based on our mission statement goals and long term development of regional programs. We do not solicit proposals nor do we have a formal process for receiving and evaluating grant requests. Instead we actively seek out projects that fit the guidelines of the Zoo's Wildlife Conservation Program (see Part III, Line 4b). We then meet with the researchers to see how well they fit with our Zoo. We do not spend much money up front until we are satisfied that the researchers will communicate and interact with the Zoo (web, media, reports, speaker requests, articles, etc.), and their research program is sustainable over the next 1-3 years that we intend to partner with them. We monitor their progress through periodic site visits where practicable and request that they provide periodic reports of activities.ExplanationTxt

Schedule G IRS990ScheduleG

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Mail SolicitationsYes (X)MailSolicitationsInd
Email SolicitationsYes (X)EmailSolicitationsInd
Phone SolicitationsYes (X)PhoneSolicitationsInd
In Person SolicitationsYes (X)InPersonSolicitationsInd
Solicitation Of Non Govt GrantsYes (X)SolicitationOfNonGovtGrantsInd
Solicitation Of Govt GrantsYes (X)SolicitationOfGovtGrantsInd
Special Fundraising EventsYes (X)SpecialFundraisingEventsInd
Agrmt Prof Fundraising ActyYes (true)AgrmtProfFundraisingActyInd

Fundraiser Activity Info FundraiserActivityInfoGrp

Organization Business Name OrganizationBusinessName

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name Line1Sterling AssociatesBusinessNameLine1Txt

US Address USAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line155 Waugh Dr 601AddressLine1Txt
CityHoustonCityNm
State AbbreviationTXStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP77007ZIPCd
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
ActivityCentennial campaignActivityTxt
Fundraiser Control Of FundsfalseFundraiserControlOfFundsInd
Gross Receipts$15,505,800GrossReceiptsAmt
Retained By Contractor$156,000RetainedByContractorAmt
Net To Organization$15,349,800NetToOrganizationAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Gross Receipts$15,505,800TotalGrossReceiptsAmt
Total Retained By Contractors$156,000TotalRetainedByContractorsAmt
Total Net To Organization$15,349,800TotalNetToOrganizationAmt
Licensed StatesTXLicensedStatesCd

Fundraising Event Information FundraisingEventInformationGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Event1Zoo BallEvent1Nm
Gross Receipts Event1$972,436GrossReceiptsEvent1Amt
Charitable Contri Event1$802,007CharitableContriEvent1Amt
Gross Revenue Event1$170,429GrossRevenueEvent1Amt
Rent Facility Costs Event1$21,003RentFacilityCostsEvent1Amt
Food And Beverage Event1$66,290FoodAndBeverageEvent1Amt
Entertainment Event1$7,500EntertainmentEvent1Amt
Other Direct Expenses Event1$140,235OtherDirectExpensesEvent1Amt
Event2Conserv GalaEvent2Nm
Gross Receipts Event2$705,221GrossReceiptsEvent2Amt
Charitable Contri Event2$462,737CharitableContriEvent2Amt
Gross Revenue Event2$242,484GrossRevenueEvent2Amt
Rent Facility Costs Event2$2,547RentFacilityCostsEvent2Amt
Food And Beverage Event2$83,468FoodAndBeverageEvent2Amt
Entertainment Event2$1,475EntertainmentEvent2Amt
Other Direct Expenses Event2$124,315OtherDirectExpensesEvent2Amt
Gross Receipts Total$1,677,657GrossReceiptsTotalAmt
Charitable Contributions Tot$1,264,744CharitableContributionsTotAmt
Gross Revenue Total Events$412,913GrossRevenueTotalEventsAmt
Rent Fclty Costs Total Events$23,550RentFcltyCostsTotalEventsAmt
Food And Beverage Total Events$149,758FoodAndBeverageTotalEventsAmt
Entertainment Total Events$8,975EntertainmentTotalEventsAmt
Oth Direct Expnss Total Events$264,550OthDirectExpnssTotalEventsAmt
Direct Expense Summary Events$446,833DirectExpenseSummaryEventsAmt
Net Income Summary-$33,920NetIncomeSummaryAmt

Schedule I IRS990ScheduleI

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Grant Records MaintainedYes (true)GrantRecordsMaintainedInd

Recipient Table RecipientTable (21 entries)

Address Line1USAddress/AddressLine1TxtCityUSAddress/CityNmState AbbreviationUSAddress/StateAbbreviationCdZIPUSAddress/ZIPCdRecipient EINRecipientEINIRC SectionIRCSectionDescCash GrantCashGrantAmtNon Cash AssistanceNonCashAssistanceAmtPurpose Of GrantPurposeOfGrantTxt
Americans for Oxford Inc
500 Fifth Avenue 32nd FloorNew YorkNY10110521495060501(c)(3)$59,607$0Ruaha Carnivore Project Support
Bat Conservation Intl Inc
500 N Capital of TX HighwayAustinTX78746742553144501(c)(3)$40,000$0Support Bat Walk Program
Baylor College of Medicine
PO Box 301207DallasTX75303741613878501(c)(3)$393,734$0EEHV Research Project
Conservation Breeding Group
12101 Johnny Cake Ridge RoadApple ValleyMN55124411719362501(c)(3)$10,000$0Operating Support - Breeding
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Intl
800 Cherokee Avenue SEAtlantaGA30315521118866501(c)(3)$20,000$0Operating Support
Ecology Project International
315 S 4th St EMissoulaMT59801912163952501(c)(3)$50,000$0Galapagos Educational Program
Four Corners Institute
3409 Lake Vanessa Circle NWSalemOR97304850457996501(c)(3)$13,750$0Giant Otter Conservation Program
Friends of Laguna Atascosa NW
22817 Ocelot RoadLos FresnosTX78566742815350501(c)(3)$30,000$0Ocelot Recovery Program
Global Wildife Conservation
PO Box 129AustinTX78767262887967501(c)(3)$11,000$0IUCN Pavilion
Gorilla Rehab & Conserv Ctr
PO Box 334CumberlandME04021462308758501(c)(3)$29,500$0Operating Support
Intl Elephant Foundation
PO Box 366AzleTX76098752815706501(c)(3)$20,000$0Operating Support
Intl Rhino Foundation
201 Main Street 2600Fort WorthTX76102752395006501(c)(3)$10,000$0Operating Support
International Crane Fdn
E 11376 Shady Lane RoadBarabooWI53913391187711501(c)(3)$67,186$0Whooping Crane Recovery Support
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark StreetChicagoIL60614362512404501(c)(3)$20,000$0Operating Support
Minnesota Zoo Foundation
13000 Zoo BoulevardApple ValleyMN55124510147653501(c)(3)$10,000$0Malaysian Tiger Conservation
Mountain Gorilla Vet Project
PO Box 356DavisCA95617061752363501(c)(3)$110,000$0Operating Support
Smithsonian Natl Zoological
PO Box 37012 MRC 5507WashingtonDC20013530206027501(c)(3)$60,000$0Panama Amphibian Rescue
UC Davis
1089 Veterinary Medicine DrDavisCA95616946036494501(c)(3)$51,022$0Wildlife Conservation Program
Wildlife Conservation Network
209 Mississippi StreetSan FranciscoCA94107300108469501(c)(3)$245,735$0Various conservation projects
Wildlife Guardians
PO Box 2378AlexandriaVA22301364712624501(c)(3)$110,512$0Operating Support
Wildtracks
PO Box 765Indian HillsCO80454475083846501(c)(3)$8,360$0Belizean Primates Support
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total501c3 Org21Total501c3OrgCnt
Total Other Org0TotalOtherOrgCnt

Grants Other Asst To Indiv In US GrantsOtherAsstToIndivInUSGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Grant TypeConservation research supportGrantTypeTxt
Recipient2RecipientCnt
Cash Grant$14,496CashGrantAmt

Supplemental Information Detail SupplementalInformationDetail

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Form And Line ReferenceGrantmaker's Description of How Grants are UsedFormAndLineReferenceDesc
ExplanationThe Houston Zoo's selection criteria for awarding grants are based on our mission statement goals and long term development of regional programs. We do not solicit proposals nor do we have a formal process for receiving and evaluating grant requests. Instead we actively seek out projects that fit the areas of interest of the Zoo's leadership and staff. We then meet with the researchers to see how well they fit with our Zoo. We do not spend much money up front until we are satisfied that they will communicate and interact with the Zoo (web, media, reports, speaker requests, articles, etc.) and their research program is sustainable over the next 1-3 years that we intend to partner with them. We monitor their progress through periodic site visits where practicable and request periodic reports of activities.ExplanationTxt

Schedule J IRS990ScheduleJ

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Compensation CommitteeYes (X)CompensationCommitteeInd
Form990 Of Other OrganizationsYes (X)Form990OfOtherOrganizationsInd
Compensation SurveyYes (X)CompensationSurveyInd
Board Or Committee ApprovalYes (X)BoardOrCommitteeApprovalInd
Severance PaymentfalseSeverancePaymentInd
Supplemental Nonqual Rtr PlanYes (true)SupplementalNonqualRtrPlanInd
Equity Based Comp ArrngmfalseEquityBasedCompArrngmInd
Comp Based On Revenue Of Flng OrgfalseCompBasedOnRevenueOfFlngOrgInd
Comp Bsd On Rev Related OrgsfalseCompBsdOnRevRelatedOrgsInd
Comp Bsd Net Earns Flng OrgfalseCompBsdNetEarnsFlngOrgInd
Comp Bsd Net Earns Rltd OrgsfalseCompBsdNetEarnsRltdOrgsInd
Any Non Fixed PaymentsfalseAnyNonFixedPaymentsInd
Initial Contract ExceptionfalseInitialContractExceptionInd

Rltd Org Officer Trst Key Empl RltdOrgOfficerTrstKeyEmplGrp (8 entries)

TitleTitleTxtBase Compensation Filing OrgBaseCompensationFilingOrgAmtBonus Filing OrganizationBonusFilingOrganizationAmountDeferred Compensation Flng OrgDeferredCompensationFlngOrgAmtNontaxable Benefits Filing OrgNontaxableBenefitsFilingOrgAmtTotal Compensation Filing OrgTotalCompensationFilingOrgAmt
John Trahan
CFO$200,000$152$8,471$6,835$215,458
Kristin Finney
VP HR$150,356$162$6,021$9,461$166,000
Lee Ehmke
President & CEO$436,601$154$11,412$7,387$455,554
Lisa Avendano
VP Animal Ops$149,996$153$6,020$6,355$162,524
Mark Van Wickler
Exhibit Design Dir$200,613$152$7,321$7,387$215,473
Peter Riger
VP Conservation$150,333$153$6,041$6,355$162,882
Roberto Espinosa
VP Development$166,454$152$6,056$9,692$182,354
Sheryl Kolasinski
COO$243,360$154$9,888$7,387$260,789

Schedule M IRS990ScheduleM

Securities Publicly Traded SecuritiesPubliclyTradedGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Non Cash CheckboxYes (X)NonCashCheckboxInd
Contribution9ContributionCnt
Noncash Contributions Rpt F990$2,657,770NoncashContributionsRptF990Amt
Method Of Determining RevenuesNYSEMethodOfDeterminingRevenuesTxt

Other Non Cash Contri Table OtherNonCashContriTableGrp (2 entries)

Non Cash CheckboxNonCashCheckboxIndDescDescContributionContributionCntNoncash Contributions Rpt F990NoncashContributionsRptF990AmtMethod Of Determining RevenuesMethodOfDeterminingRevenuesTxt
Yes (X)Auction items60$64,315FMV
Yes (X)Food/beverages1$49,913FMV
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Any Property That Must Be HeldfalseAnyPropertyThatMustBeHeldInd
Review Process Unusual NC GiftsYes (true)ReviewProcessUnusualNCGiftsInd
Third Parties UsedfalseThirdPartiesUsedInd

Schedule O IRS990ScheduleO

Supplemental Information Detail SupplementalInformationDetail (5 entries)

Form And Line ReferenceFormAndLineReferenceDescExplanationExplanationTxt
Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b: Form 990 Review ProcessForm 990 is reviewed by the CEO and the CFO. Once reviewed internally, the Form is reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee. A copy of the Form is provided to each Board member prior to filing with the IRS.
Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c: Explanation of Monitoring and Enforcement of ConflictsThe Zoo's Board of Directors has a conflict of interest policy to ensure that both the Zoo and its directors and officers are protected from concerns of conflict of interest. The policy asks the directors and officers to disclose their relationship with other organizations or people that might give rise to a situation in which the officer or director would be subject to criticism for a conflict. Each year the Zoo asks its directors and officers to complete and file a form with the Zoo to meet this requirement. The Chairperson of the Audit Committee is responsible for the oversight process and the Chairperson of the Board of Directors is responsible for addressing any conflicts that may be disclosed in the process.
Form 990, Part VI, Line 15a: Compensation Review & Approval Process - CEO, Top ManagementThe compensation of the President/CEO is determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The Committee reviews both comparable salaries for similar positions listed on other organizations' Form 990s as well as comparable position salaries in the American Zoological Association Salary Survey.
Form 990, Part VI, Line 15b: Compensation Review and Approval Process for Officers and Key EmployeesSee above for the process followed for other officers and key employees.
Form 990, Part VI, Line 19: Other Organization Documents Publicly AvailableThese documents are provided upon request.