Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc
Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc is a public charity based in Atlanta, Georgia, that operates Zoo Atlanta. Its work includes wildlife conservation, research, education, animal care, and visitor experiences. The organization also supports conservation projects through grants to other organizations.
Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc at a glance
In short: Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc gave $156K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $14K), top state Virginia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $156,140
- +21.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- +10.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $14,195
- +10.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $126,117,099
- +5.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Virginia (35% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc
- How to Apply
-
For endowment funding, projects are proposed by Zoo team members. Licensed nonprofits seeking event-donation support may apply online with an event flyer at least eight weeks before the event.
- Contact
Mailing address: 800 Cherokee Ave Se, Atlanta, GA 30315
Phone: (404) 624-5889
Website: https://zooatlanta.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc
Who Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Charities Aid Foundations - Friends of Tusk ($55K). Together the top 10 received $149K.
Grant Size Distribution
35 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 30 grants of 35 (86%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Zoo describes its conservation work as spanning Africa, Asia, Central and South America, and Georgia. Its 2025 grants went to organizations in multiple states: Virginia received 35% of grant dollars, California 18%, New York 11%, South Carolina 10%, and Ohio 7%. These figures describe the locations of grant recipients, not necessarily the locations where funded work takes place.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $40K (2020) to $156K (2025). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $156K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Charities Aid Foundations - Friends of Tusk Alexandria, VA | To Help with Elephants | $55,000 |
| Turtle Survival Alliance Charleston, SC | To Help with Turtles | $15,000 |
| Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Cleveland, OH | To Help with Gorillas | $11,151 |
| Borneo Orangutan Survival USA San Jose, CA | To Help with Orangutans | $10,000 |
| Wildlife Alliance New York, NY | General Conservation | $10,000 |
| International Rhino Foundation Fort Worth, TX | To Help with Rhinos | $10,000 |
| Wildlife Conservation Network Inc San Francisco, CA | General Conservation | $10,000 |
| Minnesota Zoo Foundation Apple Valley, MN | To Help with Tigers | $10,000 |
| Peregrine Fund Boise, ID | To Help with the African Vulture | $9,000 |
| Red Panda Network San Francisco, CA | To Help with Red Pandas | $8,489 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $126,117,099 | $42,311,626 | $35,610,875 | $156,140 | 11 | $1,198,560 |
| 2024 | $119,848,749 | $34,059,721 | $34,446,959 | $128,427 | 10 | $1,068,827 |
| 2023 | $119,672,776 | $46,504,632 | $31,668,462 | $132,596 | 10 | $1,169,412 |
| 2022 | $101,334,225 | $35,001,051 | $29,521,887 | $60,000 | 1 | $339,208 |
| 2021 | $96,858,254 | $33,379,671 | $26,620,716 | $62,000 | 3 | $325,077 |
| 2020 | $88,329,829 | $20,822,460 | $23,232,874 | $40,240 | 4 | $128,515 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization states its mission is to save wildlife and their habitats through research, conservation, education, and engaging experiences, connecting people to animals and inspiring conservation action.
Its 2025 filing describes conservation support for wildlife and wild places around the world, including funding for established conservation organizations and field work, community outreach, research, and education involving Zoo staff. The 2025 grants included support for work concerning elephants, turtles, gorillas, orangutans, rhinos, tigers, vultures, and red pandas, as well as general conservation.
Among its 2025 grantees, Wildlife Alliance described its mission as partnering with local communities and governments to combat deforestation, biodiversity loss, climate change, and poverty in tropical Asia. Minnesota Zoo Foundation said it raises contributed income and supports conservation and animal care programs on behalf of the Minnesota Zoo. Wildlife Conservation Network described its work as connecting conservationists and supporters, deploying resources to the field, and providing conservationists with tools and support.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 11 grants totaling $156,140. Grants ranged from $7,500 to $55,000, with a median of $10,000. The largest awards included $55,000 to Charities Aid Foundations – Friends of Tusk for elephant support; $15,000 to Turtle Survival Alliance; and $11,151 to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo for gorilla support. Other listed grants included $10,000 each to Borneo Orangutan Survival USA, Wildlife Alliance, International Rhino Foundation, Wildlife Conservation Network, and Minnesota Zoo Foundation.
The Mabel Dorn Reeder Conservation Endowment Fund awarded seven grants totaling $66,000 in 2025, according to the organization’s filing. The Zoo’s website says endowment projects are proposed by Zoo team members and selected by a review committee. The filing states that grants to tax-exempt organizations further the grantee’s exempt purpose and do not require further review.
The Zoo also considers requests for complimentary tickets from licensed nonprofit organizations for fundraising events. Requests are submitted through an online application, must include an event flyer, and must arrive at least eight weeks before the event. The program is limited by monthly capacity, and each organization may submit one request in a 12-month period. Separately, the Safari Camp Scholarship Program supports children attending the Zoo’s camp; it is not a grant program for outside organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Lisa Laube as Director & Chair; Mark Roberts as Director & Secretary; and Andrew W Evans, Beth Kytle Chandler, Bill Cary, Cindy Davis, Gigi Rouland, Matthew Simon Schumann, Nathan Lewis, and Nick Franz as Directors & Vice Chairs. The Zoo’s press kit identifies Raymond B. King as its President and CEO.
Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc is led by Raymond B. King, CEO & President on every filing since 2020; 8 of 38 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Raymond B. King
CEO & President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$599K (2020) → $855K (2025)
Lisa Laube
Director & Chair
Director → Director & Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
1.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrew W. Evans
Director & Vice Chair
On filings since 2020
1.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Beth Kytle Chandler
Director & Vice Chair
On filings since 2020
1.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bill Cary
Director & Vice Chair
Director → Director & Vice Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
1.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cindy Davis
Director & Vice Chair
Director → Director & Vice Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
1.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gigi Rouland
Director & Vice Chair
Director & Officer → Director & Vice Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
1.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Roberts
Director & Secretary
Director & Vice Chair → Director & Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
1.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nathan Lewis
Director & Vice Chair
Director & Vice Chair → Director, 2022
Director → Director & Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
1.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
R. Scott Taylor Jr.
Director & Immediate Past Chair
Director & Chair-Elect → Director & Chair, 2021
Director & Chair → Director & Immediate Past Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
1.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sonji Jacobs
Director & Vice Chair
Director → Director & Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tye Darland
Director & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Fran Forehand
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Moody
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jerry Gahlhoff
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Holder
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Caroline Reddington
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deretta Cole Rhodes PhD
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Clancy Peak
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sunny Park
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Suzanne Mitchell
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tim Wilkerson
Director
Director → Director & Vice Chair, 2024
Director & Vice Chair → Director, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Todd Ellis
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carli Huband
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
E. Jewelle Johnson
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kim Lyman
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Greenberg Sachs
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Vijay Pinto
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Audra Cunningham
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Simon Schumann
Director & Vice Chair
New on the 2025 filing
1.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nick Franz
Director & Vice Chair
New on the 2025 filing
1.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cary Burgess
Senior Vice President Gov't & Committee Affairs
Senior Vice President - Operations → Senior Vice President Dei, Gov't & Committee Affairs, 2022
Senior Vice President Dei, Gov't & Committee Affairs → Senior Vice President Gov't & Committee Affairs, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$146K (2020) → $180K (2025)
Eric Hall
Vice President Facilities
Vice President Facilities & Construction → Vice President Facilities, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$145K (2020) → $215K (2025)
Russell Jacobs
Former CFO & COO
CFO → CFO & COO, 2021
CFO & COO → Former CFO & COO, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$149K (2020) → $106K (2025)
Zoe Nieminen
Vice President & Chief Advancement Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$139K (2020) → $199K (2025)
Jennifer Smith
Chief Operating Officer
Vice President Strategic Ptnrshp & Initiatives → Chief Operating Officer, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$163K (2023) → $215K (2025)
Gina Ferrie
Vice President of Collections & Conservation
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$176K (2025)
Veronica Jacobs
Chief Financial Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$142K (2025)
Former officers (28)
- Former: Deepak Raghavan (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Duane Jackson (2020–2024) — Director & Vice Chair
- Former: James Cheeks (2020–2024) — Director & Vice Chair
- Former: Kathleen Hill Goddard (2020–2024) — Director & Secretary
- Former: Matthew Simon-Schumann (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Mike Dickerson (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Nicholas R. Franz (2020–2024) — Director & Vice Chair
- Former: William Nemetz (2020–2024) — Director & Vice Chair
- Former: Wednesda Furman (2023–2024) — Vice President Hr
- Former: Benna Deese (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Erica Qualls-Battey (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: John Ripoll (2020–2022) — Director & Vice Chair
- Former: Lovette Russell (2020–2022) — Director & Vice Chair
- Former: Meredith Cagigal (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Michael Paul (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Richard McPhail (2020–2022) — Director & Vice Chair
- Former: Shan Cooper (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Amol Naik (2022) — Director
- Former: Jennifer Mickelberg (2022) — Vice President Collections & Conservation
- Former: Sam Rivera (2022) — Vice President of Animal Health
- Former: Hayley Murphy (2020–2021) — Deputy Director - Former
- Former: Ron Frieson (2020–2021) — Director & Vice Chair
- Former: Tomson Karivelil (2020–2021) — Senior Director - It
- Former: Aleem Gillani (2020) — Director
- Former: Allegra Lawrence-Hardy (2020) — Director
- Former: Kelly King (2020) — Director
- Former: Pedro Cherry (2020) — Director
- Former: Robert J. Cortelyou (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $855K, to Raymond King (CEO & President). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc
How much does Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc give each year?
Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc gave $156K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $128K across 10 grants.
What is Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc's typical grant size?
Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $14,195, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc give grants?
Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc's top state is Virginia, with 35% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were California (18%) and New York (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (2 grants).
Does Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 18% of Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 11) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc's largest grantees?
Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Charities Aid Foundations - Friends of Tusk ($55,000), Turtle Survival Alliance ($15,000) and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo ($11,151), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 52% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc?
Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc reported $126.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $42.3M.
What does Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc fund?
The organization states its mission is to save wildlife and their habitats through research, conservation, education, and engaging experiences, connecting people to animals and inspiring conservation action. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc?
For endowment funding, projects are proposed by Zoo team members. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc's EIN?
Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-1655184. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 2, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 28, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 17, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 31, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/atlanta-fulton-county-zoo-inc-morg_84cb9d2e842641adbd67bf792a55406d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_581655184_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/atlanta-fulton-county-zoo-inc-morg_84cb9d2e842641adbd67bf792a55406d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Atlanta Fulton County Zoo Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?