Utah Zoological Society
Utah Zoological Society is a public charity based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Its 2025 filing describes a conservation team that oversees grant funds and provides project updates to staff and the board; its reported 2025 grants supported wildlife conservation organizations and projects.
Utah Zoological Society at a glance
In short: Utah Zoological Society gave $210K across 14 grants in 2025 (avg $15K), top state Texas. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $210,200
- +5.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 14
- +27.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $15,014
- -17.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $96,623,399
- -1.8% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Texas (32% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Utah Zoological Society
- Contact
Mailing address: 2600 Sunnyside Avenue, Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Phone: (801) 584-1778
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Utah Zoological Society funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Polar Bears International ($50K). Together the top 10 received $180K.
Grant Size Distribution
45 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 41 grants of 45 (91%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization is based in Salt Lake City. Its 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states; the largest reported shares were Texas (32%), Montana (24%), Utah (8%), Idaho (7%), and Colorado (7%). The grant purposes also include conservation work on species such as polar bears, elephants, rhinos, gorillas, and giraffes.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
Cities
How Utah Zoological Society gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $29K (2020) to $210K (2025). In 2025 it made 14 grants totaling $210K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Polar Bears International Bozeman, MT | Polar Bear Conservation | $50,000 |
| International Elephant Foundation Azle, TX | Elephant Conservation | $25,000 |
| International Rhino Foundation Fort Worth, TX | African Rhino Conservation | $20,000 |
| Gorongosa Project Inc Idaho Falls, ID | Elephant Conservation | $15,000 |
| Gorilla Rehabilitation & Conservation Center Inc Niwot, CO | Gorilla Conservation | $15,000 |
| Texas A&M University College Station, TX | Animal Conservation | $15,000 |
| Carnivores Livelihoods & Landscapes Hudsonville, MI | Cheetah Conservation | $10,000 |
| Wildlife SOS Salt Lake City, UT | Animal Conservation | $10,000 |
| Wildlife Conservation Network Inc San Francisco, CA | Penguin Conservation | $10,000 |
| Panthera Corporation New York, NY | Wild Cat Conservation | $10,000 |
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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 | $96,623,399 | $23,946,177 | $26,089,205 | $210,200 | 14 | $944,712 |
| 2024 | $98,434,485 | $24,858,255 | $23,225,723 | $200,000 | 11 | $1,043,155 |
| 2023 | $98,189,522 | $24,557,487 | $20,100,781 | $210,000 | 8 | $1,073,481 |
| 2022 | $94,586,487 | $20,973,376 | $16,845,881 | $170,000 | 7 | $6,627 |
| 2021 | $84,814,073 | $30,780,650 | $14,745,116 | $140,000 | 5 | $-59,229 |
| 2020 | $70,578,816 | $14,770,765 | $14,985,365 | $28,500 | 2 | $-487 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to “create champions for wildlife by making connections between people and animals to inspire action.” Its website also describes priorities that include wildlife conservation, community science, education, and sustainable practices.
The 2025 grants show support for organizations working on species conservation. For example, Polar Bears International describes its mission as conserving polar bears and the sea ice they depend on, while the International Elephant Foundation says it supports elephant conservation, education, research, and management. The International Rhino Foundation describes its work as ensuring rhino survival through partnerships, protection, and scientific interventions. Other 2025 recipients include organizations whose stated missions address wild cats, giraffes, parrots, and wildlife conservation more broadly.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 14 grants totaling $210,200. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $50,000, with a median of $10,000.
The largest reported awards included $50,000 to Polar Bears International for polar bear conservation, $25,000 to the International Elephant Foundation for elephant conservation, and $20,000 to the International Rhino Foundation for African rhino conservation. Other reported grants included $15,000 each to Gorongosa Project for elephant conservation, Gorilla Rehabilitation & Conservation Center for gorilla conservation, and Texas A&M University for animal conservation. Wildlife SOS received $10,000 for animal conservation, and Save Giraffes Now received $8,000 for giraffe conservation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Bill Hulterstrom as chair, Lisa Livsey as chair elect, Lance Squire as secretary, and Saul Weissman as treasurer. Listed directors are Amanda McKell, Erin Taylor, Heidi Miller, Howard Parker, Jeri Neese Pugh, and John Garfield.
Utah Zoological Society is led by Douglas Lund, President & Chief Executive Officer since 2025 (on filings since 2020); 7 of 21 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Douglas Lund
President & Chief Executive Officer
President → President & CEO, 2024
President & CEO → President & Chief Executive Officer, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$188K (2020) → $348K (2025)
Bill Hulterstrom
Chair
Director → Board Chair, 2024
Board Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erika Crook
Director of Animal Health
Director of Anima → Director of Animal Health, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$104K (2021) → $136K (2025)
Erin Kolliker
Director of Development
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$157K (2025)
Heidi Miller
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeri Neese Pugh
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John D. Garfield
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patrick W Leary
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul M. Dougan
Director
Chair → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Trudy Simmons
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amanda McKell
Director
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erin Taylor
Director
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Howard Parker
Director
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cheryl Rushton
Vice President of Finance & CFO
Director of Finance → Director of Finan, 2021
Director of Finan → Vice President of Finance & CFO, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$111K (2020) → $174K (2025)
Elizabeth Larsen
Senior Vice President of Programs
Vice President Programs → Vice President & Programs, 2021
Vice President & Programs → Senior Vice President of Programs, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$130K (2020) → $191K (2025)
Jeffrey Vanek
Vice President of People & Culture
Director of Human → Director of Human Resources, 2024
Director of Human Resources → Vice President of People & Culture, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$107K (2021) → $136K (2025)
Kent Moyle
Vice President of Advancement
Director of Advancement → Vice President of Advancement, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$133K (2024) → $170K (2025)
Lisa Livsey
Chair Elect
Director → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Chair Elect, 2025
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Hogle
Hogle Representative
Chair Emeritus → Hogle Design, 2022
Hogle Design → Hogle Representative, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Saul Weissman
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lance Squire
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2022
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (22)
- Former: Tiffini Sorcic (2020–2024) — Vice Chair
- Former: Daniel Smith (2023–2024) — Director of Facilities
- Former: Alison Looney Swillinger (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Blake O Fisher Jr. (2020–2023) — Chair
- Former: Brian S. King (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Gregory P. Williams (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: John Ziegler (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Lincoln Fillmore (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Marianne Woolsey Moyle (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Patty Miller (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Steven Barth (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: William Oakley (2020–2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Jennifer Newell (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Heather Barnum (2023) — Director of Advan
- Former: Ragula Bhaskar (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Dan Smith (2022) — Director of
- Former: Nancy Carpenter (2020–2021) — Director of Anima
- Former: Steve Burns (2020–2021) — President & CEO T
- Former: Rachel Otto (2021) — Director
- Former: Gina Gay Daines (2020) — Director
- Former: James E Hogle (2020) — Chair Emeritus
- Former: Pam Keller (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 $348K, to Douglas Lund (President & Chief Executive Officer). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Utah Zoological Society
How much does Utah Zoological Society give each year?
Utah Zoological Society gave $210K across 14 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $200K across 11 grants.
What is Utah Zoological Society's typical grant size?
Utah Zoological Society's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $15,014, across 14 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Utah Zoological Society give grants?
Utah Zoological Society's top state is Texas, with 32% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Montana (24%) and Utah (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Salt Lake City, UT (2 grants).
Does Utah Zoological Society give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on Utah Zoological Society's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Utah Zoological Society's largest grantees?
Utah Zoological Society's largest 2025 grantees include Polar Bears International ($50,000), International Elephant Foundation ($25,000) and International Rhino Foundation ($20,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 45% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Utah Zoological Society?
Utah Zoological Society reported $96.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $23.9M.
What does Utah Zoological Society fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to “create champions for wildlife by making connections between people and animals to inspire action.” Its website also describes priorities that include wildlife conservation, community science, education, and sustainable practices. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Utah Zoological Society?
Utah Zoological Society has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Utah Zoological Society's EIN?
Utah Zoological Society's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-0217405. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
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 June 8, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 23, 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 August 4, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Utah Zoological Society's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Utah Zoological Society funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/utah-zoological-society-morg_05ac401f824f4eecb0f0c19c1b7df4ee
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_870217405_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Utah Zoological Society funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/utah-zoological-society-morg_05ac401f824f4eecb0f0c19c1b7df4ee},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Utah Zoological Society's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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