Columbus Zoological Park Association
Columbus Zoological Park Association is a public charity based in Powell, Ohio, formed in 1930. Its work centers on the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s mission, “Empowering People. Saving Wildlife,” including education and local and global conservation.
Columbus Zoological Park Association at a glance
In short: Columbus Zoological Park Association gave $863K across 21 grants in 2024 (avg $41K), top state Ohio. 10% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $862,544
- -74.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 21
- -12.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $41,074
- -70.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,010
- Total assets
- $314,140,606
- +3.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 10% first-time grantees (2 of 21, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (28% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Columbus Zoological Park Association
- How to Apply
-
The zoo’s separate ticket-donation program accepts requests from eligible organizations for 20 or more tickets, subject to mission alignment and availability. Eligible requesters must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or tax-exempt government agency based in one of 11 listed Ohio counties, provide an IRS tax determination letter, and submit at least four weeks before the event. Organizations are limited to one request per year; schools seeking bulk tickets are ineligible and are directed to a separate scholarship program.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 400, Powell, OH 43065-0400
Phone: (614) 645-3400
Website: https://columbuszoo.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Columbus Zoological Park Association funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was International Center for the Preservation of Wild Animals Inc ($218K). Together the top 10 received $757K.
Grant Size Distribution
82 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 70 grants of 82 (85%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars were distributed among recipients in Ohio (28%), South Carolina (18%), California (16%), Florida (15%), and Texas (9%). The association’s conservation fund website describes grants to conservation leaders in more than 40 countries, supporting work in animals’ native ranges. The listed 2024 grantees include organizations based in several U.S. states.
For ticket donations, eligible organizations must be based in Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Guernsey, Licking, Madison, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Pickaway, or Union County in Ohio.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 21 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Columbus Zoological Park Association open to new grantees?
10%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 21 grantees (10%) were first-time recipients. With only 21 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $45K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $20K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). 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 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $285K (2021) to $3.4M (2023). In 2024 it made 21 grants totaling $863K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| International Center for the Preservation of Wild Animals Inc Cumberland, OH | Animal Conservation | $218,100 |
| Turtle Survival Alliance North Charleston, SC | Animal Conservation | $152,465 |
| MGVP Inc Davis, CA | Animal Conservation | $110,869 |
| Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Clearwater, FL | Animal Conservation | $106,000 |
| Rewild Austin, TX | Animal Conservation | $45,000 |
| Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation Monterey, CA | Animal Conservation | $30,000 |
| Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International Atlanta, GA | Animal Conservation | $25,000 |
| Friends of Bonobos Durham, NC | Animal Conservation | $25,000 |
| International Elephant Foundation Azle, TX | Animal Conservation | $25,000 |
| Save the Manatee Club Inc Longwood, FL | Animal Conservation | $20,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Columbus Zoological Park Association?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The association reported 21 grants in 2024, 24 in 2023, and 15 in 2022.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $314,140,606 | $88,819,571 | $79,436,914 | $862,544 | 21 | $4,163,868 |
| 2023 | $303,327,005 | $87,290,299 | $75,836,262 | $3,365,545 | 24 | $3,727,587 |
| 2022 | $286,289,577 | $89,903,001 | $77,482,942 | $2,090,917 | 15 | $819,719 |
| 2021 | $275,455,556 | $103,280,742 | $68,322,018 | $284,745 | 12 | $1,162,772 |
| 2020 | $233,605,810 | $67,568,755 | $62,133,883 | $292,186 | 10 | $584,915 |
| 2019 | $234,427,801 | $84,038,749 | $74,644,212 | $942,405 | 33 | $471,810 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is “Empowering People. Saving Wildlife.” Its 2024 filing describes a 600-acre zoo complex with more than 5,800 animals representing over 600 species, and identifies education and support for local and global conservation as ways it advances its mission.
The 2024 grants listed in the filing were for animal conservation. The supported organizations’ own missions illustrate the range of work represented: the Turtle Survival Alliance Foundation says it protects and restores wild tortoise and turtle populations; Clearwater Marine Aquarium describes work in marine-life rescue, rehabilitation, release, education, research, and conservation; and RE:WILD says it protects and restores the wild. Other grantees describe missions involving ocean conservation, gorilla conservation and research, elephant conservation, bonobo protection and rainforest conservation, and sea turtle conservation.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the association reported 21 grants totaling $862,544. Grants ranged from $5,100 to $218,100, with a median grant of $10,010. The largest listed awards were $218,100 to International Center for the Preservation of Wild Animals Inc. for animal conservation; $152,465 to Turtle Survival Alliance for animal conservation; $110,869 to MGVP Inc. for animal conservation; and $106,000 to Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research for animal conservation.
Other listed awards included $45,000 to REWILD, $30,000 to Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation, $25,000 each to Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, Friends of Bonobos, and International Elephant Foundation, and $20,000 to Save the Manatee Club Inc. The filing describes a grant-reporting process requiring a detailed progress report and project images within 6 to 12 months of receipt.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Katie Wolfe Lloyd as chairperson, Daniel Gusty as vice chairperson, John McConnell II as secretary, and Adriana Hastings as treasurer. Keith Shumate is listed as immediate past chairperson. Trustees listed are Timothy Bergwall, Michael Brown, Teri Caulin-Glaser, Rev. Dr. Victor Davis, and Brent Jackson.
Columbus Zoological Park Association is led by Thomas Schmid, Chief Executive Officer on every filing since 2021; 10 of 31 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Thomas Schmid
Chief Executive Officer
On filings since 2021
55 hrs/week
$27K (2021) → $635K (2024)
Katie Wolfe Lloyd
Chairperson- Board of Directors
Treasurer- Board of Director & Appt Board → Chairperson - Board of Director & Appt Board, 2023
Chairperson - Board of Director & Appt Board → Chairperson- Board of Directors, 2024
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Bonifas
Controller & Director of Finance
Interim Chief Financial Officer → Controller & Director of Finance, 2022
On filings since 2021
55 hrs/week
$170K (2021) → $222K (2024)
Brent Jackson
Trustee- Board of Directors
Trustee → Trustee - Board of Directors, 2020
Trustee - Board of Directors → Trustee- Board of Directors, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Moore
Trustee- Board of Directors
Trustee → Trustee - Board of Directors, 2020
Trustee - Board of Directors → Trustee- Board of Directors, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Massanova
Trustee- Board of Directors
Trustee → Trustee - Board of Directors, 2020
Trustee - Board of Directors → Trustee- Board of Directors, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen Morrison
Trustee- Board of Directors
Trustee - Board of Directors & Appointed Board → Trustee - Board of Director & Appt Board, 2023
Trustee - Board of Director & Appt Board → Trustee- Board of Directors, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lark Mallory
Trustee- Board of Directors
Trustee - Appointed Board → Trustee - Board of Director & Appt Board, 2023
Trustee - Board of Director & Appt Board → Trustee- Board of Directors, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pam O'Grady
Trustee- Board of Directors
Trustee - Appointed Board → Trustee - Board of Director & Appt Board, 2023
Trustee - Board of Director & Appt Board → Trustee- Board of Directors, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sean Mentel
Trustee- Board of Directors
Trustee - Appointed Board → Trustee - Board of Director & Appt Board, 2023
Trustee - Board of Director & Appt Board → Trustee- Board of Directors, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ej Wunsch
Trustee- Board of Directors
Trustee - Board of Directors → Trustee- Board of Directors, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rustin Moore Dvm PhD
Trustee- Board of Directors
Trustee - Board of Directors → Trustee- Board of Directors, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Victor Davis
Trustee- Board of Directors
Trustee - Appointed Board → Trustee - Board of Director & Appt Board, 2023
Trustee - Board of Director & Appt Board → Trustee- Board of Directors, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Zachary T. Talarek
Trustee- Board of Directors
Trustee - Appointed Board → Trustee - Board of Director & Appt Board, 2023
Trustee - Board of Director & Appt Board → Trustee- Board of Directors, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathy A. Owens
Trustee- Board of Directors
Trustee - Board of Directors → Trustee- Board of Directors, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kenneth C. Paul
Trustee- Board of Directors
Trustee - Board of Directors → Trustee- Board of Directors, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael S. Brown
Trustee- Board of Directors
Trustee - Board of Directors → Trustee- Board of Directors, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Teri Caulin-Glaser
Trustee- Board of Directors
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Timothy Bergwall
Trustee- Board of Directors
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carman Wirtz
Senior Vice President of Human Resources
Senior Vice President - Human Resources → Senior Vice President of Human Resources, 2021
On filings since 2019
55 hrs/week
$202K (2019) → $266K (2024)
Jennifer Ryan
Senior Vice President of Operations & Sustainability
Senior Vice President - Ops & Sustainability → Senior Vice President of Operations & Sustainability, 2022
On filings since 2019
55 hrs/week
$203K (2019) → $265K (2024)
Mayme Norman
Vice President of Philanthropy
On filings since 2021
55 hrs/week
$156K (2021) → $195K (2024)
Randall Junge
Vice President of Animal Health
On filings since 2021
55 hrs/week
$168K (2021) → $227K (2024)
Angel Mumma
Senior Vice President of Finance
On filings since 2022
55 hrs/week
$120K (2022) → $264K (2024)
Jan Ramer
Senior Vice President of Animal Care & Conservation
Senior Vice President of Conservation & Animal Care → Senior Vice President of Animal Care & Conservation, 2023
On filings since 2022
55 hrs/week
$225K (2022) → $239K (2024)
Douglas Warmolts
Vice President on Animal Care
On filings since 2023
55 hrs/week
$180K (2023) → $186K (2024)
Bob Mayes
Vice President of Information Technology
New on the 2024 filing
55 hrs/week
$181K (2024)
Adriana Hastings
Treasurer- Board of Directors
Trustee - Board of Directors → Treasurer- Board of Director & Appt Board, 2023
Treasurer- Board of Director & Appt Board → Treasurer- Board of Directors, 2024
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John H. McConnell II
Secretary- Board of Directors
Trustee - Board of Directors → Secretary- Board of Director & Appt Board, 2023
Secretary- Board of Director & Appt Board → Secretary- Board of Directors, 2024
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Keith Shumate
Imm. Past Chairperson- Board of Director
Chairperson-Bd of Director & Appt Board → Imm. Past Chairperson - Board of Director, 2023
Imm. Past Chairperson - Board of Director → Imm. Past Chairperson- Board of Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel P. Gusty
Vice Chairperson- Board of Directors
Vice Chairperson - Board of Director & Appt Board → Vice Chairperson- Board of Directors, 2024
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (37)
- Former: Brad Dehays (2019–2023) — Trustee - Appointed Board
- Former: Brian O'Mara (2019–2023) — Trustee - Board of Directors
- Former: Gary Marcinick (2019–2023) — Trustee - Board of Directors
- Former: Joseph Donovan MD (2019–2023) — Trustee - Board of Directors
- Former: Mary Rose (2019–2023) — Trustee - Appointed Board
- Former: Raja Sundararajan (2019–2023) — Trustee - Board of Directors
- Former: Stephanie Hightower (2019–2023) — Trustee - Board of Directors
- Former: Stephanie Fortener (2020–2023) — Trustee - Board of Directors
- Former: Tyler Menke (2023) — Vice President of Facilities & Planning
- Former: Chad A. Jester (2019–2022) — Imm. Past Chairperson-Bd of Director & Appt Board
- Former: Craig Marshall (2019–2022) — Trustee - Appointed Board
- Former: Erin Appleman (2019–2022) — Trustee - Board of Directors
- Former: J. Randall Schoedinger (2019–2022) — Trustee - Board of Directors
- Former: Dan Gusty (2020–2022) — Trustee - Board of Directors
- Former: Bernard Master DO (2019–2021) — Trustee - Appointed Board
- Former: Gregory Bell (2019–2021) — Former Executive Vice President & CFO
- Former: Thomas Stalf (2019–2021) — Former Chief Executive Officer
- Former: Jen Ryan (2021) — Senior Vice President of Operations & Sustainability
- Former: Michael Kreger (2021) — Vice President of Conservation & Sustainability
- Former: Timothy R. May (2021) — Trustee - Appointed Board
- Former: Bonnie Milenthal (2019–2020) — Trustee - Appointed Board
- Former: Charles Greene (2019–2020) — Senior Vice President - Animal Care & Conservation
- Former: Jack B. Hanna (2019–2020) — Director Emeritus
- Former: Robert Weisman (2019–2020) — Trustee - Appointed Board
- Former: Susan Rector (2019–2020) — Trustee - Appointed Board
- Former: Terri Kepes (2019–2020) — Senior Vice President - Planning & Design
- Former: Tim May (2019–2020) — Trustee - Appointed Board
- Former: William Grove (2019–2020) — Trustee - Board of Directors
- Former: Janelle Coleman (2020) — Executive Vice President External Affairs
- Former: Jessica Germain (2020) — Trustee - Board of Directors
- Former: James Balthaser (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Keshav Sharma (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Larry Abbott (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Peter Fingerhut (2019) — Vice President of Marketing
- Former: Rustin Moore (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Stephanie Fortener Quigley (2019) — Treasurer & Trustee
- Former: Thomas Heiby (2019) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $635K, to Thomas Schmid (Chief Executive Officer). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Columbus Zoological Park Association
How much does Columbus Zoological Park Association give each year?
Columbus Zoological Park Association gave $863K across 21 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $3.4M across 24 grants.
What is Columbus Zoological Park Association's typical grant size?
Columbus Zoological Park Association's median grant in 2024 was $10,010, and its average grant was $41,074, across 21 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Columbus Zoological Park Association that year got $8K on average.
Where does Columbus Zoological Park Association give grants?
Columbus Zoological Park Association's top state is Ohio, with 28% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were South Carolina (18%) and California (16%).
Does Columbus Zoological Park Association give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 21 grants with a stated purpose on Columbus Zoological Park Association's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Animal Conservation" (21 grants).
Who are Columbus Zoological Park Association's largest grantees?
Columbus Zoological Park Association's largest 2024 grantees include International Center for the Preservation of Wild Animals Inc ($218,100), Turtle Survival Alliance ($152,465) and MGVP Inc ($110,869), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 56% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Columbus Zoological Park Association?
Columbus Zoological Park Association reported $314.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $88.8M.
What does Columbus Zoological Park Association fund?
The organization’s stated mission is “Empowering People. Saving Wildlife.” Its 2024 filing describes a 600-acre zoo complex with more than 5,800 animals representing over 600 species, and identifies education and support for local and global conservation as ways it advances its mission. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Columbus Zoological Park Association?
The zoo’s separate ticket-donation program accepts requests from eligible organizations for 20 or more tickets, subject to mission alignment and availability. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Columbus Zoological Park Association's EIN?
Columbus Zoological Park Association's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-4390844. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 26, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 4, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 10, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Columbus Zoological Park Association funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/columbus-zoological-park-association-morg_e75dff9aaa9343c89f95b08c186e7035
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_314390844_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Columbus Zoological Park Association funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/columbus-zoological-park-association-morg_e75dff9aaa9343c89f95b08c186e7035},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Columbus Zoological Park Association'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.
Columbus Zoological Park Association down — hundreds of funders to go?