Grover Nelson Park Zoological Foundation
To encourage charitable giving to raise funds for capital projects at the abilene zoo which provides environmental enrichment for animals, educational and recreation experiences for guests, and promotes conservation of natural resources.
Grover Nelson Park Zoological Foundation at a glance
In short: Grover Nelson Park Zoological Foundation gave $738K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $738K), mostly in Texas. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $737,758
- -30.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $737,758
- -30.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $737,758
- Total assets
- $9,088,259
- +66.5% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Texas (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Grover Nelson Park Zoological Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Abilene Zoological Society ($738K).
Grant Size Distribution
3 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 1 grant of 3 (33%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $56K (2023) to $1.1M (2024). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $738K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Abilene Zoological Society Abilene, TX | To Provide Assistance with the Zoo's Master Plan | $737,758 |
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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 | $9,088,259 | $4,403,685 | $773,026 | $737,758 | 1 | $321,965 |
| 2024 | $5,457,600 | $4,230,473 | $1,092,541 | $1,066,714 | 1 | $248,074 |
| 2023 | $2,319,668 | $65,300 | $73,977 | $56,000 | 1 | $-6,450 |
| 2022 | $2,328,345 | $104,040 | $33,701 | — | — | $80,972 |
| 2021 | $2,258,006 | $754,294 | $689,815 | — | — | $170,628 |
| 2020 | $2,543,527 | $1,029,174 | $1,354,002 | $700,000 | 1 | $55,429 |
| 2019 | $2,568,355 | $595,473 | $214,646 | — | — | $64,643 |
About Grover Nelson Park Zoological Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Grover Nelson Park Zoological Foundation is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Tuscola, TX. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $9.1M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $738K. Net investment income was $322K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Grover Nelson Park Zoological Foundation is led by Randy Piersall, President since 2021 (on filings since 2019); none of the 16 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Randy Piersall
President
Vice President → President, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carol Haynes
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chuck Erwin
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pat Dunnahoo
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carolyn Beckham
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Montoya
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Goodin
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Larry Gill
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leigh Black
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Darrel Knight
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Lewis
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Craig Fisher
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gail Russey
Past President
President → Past President, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Morehead
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pat Evans
Secretary
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jesse Pottebaum
Executive Officio
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Donald McDonald (2019–2022) — Honorary Member
- Former: Joe T. Russey (2019–2022) — Assistant Treasurer
- Former: Chris McNair (2020) — Executive Officio
- Former: John Pennington (2019) — Director
- Former: Ralph McCleskey (2019) — Executive Officio
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 Grover Nelson Park Zoological Foundation
How much does Grover Nelson Park Zoological Foundation give each year?
Grover Nelson Park Zoological Foundation gave $738K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.1M across 1 grant.
How large is Grover Nelson Park Zoological Foundation?
Grover Nelson Park Zoological Foundation reported $9.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.4M.
What is Grover Nelson Park Zoological Foundation?
Grover Nelson Park Zoological Foundation is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Tuscola, TX. It holds $9.1M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Grover Nelson Park Zoological Foundation operate?
Grover Nelson Park Zoological Foundation has awarded grants in Texas.
What is Grover Nelson Park Zoological Foundation's EIN?
Grover Nelson Park Zoological Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 75-1853975. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 28, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS January 30, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
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