The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee
Provide a natural habitat refuge developed around the needs of asian and african elephants where elephants are provided with lifetime care; to support and promote elephant welfare and conservation; to provide and support public education regarding the complex needs of elephants and the challenges facing elephants in the wild.
The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee at a glance
In short: The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee gave $6K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $6K), mostly in Maryland. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $6,000
- -97.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- Average grant
- $6,000
- Median grant
- $6,000
- Total assets
- $111,441,209
- +11.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Maryland (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Safe Asian Elephants ($6K).
Grant Size Distribution
1 grant across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1 grant of 1 (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
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $6K (2025) to $347K (2022). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $6K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Safe Asian Elephants Silver Spring, MD | Asian Elephant Conservation | $6,000 |
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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 | $111,441,209 | $10,746,410 | $8,147,475 | $6,000 | 1 | $1,083,229 |
| 2024 | $100,441,631 | $9,362,485 | $7,500,875 | $283,705 | Total only | $-1,101,784 |
| 2023 | $89,425,790 | $11,769,683 | $6,850,060 | $256,150 | Total only | $688,346 |
| 2022 | $77,157,503 | $4,598,007 | $6,275,784 | $347,026 | Total only | $-7,178,167 |
| 2021 | $80,353,041 | $13,821,771 | $5,741,992 | $259,350 | Total only | $-1,995,704 |
| 2020 | $65,406,910 | $10,300,834 | $5,652,457 | $183,000 | Total only | $190,932 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
About The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee
Based on IRS filings
The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Hohenwald, TN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $111.4M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $6K. Net investment income was $1.1M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee is led by Janice Zeitlin, President & CEO since 2025 (on filings since 2020); 4 of 9 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Janice Zeitlin
President & CEO
Board Vice President & CEO → Vice President & CEO, 2023
Vice President & CEO → President & CEO, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$158K (2020) → $170K (2025)
Richard Rhoda
Board Chair
Chairperson → Board Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sharon Langford
Director
Director → Board Member, 2021
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deborah Perry
CFO
Director of Finance & Administrator → Controller, 2021
Controller → CFO, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$96K (2020) → $112K (2025)
Steve Shurter
COO
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$79K (2023) → $133K (2025)
Stephanie McCain
Veterinarian
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$117K (2025)
Albert Ambrose
Treasurer
Treasurer → Board Treasurer, 2021
Board Treasurer → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Staggs
Secretary
Secretary → Board Secretary, 2021
Board Secretary → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William Schaffner
Vice President
Board President → President, 2023
President → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 $170K, to Janice Zeitlin (President / CEO). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee
How much does The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee give each year?
The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee gave $6K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it reported $284K in grants paid.
How large is The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee?
The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee reported $111.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $10.7M.
What is The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee?
The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Hohenwald, TN. It holds $111.4M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee operate?
The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee has awarded grants in Maryland.
What is The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee's EIN?
The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-1587327. 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
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 1, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 17, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 10, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 29, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 30, 2026)
Live grants for the work The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee's focus areas in our free grants database
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Christian Community Foundation of Memphis
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