Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Bronx, New York, with tax-exempt status since February 1939. WCS operates as both a direct service provider and a grantmaking organization. The organization runs four zoos and an aquarium in New York City—the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and the New York Aquarium—which collectively welcome approximately 3.65 million visitors annually. Beyond its New York facilities, WCS maintains the largest and longest-standing field conservation program in the world, operating in more than 50 countries.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.3B
+0.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$7.7M
+9.1% YoY
Grant Count
48
-5.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$159K
+16.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature.
Vision: WCS envisions a world where wildlife thrives in healthy lands and seas, valued by societies that embrace and benefit from the diversity and integrity of life on earth.
Primary Program Areas:
Global Conservation: WCS works with governments, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities across more than 50 countries to support conservation of over 20 million square kilometers of high ecological integrity areas. The organization addresses threats including biodiversity collapse and zoonotic pandemics through habitat conservation and restoration.
Zoos and Aquarium Operations: The New York facilities serve dual purposes of wildlife conservation advancement and public education, engaging millions of visitors and students annually in conservation awareness.
Research and Science: WCS conducts conservation research and operates fellowship programs to advance wildlife protection.
Grantmaking
WCS operates as a grantmaking organization with documented giving activity. Based on recent tax filings, the organization distributed approximately $24.4 million in grants in fiscal year 2024 and $20.8 million in fiscal year 2023.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
WCS operates conservation programs in more than 50 countries globally. Grant distribution has been documented in Virginia, California, New York, and Massachusetts, with primary recent focus in Virginia, California, and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Fiscal Year 2024 (as of June 2024):
- Total Revenue: $389,150,742
- Total Expenses: $448,907,632
- Total Assets: $1,254,629,446
- Total Liabilities: $367,000,000 (approximate)
- Number of Employees: 2,998
Fiscal Year 2023:
- Total Assets: $1,249,623,944
- Total Giving: $20,817,549
Rating: WCS holds a Four-Star rating with a 100% score based on Accountability & Finance metrics.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,254,629,446 | $1,249,623,944 | $1,271,369,998 |
| Revenue | $389,150,742 | $345,503,315 | $393,224,094 |
| Expenses | $448,907,632 | $373,628,213 | $337,028,286 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $7,595,989 | $7,606,785 | $7,344,549 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
210 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President & CEO: Adam Falk
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert G Menzi | EVP Chief Operating Officer | 40 | $701,351 |
| Monica P Medina | President & CEO Until 4/2/2024 | 40 | $615,368 |
| Paula Hayes | EVP chief of Global Resources | 40 | $643,978 |
| John F Calvelli | EVP Public Affairs | 40 | $606,140 |
| James J Breheny | EVP Director of Zoos/Aquarium | 40 | $438,282 |
| Christopher J McKenzie | SVP General Counsel | 40 | $417,897 |
| Craig Piper | VP and Director of City Zoos | 40 | $365,361 |
| Joseph Walston | EVP Global Conservation | 40 | $376,148 |
| Laura Stolzenthaler | SVP & CFO | 40 | $384,723 |
| Robert Calamo | VP & Comptroller Until 1/31/24 | 40 | $327,507 |
| Jelle Boot | VP Human Resources | 40 | $314,469 |
| Daniel Zarin | E. Director of Forest Programs | 40 | $319,978 |
| Susan Chin | SVP of Strategy & Advancement | 40 | $322,423 |
| Niko Radjenovic | VP Business Services | 40 | $322,318 |
| Stephen Ham | VP of Individual Giving | 40 | $286,489 |
| Alejandro Santo Domingo | Chair & Trustee | 4 | — |
| Hamilton E James | Vice Chair & Trustee | 2 | — |
| Thomas J Edelman | Treasurer & Trustee | 2 | — |
| Elizabeth Ainslie | Secretary & Trustee | 2 | — |
| Eric Adams | Ex Officio Trustee | 0.5 | — |
| Brad Lander | Ex Officio Trustee | 0.5 | — |
| Adrienne E Adams | Ex Officio Trustee | 0.5 | — |
| Susan Donoghue | Ex Officio Trustee | 0.5 | — |
| Laurie Cumbo | Ex Officio Trustee | 0.5 | — |
| Vanessa L Gibson | Ex Officio Trustee | 0.5 | — |
| Antonio Reynoso | Ex Officio Trustee | 0.5 | — |
| Neil Barr | Trustee From 10/24/2023 | 1 | — |
| Frederick W Beinecke | Trustee Until 10/24/2023 | 1 | — |
| Rosina M Bierbaum | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Duncan A Chapman | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Katherine L Dolan | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Christopher J Elliman | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Paul A Gould | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Peter T Grauer | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Jonathan D Green | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Antonia M Grumbach | Trustee | 2 | — |
| O Andreas Halvorsen | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Judith H Hamilton | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Jan Hatzius | Trustee | 1 | — |
| John N Irwin III | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Trevor Kempner | Trustee From 10/24/2023 | 1 | — |
| Julia Marton-Lefvre | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Ambrose K Monell | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Adebayo O Ogunlesi | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Juan Manuel Santos | Trustee | 2 | — |
| David B Schiff | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Walter C Sedgwick | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Katherine Sherrill | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Caroline N Sidnam | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Loretta M Stadler | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Andrew H Tisch | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Roselinde Torres | Trustee Until 02/28/2024 | 1 | — |
| Marcel van Poecke | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Akiko Yamazaki | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Robert B Zoellick | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Patrick Mouton | VP & Comptroller From 3/04/24 | 40 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
WCS received a pioneering grant from the Bezos Earth Fund's AI Grand Challenge for Climate and Nature, recognizing the organization's innovative approach to conservation challenges.
WCS Awarded Pioneering Grant from Bezos Earth Fund's AI Grand ...The organization's zoos and aquarium welcomed 3.5 million visitors in 2024, demonstrating continued public engagement in conservation education.
WCS Climate Adaptation Fund Awards $2.7 Million to 13 U.S. Conservation ProjectsWCS has established 430+ protected areas since its founding, which help maintain regional stability and conserve habitat for 40% or more of Earth's biodiversity while promoting sustainable resource management.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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