Houston Zoo Inc
Houston Zoo Inc is a public charity based in Houston, Texas, formed in 1920. Its mission connects communities with animals and inspires action to save wildlife. The Zoo supports animal care, conservation, and education, including grants to organizations working on wildlife research and conservation.
Houston Zoo Inc at a glance
In short: Houston Zoo Inc gave $1.0M across 23 grants in 2024 (avg $46K), mostly in Texas. 43% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,048,215
- -8.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 23
- +9.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $45,575
- -16.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $380,810,630
- +0.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 43% first-time grantees (10 of 23, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Texas (63% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Houston Zoo Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 1513 Cambridge, Houston, TX 77030
Phone: (713) 533-6501
Website: https://houstonzoo.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Houston Zoo Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Baylor College of Medicine ($341K). Together the top 10 received $848K.
Grant Size Distribution
80 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 54 grants of 80 (68%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in several states: Texas received 63%, California 15%, Georgia 10%, Wisconsin 4%, and Virginia 2%. The listed grants include Texas conservation projects and support for wildlife organizations in other states. Separately, the Zoo’s 2024 filing describes conservation programs in Texas and international partnerships across 17 countries.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 23 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Houston Zoo Inc open to new grantees?
43%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 10 of 23 grantees (43%) were first-time recipients. With only 23 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $23K; repeat grants $63K. How we count
Medians: $19K first-time, $25K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $845K (2021) to $1.3M (2022). In 2024 it made 23 grants totaling $1.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Baylor College of Medicine Dallas, TX | EEHV research project | $341,112 |
| Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International Atlanta, GA | Gorilla conservation, support for Rwandan women | $100,000 |
| Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project Davis, CA | Support for Gorilla doctors | $100,000 |
| Texas A&M AgriLife Research College Station, TX | Houston Toad conservation support | $76,601 |
| Capitol Area Council - Boy Scouts of America Austin, TX | Houston Toad conservation support | $68,438 |
| International Crane Foundation Baraboo, WI | Operating support | $40,000 |
| International Rhino Foundation Fort Worth, TX | Operating support | $40,000 |
| Save Giraffes Now Dallas, TX | Operating support | $32,300 |
| Texas Conservation Alliance Dallas, TX | Operating support | $25,000 |
| UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Davis, CA | Dr. Marcy with Patagonia Marine Wildlife | $25,000 |
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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 | $380,810,630 | $82,689,282 | $70,313,815 | $1,048,215 | 23 | $5,932,584 |
| 2023 | $379,916,374 | $82,522,000 | $62,823,859 | $1,148,185 | 21 | $3,748,036 |
| 2022 | $348,888,874 | $68,161,300 | $54,219,079 | $1,324,422 | 14 | $1,032,086 |
| 2021 | $327,462,677 | $84,488,792 | $48,433,202 | $844,730 | 9 | $3,518,732 |
| 2020 | $285,541,904 | $54,380,451 | $45,355,956 | $927,923 | 13 | $637,011 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Zoo states its mission as: “Connect communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife.” Its vision is to “Be a leader in the global movement to save wildlife.” Its 2024 filing describes work in animal care, conservation, and education, including conservation efforts for the Houston toad, Attwater’s prairie chicken, and sea turtles, as well as international programs involving wildlife and habitat protection.
The 2024 grants show support for research and conservation projects, operating support, and conservation education. Examples include an EEHV research project, Houston toad conservation, gorilla conservation, and support for wildlife organizations. Among the grantees, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund says it focuses on gorilla conservation and research in Africa, training African scientists and conservationists, and addressing local community needs. The International Crane Foundation describes its mission as advancing a world where cranes, people, and natural heritage thrive together. Save Giraffes Now says it works to conserve giraffes in their natural habitats across 10 African countries. Texas Conservation Alliance says it educates Texans and builds alliances to sustain wildlife habitat and protect land, air, and water.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Houston Zoo Inc reported 23 grants totaling $1,048,215. Grant amounts ranged from $7,000 to $341,112, with a median of $20,000.
Notable 2024 grants included:
The Zoo also accepts online requests from licensed nonprofit and community organizations in the greater Houston area for membership or general-admission ticket donations for fundraising events. These are in-kind donations, not cash grants. Requests must be submitted through the online form, with a formal request letter attached. Each organization may receive no more than one contribution per calendar year; requests should be submitted within six weeks of the event. Ticket donations are six general daytime admission tickets, and Zoo Lights requests are not considered. Not all requests can be fulfilled.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Joe Cleary as Board Chair, Stacy Methvin as Immediate Past Chair, and Joshua Davidson as Vice Chair. It also lists Sami Ahmad, Saied Alavi, Greg Armstrong, George Basu, Carlos Bueno, Bill Butzner, and Beto Cardenas as board members. The filing notes Greg Armstrong and Bill Butzner as serving “as of 7/24,” and Stacy Methvin as serving “thru 6/24.”
The Zoo’s website lists Lisa Peterson as President & CEO and Lisa Marie Avendaño as Chief Operating Officer.
Houston Zoo Inc is led by Lee Ehmke, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 14 of 53 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lee Ehmke
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$455K (2020) → $691K (2024)
Joe Cleary
Board Chair
Vice Chair → Board Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Hutchinson
Senior Director Finance & Accounting
Director of Finance → Senior Director Finance & Accounting, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$165K (2021) → $194K (2024)
Abraham George
Director of Technology
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$174K (2024)
Mark Hoffman
Senior Director Plan, Design & Engineering
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$152K (2024)
Jeri Nordbrock
CFO
CFO From → CFO, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$23K (2020) → $332K (2024)
Kristin Finney
Chief Human Resources Officer
Vice President Hr → Vice President Human Resources, 2021
Vice President Human Resources → Chief Human Resources Officer, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$167K (2020) → $302K (2024)
Lisa Marie Avendano
Deputy Director & Chief Mission Officer
Vice President Animal Ops → Deputy Director & Chief Mission Officer, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$164K (2020) → $223K (2024)
Roberto Espinosa
Chief Advancement Officer
Vice President Development → Chief Advancement Officer, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$180K (2020) → $313K (2024)
Sheryl Kolasinski
COO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$261K (2020) → $375K (2024)
Trazanna Moreno
Senior Vice President Marketing & Communications
Vice President Marketing → Vice President Marketing & Communications, 2022
Vice President Marketing & Communications → Senior Vice President Marketing & Communications, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$188K (2020) → $283K (2024)
Kevin Hodge
Vice President Animal Programs
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$195K (2023) → $241K (2024)
Adrian Cavazos
Assistant Vice President & Business Operations
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$173K (2024)
Audra Jesudason
Assistant Vice President & Development
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$161K (2024)
Benjamin Jones
Vice President Conservation & Education
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$217K (2024)
Alie Pruner
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anne Duncan
Member Emeritus
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Austin Young
Member Emeritus
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bas Solleveld
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bill Barnett
Member Emeritus
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carlos Bueno
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Claire Liu
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jim Postl
Member Emeritus
Vice Chair → Member Emeritus, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joshua Davidson
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kelley Lubanko
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peggy Kostial
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Randa Duncan Williams
Member Emeritus
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Graham
Member Emeritus
Vice Chair → Member Emeritus, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sami Ahmad
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sanjay Kalavar
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Byron Pope
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Laporte
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kerry Galvin
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anne Clutterbuck
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Beto Cardenas
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
George Basu
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kelli Weinzierl
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kris Chikelue
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Thomas
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Heather Crowder
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jordan Seff
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Liz Schwarze
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Dishberger
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Pustka
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Saied Alavi
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stacy O'Malley
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bill Butzner
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles Dresser
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Greg Armstrong
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Monica Karuturi
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Neil Chapman
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicholas Hellyar
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sadie Rucker
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (28)
- Former: Cynthia Walker (2020–2024) — Board Member · Filing note: Thru 624
- Former: Eureka Gilkey (2020–2024) — Board Member · Filing note: Thru 624
- Former: Kimberly McKay (2020–2024) — Board Member · Filing note: Thru 624
- Former: Ron Rand (2020–2024) — Board Member · Filing note: Thru 624
- Former: Stacy Methvin (2020–2024) — Immediate Past Chair · Filing note: Thru 624
- Former: Cay Neff (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Cullen Geiselman (2020–2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Gillian Hobson (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Macey Stokes (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Molly Voorhees (2020–2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Myrtle Jones (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Tim Roberts (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Bryon Pope (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Peter Riger dec (2023) — Vice President Conservation & Education
- Former: Amy Garrou (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Jeff Dudderar (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Jill Jewett (2020–2022) — Vice Chair
- Former: Mark Van Winkler (2020–2022) — Exhibit Design Director
- Former: Mike Dishberger (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Robert Edwards (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Tandra Jackson (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Conor Lalor (2022) — Exhibit Artist
- Former: Peter Riger (2022) — Vice President Conservation & Education
- Former: Jenny Elkins (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Marty Goossen (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Roxanne Almaraz (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Scott Mestayer (2021) — Technology Director
- Former: John Trahan (2020) — CFO to
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 $691K, to Lee Ehmke (President & CEO). 14 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Houston Zoo Inc
How much does Houston Zoo Inc give each year?
Houston Zoo Inc gave $1.0M across 23 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.1M across 21 grants.
What is Houston Zoo Inc's typical grant size?
Houston Zoo Inc's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $45,575, across 23 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Houston Zoo Inc that year got $23K on average.
Where does Houston Zoo Inc give grants?
Houston Zoo Inc gives mostly in Texas: 63% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (15%) and Georgia (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Dallas, TX (4 grants), Davis, CA (2 grants) and Austin, TX (2 grants).
Does Houston Zoo Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 30% of Houston Zoo Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (7 of 23) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Houston Toad conservation support" (4 grants).
Who are Houston Zoo Inc's largest grantees?
Houston Zoo Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Baylor College of Medicine ($341,112), Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International ($100,000) and Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 52% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Houston Zoo Inc?
Houston Zoo Inc reported $380.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $82.7M.
What does Houston Zoo Inc fund?
The Zoo states its mission as: “Connect communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife.” Its vision is to “Be a leader in the global movement to save wildlife.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Houston Zoo Inc?
Houston Zoo Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check houstonzoo.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Houston Zoo Inc's EIN?
Houston Zoo Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-1590271. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 28, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 2, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 16, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Houston Zoo Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Funders that support many of the same organizations
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AZA funds conservation and education projects advancing its SAFE species programs, plus animal-care and wellbeing research and training, primarily involving AZA facilities and collaborators; projects can be worldwide. Its Conservation Grants Fund averages about $22,500 per award, while 2024 grants overall had a median of about $47,000; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
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Total Given
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Houston Zoo Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/houston-zoo-inc-morg_4912c9e78bdb4e669aa565781fc4d6ba
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_741590271_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Houston Zoo Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/houston-zoo-inc-morg_4912c9e78bdb4e669aa565781fc4d6ba},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 Houston Zoo Inc'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.
Houston Zoo Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?