ZOO LEARNING FUND (ZLF) MANAGES AN ENDOWMENT FUND THAT FINANCIALLY SUPPORTS, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS CENTERED ON CURRICULUM ABOUT ANIMALS FOR SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN THROUGHOUT KANSAS CITY AND COMMUNITIES IN ADJACENT COUNTIES. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)ZLF MAKES GRANTS TO THE FRIENDS OF THE ZOO INC OF KANSAS CITY, MO (DBA KANSAS CITY ZOO) TO CARRY OUT SUCH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. FUNDED PROGRAMS TAKE PLACE BOTH ON THE GROUNDS OF THE KANSAS CITY ZOO AND IN LOCAL SCHOOLS OR COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
Key facts about Zoo Learning Fund
- EIN
- 47-3220134
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990 filing, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $657,786
- Grants made (2024)
- 2
- Average grant
- $328,893
- Median grant
- $328,893
- Total assets
- $5,510,155
- Primary geography
- Missouri (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2024; updated September 2026.
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 filing · View filing
Total Assets
$5.5M
+4.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$658K
+18.4% YoY
Grant Count
2
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$329K
+18.4% YoY
About Zoo Learning Fund
Based on IRS filings
Zoo Learning Fund is a nonprofit organization focused on Environment & Animals, based in Kansas City, MO. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $5.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 2 grants totaling $658K. Net investment income was $602K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 2 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,510,155 | $5,293,421 | $4,951,173 |
| Revenue | $601,644 | $249,707 | $323,609 |
| Expenses | $688,692 | $586,320 | $253,058 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $601,644 | $249,707 | $259,282 |
| 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
4 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Friends of the Zoo Inc of Kansas City Mo (DBA Kansas City Zoo) ($657,786 across 2 grants).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| FRIENDS OF THE ZOO INC OF KANSAS CITY MO (DBA KANSAS CITY ZOO) Kansas City, MO | 50% OF MILLION DOLLAR GIFT FOR AQUARIUM | $500,000 |
| FRIENDS OF THE ZOO INC OF KANSAS CITY MO (DBA KANSAS CITY ZOO) Kansas City, MO | EDUCATION PROGRAMS | $157,786 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Zoo Learning Fund is led by Soni Patel, President since 2023 (on filings since 2020); none of the 9 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Soni Patel
President
Director → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marissa Schaffner
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julie Scheidegger
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brad Bodamer
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Bennett
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Ray
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kate Lambert
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Graves
Secretary
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Meg Buckley
Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Yvette Miceli (2020–2023) — Past President
- Former: Brandy Colson (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Gail Cluen (2020–2021) — Director & Treasurer
- Former: Hayley Hanson (2020–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zoo Learning Fund?
Zoo Learning Fund is a nonprofit organization focused on Environment & Animals, based in Kansas City, MO. It holds $5.5M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is Zoo Learning Fund?
As of 2024, Zoo Learning Fund holds $5.5M in total assets with $602K in annual revenue. It awarded 2 grants totaling $658K in 2024.
Where does Zoo Learning Fund operate?
Zoo Learning Fund has awarded grants in Missouri.
What size grants does Zoo Learning Fund award?
In 2024, Zoo Learning Fund awarded 2 grants totaling $658K — an average of about $329K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Zoo Learning Fund's EIN?
Zoo Learning Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-3220134. 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 filings.