Omaha Zoo Foundation
Founded in 1984, the Omaha Zoo Foundation supports the mission, research and programs benefitting omaha's henry doorly zoo and aquarium. To ensure a growing, vibrant zoo for future generations, it is our priority to build a solid philanthropic foundation for omaha'scommunity treasure.
Omaha Zoo Foundation at a glance
In short: Omaha Zoo Foundation gave $20.8M across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $20.8M), mostly in Nebraska. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $20,751,271
- +162.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $20,751,271
- +162.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,751,271
- Total assets
- $185,760,101
- +5.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Omaha Zoo Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Omaha Zoological Society ($20.8M).
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was $5M or more: 5 grants of 5 (100%).
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 Omaha Zoo Foundation gives
- Giving grew 28% 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
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $7.9M (2023) to $43.1M (2020). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $20.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha Zoological Society Omaha, NE | General Support | $20,751,271 |
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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 | $185,760,101 | $26,326,840 | $24,708,993 | $20,751,271 | 1 | $7,235,399 |
| 2023 | $176,399,926 | $31,905,904 | $10,861,921 | $7,897,098 | 1 | $5,515,357 |
| 2022 | $145,072,070 | $25,005,850 | $21,713,185 | $15,520,045 | 1 | $1,801,655 |
| 2021 | $158,676,876 | $25,199,115 | $21,920,907 | $16,249,129 | 1 | $14,084,120 |
| 2020 | $154,960,524 | $19,596,567 | $47,421,639 | $43,098,020 | 1 | $2,721,017 |
About Omaha Zoo Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Omaha Zoo Foundation is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Omaha, NE. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $185.8M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $20.8M. Net investment income was $7.2M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Omaha Zoo Foundation is led by Tina Cherica, President & CEO since 2021 (on filings since 2020); 3 of 7 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Tina Cherica
President & CEO
Executive Director → President & CEO, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$299K (2020) → $403K (2024)
Mogens C. Bay
Chairman
Vice Chairman → Vice Chairman & Chair Elect, 2021
Vice Chairman & Chair Elect → Chairman, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Howard L. Hawks
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael R. McCarthy
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kiley Thiele
Vice President of Development
Director of Development → Vice President of Development, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$141K (2020) → $181K (2024)
Lee G. Simmons
Vice President of Donor Relations
Director → Director & Vice President of Donor Relations, 2021
Director & Vice President of Donor Relations → Vice President of Donor Relations, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$202K (2020) → $343K (2024)
Calvin Sisson
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Walter Scott Jr. (2020–2021) — Chairman
- Former: Dennis E. Pate (2020) — Ex-Officio
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 $403K, to Tina Cherica (President & CEO). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Omaha Zoo Foundation
How much does Omaha Zoo Foundation give each year?
Omaha Zoo Foundation gave $20.8M across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $7.9M across 1 grant.
How large is Omaha Zoo Foundation?
Omaha Zoo Foundation reported $185.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $26.3M.
What is Omaha Zoo Foundation?
Omaha Zoo Foundation is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Omaha, NE. It holds $185.8M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does Omaha Zoo Foundation operate?
Omaha Zoo Foundation has awarded grants in Nebraska.
What is Omaha Zoo Foundation's EIN?
Omaha Zoo Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3297716. 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 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 3, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 7, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 10, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Omaha Zoo Foundation funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Omaha Zoo Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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