Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc
Zoological Society of Buffalo faces recurring operating deficits despite substantial assets and no reported officer compensation.
EIN: 160911204 · Buffalo, NY · NTEE: D500 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $10.8M |
| Total Expenses | $12.6M |
| Program Spending | 90% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $10M |
| Net Assets | $34.5M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc
Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc (EIN: 160911204) is a nonprofit organization based in Buffalo, NY, classified under NTEE code D500. The organization reported total revenue of $10.8M and total assets of $34.1M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 65 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -2.0%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $10.8M |
| Total Expenses | $12.6M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-1,713,222 |
| Total Assets | $36.0M |
| Total Liabilities | $1.4M |
| Net Assets | $34.5M |
| Operating Margin | -15.8% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 4.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 34.4 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc reported a deficit of $1.7M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 34.4 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 4.0% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.0%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +4.5% | -5.1% | -6.2% |
| 2022 | -1.1% | +24.0% | -6.9% |
| 2021 | +21.6% | +7.2% | +1.1% |
| 2020 | -20.2% | -5.8% | -15.5% |
| 2019 | +26.8% | +1.0% | +1.7% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1961 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc with a Mission Score of 85 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 5%
- programs: 90%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 5%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 5%. With 90% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $1.7M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 4.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size ($10M+ revenue) and suggests either a volunteer-led executive team or compensation structured in a way not reported as officer compensation on the 990, indicating a strong commitment to directing funds to its mission.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Recurring operating deficits (e.g., $1,713,222 in 202312, $2,858,492 in 202212)
- Significant decline in total assets over the past decade (from $49.5M in 2015 to $36M in 2023)
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc:
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating high efficiency or volunteer leadership
- Substantial asset base ($35,989,502 in 202312) providing financial stability
- Low liabilities relative to assets, indicating minimal debt burden
- Clear alignment of NTEE code (D500 - Zoos & Aquariums) with organizational name and mission
Frequently Asked Questions about Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc
Is Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc a legitimate charity?
Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc (EIN: 160911204) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in New York. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 85/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $10.8M. 2 red flags identified. 4 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.
How does Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc spend its money?
Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc tax-deductible?
Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 160911204). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc CEO make?
Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc's highest-compensated officer earns $10M annually. The organization reported $10.8M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc's spending goes to programs?
Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc directs 90% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc is above average for NTEE category D500 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc located?
Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc is headquartered in Buffalo, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 160911204. It is classified under NTEE code D500.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc have?
Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends. The most recent filing shows $10.8M in total revenue.
Is the Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc. financially sustainable given its recent operating deficits?
The organization has experienced operating deficits in several recent years (e.g., $1,713,222 in 202312 and $2,858,492 in 202212). While it possesses significant assets ($35,989,502 in 202312), sustained deficits could erode these reserves over time, raising questions about long-term financial sustainability if revenue generation doesn't consistently meet expenses.
Why is officer compensation consistently reported as 0%?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation is highly unusual for an organization of this scale. It could indicate that executive leadership is entirely volunteer-based, or that compensation for key management personnel is categorized differently on the 990, such as under general salaries and wages, rather than specifically as 'officer compensation'.
What caused the decline in assets from $49.5M in 2015 to $36M in 2023?
The organization's total assets have decreased from a high of $49,499,561 in 201512 to $35,989,502 in 202312. This decline could be due to several factors, including asset depreciation, strategic divestments, or the use of reserves to cover operating deficits over time.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc's revenue has declined by 21.5%, moving from $13.8M to $10.8M. Total assets decreased by 15.3% over the same period, from $42.5M to $36.0M. Total functional expenses rose by 55.7%, from $8.1M to $12.6M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc reported a deficit of $1.7M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1.4M in liabilities against $36.0M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 4.0%), resulting in net assets of $34.5M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $10.8M | $12.6M | $36.0M | $1.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $10.4M | $13.2M | $38.4M | $2.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $10.5M | $10.7M | $41.2M | $1.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $8.6M | $10.0M | $40.7M | $1.3M | — | — |
| 2019 | $10.8M | $10.6M | $48.2M | $2.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $8.5M | $10.5M | $47.4M | $1.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $10.8M | $10.4M | $49.1M | $967K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $10.6M | $10.2M | $48.2M | $1.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $8.4M | $9.0M | $49.5M | $2.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $9.2M | $8.7M | $49.0M | $1.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $10.6M | $9.0M | $48.1M | $1.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $11.1M | $8.3M | $46.3M | $1.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $13.8M | $8.1M | $42.5M | $808K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $10.8M, expenses of $12.6M, and assets of $36.0M (revenue +4.5% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $10.4M, expenses of $13.2M, and assets of $38.4M (revenue -1.1% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $10.5M, expenses of $10.7M, and assets of $41.2M (revenue +21.6% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $8.6M, expenses of $10.0M, and assets of $40.7M (revenue -20.2% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $10.8M, expenses of $10.6M, and assets of $48.2M (revenue +26.8% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $8.5M, expenses of $10.5M, and assets of $47.4M (revenue -20.8% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $10.8M, expenses of $10.4M, and assets of $49.1M (revenue +1.5% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $10.6M, expenses of $10.2M, and assets of $48.2M (revenue +26.2% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $8.4M, expenses of $9.0M, and assets of $49.5M (revenue -8.4% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $9.2M, expenses of $8.7M, and assets of $49.0M (revenue -13.8% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $10.6M, expenses of $9.0M, and assets of $48.1M (revenue -3.8% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $11.1M, expenses of $8.3M, and assets of $46.3M (revenue -19.9% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $13.8M, expenses of $8.1M, and assets of $42.5M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Zoological Society Of Buffalo Inc is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.