How Revenue is Spent at the San Diego Zoo (2023)

The Zoological Society of San Diego is more popularly known, and does business as the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) but is often referred to as simply the San Diego Zoo.  Known as one of the wealthiest zoos in the country, the SDZWA has nearly $800 million in net assets (which was primarily accumulated by not spending as much as the organization raises).

A tax-exempt, non-profit conservation organization, SDZWA has been advertising in the Wall Street Journal trying to raise funds (total revenue dipped from $422 million in 2019 to $247 million in 2020  but then increased to $356 million in 2021, $392 million in 2022, and $411 million in 2023).

There are 12 independent voting members (trustees) of the governing body, 8 (75%) of whom are male while 3 (25%) are female (note:  The 990 does not report gender; determinations were made based on name and google searches).

Key financial information is as follows:

In 2023, total revenue was $411 million, most of which came from the “zoological habitat” which appears to be the San Diego Zoo ($292 million), contributions, gifts, and grants ($48 million), and government grants ($26 million).

Expenses totaled $326 million (not including $39 million in depreciation) – 79% of revenue – in 2023 with expenses categorized as follows:

• $193 million (47% of revenue):  Compensation
• $ 38 million (9% of revenue):  Office-Related Expenses
• $ 26 million (6% of revenue):  Operating Supplies and Forage
• $ 26 million (6% of revenue):  Consultants and Fees for Services
• $ 15 million (4% of revenue):  Advertising and Promotion
• $ 17 million (4% of revenue):  Food and Beverage
• $  6 million (2% of revenue):  Other Expenses (i.e. interest, travel and conferences, etc)
• $ 5 million (1% of revenue):  Grants

SDZWA does not award a large portion of revenue in grants. In fact, grants is the smallest expense for the organization.   $5 million in grants were awarded in 2023, $2 million of which were domestic to 28 other non-profits and 1 for-profit organization (although 2 organizations:  The Nature Conservancy, The Center for Plant Conservation and the Regents at the University of California at San Diego received a majority of grant funds).  Foreign grants ($3 million) were primarily made to recipients in Sub-Saharan Africa and South America.

As illustrated above, compensation is the largest expense for SDZWA.  4,297 employees received $193 million in compensation (an average of $45,000).  145 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation with the most highly compensated employee reported to be Paul Baribault, the President and CEO who received $1,860,177

Using the above information, every $100 in revenue was spent as follows:

 $100:  Revenue

-$ 47:  Compensation

-$  9:  Office-Related Expenses

-$  6:  Operating Supplies and Forage

-$  6:  Consultants and Fees for Services

-$  4:  Advertising and Promotion

-$  4:  Food and Beverage

-$  2:  Other Expenses

-$  1:  Grants

-$ 79:  Total Expenses

  $ 21:  Remaining Revenue:  To General Fund

As illustrated above, SDZWA spent $79 out of every $100 on expenses (primarily compensation, office, operating supplies, and fees for outside services including consultants).

At the beginning of the year, SDZWA had $721 million in net assets. After accounting for unspent revenue, unrealized gains on investments, and changes in net assets  SDZWA had $789 million in net assets at year-end, which is a substantial improvement since 2020 when net assets were $561 million.  In short,  the organization spends considerably less than they receive.

To read the IRS Form 990 (2023), click here.