irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $218KGIFT SHOP AND CAFE - THE FRIENDS RUN A GIFT SHOP AND JUNGLE CAFE ON THE GROUNDS OF THE ZOO FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE VISITORS. ALL PROFITS FROM SALES GO TO SUPPORT THE ZOO. THIS AMOUNT IS THE OPERATING COSTS OF RUNNING THE GIFT SHOP AND CAFE.
- #2 $466KEDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS - THE FRIENDS HAVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AT THE ZOO DURING THE SUMMER AND DURING SCHOOL BREAKS, AS WELL AS PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS IN THE COMMUNITY (ZOO TO YOU).
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Educational Programs
Offers summer and school-break educational programs at the zoo and community outreach through "Zoo to You" initiatives
Gift Shop and Jungle Cafe
On-site retail and food service operations where all profits support the Rosamond Gifford Zoo; includes a Skaneateles expansion location
Special Events
Hosts events such as Brew at the Zoo, Yoga with the Elephants, Holiday Nights, and the Rosamond Cup golf tournament to raise funds and awareness
Summer Creature Chats
Daily educational animal presentations including Elephant Stretch Training, Penguin Chat, Primate Park Chat, and others to engage visitors with wildlife
activities · 10 groups
What they do
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Accessibility Services for Cultural Programs 1 activity
- Accessibility Services for VisitorsProvides free push wheelchair and motorized wheelchair rentals, as well as single and double stroller rentals, to ensure accessible zoo experiences for all guests.
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Community Stewardship Volunteer Programs 1 activity
- Community Partnerships and Garden MaintenancePartners with the Syracuse Garden Club and Master Gardeners program to maintain zoo grounds, including rain gardens, butterfly garden, and vegetable garden used for animal enrichment.
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Wildlife Monitoring and Field Research 1 activity
- Conservation Breeding ProgramsOperates breeding programs in coordination with other AZA-accredited institutions to support the survival of threatened and endangered species.
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- Educational Programming and Public OutreachProvides educational programs during summer and school breaks, hosts daily animal chats and feeding demonstrations, and conducts off-site outreach through the 'Zoo to You' program and classroom instruction by trained volunteers.
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Fundraising for Community and Charitable Initiatives 1 activity
- In-Kind Donations to Nonprofit Fundraising EventsProvides in-kind donations to support fundraising events for nonprofit organizations that align with its conservation and education mission.
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Library-Provided Cultural Access Passes 1 activity
- Membership Benefits and ProgramsOffers membership benefits including unlimited zoo admission for one year, early zoo admission for active members, discounts on events and programs, and free access to annual member events.
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Animal Welfare Fundraising through Retail and Sales 1 activity
- On-Site Retail and Food ServicesOperates a gift shop and Jungle Café on zoo grounds, with all profits supporting the Rosamond Gifford Zoo; generates financial support for zoo animals through on-site food and retail sales.
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Animal Welfare Fundraising Events 1 activity
- Special Events and FundraisersHosts annual events including the Winter Photo Contest, Zoo Boo Weekends, Party for the Planet, LGBTQ Family Day of Visibility, and fundraiser events such as Brew at the Zoo, Holiday Nights, Brunch with Santa, and golf tournaments including the Rosamond Cup and Ryder Cup themed event to support zoo operations and conservation initiatives.
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Museum Volunteer Engagement & Operations Support 1 activity
- Volunteer Engagement and SupportEngages trained volunteers to support education programs, special events, guest engagement, exhibit interpretation, and grounds maintenance.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Animal Exhibits and Habitat ManagementProvides habitat for over 700 animals representing 216 species, many of which are threatened or endangered, through indoor and outdoor exhibits including specialized spaces such as the USS Antiquities Cave/Aquarium and Helga Beck Asian Elephant Preserve.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$4.62M
Contributions & grants$1.84M40%
Program service revenue$402K9%
Investment income$260K6%
Other revenue$2.12M
expenses
Total expenses$4.62M
Program expenses62%
Admin / overhead19%
Fundraising19%
Salaries & benefits$2.78M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$8.25M
Cash$2.69M
Investments$5.05M
Liabilities$775K
Net assets$7.48M
Liquid reserves20.1 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +22.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CARRIE LARGE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $131K |
board members · 24
- AMANDA FOSTER — DIRECTOR
- AMANDA HULL — DIRECTOR
- AUSTIN PHILLEO — DIRECTOR
- BETH KING — DIRECTOR
- DANIEL JENKINS — DIRECTOR
- DEBBIE MESSINA — DIRECTOR
- DEBRA CODY — DIRECTOR
- JAMIE CARD — TREASURER
- JOANNA DENNIS — DIRECTOR
- JODY MANNING — DIRECTOR
- JOHN HARRIS — DIRECTOR
- KATHY O'CONNELL — DIRECTOR
- MEGHAN THOMAS — VICE CHAIR
- MELISSA HICKS — DIRECTOR
- MELISSA OLIVER — DIRECTOR
- NATALIE SCAVONE — SECRETARY
- RYAN LYNCH — DIRECTOR
- SABRINA WEBSTER — DIRECTOR
- SAVANNAH GIBBS — DIRECTOR
- STEVEN LICKSTEIN — DIRECTOR
- SUSAN COLE — DIRECTOR
- SUSIE LOBDELL — DIRECTOR
- TERRY HOPKINS — CHAIR
- TIM CROSBY — DIRECTOR
relationships · 24
Who they work with
- American Zoo and Aquarium Association Government — Accredited by AZA, indicating adherence to high standards of animal care and operations.
- Association of Zoos & Aquariums Government — Accrediting body that recognizes the zoo for meeting high standards in animal care, conservation education, and guest experience.
- Association of Zoos and Aquariums Government — Accredits the Rosamond Gifford Zoo and its animal care programs
- Circle of Friends Partner — Collaborates with Circle of Friends to offer premium memberships that provide essential support to the zoo and its programs.
- Friends of the Zoo Partner — Non-profit partner that collaborates with the Rosamond Gifford Zoo to provide visitor experiences and conservation education.
- Friends of the Zoo Partner — Non-profit partner that collaborates with the zoo to enhance visitor experiences and promote global wildlife conservation.
- Hofmann Dog Haus Partner — Concession partner operating Hofmann's, branded as The Official Hot Dog of the Zoo.
- Homer Junior High School Partner — Students created artwork displayed at the zoo.
- HoneyBee Café Partner — Concession partner providing food services at the zoo.
- Instagram Partner — Uses Instagram to share updates about animals and events at the zoo
- International Elephant Foundation Network — Zoo executive director serves on the Board of Directors.
- Jewish Federation of Central New York Partner — Provided funding or equipment support for mobility wheelchairs at the zoo.
- Master Gardeners program via Cornell Partner — Partners with the zoo to support grounds maintenance and green infrastructure projects.
- Onondaga County Government — Operates in partnership with Onondaga County, which provides non-discrimination policy and access support.
- Onondaga County Partner — Partnership to support the Rosamond Gifford Zoo as a community resource in Central New York.
- Partners for Education & Business Collaboration (PEBC) Partner — Collaborates with Henninger High School on the Wildlife Wonders project presented at the zoo.
- Skaneateles Community Center Partner — Collaborated to expand the Honey Bee Café to Skaneateles.
- Syracuse City School District Partner — Partnership with Henninger High School for the Wildlife Wonders project.
- Syracuse Garden Club Partner — Collaborates with the zoo to maintain and improve zoo grounds through horticultural projects.
- The Curious Cub Gift Shop Partner — Retail partner operating the zoo’s gift shop.
- The Manufacturers’ Association (MACNY) Partner — Collaborates with Henninger High School on the Wildlife Wonders project presented at the zoo.
- Tompkins Community Bank Partner — Supports the Rosamond Cup golf fundraiser event.
- Tompkins Community Bank Partner — Supports the Rosamond Cup golf tournament.
- Trunk and Tusk Canteen Partner — Concession partner providing food services at the zoo.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Animal Autonomy as a Foundation for Ethical Engagementmethodology: animal_autonomy-centered_careBy prioritizing animal autonomy and welfare—allowing animals to choose their daily location and designing habitats that support natural behaviors—the zoo fosters ethical animal care, which in turn strengthens public trust and enhances conservation education because visitors are more engaged when they perceive the institution as genuinely welfare-centered.
- Conservation Through Human-Animal Connectionmethodology: conservation-through-connectionBy using animals as ambassadors and creating engaging guest experiences, the zoo connects people emotionally to wildlife, which increases public support for conservation, education, and research because emotional engagement drives behavioral and financial commitment.
- Integrated Membership and Donor Engagement Modelmethodology: integrated-membership-supportBy integrating membership benefits with donor support and offering tiered financial participation, the zoo increases sustained financial contributions because members perceive value and are more likely to upgrade when benefits align with personal engagement and cost recovery over time.