Fort Wayne Zoological Society Inc
Fort Wayne Zoological Society Inc
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About this organization
Mission
Connecting kids with animals, strengthening families, and inspiring people to care about the world around them – this is the mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo and something that zoo staff members are proud to pursue every day. For over 50 years, the zoo has carried out this mission by providing innovative and engaging exhibits, fun animal encounters, and space for quality family interaction. We also present engaging educational programs to audiences both inside and outside the zoo campus. We strive to be the best children's zoo in the nation and serve our local community to the best of our ability, as we endeavor to provide an exemplary experience for each zoo guest.
About
EDUCATIONAL AND MEMBERSHIP SERVICES: TO ACHIEVE OUR MISSION STATEMENT THE ZOO WORKS DILIGENTLY ON LOCATION AND IN THE COMMUNITY SHARING OUR MESSAGE. SEASON ATTENDANCE (561,778) WAS IN THE TOP FIVE OF OUR FIFTY-THREE YEAR HISTORY. "THE ZOO COMES ALIVE AFTER FIVE", EVENING HOURS FROM MEMORIAL DAY TO LABOR DAY, GREW IN POPULARITY WITH GUESTS. EVENING HOURS GIVE THE COMMUNITY AND MEMBERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH ANIMALS WHEN SEVERAL OF OUR SPECIES ARE MORE ACTIVE. EXHIBITS, SIGNS, PROGRAMS, AND INTERPRETERS ARE UTILIZED TO ENGAGE THE ZOO'S OVER 500,000 ANNUAL GUESTS. SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THIS DURING A DAY TRIP TO THE ZOO INCLUDE THE GIRAFFE PLATFORM WHERE GUESTS CAN FEED THE ANIMALS, THE KANGAROO WALKABOUT WHERE GUESTS MINGLE WITH THE SPECIES WITH ALMOST NO BARRIER, STING RAY BAY WHERE GUESTS CAN TOUCH A STINGRAY, AND THE GOAT YARD WHERE GUESTS CAN FEED AND BRUSH THE HERD. PAID INTERPRETERS ARE FOUND THROUGHOUT THE ZOO. THEIR PURPOSE IS TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR ANIMAL COLLECTION AND SHARE HOW WE ARE ASSISTING WITH SPECIES SURVIVAL ON A GLOBAL BASIS. ADDITIONALLY, TWELVE SEASONAL EVENTS WERE HELD HIGHLIGHTING THE INCREDIBLE CARE, TRAINING AND ENRICHMENT ZOO KEEPERS AND VETERINARY CARE STAFF GIVE OUR 1,200 ZOO ANIMALS EVERY DAY. CELEBRATIONS WERE HELD FOR WORLD CONSERVATION DAYS INCLUDING WORLD OCEANS DAY, WORLD GIRAFFE DAY, AND ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY. THESE EVENTS WERE INCLUDED AS PART OF DAILY ADMISSION TO THE ZOO. IN 2018, THE ZOO REBRANDED AND UPDATED THEIR EDUCATION PROGRAMS. THE PURPOSE WAS TO ALIGN THE BRAND WITH OUR MISSION AND TO INCLUDE INQUIRY BASED LEARNING ACROSS ALL PLATFORMS. 2018 WAS A RECORD YEAR REACHING 23,426 PEOPLE FROM 503 ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATING IN 878 FORMAL ZOO PROGRAMS. ONSITE PROGRAMS INCLUDE OUR KIDS FOR NATURE CAMPS AND WILD NIGHTS SLEEPOVERS. CAMPS ARE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR CHILDREN AGED THREE TO TWELVE. GUESTS SLEEP WITH SHARKS AT OUR WILD NIGHTS PROGRAM. IF YOU CANNOT MAKE IT TO THE ZOO, WE OFFER OFFSITE PROGRAMMING THROUGH OUR ZOOMOBILE AND DISCOVERY BOX PROGRAMS. THESE PROGRAMS REACH ALL OF INDIANA, AND PORTIONS OF OHIO AND MICHIGAN. WHETHER YOU COME TO THE ZOO FOR A DAILY VISIT OR PARTICIPATE IN ONE OF OUR FORMAL PROGRAMS OUR GOAL IS TO TEACH OTHERS ABOUT THE ZOO'S CONSERVATION COMMITMENT LOCALLY AND WORLDWIDE AND TO ENTICE OUR AUDIENCE TO SHARE OUR PASSION. THE ZOO ALSO REACHES OUT THROUGH TRADITIONAL MAILINGS AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA. OUR 14,000 MEMBER FAMILIES RECEIVE REGULAR MAILINGS AND EMAILS ABOUT ZOO EVENTS AND ISSUES. THE ZOO MAINTAINS A STRONG PRESENCE IN SOCIAL MEDIA. FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS UP 6% WITH ENGAGEMENT UP 1.1%, INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS UP 25.6% WITH IMPRESSIONS UP 77.8% AND TWITTER FOLLOWERS UP 6.2% AND IMPRESSIONS UP 25.7% OVER 2017 NUMBERS. GROWING SOCIAL MEDIA HAS BEEN A FOCUS FOR THE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM THE PAST TWO YEARS.
Interesting data from their 2019 990 filing
According to the filing documents, the non-profit's mission is defined as “To connect kids and animals, strengthen families, and inspire people to care. the fort wayne zoological society, inc. accomplishes this by managing and operating the fort wayne childrens zoo. the zoo works diligently to integrate conservation messages into all aspects of zoo operations, from education programs to keeper chats. the zoo participates in conservation and management programs for more than 90 rare and endangered animal species. several of these programs are administered by the association of zoos & aquariums (aza). these programs include species survival plans, taxon advisory groups, and safe (saving animals from extinction). the zoo has an animal research and conservation committee that facilitates partnerships with local and worldwide organizations.”.
When referring to its tasks, they were referred to as: “To connect kids and animals, strengthen families, and inspire people to care. the fort wayne zoological society, inc. accomplishes this by managing and operating the fort wayne childrens zoo. the zoo works diligently to integrate conservation messages into all aspects of zoo operations, from education programs to keeper chats. the zoo participates in conservation and management programs for more than 90 rare and endangered animal species. several of these programs are administered by the association of zoos & aquariums (aza). these programs include species survival plans, taxon advisory groups, and safe (saving animals from extinction). the zoo has an animal research and conservation committee that facilitates partnerships with local and worldwide organizations.”.
- The non-profit's state of operation has been legally reported as IN.
- According to the latest filing, the non-profit's address in 2019 is 3411 SHERMAN BLVD, FORT WAYNE, IN, 46808.
- The total number of employees reported by the non-profit on their form for 2019 is 270.
- Is not a private foundation.
- Expenses are greater than $1,000,000.
- Revenue is greater than $1,000,000.
- Revenue less expenses is -$2,041,693.
- The organization has 24 independent voting members.
- The organization was formed in 1966.
- The organization pays $4,790,378 in salary, compensation, and benefits to its employees.
- The organization pays $394,439 in fundraising expenses.