How large is the Indianapolis Zoo organization?

The Indianapolis Zoological Society operates with 716 employees managing 58 million in annual operations and maintains 245 million in assets. The organization serves hundreds of thousands of visitors while supporting conservation efforts.

What conservation work does the zoo support?

The zoo distributes conservation grants supporting wildlife protection and habitat preservation globally. The organization also recognizes conservation leaders through the prestigious Indianapolis Prize program and supports animal-related initiatives worldwide.

What programs does the zoo offer?

The zoo provides animal exhibits, educational programs teaching about wildlife and conservation, and community engagement initiatives. The organization receives grant support for animal-related programs, arts programming, and conservation efforts.

Who leads the Indianapolis Zoo?

The zoo is governed by a board including Chair Beth Klapper, Vice Chairs Blake Koriath and Marisol Sanchez, Treasurer Jason Spilbeler, and Secretary Amy Willis. Senior Vice President Tom Kmetz serves as CFO, working with board members from across the Indianapolis community.

Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc

Indianapolis, IN · Founded 1966

Zoological society operating zoo and supporting global wildlife conservation efforts

Primary audience

General Public

Work area

Conservation

Topic

Zoological Park

Contact

Tom Kmetz

Website Contact

About Organization

Founded in 1966, the society manages Indianapolis Zoo with 716 employees. Operating with 58 million annually and 245 million in assets, the organization provides animal exhibits, educational programs, and supports conservation initiatives worldwide.

What They Focus On

Zoo Operations

Managing comprehensive zoological facilities with diverse animal exhibits serving Indianapolis community.

Wildlife Conservation

Supporting global conservation efforts through grants and recognition programs like Indianapolis Prize.

Public Education

Educating visitors about wildlife, conservation, and environmental stewardship through exhibits and programs.

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2024)

$57.7M

Assets (2024)

$245.4M

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Employees
2024	—	—	—	—
2023	—	—	—	—
2023	$50,063,288	$40,234,027	$227,094,570	716
2022	—	—	—	—
2022	$42,184,759	$35,942,289	$210,617,870	622
2020	—	—	—	—
2020	$23,714,934	$31,941,726	$177,325,453	655
2019	$46,518,850	$36,011,430	$174,028,184	670
2018	$29,548,526	$34,733,592	$151,028,850	645

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

01

Zoo Management

Operating comprehensive zoological facilities with 716 employees maintaining animal exhibits and programs.
02

Conservation Support

Distributing grants to conservation efforts protecting wildlife and habitats globally.
03

Community Education

Educating visitors about wildlife and conservation through exhibits and programming.
04

Leadership Recognition

Honoring conservation leaders through Indianapolis Prize and supporting animal-related initiatives.

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc

Zoo Operations

Managing comprehensive zoo facilities and animal exhibits serving hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.

Conservation Grants

Distributing conservation grants supporting wildlife protection and habitat preservation globally.

Educational Programs

Providing educational initiatives teaching visitors about wildlife, conservation, and environmental stewardship.

Indianapolis Prize

Recognizing global conservation leaders through the prestigious Indianapolis Prize awards program.

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc.

Tom Kmetz

Senior Vice President/CFO

Milestones

1966

Society Founded

1966

Indianapolis Zoological Society established to operate zoo and support wildlife conservation.

2018

Operations Growth

2018

Zoo managed with 645 employees generating 30 million in operations.

2020

Pandemic Period

2020

Organization operated with 655 employees generating 24 million during pandemic.

2024

Current Operations

2024

Managing 58 million with 716 employees and 245 million assets supporting zoo and conservation.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2023)

$2.0M

Highest Paid

$408K

Robert Shumaker

Compensated Officers

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Robert Shumaker	President And CEO	$323,228	$85,023	$408,251	40
Karen Burns	Executive Vice President	$230,671	$49,897	$280,568	40
William Street	Senior Vice President	$194,710	$34,598	$229,308	40
Jeff Proudfoot	Vice President	$159,676	$42,080	$201,756	40
Mary Jane Bennett	Vice President	$165,361	$34,028	$199,389	40
Sara Inman	Vice President And Chief Financial Officer	$137,652	$31,725	$169,377	40
Sarah Edwards	Vice President	$146,490	$17,630	$164,120	40
Karl Traeger	Director	$146,486	$15,109	$161,595	40
Dana Canfield	Director	$133,326	$16,918	$150,244	40

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Robert Shumaker	President And CEO	$322,353	$83,119	$405,472	40
Karen Burns	Senior Vice President	$232,813	$49,564	$282,377	40
William Street	SR Vice President	$194,406	$33,910	$228,316	40
Mary Jane Bennett	Vice President	$171,562	$34,117	$205,679	40
Jeff Proudfoot	Vice President	$161,555	$41,657	$203,212	40
Karl Traeger	Director	$143,032	$14,696	$157,728	40
Sarah Edwards	Vice President	$139,687	$16,691	$156,378	40
Dana Canfield	Director	$124,881	$16,244	$141,125	40
Sara Inman Beg 081522	Vice President And CFO	$118,003	$22,712	$140,715	40
Madonna Wagner End 053122	SR VP And CFO	$51,443	$2,820	$54,263	40

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Michael Crowther	Retired CEO (End 01/15/20)	$363,431	$1,462	$364,893	1
Robert Shumaker	President & CEO	$245,863	$29,774	$275,637	40
Karen Burns	EVP Of External Relations	$184,266	$22,659	$206,925	40
Madonna Wagner	SR VP Of Operations & CFO	$176,027	$14,565	$190,592	40
Bill Street	SVP Conserv, Life Sci, & Educ.	$159,776	$27,470	$187,246	40
Jeffrey Proudfoot	VP Of Veterinary Services	$130,586	$20,959	$151,545	40
Mary Jane Bennett	VP Of HR And Safety & Security	$137,538	$13,383	$150,921	40
Dana Canfield	Director Of IT	$118,055	$12,703	$130,758	40
Dennis Woerner	Director Of Marketing	$112,898	$17,220	$130,118	40
Paul Grayson	Former Executive VP	$124,046	—	$124,046	1
Julie Mcdearmon	Director Of Institutional Adv	$107,382	$12,414	$119,796	40

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Michael Crowther	CEO	$370,282	$104,775	$475,057	40
Robert Shumaker	President	$270,401	$83,735	$354,136	40
Karen Burns	EVP Of External Relations	$210,719	$46,509	$257,228	40
Madonna Wagner	SR VP Of Operations & CFO	$195,263	$38,190	$233,453	40
Bill Street	SVP Conserv, Life Sci, & Educ.	$185,335	$16,590	$201,925	40
Mary Jane Bennett	VP Of HR And Safety & Security	$153,876	$30,962	$184,838	40
Jeffrey Proudfoot	VP Of Veterinary Services	$142,031	$37,728	$179,759	40
Bill Cooper	VP Infrastructure/Construction	$145,212	$25,037	$170,249	40
Dana Canfield	Director Of IT	$118,748	$15,593	$134,341	40
Paul Grayson	Executive VP	$132,405	$726	$133,131	40

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

COVID-19 PPP Loans

Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Fully Forgiven

Total Approved

$3.2M

Total Forgiven

$3.3M

101% forgiven

Jobs Retained

394

Loan Details 1 loan

$3,213,810

Forgiven

Forgiven: $3,251,342 100%

Approved Apr 11, 2020

Lender JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

Jobs Reported 394

Forgiven On Jun 17, 2021

Source: Small Business Administration • Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$526K Grants Received

$205K Grants Given

21 Organizations

Top Funders

12 total

Natl Christian Charitable Fdn Inc.

$130K

The Indianapolis Foundation Inc

$82K

Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund

$78K

American Endowment Foundation

$65K

Central Indiana Community Foundation Inc

$54K

Mdwise Inc.

$25K

Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis Inc

$22K

Arts Council Of Indianapolis Inc.

$20K

Charities Aid Foundation America

$18K

Forvis Foundation

$15K

+2 more funders

Top Grantees

9 total

Widecast GODFREY, IL

$50K

Re Wild AUSTIN, TX

$45K

World Parrot Trust TRAVELERS REST, SC

$35K

North American Sturgeon And Paddlefish Society BOZEMAN, MT

$20K

Iowa Bird Rehabilitation DES MOINES, IA

$13K

Southern Conservation Partners ATLANTA, GA

$13K

Indiana Natural Resources Foundation INDIANAPOLIS, IN

$12K

National Tropical Botanical Garden LAWAI, HI

$10K

Sidekick Foundation Inc. CARMEL, IN

$9K

Natl Christian Charitable Fdn Inc. The Indianapolis Foundation Inc Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund American Endowment Foundation Central Indiana Community Foundation Inc Mdwise Inc. Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis Inc Arts Council Of Indianapolis Inc. Charities Aid Foundation America Forvis Foundation American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Cicp Foundation Inc. Widecast Re Wild World Parrot Trust North American Sturgeon And Paddlefish Society Iowa Bird Rehabilitation Southern Conservation Partners Indiana Natural Resources Foundation National Tropical Botanical Garden Sidekick Foundation Inc.

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Contact

Get in touch with Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc

Phone

(317) 630-2040 (317) 630-2001

Social

Visit Website

1200 W Washington St Indianapolis, IN 46222

Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc

What They Focus On

Financial Information

How They Work

Zoo Management

Conservation Support

Community Education

Leadership Recognition

Programs and Initiatives

Zoo Operations

Conservation Grants

Educational Programs

Indianapolis Prize

Team & Leadership

Tom Kmetz

Milestones

Society Founded

Operations Growth

Pandemic Period

Current Operations

Executive Compensation

COVID-19 PPP Loans

Loan Details 1 loan

Partners & Funders

Top Funders

Top Grantees

Contact

Phone

Social