THE MINNESOTA ZOO FOUNDATION RAISES CONTRIBUTED INCOME AND SUPPORTS CONSERVATION AND ANIMAL CARE PROGRAMS ON BEHALF OF THE MINNESOTA ZOO. THE MISSION OF THE MINNESOTA ZOO IS TO CONNECT PEOPLE, ANIMALS, AND THE NATURAL WORLD TO SAVE WILDLIFE.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$14.2M
-2.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.5M
-11.9% YoY
Grant Count
5
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$1.1M
-11.9% YoY
About Minnesota Zoo Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Minnesota Zoo Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on Environment & Animals, based in APPLE VALLEY, MN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $14.2M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $5.5M. Net investment income was $408K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $14,216,605 | $14,549,028 | $17,621,312 |
| Revenue | $8,484,895 | $6,270,098 | $10,864,177 |
| Expenses | $8,991,857 | $9,382,230 | $10,533,077 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $408,257 | $227,007 | $-256,058 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
23 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Minnesota Zoo Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Minnesota Zoo ($5,323,923), Wildlife Conservation Society ($136,300), Conservation Planning and Specialist Group ($7,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CONSERVATION PLANNING AND SPECIALIST GROUP APPLE VALLEY, MN | CONSERVATION | $7,500 |
| WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY BRONX, NY | CONSERVATION | $136,300 |
| WOODLAND PARK ZOO SEATTLE, WA | CONSERVATION | $6,083 |
| ZOO CONSERVATION OUTREACH SILVER SPRING, MD | CONSERVATION | $7,500 |
| MINNESOTA ZOO APPLE VALLEY, MN | ZOO OPERATIONS AND CAPITAL PROJECTS | $5,323,923 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BLAKE GRAMS | BOARD CHAIR | 3 | — |
| SUZANNE GAPPA | BOARD VICE CHAIR | 3 | — |
| CHET ELLINGSON | BOARD SECRETARY | 3 | — |
| MARK LARSEN | BOARD TREASURER | 3 | — |
| AIMEE DAYHOFF | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| CHARLENE JUNDT | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| DALE KIVIMAKI | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| DOUG FULTON | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| ELLIE CROSBY | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| JANE PIRTLE | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| JEAN TAYLOR | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| JENNIFER SHOMENTA MAKI | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| JOE RAVENS | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| LOUIS DOTH | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| NANCY NORDMEYER | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| PEGGY BURNET | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| PHIL GAARDER | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| JAMIE FLAWS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $161,538 |
| RYAN SWEENEY | DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS | 40 | $92,688 |
| JOHN FRAWLEY | PRESIDENT | 10 | $79,395 |
| ELISABETH COMEAUX | DIR CORPORATE & FOUNDATION RELATIONS | 40 | $101,434 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Minnesota Zoo Foundation?
Minnesota Zoo Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on Environment & Animals, based in APPLE VALLEY, MN. It holds $14.2M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is Minnesota Zoo Foundation?
As of 2024, Minnesota Zoo Foundation holds $14.2M in total assets with $8.5M in annual revenue. It awarded 5 grants totaling $5.5M in 2024.
Where does Minnesota Zoo Foundation operate?
Minnesota Zoo Foundation has awarded grants in Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Washington.
What size grants does Minnesota Zoo Foundation award?
In 2024, Minnesota Zoo Foundation awarded 5 grants totaling $5.5M — an average of about $1.1M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Minnesota Zoo Foundation's EIN?
Minnesota Zoo Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 51-0147653. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Minnesota Zoo Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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