named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Field Trips
Self-guided zoo visits for Pre-K through 12th grade students, lasting 1.5 to 2 hours, designed to align with NYS Learning Standards and promote conservation education.
Guided Tours
90-minute educational tours led by experienced zoo educators for school groups up to 20 students, focusing on animal adaptations, habitats, and conservation values.
Wild Science Program
Half-day, hands-on science program for middle school students (grades 6–8) featuring stations on ecology, biodiversity, tree identification, and animal adaptations.
Zoomobile
Mobile outreach program bringing biofacts and interactive presentations on wildlife trafficking and habitat loss to K–12 classrooms within 50 miles of the zoo.
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 2 activities
- Delivers conservation education programs to schools and communitiesProvides in-person and mobile outreach education programs, including guided school field trips, the Wild Science Program for middle school students, and Zoomobile visits that bring interactive wildlife education to schools within 50 miles. These programs serve over 40,000 people annually across New York and Pennsylvania.
- Facilitates animal feeding and interactive guest experiencesOffers visitors opportunities to feed goats and sheep with grain cups sold at the admissions kiosk for $3.00 and $2.00 refills, available daily during peak months and on weekends year-round. Also provides guided up-close encounters with Red Pandas for guests.
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Library-Provided Cultural Access Passes 2 activities
- Offers membership benefits and reciprocal discountsProvides membership benefits including free zoo admission, access to members-only events, 10% discount at the Zoovenirs Gift Shop, and $2.00 off admission to partner institutions such as the Discovery Center, Roberson Museum, Kopernik Observatory, and Phelps Mansion Museum.
- Supports community access through Pay it Forward programProvides zoo admission to low-income individuals through the "Pay it Forward" program, increasing access to nature-based learning and wildlife experiences.
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Accessibility Services for Cultural Programs 1 activity
- Enhances visitor experience with tram rides, tours, and rentalsOffers 9-passenger electric tram rides, guided tours, and rental services for strollers and wheelchairs to improve accessibility and engagement during visits.
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Event Venue Rental Services 1 activity
- Hosts educational and recreational events and rentalsOffers rental of indoor and outdoor event spaces—including pavilions, an amphitheater, and climate-controlled facilities—for birthday parties, weddings, community events, and meetings. Birthday parties include exclusive access to the Wolf Woods Education Center, setup and cleanup services, and admission for up to 30 guests. Pavilion and amphitheater rentals accommodate up to 210 and 300 individuals respectively, with pricing based on half-day or full-day use.
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Equitable Access Admission Programs 1 activity
- Offers inclusive admission and accessibility servicesProvides discounted admission through the Museums for All program for individuals with EBT, SNAP, or WIC cards and offers free admission to members. Also supports access through complimentary wheelchair rentals, stroller rentals, and a wheelchair-accessible 9-passenger electric tram operating April through November.
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Free Public Access Nature Sites 1 activity
- Operates Ross Park Zoo with naturalistic exhibits and daily public accessManages and maintains Ross Park Zoo, featuring naturalistic exhibits and winding wooded paths that house over 30 species. The zoo operates daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with last admission at 3 p.m., and is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
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Wildlife Conservation and Sustainable Hunting Management 1 activity
- Participates in Species Survival breeding programsActs as a recognized Sustainability Partner by participating in responsible breeding programs for multiple Species Survival Plan (SSP) initiatives to support conservation of endangered species.
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Nonprofit Internship Programs 1 activity
- Provides animal care internships and volunteer engagementRuns an animal care internship program offering hands-on training in animal husbandry, enrichment, and public education, requiring 240 hours for summer, spring, and fall terms and 120 hours for winter. Also engages volunteers in educational and operational roles to support zoo functions.
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Animal Welfare Fundraising through Retail and Sales 1 activity
- Uses gift shop proceeds to support animal careGenerates funding for animal care through sales in the Zoovenirs Gift Shop, with 10% of purchases returned to support zoo operations.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$1.10M
Contributions & grants$584K53%
Program service revenue$390K36%
Investment income$9K1%
Other revenue$114K
expenses
Total expenses$1.75M
Program expenses71%
Admin / overhead23%
Fundraising7%
Salaries & benefits$1.13M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.36M
Cash$5K
Investments$0
Liabilities$1.07M
Net assets$1.29M
Liquid reserves0.0 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2023 · YoY revenue -1.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHILLIP GINTER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $92K |
board members · 14
- ANDREA SHAPLEY — TREASURER
- CANDACE MULCAHY — DIRECTOR
- CHRISTOPHER WHALEN 123 - 1023 — DIRECTOR
- FAITH VAVRA — DIRECTOR
- JAMES FREEMAN 123 - 723 — DIRECTOR
- JAN SLACK — DIRECTOR
- JEFFREY JAKETIC — CHAIR
- KAITLYN HOWARD — DIRECTOR
- KATE CAHILL BEG 1023 — DIRECTOR
- LISA DONOVAN — SECRETARY
- MARIO FULVIO — DIRECTOR
- MEGAN HEIMAN — DIRECTOR
- SAMANTHA RIGO — DIRECTOR
- SCOTT FIEDLER — VICE CHAIR
relationships · 17
Who they work with
- Association of Zoos and Aquariums Government — Accrediting body for Ross Park Zoo under the oversight of the Southern Tier Zoological Society.
- Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Partner — Recognized as a Sustainability Partner in multiple Species Survival Plan (SSP) programs and participating in the AZA Pathway Toward Membership Program.
- Broome-Tioga BOCES Partner — Collaborates on field trip reimbursement and aligns programs with NYS Learning Standards
- City of Binghamton Government — Partner government entity that granted the Southern Tier Zoological Society a contract to operate and maintain Ross Park Zoo.
- Discovery Center Partner — Participates alongside Ross Park Zoo in the Museums for All program.
- Discovery Center Partner — Provides discounted admission to members through a partnership.
- Greenlight Networks Partner — Partner organization whose name is associated with the Wolf Woods Education Center at Ross Park Zoo.
- Kopernik Observatory Partner — Provides discounted admission to members through a partnership.
- Phelps Partner — Participates alongside Ross Park Zoo in the Museums for All program.
- Phelps Mansion Museum Partner — Provides discounted admission to members through a partnership.
- Roberson Partner — Participates alongside Ross Park Zoo in the Museums for All program.
- Roberson Museum Partner — Provides discounted admission to members through a partnership.
- Ross Park Zoo Partner — Collaborates with volunteers and interns in animal care, education, and facility maintenance.
- Ross Park Zoo Partner — Operates programs and events at Ross Park Zoo
- Southern Tier Discovery Center Partner — Shares a campus with the Ross Park Zoo but is not affiliated.
- USDA Government — Federally licensed facility subject to USDA inspections; certificate number 21-C-0018.
- United Way Network — Participates in the United Way giving program as a recipient organization.
strategies · 4
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.
- Conservation Education Through Storytelling and Experiential Engagementmethodology: conservation_education_through_storytellingBy combining storytelling about animal adaptations with up-close animal encounters, the zoo promotes conservation values like empathy and collaboration, because narrative and direct experience together make abstract ecological concepts tangible and emotionally resonant, driving behavioral change.
- Equitable Access Through Affordability Programsmethodology: equity_through_affordabilityBy offering discounted admission via Museums for All and a "Pay it Forward" sponsorship model, the zoo increases access for underserved communities, because reducing financial barriers enables broader participation and fosters inclusive conservation engagement.
- Experiential Science Education Linked to Curriculummethodology: experiential_science_educationBy connecting zoo visits to classroom science curricula through hands-on field experiences, the organization enhances science learning, because real-world application reinforces academic concepts and increases student engagement and retention.
- Nature-Based Learning for Conservation Empathymethodology: nature_based_learningBy using nature-based play and learning, the organization builds empathy in participants, which inspires long-term conservation action, because immersive, experiential connection to nature fosters emotional engagement and stewardship behavior.