Point Defiance Zoological Society
The point defiance zoo society (the zoo society) fosters the relationship between point defiance zoo & aquarium (PDZA) and our community by raising funds and generating community support. The zoo society supports the mission of PDZA by providing financial and in-kind resources for the zoo's recreation, education and conservation programs, its animal collections, and its permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Point Defiance Zoological Society at a glance
In short: Point Defiance Zoological Society gave $900K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $900K), mostly in Washington. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $900,266
- -0.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $900,266
- -0.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $900,266
- Total assets
- $31,947,931
- +14.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Washington (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Point Defiance Zoological Society funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Metropolitan Park District ($900K).
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $500K–1M range: 5 grants of 5 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Point Defiance Zoological Society gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+0%). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $715K (2020) to $905K (2024). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $900K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Park District Tacoma, WA | Support to Zoo for Exhibits and Programs | $900,266 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $31,947,931 | $1,671,113 | $1,844,365 | $900,266 | 1 | $516,168 |
| 2024 | $28,029,818 | $2,372,983 | $1,833,266 | $904,999 | 1 | $395,301 |
| 2023 | $23,881,436 | $1,816,393 | $1,932,112 | $893,535 | 1 | $325,329 |
| 2022 | $20,612,143 | $12,714,916 | $1,738,633 | $900,949 | 1 | $177,079 |
| 2021 | $10,948,670 | $1,628,889 | $1,563,892 | $792,290 | 1 | $37,648 |
| 2020 | $9,739,351 | $941,440 | $1,517,028 | $714,961 | 2 | $20,996 |
About Point Defiance Zoological Society
Based on IRS filings
Point Defiance Zoological Society is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Tacoma, WA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $31.9M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $900K. Net investment income was $516K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Point Defiance Zoological Society is led by Ruthann Howell, Executive Director since 2021 (on filings since 2020); 2 of 16 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Ruthann Howell
Executive Director
Excecutive Director → Executive Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$125K (2020) → $141K (2025)
Jacquelyn Hoflich
President
Secretary → Vice President, 2024
Vice President → President, 2025
On filings since 2021
6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Johnson
Senior Development Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$100K (2023) → $107K (2025)
Cameron Moorehead
Treasurer
Director → Board Member, 2023
Board Member → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Guadnola
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ruth Erwin-Svoboda
Board Member
Director → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kim Burkes
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kati O'Brien
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Larry Clark
Vice President
Board Member → Secretary, 2024
Secretary → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patricia Schenk
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2024
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Adrienne Brand
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ben Constance
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bri Simpson
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dave Mets
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Garret Sweet
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Judi Bell
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (25)
- Former: Mark Hansen (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Mark Terry (2020–2024) — President
- Former: Matthew Schemp (2020–2024) — Past President
- Former: Quinn Taylor (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Jay Beck (2022–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Nick Illario (2022–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Paul Rudnick (2022–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Benjamin Constance (2023–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Tyler Panagiotu (2023–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Heather Parkinson-Firestine (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Larry Dahl (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Sue Mauermann (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Melissa Powell (2021–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Chris Rye (2022) — Director
- Former: Dave Smith (2022) — President
- Former: Matt Schemp (2022) — Vice President
- Former: David Smith (2020–2021) — President
- Former: Nick Wright (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Sean Schmidt (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Christopher Rye (2021) — Director
- Former: Bonnie Becker PhD (2020) — Director
- Former: Jeff Steed (2020) — Director
- Former: Judd Johnson (2020) — Director
- Former: Megan Schenck (2020) — Director
- Former: Ric Torgerson (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $141K, to Ruthann Howell (Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Point Defiance Zoological Society
How much does Point Defiance Zoological Society give each year?
Point Defiance Zoological Society gave $900K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $905K across 1 grant.
How large is Point Defiance Zoological Society?
Point Defiance Zoological Society reported $31.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.7M.
What is Point Defiance Zoological Society?
Point Defiance Zoological Society is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Tacoma, WA. It holds $31.9M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Point Defiance Zoological Society operate?
Point Defiance Zoological Society has awarded grants in Tennessee, Washington.
What is Point Defiance Zoological Society's EIN?
Point Defiance Zoological Society's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-6066667. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 5, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 26, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Point Defiance Zoological Society's focus areas in our free grants database
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Point Defiance Zoological Society down — hundreds of funders to go?