Detroit Zoological Society
The Detroit Zoological Society is a public charity based in Royal Oak, Michigan, formed in 1924. It operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center and supports animal care and welfare, wildlife conservation, education, and public engagement with nature.
Detroit Zoological Society at a glance
In short: Detroit Zoological Society gave $281K across 16 grants in 2024 (avg $18K), top state Georgia. 13% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $281,020
- +12.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 16
- -11.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $17,564
- +26.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $70,446,976
- -0.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 13% first-time grantees (2 of 16, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Georgia (25% 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 Detroit Zoological Society
- Contact
Mailing address: 8450 W 10 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48067
Phone: (248) 541-5717
Website: https://detroitzoo.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Detroit Zoological Society funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International Inc ($70K). Together the top 10 received $223K.
Grant Size Distribution
97 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 93 grants of 97 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Society is based in Michigan, and its filing describes conservation programs operating locally, nationally, and internationally. Its 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states; the largest reported shares were Georgia (25%), Maine (14%), California (12%), Texas (11%), and Virginia (7%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Detroit Zoological Society open to new grantees?
13%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 16 grantees (13%) were first-time recipients. With only 16 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $14K; repeat grants $18K. How we count
Medians: $14K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 69% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−2%). Method
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 $250K (2023) to $429K (2022). In 2024 it made 16 grants totaling $281K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International Inc Atlanta, GA | Conservation Support | $70,000 |
| Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center Inc Cumberland Center, ME | Conservation Support | $40,000 |
| Wildlife Conservation Network San Francisco, CA | Conservation Support | $25,000 |
| OnePlanet Inc Virginia Beach, VA | Conservation Support | $20,000 |
| American Forests Washington, DC | Conservation Support | $18,020 |
| Ngogo Chimpanzee Project Inc Phoenix, AZ | Conservation Support | $10,000 |
| Amphibian Survival Alliance Austin, TX | Conservation Support | $10,000 |
| Oklahoma City Zoological Trust dba Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden Oklahoma City, OK | Conservation Support | $10,000 |
| Re wild Austin, TX | Conservation Support | $10,000 |
| Polar Bears International Inc Bozeman, MT | Conservation Support | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $70,446,976 | $64,149,877 | $67,117,325 | $281,020 | 16 | $3,820,264 |
| 2023 | $70,751,151 | $54,342,499 | $56,218,168 | $250,000 | 18 | $2,062,630 |
| 2022 | $67,128,670 | $55,141,767 | $49,367,146 | $428,711 | 21 | $1,823,167 |
| 2021 | $71,019,757 | $55,152,416 | $36,945,849 | $287,957 | 24 | $2,492,043 |
| 2020 | $51,269,821 | $31,136,737 | $29,464,717 | $278,946 | 18 | $1,415,600 |
| 2019 | $43,978,975 | $46,934,007 | $45,049,172 | $325,000 | 22 | $1,034,954 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Society’s mission is “to create meaningful connections between people, animals and the natural world so all can thrive.” Its stated vision is to be a force for positive change in a world where animals and nature are valued, understood, and protected.
In 2024, its reported grants were for conservation support. Grantees’ stated missions show the range of organizations supported: the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund works on gorilla conservation and research in Africa, while Wildlife Conservation Network connects conservationists with supporters and resources. Re:wild works to protect and restore the wild; Global Conservation Network supports conservation planning through training, facilitation, and tool development; and Polar Bears International works to conserve polar bears and their sea-ice habitat. The Society also supports organizations including zoos and zoo foundations; for example, Lincoln Park Zoological Society describes its work as connecting people with nature and advancing animal care, education, science, and conservation.
Grantmaking
The Society reported 16 grants totaling $281,020 in 2024. Grants ranged from $8,000 to $70,000, with a median of $10,000. The largest awards included $70,000 to Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, $40,000 to Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center, $25,000 to Wildlife Conservation Network, and $20,000 to OnePlanet. The listed grants were designated for conservation support.
The Society also offers programs that provide assistance directly to participants rather than grants to outside organizations. Day at the Zoo provides financial assistance to classrooms for a zoo visit, including admission, an educational lab, and a transportation stipend; funding is limited, and a lottery may be used when applications exceed available funds. Its 2026–2027 application period ran September 1–13, 2026, and has passed. The website says the next application will open December 1, 2026, for at least five days.
A separate scholarship, offered with the Amphibian Taxon Advisory Group, covers registration for an amphibian keeper to attend the Amphibian Management School. It is restricted to eligible paid employees of AZA-accredited institutions who are AZA or AAZK members and work in amphibian care and management; curators and assistant curators are ineligible, and applicants cover other attendance costs. The November 15, 2025 submission deadline and December 5, 2025 award notification date are past.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Hayley Murphy as Executive Director/CEO; Robert Schumaker as Chief Financial Officer; Jane Alessandrini as VP of Development; Randi Hamilton as VP of Guest Services, Communications, and Marketing; Diane Miller as VP of Education; Mike Murray as VP of Life Sciences; Amanda Hanlin as Chief of Staff; Ann Duncan as Associate VP of Life Sciences; Toria Bradley as VP of Human Resources, with a term ending in August 2024; and Richard K Martin as Director of Individual Philanthropy.
Detroit Zoological Society is led by Hayley Murphy, Executive Director & CEO since 2022 (on filings since 2021); 11 of 60 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Hayley Murphy
Executive Director & CEO
Executive Director & CEO - Add Nov → Executive Director & CEO, 2022
On filings since 2021
50 hrs/week
$65K (2021) → $547K (2024)
Alan Kalter
Executive Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alan Kaufman
Executive Director
Director → Executive Director, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bonnie Larson
Executive Director
Director → Executive Director, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia Ford
Executive Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Denise J Lewis
Executive Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shawn Patterson
Executive Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Terry S Harvill
Executive Director
Director → Executive Director, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom Lewand
Executive Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William Conway
Executive Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anthony F Earley Jr.
Chairman
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard K Martin
Director of Individual Philanthropy
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$131K (2021) → $152K (2024)
Alisha Bell
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Beth Chappell
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Beth Daly
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles Ellis
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David E Duprey
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hassan Jaber
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Isaiah McKinnon
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ismael Ahmed
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Rosenthal
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Sawyer
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Tate
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joel D Tauber
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Erb
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Larry Wolfe
Director
Executive Director → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marvin Daitch
Director - Term May
Director → Director - Term May, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew P Cullen
Director - Term June
Director → Director - Term June, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
N Charles Anderson
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rick Ruffner
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shirley R Stancato
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stuart Robbins
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas C Buhl
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brandon Kolo
Director
Director - Add Aug → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Grieco
Director
Director - Add Aug → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Denise Brooks-Williams
Director
Director - Add June → Executive Director, 2023
Executive Director → Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gino Roncelli
Director
Director - Add June → Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marianne Vidershain
Director
Director - Add June → Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mario Marrow Sr.
Director
Director - Add June → Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Douglas
Director
Director - Add June → Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tonya Berry
Director
Director - Add June → Executive Director, 2023
Executive Director → Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Blake
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Betty Chu
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Diane Banks
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kimberly Andrews Espy
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Manny Torgow
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sharima Bulchak
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ann Duncan
Associate Vice President of Life Sciences
Director of Animal Health → Associate Vice President of Life Sciences, 2022
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$122K (2019) → $182K (2024)
Diane Miller
Vice President of Education
Chief Program Officer → Vice President of Education, 2022
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$163K (2019) → $202K (2024)
Jane Alessandrini
Vice President of Development
Chief Development Officer → Vice President of Development, 2022
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$201K (2019) → $246K (2024)
Robert Schumaker
Chief Financial Officer
Director of Finance → Chief Financial Officer, 2021
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$125K (2019) → $278K (2024)
Toria Bradley
Vice President of Human Resources - Term Aug
Director of Human Resources → Vice President of Human Resources, 2022
Vice President of Human Resources → Vice President of Human Resources - Term Aug, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$118K (2021) → $177K (2024)
DeAndrea Matthews
Vice President of Diversity & Community Engagement
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$127K (2022) → $140K (2024)
Randi Hamilton
Vice President of Guest Services, Communications & Marketing
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$144K (2022) → $213K (2024)
Amanda Hanlin
Chief of Staff
On filings since 2023
50 hrs/week
$136K (2023) → $183K (2024)
Mike Murray
Vice President of Life Sciences
On filings since 2023
50 hrs/week
$144K (2023) → $183K (2024)
John G Sznewajs
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lloyd A Semple
Chair Emeritus
Executive Director - Chair Resign June → Executive Director, 2020
Executive Director → Chair Emeritus, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert G Riney
Vice Chair
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen R Polk
Vice Chair
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (44)
- Former: Clark Bunting (2019–2023) — Director - Term Feb
- Former: Lisa Lis (2019–2023) — Director - Term June
- Former: Rachel Vitti (2019–2023) — Director - Term June
- Former: Richard B Platt (2019–2023) — Executive Director - Term June
- Former: Sabarras George (2019–2023) — Chief Operating Officer
- Former: Anthony Adams (2023) — Director - Term June
- Former: PJ Jenkins (2023) — Director - Term May
- Former: Allan D Gilmour (2019–2022) — Director - Term June
- Former: Andre Spivey (2019–2022) — Director - Term February
- Former: Anmar Sarafa (2019–2022) — Director - Term June
- Former: Candice Miller (2019–2022) — Director - Term March
- Former: Dawn Lee-Cotton (2019–2022) — Director - Term June
- Former: Gail L Warden (2019–2022) — Director - Term June
- Former: Gerry VanAcker (2019–2022) — COO - Term Sept
- Former: Kristy Fercho (2019–2022) — Director - Term January
- Former: Paul Huxley (2019–2022) — Director - Term April
- Former: Rejji Hayes (2019–2022) — Director - Term March
- Former: Ron L Kagan (2019–2022) — Executive Director & CEO - Term Dec
- Former: Scott F Carter (2019–2022) — Chief Life Science Officer
- Former: Sean Werdlow (2019–2022) — Executive Director - Term June
- Former: Virinder Moudgil (2019–2022) — Director - Term April
- Former: Burton D Farbman (2019–2021) — Director - Term July
- Former: Julie Nicholson (2019–2021) — Director - Term Aug
- Former: Karen Dumas (2019–2021) — Executive Director - Term Dec
- Former: Lawrence Scott (2019–2021) — Director - Term Sept
- Former: Marina A Houghton (2019–2021) — Director - Term Sept
- Former: Mary Kay Crain (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Matthew B Elliott (2019–2021) — Director - Term March
- Former: Melissa Roy (2019–2021) — Director - Term Sept
- Former: Shery L Cotton (2019–2021) — Director - Term Jan
- Former: Victor Martin (2019–2021) — Director - Term Sept
- Former: Ed Falkowski (2020–2021) — Director of It
- Former: George G Johnson (2019–2020) — Director - Term Sept
- Former: Grace Shore (2019–2020) — Director - Term June
- Former: Hiram Jackson (2019–2020) — Director - Term Nov
- Former: Jeff Hauswirth (2019–2020) — Director - Term Aug
- Former: Jeffrey Evans (2019–2020) — Chief Financial Officer - Term July
- Former: Larry Alexander (2019–2020) — Executive Director - Term Dec
- Former: Linda Gillum (2019–2020) — Director - Term June
- Former: Ruth Marcec-Greaves (2020) — Nacc Director
- Former: Doreen Hermelin (2019) — Director - Term March
- Former: Matthew Ahearn (2019) — Director - Term March
- Former: Randi Meyerson (2019) — Deputy Chief Life Sciences Officer
- Former: Richard Friday (2019) — Director of Marketing
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 $547K, to Hayley Murphy (Executive Director/CEO). 11 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Detroit Zoological Society
How much does Detroit Zoological Society give each year?
Detroit Zoological Society gave $281K across 16 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $250K across 18 grants.
What is Detroit Zoological Society's typical grant size?
Detroit Zoological Society's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $17,564, across 16 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Detroit Zoological Society that year got $14K on average.
Where does Detroit Zoological Society give grants?
Detroit Zoological Society's top state is Georgia, with 25% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Maine (14%) and California (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (2 grants), Austin, TX (2 grants) and Apple Valley, MN (2 grants).
Does Detroit Zoological Society give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 16 grants with a stated purpose on Detroit Zoological Society's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Conservation Support" (16 grants).
Who are Detroit Zoological Society's largest grantees?
Detroit Zoological Society's largest 2024 grantees include Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International Inc ($70,000), Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center Inc ($40,000) and Wildlife Conservation Network ($25,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 48% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Detroit Zoological Society?
Detroit Zoological Society reported $70.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $64.1M.
What does Detroit Zoological Society fund?
The Society’s mission is “to create meaningful connections between people, animals and the natural world so all can thrive.” Its stated vision is to be a force for positive change in a world where animals and nature are valued, understood, and protected. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Detroit Zoological Society?
Detroit Zoological Society has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check detroitzoo.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Detroit Zoological Society's EIN?
Detroit Zoological Society's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-6027356. 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 July 8, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Live grants for the work Detroit Zoological Society funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Detroit Zoological Society's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Detroit Zoological Society funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/detroit-zoological-society-morg_961b7f4bfcbe48ebbaee7c70f9746da3
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_386027356_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Detroit Zoological Society funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/detroit-zoological-society-morg_961b7f4bfcbe48ebbaee7c70f9746da3},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Detroit Zoological Society'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.
Detroit Zoological Society down — hundreds of funders to go?