Akron Zoo

What it reported doing in 2024

Membership and guest services: the akron zoo's membership program provides an opportunity for anyone to become a member of the zoo by purchasing an annual pass. There are multiple options from an individual membership to a family deluxe membership to accommodate a range of family sizes and needs. Each membership comes with benefits such as unlimited free admission to the zoo year round, free parking, discounts on purchases in the giftshop, special member only events and previews of new areas, discounted admission to over 150 accredited zoos and aquariums nationwide, and discounts on education programs and special events like boo at the zoo and wild lights. The zoo's membership households totals around 14,000. The zoo's guest services include guest experiences, food service and gift shop. The zoo welcomes guests through our welcome center where guests can purchase admission at our ticket counter before entering the zoo. Throughout the zoo, there are opportunities for guests to enjoy activities such as carousel and train rides, purchase crackers to feed our goats or experience virtual reality on our virtual reality ride. All of these activities generate revenue to support operations. Our komodo kingdom cafe provides food options year round to guests, we also have multiple stands throughout the park that provide seasonal offerings during the summer months and select special events. In total we have five locations where guests can purchase food and beverages. The gift shop offers guests the opportunity to remember their visit with a souvenir or gift. The main shop is in the welcome center and guests exit through the gift shop to exit the zoo. There is also a cart just inside the entrance to the zoo that offers scooter and stroller rentals, as well as some select items such as hats and sunglasses.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 62%; rating input score 62
• Program expense ratio: 80.6%; rating input score 81
• Fundraising efficiency: $18.81 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 55; 55th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 89.5%; rating input score 89; 3rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Pass
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 75.8%; rating input score 76; 15th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Yes; rating input score 100

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 25.3%; rating input score 86; 86th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 5.46; rating input score 86; 86th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.03; rating input score 88; 88th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 10.1%; rating input score 20; 20th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 5.6% per year; rating input score 100; 46th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 5.6% per year; rating input score 100; 49th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 3.9% per year; rating input score 100; 29th percentile among comparable filings