Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Missouri C/O Linda Falk
The Kansas city zoo & aquarium connects all people to each other and the natural world to promote understanding, appreciation, and conservation.
Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Missouri C/O Linda Falk at a glance
In short: Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Missouri C/O Linda Falk gave $112K across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $16K), top state California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $112,200
- +25.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $16,029
- +25.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $37,145,143
- +12.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (37% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Missouri C/O Linda Falk
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Missouri C/O Linda Falk
Who Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Missouri C/O Linda Falk funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Marine Mammal Center ($22K). Together the top 7 received $112K.
Grant Size Distribution
26 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 26 grants of 26 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Missouri C/O Linda Falk gives
- Giving grew 141% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $47K (2021) to $112K (2024). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $112K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Mammal Center Sausalito, CA | Conservation | $22,000 |
| Monterey Bay Aquarium Monterey, CA | Conservation | $20,000 |
| International Crane Foundation Baraboo, WI | Conservation | $20,000 |
| Marine Megfauna Foundation Lake Worth, FL | Conservation | $20,000 |
| Polar Bears International Bozeman, MT | Conservation | $13,100 |
| Rewild Austin, TX | Conservation | $10,000 |
| Save Giraffes Now Dallas, TX | Conservation | $7,100 |
Ready to take the next step with Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Missouri C/O Linda Falk?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $37,145,143 | $53,626,478 | $51,471,670 | $112,200 | 7 | $1,777,405 |
| 2023 | $33,032,953 | $62,517,690 | $57,477,891 | $89,200 | 7 | $1,037,780 |
| 2022 | $29,168,657 | $74,114,095 | $73,256,938 | $65,826 | 5 | $470,809 |
| 2021 | $27,796,456 | $51,977,490 | $45,451,504 | $46,538 | 3 | $693,265 |
| 2020 | $18,549,141 | $31,488,365 | $33,156,313 | $54,126 | 4 | $262,758 |
About Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Missouri C/O Linda Falk
Based on IRS filings
Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Missouri C/O Linda Falk is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Kansas City, MO. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $37.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $112K. Net investment income was $1.8M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Missouri C/O Linda Falk is led by Sean Putney, Executive Director & CEO since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 9 of 32 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sean Putney
Executive Director & CEO
Chief Zoological Officer → Executive Director & CEO, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$189K (2020) → $356K (2024)
Wesley Fields
Board Member & President
Board Member & Secretary → Board Member & President, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tony Reinhart
Board Member & Chair
Board Member → Board Member & Secretary, 2021
Board Member & Secretary → Board Member & Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Frank Wilburn
Director of Guest Services
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$121K (2020) → $144K (2024)
Julie Meyer
Director of Finance
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$115K (2020) → $146K (2024)
Kirk Suedmeyer
Director of Veterinary Hea
Director of Vet. Health → Director of Veterinary Health & Conservation Res, 2023
Director of Veterinary Health & Conservation Res → Director of Veterinary Hea, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$143K (2020) → $161K (2024)
Cora Storbeck
Director of Development & Gov A
Director of Development → Director of Development & Gov Affairs, 2023
Director of Development & Gov Affairs → Director of Development & Gov A, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$127K (2021) → $157K (2024)
Kim Romary
Director of Marketing
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$138K (2023) → $143K (2024)
Charlisa Shelly
Chief People Officer
Director of Human Resource → Chief People Officer, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$148K (2020) → $218K (2024)
Linda Falk
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Administrative Officer → Chief Operating Officer, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$215K (2020) → $277K (2024)
Randy Wisthoff
Former CEO
Executive Director & CEO → Former CEO, 2024
On filings since 2020
$490K (2020) → $250K (2024)
Hayley Hanson
Board Member
Board Member & President → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Russ
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julius Lai
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Yolanda Cargile
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ana Nubia Duin
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Cotten
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Janet Miles-Bartee
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kate Lambert
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katie McDonald
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Al Mauro Jr.
Board Member & Secretary
Board Member → Board Member & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Pung
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jc Alonzo
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Bennett
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Swanson
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ryana Parks-Shaw
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Todd Trent
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dave Sanchez
Board Member & Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ellen Crowe
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sal Montalbano
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom Wright
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Willard B. Snyder
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (28)
- Former: Jan Francis (2020–2024) — Board Member · Filing note: Thru 102024
- Former: Jeff Dillon (2020–2024) — Board Member · Filing note: Thru 102024
- Former: Joe Prenger (2020–2024) — Board Member · Filing note: Thru 102024
- Former: Sandra Garcia (2020–2024) — Board Member · Filing note: Thru 102024
- Former: Audrey Hill (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Brad Bodamer (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: David Barr (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: David Sanchez (2020–2023) — Board Member & Treasurer
- Former: Jill Marchant (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Kevin McManus (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Stephanie Ayers (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Terry Riley (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Yvette Miceli (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Gayle Krigel (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Kathy Smith (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Wes Dixon (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Jerry Gallagher (2022) — Director of Facilities
- Former: Sharon Cleaver (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Terry Rynard (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Todd Lasala (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Tom Waggoner (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Stephani Reynolds (2021) — Director of Education
- Former: Ana Hernandez (2020) — Board Member
- Former: David Yeamans (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Elizabeth Storbeck (2020) — Director of Development & Government Affairs
- Former: Jill McGee (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Karen Begelfer (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Michele Vance (2020) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 $356K, to Sean Putney (Executive Director/CEO). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Missouri C/O Linda Falk
How much does Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Missouri C/O Linda Falk give each year?
Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Missouri C/O Linda Falk gave $112K across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $89K across 7 grants.
What is Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Missouri C/O Linda Falk's typical grant size?
Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Missouri C/O Linda Falk's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $16,029, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Missouri C/O Linda Falk give grants?
Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Missouri C/O Linda Falk's top state is California, with 37% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Wisconsin (18%) and Florida (18%).
Does Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Missouri C/O Linda Falk give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Missouri C/O Linda Falk's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Conservation" (7 grants).
Who are Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Missouri C/O Linda Falk's largest grantees?
Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Missouri C/O Linda Falk's largest 2024 grantees include Marine Mammal Center ($22,000), Monterey Bay Aquarium ($20,000) and International Crane Foundation ($20,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 55% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Missouri C/O Linda Falk?
Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Missouri C/O Linda Falk reported $37.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $53.6M.
What is Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Missouri C/O Linda Falk?
Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Missouri C/O Linda Falk is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Kansas City, MO. It holds $37.1M in total assets as of 2024.
What is Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Missouri C/O Linda Falk's EIN?
Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Missouri C/O Linda Falk's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 43-6048888. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 6, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 16, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 16, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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