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Tax Status Governance Fund Raising Financial

Name:	Chicago Zoological Society
Address:	3300 South Golf Road
	Brookfield, IL 60513
Phone:	708-485-0263
Web Address:	www.brookfieldzoo.org
Also known as: Brookfield Zoo

Chicago Zoological Society does not meet the following 2 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Standard 1: Oversight of Operations and Staff - Organizations shall have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity's operations and its staff. Indication of adequate oversight includes, but is not limited to, regularly scheduled appraisals of the CEO's performance, evidence of disbursement controls such as board approval of the budget, fund raising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances. Chicago Zoological Society does not meet this Standard because its board of directors does not: Review the performance of the chief executive officer at least once every two years. Standard 17: Web Site Disclosures - Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990. Chicago Zoological Society does not meet this Standard because the organization's website, www.brookfieldzoo.org, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it does not include: Electronic access to the organization’s most recent IRS Form 990.

In addition, the BBB of Chicago & Northern Illinois requested but did not receive complete information on the organization’s governance and oversight and effectiveness measures and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following 4Standards for Charity Accountability: 3, 5, 6, and 7.

Chicago Zoological Society meets the remaining 14 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Since 1934, the Chicago Zoological Society (CZS) has embraced four cornerstones – conservation, recreation, education and scientific study. CZS is strongly positioned to help connect people and wildlife and address the urgent need to sustain the earth’s natural resources. Our integrated programs encourage life-long learning and a caring relationship with nature. Through our year-long strategic planning process in 2004, we developed key strategies to sustain our conservation vision. Through ongoing strategic initiatives and a recently completed facilities master plan, we are focusing on: promoting conservation leadership at all levels of society; enhancing our commitment to helping people value conservation in the context of an increasingly urbanized culture; reinforcing our dedication to providing enjoyable, transformative family experiences; and, celebrating the importance of our wildlife in connecting people and nature. CZS has a proud legacy as a leader in the evolution of the care and well-being of zoo animals. We opened one of the first on-site animal hospitals, employed some of the first nutritionists, pathologists, geneticists, endocrinologists, and behavioral specialists, and, created new ways to understand and manage restricted populations in the wild and in zoos. As a cultural institution, we have long recognized the importance of our role as a community resource and educational center. The Conservation, Education and Training unit builds upon a history of educational success by forming new partnerships and programs to meet the continuing challenges of promoting conservation and environmental education.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, Chicago Zoological Society's program expenses were:

Animal collection and conservation programs	15,697,000
Guest services	12,015,000
Care of buildings and grounds	10,866,000
depreciation	6,923,000
Public education and communications	4,846,000
Marketing and public relations	3,160,000
Admissions and parking	2,932,000
Total Program Expenses:	$56,439,000

Chief Executive : Stuart D. Strahl, Ph.D., President and CEO

Compensation*:

Chair of the Board: William C. Kunkler
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Executive Vice Chairman, CC Industries, Inc.

Board Size: 48

Paid Staff Size: 444

*Compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:

direct mail, telephone, invitations to fund raising events, grant proposals, planned giving arrangements, membership

Fund raising costs were 12% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $25,949,000, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on Chicago Zoological Society's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.

Source of Funds
Federal, State, and other grants	17,880,000
Guest Services	15,678,000
Tax Collections	15,229,000
Admissions and parking	10,715,000
Membership dues	9,782,000
Contributions and bequests	8,069,000
Investment Income	2,630,000
Other Income	1,626,000
Capital Reimbursements	395,000
Total Income	$82,004,000

Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 84%  Fund Raising: 5%  Administrative: 9%  Other Expenses: 2%

Total income				$82,004,000
	Program expenses			$56,439,000
	Fund raising expenses			3,234,000
	Administrative expenses			6,359,000
	Other Expenses			1,292,000
Total expenses				$67,324,000
Income in Excess of Expenses				14,680,000
Beginning net assets				141,624,000
Other Changes in Net Assets				(573,000)
Ending net assets				155,731,000
Total liabilities				68,477,000
Total assets				$224,208,000