Arizona Center for Nature Conservation
The Arizona Center for Nature Conservation (ACNC) is a public charity based in Phoenix, Arizona. It operates the Phoenix Zoo and supports animal and habitat conservation alongside education and visitor experiences intended to inspire care for the natural world.
Key facts about Arizona Center for Nature Conservation
In short: Arizona Center for Nature Conservation gave $189K across 10 grants in 2025 (avg $19K), top state Wisconsin. 30% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 86-0174843
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $189,345
- Grants made (2025)
- 10
- Average grant
- $18,935
- Median grant
- $12,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 30% first-time grantees (3 of 10, 2025; small sample)
- Total assets
- $132,631,795
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (32% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$132.6M
+19.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$189K
+126.8% YoY
Grant Count
10
+42.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$19K
+58.7% YoY
Is Arizona Center for Nature Conservation open to new grantees?
30%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 3 of 10 grantees (30%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $22K; repeat grants $18K. How we count
Medians: $23K first-time, $9K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
ACNC’s stated mission is to advance the stewardship and conservation of animals and their habitats while providing experiences that inspire people and motivate them to care for the natural world. Its filing describes education, ecosystem exhibitions, participation in species survival plans, and educational activities—particularly for children—as part of its work.
ACNC’s 2025 grants supported projects including rhino, black-footed ferret, tiger, chinchilla, maned wolf, flamingo, vulture, gartersnake, Mexican wolf, and peninsular pronghorn conservation. Its website also describes conservation projects involving species such as African painted dogs, Amur leopards, Andean bears, Asian elephants, and native Arizona wildlife.
The grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the kinds of organizations supported. The American Association of Zoo Keepers says it advances excellence in animal keeping, supports conservation projects, and promotes preservation of natural resources and animal life. Prairie Wildlife Research says it researches and conserves prairie wildlife and associated habitats. The Minnesota Zoo Foundation says it raises contributed income and supports conservation and animal care programs for the Minnesota Zoo. Zoo Conservation Outreach Group says its mission is to support wildlife and habitat conservation in the Americas.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, ACNC reported 10 grants totaling $189,345. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $42,000, with a median of $12,000.
The largest awards included $42,000 to the American Association of Zoo Keepers for rhino conservation and general program support; $36,408 to Prairie Wildlife Research for black-footed ferret conservation; $35,000 to the Association of Zoos & Aquariums for an AZA SAFE contribution, hurricane relief, and a wildlife tracking alliance donation; and $23,490 to Buffalo Nations Grasslands Alliance for black-footed ferret conservation. Other awards included $15,000 to the Minnesota Zoo Foundation for tiger conservation and $9,000 to Zoo Conservation Outreach Group for chinchilla, maned wolf, and flamingo SAFE programs.
ACNC’s filing says that when it is not directly involved in a project, it requires grantees to provide annual reporting packages describing outcomes specified in the grant agreement.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states. Reported shares were Wisconsin 32%, Arizona 30%, Maryland 23%, Minnesota 8%, and Idaho 4%. The itemized grants also included a $6,000 award to the Greater Los Angeles Zoo in California. ACNC’s website describes field conservation work extending from Costa Rica to Arizona, as well as local wildlife conservation projects.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $35K (2020) to $189K (2025). In 2025 it made 10 grants totaling $189K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was American Association of Zoo Keepers ($42K). Together the top 10 received $189K.
Grant Size Distribution
35 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 35 grants of 35 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Association of Zoo Keepers Phoenix, AZ | Rhino Conservation and General Program Support | $42,000 |
| Prairie Wildlife Research Stevens Point, WI | Black-Footed Ferret Conservation | $36,408 |
| Association of Zoos & Aquariums Baltimore, MD | Aza safe contribution, aza hurricane relief and wildlife tracking alliance donation | $35,000 |
| Buffalo Nations Grasslands Alliance Stevens Point, WI | Black-Footed Ferret Conservation | $23,490 |
| Minnesota Zoo Foundation Apple Valley, MN | Tiger Conservation | $15,000 |
| Zoo Conservation Outreach Group Silver Springs, MD | Chinchilla, Maned Wolf, and Flamingo Safe Programs | $9,000 |
| Peregrine Fund Boise, ID | Caifornia Condor Sustainablility and Vulture Conservation in Kenya | $8,000 |
| The University of Arizona Foundation Phoenix AZ, AZ | Narrow-Headed Gartersnake Fieldwork | $7,947 |
| Arizona Game & Fish Mesa, AZ | Mexican Wolf Conservation and Black-Footed Ferret Conservation | $6,500 |
| Greater Los Angeles Zoo Los Angeles, CA | Peninsular Pronghorn Program Support | $6,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $132,631,795 | $63,967,380 | $46,612,025 | $189,345 (10 grants) |
| 2024 | $111,167,210 | $49,345,230 | $42,576,318 | $83,500 (7 grants) |
| 2023 | $100,793,859 | $46,724,587 | $37,873,723 | $113,000 (9 grants) |
The filing describes a policy allowing annual distribution of up to 5% of the endowment fund’s average fair value over the prior 12 quarters, with the stated objective of maintaining purchasing power and supporting additional real growth.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $132,631,795 | $111,167,210 | $100,793,859 |
| Revenue | $63,967,380 | $49,345,230 | $46,724,587 |
| Expenses | $46,612,025 | $42,576,318 | $37,873,723 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,000,806 | $2,918,883 | $1,397,820 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 14, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Larry Fink as board chair and Maja Wessels as immediate past board chair. Other listed officers and directors are Yvonne A. Betts, chair of governance and nominating; Julie Gable, chair of outcomes; Gabrielle Vitale, chair of finance and treasurer; Kris Yamano, secretary; and trustees Jennifer Axel, Brian Baehr, Marty Barrett, and Jean C. Bingham.
Arizona Center for Nature Conservation is led by Norberto Castro, President & CEO on every filing since 2019; 9 of 43 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Norberto Castro
President & CEO
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$442K (2019) → $528K (2025)
Yvonne A. Betts
Chair Governance & Nominating
Vice Chair Board Development → Chair Governance & Nominating, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gabrielle Vitale
Chair Finance & Treasurer
Trustee → Vice Chair Finance & Treasurer, 2023
Vice Chair Finance & Treasurer → Chair Finance & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julie Gable
Chair Outcomes
Trustee → Vice Chair Outcomes, 2023
Vice Chair Outcomes → Chair Outcomes, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Larry Fink
Board Chair
Secretary → Board Chair-Elect, 2024
Board Chair-Elect → Board Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jean C. Bingham
Trustee
Trustee → Trustee Emeritus, 2021
Trustee Emeritus → Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joellen Doornbos
Trustee
Trustee → Trustee Emeritus, 2022
Trustee Emeritus → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Baehr
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dawn Meidinger
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda Hayes
Trustee
Vice Chair of Financial De → Chair Development, 2024
Chair Development → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Blaire
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard B. Burnham
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia Aguilar
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marty Barrett
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen M. Ochoa
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John C. Norling
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Sherman
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Avery Crossman
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Desmond Wilson
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jim Pratt
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristin Hartman
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rob Mawk
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carla Gartrell
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Kohne
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Doreen Feldberg
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Axel
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jim Maetzold
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Tucker
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Hoover
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bonnie Mendoza
COO & CFO
Executive Vice President & CFO → COO & CFO, 2022
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$245K (2019) → $377K (2025)
Christine Lowery-Nunez
CAO
Vice President of Human Resources → CAO, 2022
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$146K (2019) → $301K (2025)
Gary West
Senior Vice President of Animal Health
Senior Vice President Animal Health & Collec → Senior Vice President of Animal Health & Collection, 2024
Senior Vice President of Animal Health & Collection → Senior Vice President of Animal Health, 2025
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$225K (2019) → $344K (2025)
Lorraine Frias
Senior Vice President of Institutional Advan
Senior Vice President of Development → Senior Vice President of Institutional Advancement, 2024
Senior Vice President of Institutional Advancement → Senior Vice President of Institutional Advan, 2025
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$163K (2019) → $275K (2025)
Ruth Allard
Senior Vice President Conservation & Educati
Senior Vice President Conservation & Educati → Senior Vice President Conservation & Education, 2024
Senior Vice President Conservation & Education → Senior Vice President Conservation & Educati, 2025
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$187K (2019) → $268K (2025)
Joseph Wilkes
Senior Vice President of Facilities & Constr
Senior Vice President of Facilities & Constr → Senior Vice President of Facilities & Construction, 2024
Senior Vice President of Facilities & Construction → Senior Vice President of Facilities & Constr, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$112K (2021) → $222K (2025)
David Loncala
Vice President of Finance & Accounting
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$136K (2022) → $215K (2025)
Linda Parry
Vice President of Marketing
Vice President of Marketing, Communications & Events → Vice President of Marketing, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$165K (2023) → $217K (2025)
Harry Papp
Trustee Emeritus
Past Board Chair → Trustee Emeritus, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kris Yamano
Secretary
Vice Chair of Financial De → Trustee, 2023
Trustee → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maja Wessels
Immediate Past Board Chair
Chair → Board Chair, 2024
Board Chair → Immediate Past Board Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Fisher
Trustee Emeritus
Chair → Past Board Chair, 2023
Past Board Chair → Trustee Emeritus, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Higgins
Trustee Emeritus
Trustee → Trustee Emeritus, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Phil Petersen
Trustee Emeritus
Chair → Past Board Chair, 2021
Past Board Chair → Trustee Emeritus, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (23)
- Former: Craig Krumwiede (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Amber Vestal (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Steve Higgins (2023–2024) — Trustee Emeritus
- Former: Linda Hardwick (2024) — Vice President of Marketing, Communications & Even
- Former: Heidi Berger (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Michael Johnson (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Karen Peters (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: David Haworth (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: John Hoopes (2019–2022) — Vice Chair Outcomes
- Former: Jennifer Flowers (2020–2022) — Director of Guest Services
- Former: Susie Sherman (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Michelle Clarke (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Theresa Chacopulos (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Fae Rubenfeld (2019–2020) — Controller
- Former: Inger Erickson (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Peter Faur (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Sue Kidd (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Cynthia Bozik (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Tara Henson (2020) — Vice President of External Resources
- Former: Brian Skinner (2019) — Vice President Facilities Op & Construction
- Former: Edward Fox (2019) — Trustee Emeritus
- Former: Philip Peterson (2019) — Chair
- Former: Richard Sartor (2019) — Director of Living Collections
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $528K, to Norberto Castro (President/CEO). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 455 N Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Phone: (602) 273-1341
Frequently asked questions about Arizona Center for Nature Conservation
How much does Arizona Center for Nature Conservation give each year?
Arizona Center for Nature Conservation gave $189K across 10 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $84K across 7 grants.
What is Arizona Center for Nature Conservation's typical grant size?
Arizona Center for Nature Conservation's median grant in 2025 was $12,000, and its average grant was $18,935, across 10 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Arizona Center for Nature Conservation that year got $22K on average.
Where does Arizona Center for Nature Conservation give grants?
Arizona Center for Nature Conservation's top state is Wisconsin, with 32% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Arizona (30%) and Maryland (23%). The most frequent recipient cities were Stevens Point, WI (2 grants).
Does Arizona Center for Nature Conservation give general operating support?
Yes: 10% of Arizona Center for Nature Conservation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 10) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Arizona Center for Nature Conservation's largest grantees?
Arizona Center for Nature Conservation's largest 2025 grantees include American Association of Zoo Keepers ($42,000), Prairie Wildlife Research ($36,408) and Association of Zoos & Aquariums ($35,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 60% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Arizona Center for Nature Conservation?
Arizona Center for Nature Conservation reported $132.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $64.0M.
What does Arizona Center for Nature Conservation fund?
ACNC’s stated mission is to advance the stewardship and conservation of animals and their habitats while providing experiences that inspire people and motivate them to care for the natural world. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Arizona Center for Nature Conservation?
Arizona Center for Nature Conservation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Arizona Center for Nature Conservation's EIN?
Arizona Center for Nature Conservation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-0174843. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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Arizona Center for Nature Conservation down — hundreds of funders to go?