Zoological Society of Cincinnati
The Zoological Society of Cincinnati is a public charity based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 1875, it operates the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, whose mission is “creating adventure, conveying knowledge, conserving nature, and serving the community.” Its work includes wildlife conservation, research, education, and community programs.
Zoological Society of Cincinnati at a glance
In short: Zoological Society of Cincinnati gave $388K across 14 grants in 2025 (avg $28K), top state Washington. 21% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $387,825
- +35.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 14
- +7.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $27,702
- +26.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $330,421,028
- +1.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (3 of 14, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Washington (32% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Zoological Society of Cincinnati
- Contact
Mailing address: 3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45220-1399
Phone: (513) 281-4700
Website: https://cincinnatizoo.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Zoological Society of Cincinnati
Cincinnati Zoo Conservation Committee Grants
Zoological Society of Cincinnati
Amount
Full or partial funding (amounts vary by project)
Deadline
Deadline not published
IMLS Museums for America Grant - Accessibility and Inclusion Initiative
Zoological Society of Cincinnati
Amount
$415,852
Deadline
Deadline not published
IMLS National Leadership Grant - Endangered Exceptional Plants Research
Zoological Society of Cincinnati
Amount
$656,286
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Zoological Society of Cincinnati funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University of Washington ($106K). Together the top 10 received $352K.
Grant Size Distribution
50 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 45 grants of 50 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Conservation Committee program is described as supporting local and international wildlife conservation projects. In filing year 2025, grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states; the largest reported shares were Washington (32%), California (27%), Texas (9%), Minnesota (6%), and New Hampshire (6%). The listed grants also include recipients in Florida, South Carolina, Oregon, and North Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Zoological Society of Cincinnati open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 3 of 14 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $18K; repeat grants $30K. How we count
Medians: $13K first-time, $20K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). 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 $70K (2022) to $388K (2025). In 2025 it made 14 grants totaling $388K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Washington Seattle, WA | Gorilla Conservation/Congo Basin | $106,000 |
| Wildlife Conservation Network San Francisco, CA | Conservation Support Donation | $72,244 |
| Snow Leopard Conservancy Sonoma, CA | Annual Support | $31,000 |
| International Rhino Foundation Fort Worth, TX | Conservation Support Donation | $29,000 |
| Global Conservation Network Apple Valley, MN | Uganda Conservation Foundation Support | $25,000 |
| Wild Nature Institute Concord, NH | Conservation Support Donation | $25,000 |
| Save the Manatee Club Maitland, FL | Support of the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership | $20,000 |
| Wild Entrust International Sammamish, WA | Conservation Support Donation | $20,000 |
| World Parrot Trust Travelers Rest, SC | Conservation Support Donation | $12,581 |
| Red Panda Network Eugene, OR | Conservation Support Donation | $11,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Zoological Society of Cincinnati?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $330,421,028 | $69,378,528 | $63,617,523 | $387,825 | 14 | $2,722,921 |
| 2024 | $326,058,196 | $119,557,573 | $58,622,654 | $285,820 | 13 | $3,650,712 |
| 2023 | $270,224,711 | $73,083,333 | $54,883,019 | $217,895 | 13 | $1,601,898 |
| 2022 | $249,826,944 | $86,872,035 | $44,848,830 | $70,360 | 5 | $10,861 |
| 2021 | $216,678,031 | $51,240,308 | $38,375,258 | $125,330 | 5 | $277,385 |
| 2020 | $203,968,537 | $71,790,214 | $48,944,731 | $122,502 | 6 | $353,367 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is “creating adventure, conveying knowledge, conserving nature, and serving the community.” Its 2024 filing adds that serving the community reflects a responsibility to partner with diverse and economically challenged communities.
The Zoo’s website describes conservation work in areas including endangered-species research and protection, habitat conservation, species reintroduction, and community coexistence. Its Conservation Committee grant program reviews proposals from Zoo staff and affiliates for wildlife conservation projects. Separately, the Zoo’s conservation grants give employees an opportunity to seek funding for projects aligned with its mission.
Examples of 2025 grantees illustrate the kinds of organizations it supports. Wildlife Conservation Network describes its mission as connecting conservationists with supporters and deploying resources to the field. The International Rhino Foundation says it works to ensure rhinos’ survival through partnerships, targeted protection, and science-based interventions. Red Panda Network describes community-based work to protect red panda habitat, while Elakha Alliance’s mission is to restore a healthy sea otter population on the Oregon coast.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 14 grants totaling $387,825. Grant amounts ranged from $7,000 to $106,000, with a median of $20,000. The largest reported awards included $106,000 to the University of Washington for gorilla conservation in the Congo Basin; $72,244 to Wildlife Conservation Network for conservation support; $31,000 to Snow Leopard Conservancy for annual support; and $29,000 to the International Rhino Foundation for conservation support.
Other reported 2025 grants included $25,000 each to Global Conservation Network for Uganda Conservation Foundation support and Wild Nature Institute for conservation support; $20,000 to Save the Manatee Club for the manatee rehabilitation partnership; and $20,000 to Wild Entrust International for conservation support.
The Zoo’s website says Cincinnati Zoo employees can apply for conservation grants. Its Conservation Committee program reviews proposals from Zoo staff and affiliates. The P&G Pet Care Wildlife Conservation Scholarship supports two Ohio State University veterinary students each year with salary, research, and travel support for a summer program; it is for eligible student participants, rather than an outside-organization grant program.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists these trustees: Adam Mueller, Albert Smitherman, Anya Sanchez, Austin Heidt, Bob Coughlin, Brett Heekin, Carla Walker, Cathy Crain, Chris Bevacqua, and Craig Young.
Zoological Society of Cincinnati is led by William T. Maynard, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 11 of 50 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
William T. Maynard
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$328K (2020) → $708K (2025)
George Molinsky
Chairman
Treasurer & Trustee → Treasurer, 2021
Treasurer → Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rhiannon Hoeweler
Trustee
Vp: Visitor Experience → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$122K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Jeffrey Walton
Director of Human Resource
Director of Human Resources → Director of Human Resource, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$121K (2021) → $149K (2025)
Michael Wenninger
Director of Animal Health
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$113K (2024) → $124K (2025)
Christina Gorsuch
Director of Animal Care
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$119K (2025)
Adam Mueller
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brett Heekin
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cathy Crain
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Bevacqua
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Craig Young
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Doug Brendamour
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gigi Heidt
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Greg Taylor
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jan Michele Kearney
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paaras Parker
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Anderson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tim Massa
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Valarie Sheppard
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bob Coughlin
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda Lee Thomas
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pam Rossmann
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anya Sanchez
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Rajaiah
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lela Coffey
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Meredith Borchers
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Albert Smitherman
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Austin Heidt
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jen Castellini
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katie O'Brien
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lucy Christensen-Davis
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matt Sheakley
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter Klekamp
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carla Walker
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dotty Shaffer
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gary Mitchell
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jen Ragland
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Niemeyer
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Williams
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chad Yelton
Vp: Marketing
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$123K (2020) → $165K (2025)
Lori L. Voss
Vice President & CFO
CFO → Vice President & CFO, 2023
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$185K (2020) → $295K (2025)
Mark Fisher
Vp: Facilities
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$138K (2020) → $176K (2025)
Reba Dysart
Vp: Development
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$128K (2020) → $159K (2025)
Samuel D. Jenike
Vice President & COO
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$254K (2020) → $336K (2025)
Terri Roth
Vp: Conservation & Science
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$169K (2020) → $189K (2025)
Chris Record
Facilities Project Manager
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$113K (2025)
George Joseph
Vice Chairman
Vice Chair → Vice Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jack D. Oliver II
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stuart Dornette
Legal Counsel
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tim Bonacci
Treasurer
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (29)
- Former: Eileen Barrett (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Francie S. Hiltz (2020–2024) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Jane Novak-Cook (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Marc Dizard (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Peter Ragland (2020–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Bill Weyand (2022–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Mike Prescott (2022–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Dean Violetta (2023–2024) — Director of Planning & Exhibits
- Former: Ashwin Ramprasad (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Bob Castellini (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Joshua Lorentz (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Melanie Chavez (2020–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: William Swanson (2021–2023) — Director of Animal Research
- Former: Lucy Christensen Davis (2023) — Trustee
- Former: Anne Delyons (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Sheila Cole (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Stephen Hightower (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: W. Stuart Dornette (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Mindi Huber (2022) — Trustee
- Former: Amy Murray (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Chris Hock (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: John Benevides (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Scott Robertson (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: William Weyand (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Sue Butler (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Bill Witten (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Cora Ogle (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Margaret Lafley (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Susan McGee (2020) — Director: Group Sales
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 $708K, to William T Maynard (Executive Director). 11 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Zoological Society of Cincinnati
How much does Zoological Society of Cincinnati give each year?
Zoological Society of Cincinnati gave $388K across 14 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $286K across 13 grants.
What is Zoological Society of Cincinnati's typical grant size?
Zoological Society of Cincinnati's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $27,702, across 14 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Zoological Society of Cincinnati that year got $18K on average.
Where does Zoological Society of Cincinnati give grants?
Zoological Society of Cincinnati's top state is Washington, with 32% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were California (27%) and Texas (9%).
Does Zoological Society of Cincinnati give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on Zoological Society of Cincinnati's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Conservation Support Donation" (7 grants).
Who are Zoological Society of Cincinnati's largest grantees?
Zoological Society of Cincinnati's largest 2025 grantees include University of Washington ($106,000), Wildlife Conservation Network ($72,244) and Snow Leopard Conservancy ($31,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 54% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Zoological Society of Cincinnati?
Zoological Society of Cincinnati reported $330.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $69.4M.
What does Zoological Society of Cincinnati fund?
The organization’s stated mission is “creating adventure, conveying knowledge, conserving nature, and serving the community.” Its 2024 filing adds that serving the community reflects a responsibility to partner with diverse and economically challenged communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Zoological Society of Cincinnati?
Zoological Society of Cincinnati has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check cincinnatizoo.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Zoological Society of Cincinnati's EIN?
Zoological Society of Cincinnati's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-0537171. 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 December 18, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 28, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 30, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 5, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Zoological Society of Cincinnati's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Zoological Society of Cincinnati funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/zoological-society-of-cincinnati-morg_50fa291d382f4a878dea39aba69943fb
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_310537171_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Zoological Society of Cincinnati funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/zoological-society-of-cincinnati-morg_50fa291d382f4a878dea39aba69943fb},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. 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 Zoological Society of Cincinnati'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.
Zoological Society of Cincinnati down — hundreds of funders to go?