Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc logo

Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc

Public charity · Grantmaker Indianapolis, IN EIN: 35-1074747 Website

We protect nature and inspire people to care for our world. We believe in a world where nature and people thrive. We are one team. We care. We welcome everyone. We have integrity. We strive for excellence.

Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc at a glance

In short: Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc gave $153K across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $31K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.

Annual giving (2024)
$153,000
-49.1% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
5
-54.5% vs 2023
Average grant
$30,600
+12.0% vs 2023
Median grant
$23,000
Total assets
$245,351,054
+8.0% vs 2023
Primary geography
Illinois (52% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2024 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.

Who Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 5 recipients in 2024

Lincoln Park Zoological Society: $80KLincoln Park ZoologicalSociety$80KUniversity of Colorado: $25KUniversity of Colorado$25KSycamore Land Trust: $23KSycamore Land Trust$23KUniversity of North Carolina at Greensboro: $15KUniversity of North Carolinaat Greensboro$15KEmerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders: $10KEmerging Wildlife ConservationLeaders$10K

The largest 2024 recipient was Lincoln Park Zoological Society ($80K). Together the top 5 received $153K.

Grant Size Distribution

39 grants across all recorded years

33<$50K6$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 33 grants of 39 (85%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

16states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.

Cities

ChicagoIndianapolisAustinBronxCarmelTravelers RestAlexandriaAzleAtlantaBloomingtonBozemanCharlestonDenverDes MoinesGainesvilleGlencoeGodfreyGreensboroLawaiOklahoma City

How Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc gives

  • Giving fell 43% 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

$0$100K$200K$300K$400K4 grants2020 9 grants2021 10 grants2022 11 grants2023 5 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $121K (2020) to $300K (2023). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $153K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Lincoln Park Zoological Society Chicago, ILConservation$80,000
University of Colorado Denver, COConservation$25,000
Sycamore Land Trust Bloomington, INConservation$23,000
University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NCConservation$15,000
Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders San Francisco, CAConservation$10,000
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsNet Investment Income
2024$245,351,054$57,679,714$44,416,857$153,0005$3,058,195
2023$227,094,570$50,063,288$40,234,027$300,44311$2,053,679
2022$210,617,870$42,184,759$35,942,289$232,79410$808,497
2021$209,802,041$63,172,595$34,421,325$269,5849$3,864,740
2020$177,325,453$23,714,934$31,941,726$121,2504$1,239,434

About Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc

Based on IRS filings

Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Indianapolis, IN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $245.4M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $153K. Net investment income was $3.1M.

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc is led by Robert Shumaker, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 9 of 48 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Robert Shumaker

    President & CEO

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $246K (2020) → $350K (2024)

  • Blake Koriath

    2nd V Chair

    Trustee → 2nd V Chair, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ronda Shrewsbury

    Chair

    1st V Chair → Chair, 2023

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Karl Traeger

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    40 hrs/week

    $143K (2022) → $178K (2024)

  • Amy Willis

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Andy Sellers

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Anita Harden

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • April Sasso

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Cheri Dick

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Christa Adkins

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Connie Bond Stuart

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • David Dewitt

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • David Trogden

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • John Sharpe

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Julia Gard

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Karen Ann Lloyd

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kristi Lee

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Larry Coan

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Lauren Edmundson

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Mel Raines

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Michael Wells

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Myrta Pulliam

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Pete Ward

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Peter Jorgenson

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Shane Hageman

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Stanley Chen

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Todd Katz

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Whit Grayson

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Carolina Rashidfarokhi

    Trustee

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jeffery Harrison

    Trustee

    Immediate Past Chair → Trustee, 2023

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Robert Shoemaker

    Trustee

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kent Morris

    Trustee

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Luke Bosso

    Trustee

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Shash Goyal

    Trustee

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Bethanie Danko

    Trustee

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Bonnie Gallivan

    Trustee

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Katie Lucas

    Trustee

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Pat Lindley

    Trustee

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Dana Canfield

    Vice President

    Director of It → Director, 2022

    Director → Vice President, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $118K (2020) → $171K (2024)

  • Karen Burns

    Executive Vice President

    Executive Vice President → Senior Vice President, 2022

    Senior Vice President → Executive Vice President, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $184K (2020) → $246K (2024)

  • Mary Jane Bennett

    Vice President

    Vice President of Hr, Safety & Security → Vice President, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $138K (2020) → $176K (2024)

  • Jeff Proudfoot

    Vice President

    On filings since 2022

    40 hrs/week

    $162K (2022) → $167K (2024)

  • Sara Inman

    Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    Vice President & CFO → Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, 2023

    Vice President & Chief Financial Officer → Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, 2024

    On filings since 2022

    40 hrs/week

    $118K (2022) → $163K (2024)

  • Sarah Edwards

    Senior Vice President

    Vice President → Senior Vice President, 2024

    On filings since 2022

    40 hrs/week

    $140K (2022) → $170K (2024)

  • John Gullion

    Vice President

    New on the 2024 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $156K (2024)

  • Beth Klapper

    1st Vice Chair

    2nd V Chair → 1st V Chair, 2023

    1st V Chair → 1st Vice Chair, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Marisol Sanchez

    Secretary

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Steve Alonso

    Treasurer

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (24)
  • Former: Allen Wright (2020–2023) — Trustee
  • Former: Nancy Elder (2020–2023) — Trustee
  • Former: Patrick Early (2020–2023) — Trustee
  • Former: Richard Thrapp (2020–2023) — Trustee
  • Former: Steve Cagle (2020–2023) — Trustee
  • Former: William Street (2021–2023) — Senior Vice President
  • Former: Bill Rosenbaum (2020–2022) — Trustee
  • Former: Devin Anderson (2020–2022) — Chair
  • Former: Kathryn Betley (2020–2022) — Trustee
  • Former: Madonna Wagner (2020–2022) — Senior Vice President & CFO · Filing note: Ended 053122
  • Former: Jeffrey Harrison (2020–2021) — Immediate Past Chair
  • Former: Jeffrey Proudfoot (2020–2021) — Vice President of Veterinary Science
  • Former: Jim Powers (2020–2021) — Trustee
  • Former: Julie McDearmon (2020–2021) — Director of Institutional Advisor
  • Former: Keith Schnell (2021) — Director of Facilities
  • Former: Bill Street (2020) — Senior Vice President Conserv, Life Sci & Educ.
  • Former: Dennis Woerner (2020) — Director of Marketing
  • Former: Kelly Huntington (2020) — Trusteee
  • Former: Lisa McKinney (2020) — Trusteee
  • Former: Michael Crowther (2020) — Retired CEO
  • Former: Paul Grayson (2020) — Former Executive Vice President
  • Former: Robert McElwain (2020) — Trusteee
  • Former: Ronda Shrewsbury Weybright (2020) — 1st V Chair
  • Former: Suzanne Fehsenfeld (2020) — Trusteee

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

Robert Shumaker — President and CEO: $350KRobert ShumakerPresident and CEO$350KKaren Burns — Executive Vice President: $246KKaren BurnsExecutive Vice President$246KKarl Traeger — Director: $178KKarl TraegerDirector$178KMary Jane Bennett — Vice President: $176KMary Jane BennettVice President$176KDana Canfield — Vice President: $171KDana CanfieldVice President$171KSarah Edwards — Senior Vice President: $170KSarah EdwardsSenior Vice President$170KJeff Proudfoot — Vice President: $167KJeff ProudfootVice President$167KSara Inman — Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer: $163KSara InmanSenior Vice President and Chief…$163KJohn Gullion — Vice President: $156KJohn GullionVice President$156K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $350K, to Robert Shumaker (President and CEO). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc

How much does Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc give each year?

Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc gave $153K across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $300K across 11 grants.

What is Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc's typical grant size?

Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc's median grant in 2024 was $23,000, and its average grant was $30,600, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.

Where does Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc give grants?

Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc gives mostly in Illinois: 52% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Colorado (16%) and Indiana (15%).

Does Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Conservation" (5 grants).

Who are Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc's largest grantees?

Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Lincoln Park Zoological Society ($80,000), University of Colorado ($25,000) and Sycamore Land Trust ($23,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 84% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc?

Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc reported $245.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $57.7M.

What is Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc?

Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Indianapolis, IN. It holds $245.4M in total assets as of 2024.

What is Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc's EIN?

Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-1074747. 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

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 4, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 10, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 4, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 3, 2025)
  6. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Live grants for the work Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc funds

Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

Columbus Zoological Park Association

Powell, OH

The Columbus Zoological Park Association funds animal conservation, education, and local and global wildlife initiatives, with conservation work extending to more than 40 countries. In 2024, its 21 grants ranged from $5,100 to $218,100, with a median of $10,010. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests; its separate ticket-donation program does accept eligible requests from nonprofits and government agencies in 11 Ohio counties.

Environment & Animals

Assets

$314.1M

Grants

21

Total Given

$863K

IBM International Foundation

Armonk, NY

The IBM International Foundation funds education and workforce programs that build 21st-century and technology job skills, including initiatives for underserved students and job seekers. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.48 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across several U.S. states, especially Delaware and Massachusetts. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$357.7M

Grants

16

Total Given

$11.7M

Dallas Zoo Management Inc

Dallas, TX

Dallas Zoo Management supports wildlife conservation organizations, with 2025 grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 and a median of $15,000. Its grants went to organizations in multiple states, while separate charitable donations are limited to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits in North Texas. It accepts written requests for admission-ticket donations, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests for grants.

Environment & Animals

Assets

$3.8M

Grants

13

Total Given

$191K

Duke Energy Foundation

Charlotte, NC

The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce and local economic development, disaster resilience, conservation, clean water, and economic opportunity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000; applications for grants of $20,000 or less are accepted year-round, after applicants discuss proposals with a state representative.

Assets

$1.9M

Grants

41

Total Given

$25.6M

Zoological Society of San Diego

San Diego, CA

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance funds wildlife care and conservation, including species protection, conservation science, biodiversity monitoring, and related research, with work worldwide. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,310 to $500,000, with a median of $19,774. The profile provides no application instructions, so it does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Assets

$1.0B

Grants

24

Total Given

$1.6M

National Geographic Society

Washington, DC

The National Geographic Society funds individual-led work in science, conservation, storytelling, education, and technology across its focus areas, with a global reach. In 2025, grants ranged from $5,000 to $1,975,000, with a median of $85,530; some Level I opportunities accept requests up to $20,000. Applicants must apply through specific opportunities, but the profile does not say whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Assets

$2.5B

Grants

62

Total Given

$11.2M

More similar funders

More Funders in Indiana

The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open

Figures come from Indianapolis Zoological Society 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.

Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?