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.
Key facts about Omaha Zoo Foundation
- EIN
- 36-3297716
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $20,751,271
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- Average grant
- $20,751,271
- Median grant
- $20,751,271
- Total assets
- $185,760,101
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
How Omaha Zoo Foundation gives
- Giving grew 28% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Next steps with Omaha Zoo Foundation
- How to evaluate Omaha Zoo Foundation as a funder
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$185.8M
+5.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$20.8M
+162.8% YoY
Grant Count
1
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$20.8M
+162.8% YoY
About Omaha Zoo Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Omaha Zoo Foundation is a nonprofit organization 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
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 1 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $185,760,101 | $176,399,926 | $145,072,070 |
| Revenue | $26,326,840 | $31,905,904 | $25,005,850 |
| Expenses | $24,708,993 | $10,861,921 | $21,713,185 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $7,235,399 | $5,515,357 | $1,801,655 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 1 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Omaha Zoological Society ($20,751,271).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| OMAHA ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY Omaha, NE | GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,751,271 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Howard L Hawks | Director (Thru 12/6/2024) | 1 | — |
| Mogens C Bay | Chairman | 1 | — |
| Calvin Sisson | Vice Chair | 1 | — |
| Michael R McCarthy | Director | 1 | — |
| Tina Cherica | President & CEO | 40 | $403,033 |
| Kiley Thiele | VP of Development | 40 | $180,518 |
| Dr Lee G Simmons | VP of Donor Relations | 40 | $342,786 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Omaha Zoo Foundation?
Omaha Zoo Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on Environment & Animals, based in Omaha, NE. It holds $185.8M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is Omaha Zoo Foundation?
As of 2024, Omaha Zoo Foundation holds $185.8M in total assets with $26.3M in annual revenue. It awarded 1 grant totaling $20.8M in 2024.
Where does Omaha Zoo Foundation operate?
Omaha Zoo Foundation has awarded grants in Nebraska.
What size grants does Omaha Zoo Foundation award?
In 2024, Omaha Zoo Foundation awarded 1 grant totaling $20.8M — an average of about $20.8M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.