Friends of the Zoo of Kansas City Foundation
The foundation shall further educational and cultural programs relating to zoological activities, establish and maintain zoological facilities, provide for the acquisition and care of species for display and study, and engage in collateral activities consistent with such programs in the Kansas city, Missouri area.
Friends of the Zoo of Kansas City Foundation at a glance
In short: Friends of the Zoo of Kansas City Foundation gave $967K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $967K), mostly in Missouri. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $967,402
- -89.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $967,402
- -89.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $967,402
- Total assets
- $5,873,213
- -41.8% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Missouri (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Friends of the Zoo of Kansas City Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City ($967K).
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was $5M or more: 2 grants of 5 (40%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Friends of the Zoo of Kansas City Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−10%). 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 $75K (2020) to $16.1M (2022). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $967K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Kansas City, MO | Capital Project - Aquarium | $967,402 |
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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 | $5,873,213 | $759,384 | $974,463 | $967,402 | 1 | $41,950 |
| 2023 | $10,088,154 | $3,569,123 | $9,718,542 | $9,555,000 | 1 | $82,894 |
| 2022 | $12,232,735 | $4,506,282 | $16,332,829 | $16,100,000 | 1 | $14,827 |
| 2021 | $24,060,217 | $22,753,344 | $1,077,007 | $1,070,000 | 1 | — |
| 2020 | $2,382,945 | $1,947,309 | $77,723 | $75,000 | 1 | — |
About Friends of the Zoo of Kansas City Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Friends of the Zoo of Kansas City Foundation 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 $5.9M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $967K. Net investment income was $42K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Friends of the Zoo of Kansas City Foundation is led by Kevin Pistilli, Chair on every filing since 2020; none of the 7 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Kevin Pistilli
Chair
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chuck Caisley
Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Don Wagner
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Debby Ballard
Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sean Putney
Secretary
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Todd Lasala
Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hayley Hanson
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Randy Wisthoff (2020–2023) — Executive Director
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.
Frequently asked questions about Friends of the Zoo of Kansas City Foundation
How much does Friends of the Zoo of Kansas City Foundation give each year?
Friends of the Zoo of Kansas City Foundation gave $967K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $9.6M across 1 grant.
How large is Friends of the Zoo of Kansas City Foundation?
Friends of the Zoo of Kansas City Foundation reported $5.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $759K.
What is Friends of the Zoo of Kansas City Foundation?
Friends of the Zoo of Kansas City Foundation is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Kansas City, MO. It holds $5.9M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does Friends of the Zoo of Kansas City Foundation operate?
Friends of the Zoo of Kansas City Foundation has awarded grants in Missouri.
What is Friends of the Zoo of Kansas City Foundation's EIN?
Friends of the Zoo of Kansas City Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-1483719. 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 November 1, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 19, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 1, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 27, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Friends of the Zoo of Kansas City Foundation funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Friends of the Zoo of Kansas City Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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