irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2020
what they reported doing
Program narrative the organization filed with the IRS. Ordered by program spending.
- #1 primary $24.10MCONSERVATION AND RESEARCH: SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE FOCUSES ON EIGHT CONSERVATION HUBS ON SIX CONTINENTS THAT ANCHOR OUR CONSERVATION WORK, DRIVING MORE STRATEGIC OUTCOMES FOR WILDLIFE IN THESE REGIONS. THESE HUBS REPRESENT AREAS WHERE WE ARE CURRENTLY MOST INVESTED, AND THEREFORE HOPE TO HAVE THE GREATEST RETURN ON MISSION AND VISION. THE HUBS PROMOTE SYNERGY AND COLLABORATION AMONG MORE THAN 200 PARTNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS THAT REPRESENT A BROAD RANGE OF GOVERNMENT, NONPROFIT, CORPORATE, PRIVATE, AND ACADEMIC ORGANIZATIONS, AS WELL AS LOCAL COMMUNITIES, TO ACCOMPLISH OUR SHARED MISSION OF SAVING WILDLIFE. NURTURING THESE ALLIANCES DEEPENS OUR IMPACT WITHIN OUR CONSERVATION HUBS. AS WE LOOK TOWARD THE FUTURE, CONSERVATION OF WILDLIFE DEPENDS ON WORKING IN CLOSE COLLABORATION WITH PARTNERS OF DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS AND ETHNICITIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD, AS WELL AS RIGHT HERE AT HOME. THAT DIVERSITY IS WHAT MAKES OUR CONSERVATION WORK SO IMPACTFUL.
- #2 $6.83MEDUCATION AND OUTREACH: OUR ON-SITE AND DIGITAL EDUCATION OFFERINGS REACH OVER 350,000 STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS A YEAR THROUGH FIELD TRIPS, ASSEMBLY AND CLASSROOM PROGRAMS, TEACHING KITS, AND CURRICULUM SUPPLEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES, AS WELL AS TEACHER WORKSHOPS AND VIDEO CONFERENCING. OVER 30 MILLION PEOPLE EXPERIENCED OUR WEBSITES AND LIVE ANIMAL CAMS IN 2020 ALONE. WE REACH THOUSANDS OF ADDITIONAL GUESTS THROUGH SLEEPOVERS, SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS, ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY COURSES, TEAM-BUILDING PROGRAMS, AND SPECIALIZED TOURS. SAN DIEGO ZOO KIDS, OUR TELEVISION CHANNEL SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS AND RONALD MCDONALD HOUSES, REACHES MILLIONS OF CHILDREN IN 355 FACILITIES, IN 48 STATES AND 12 COUNTRIES.
named programs · 4 · from sources
what they call their work
Community Science
Public participation in scientific research and data collection to support ongoing conservation work worldwide
Conservation Hubs
International conservation initiatives focused on supporting wildlife, ecosystems, and local communities around the world
Education Programs
Range of wildlife education experiences including summer camps, learning adventures, and interactive web-based training courses for all ages
Wildlife Adoptions
Symbolic adoption program supporting conservation efforts for species such as giant pandas, African elephants, and Sumatran tigers at San Diego Zoo and globally
activities · 9
what they do
direct service · 8
- Manages live animal webcams for public engagementOperates public webcams for giant pandas, koalas, red pandas, and baboons to support education and remote wildlife observation.
- Offers symbolic wildlife adoptionsProvides symbolic adoption programs that support conservation efforts both locally in San Diego and in global field projects.
- Offers symbolic wildlife adoptionsProvides symbolic adoption opportunities for wildlife, with proceeds supporting conservation initiatives led by the organization in San Diego and around the world.
- Operates Denny Sanford Wildlife Explorers Basecamp Interactive Wildlife Exhibits & Animal EncountersManages a three-acre nature play area featuring wildlife encounters and interactive habitats for public education and engagement.
- Operates San Diego Zoo and Safari Park with comprehensive animal care Zoo Exhibit and Visitor Experience OperationsManages the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, providing care for more than 12,000 animals representing over 600 species.
- Operates Wildlife Explorers Basecamp nature play area Interactive Wildlife Exhibits & Animal EncountersRuns Denny Sanford Wildlife Explorers Basecamp, a three-acre interactive nature play space featuring wildlife encounters and immersive habitats.
- Operates live animal webcamsRuns live webcams for giant pandas, koalas, red pandas, and baboons, enabling remote public viewing and engagement with animal care programs.
- Provides complimentary parking for adult membersOffers free parking to adult members visiting the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park as a membership benefit.
research · 1
- Integrates wildlife health, research, and education for conservation solutionsCombines animal care, scientific research, and educational programming to develop and implement sustainable wildlife conservation strategies locally and globally.
strategies · 10
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any approach shared with other orgs to see the full field.
- Experiential Education through Immersion experiential education unique to this orgUses immersive, interactive environments and nature play to create meaningful visitor experiences that foster emotional and educational connections with wildlife and natural habitats.
- Experiential and Immersive Education experiential education unique to this orgEngages visitors through interactive, nature-based play and immersive environments to deepen understanding of wildlife and habitats, promoting conservation learning through direct experience.
- Foster Human-Wildlife Connection as Conservation Catalyst human_wildlife_connection unique to this orgPrioritizes emotional and experiential connections between people and animals as a primary driver for inspiring conservation action and behavioral change.
- Human-Wildlife Connection as Conservation Catalyst human_wildlife_connection unique to this orgFosters emotional and psychological connections between people and animals as a primary driver for inspiring conservation action and behavioral change.
- Integrated Conservation Model integrated_conservation unique to this orgCombines wildlife health and care, scientific research, and public education as interconnected pillars to advance conservation, leveraging synergies across operational, research, and advocacy functions.
- Integrated Conservation Model integrated_conservation unique to this orgCombines expertise in wildlife health and care, scientific research, and public education to advance species conservation, leveraging the synergy between animal care, science, and visitor engagement as a catalyst for global impact.
- Symbolic Adoption for Conservation Funding and Awareness symbolic_adoption unique to this orgOffers symbolic species adoptions to generate financial support and public awareness for conservation efforts, linking donor engagement directly to species protection.
- Symbolic Species Adoption Program symbolic_adoption unique to this orgOffers symbolic adoptions of species to generate funding for conservation while increasing public engagement and personal connection to wildlife.
- Visitor Preparation and Engagement Tools visitor_preparation_portal unique to this orgProvides online resources and tools to help members prepare for visits, enhancing visitor experience and readiness to engage with conservation messaging.
- Visitor Preparation and Engagement Tools visitor_preparation_portal unique to this orgProvides online resources and digital tools to help members prepare for visits, enhancing readiness and engagement with the zoo and park experiences.
financials · form 990 · fy2022
the money
revenue
Total revenue$392.44M
Contributions & grants$65.55M17%
Program service revenue$290.60M74%
Investment income$9.62M2%
Other revenue$26.66M
expenses
Total expenses$352.42M
Program expenses90%
Admin / overhead7%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$183.05M
Grants paid out$3.55M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$870.89M
Cash$144.68M
Investments$264.01M
Liabilities$159.24M
Net assets$711.66M
Liquid reserves13.9 mo
2 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue +58.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022
who runs it
paid leadership · 11
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAUL BARIBAULT | PRESIDENT/CEO | 50 | $1.31M |
| SHAWN DIXON | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 50 | $697K |
| DAVID FRANCO | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 50 | $687K |
| DAVID GILLIG | CHIEF PHILANTHROPY OFFICER | 50 | $543K |
| LISA PETERSON | EXEC DIRECTOR, SAFARI PARK | 50 | $423K |
| DAVID MILLER | CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER | 50 | $378K |
| ERIKA KOHLER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SAN DIEGO ZOO | 50 | $370K |
| EAMONN FARRELL | VICE PRESIDENT OF CONSTRUCTION | 50 | $240K |
| NADINE LAMBERSKI | CHF. CONSERVATION/WILDLIFE | 50 | $116K |
| AIDA ROSA | CHF. HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER | 50 | $96K |
| DAVID PAGE | VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE | 50 | $26K |
board members · 12
- AULANI WILHELM — TRUSTEE
- CLIFF HAGUE — TRUSTEE
- GARY KNELL — TRUSTEE
- JAVADE CHAUDHRI — BOARD CHAIR
- JUDY WHEATLEY — OUTGOING TRUSTEE (DECEASED)
- KATHLEEN CAIN CARRITHERS — TRUSTEE
- LINDA LOWENSTINE — TRUSTEE
- RICHARD GULLEY — BOARD TREASURER
- ROBERT HORSMAN — OUTGOING TRUSTEE
- ROLF BENIRSCHKE — TRUSTEE
- STEVEN SIMPSON — BOARD VICE CHAIR
- STEVEN TAPPAN — BOARD SECRETARY
relationships · 7
who they work with
- Denny Sanford Partner — Funder and namesake of Wildlife Explorers Basecamp.
- Safari Park Network — Operates in conjunction with the Safari Park as part of its dual-site conservation model.
- Safari Park Partner — Operates in conjunction with Safari Park as part of its dual "front doors" model.
- San Diego Zoo Network — Operates in conjunction with the San Diego Zoo as part of its dual-site conservation model.
- San Diego Zoo Partner — Operated by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance as part of its integrated conservation and public engagement mission.
- San Diego Zoo Partner — Operates in conjunction with the San Diego Zoo as part of its dual "front doors" model.
- San Diego Zoo Safari Park Partner — Operated by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance as part of its integrated conservation and public engagement mission.