Animal-Related (D500) IRS Verified DX Registered 990 on File

SANTA BARBARA ZOOLOGICAL FOUNDATION

EIN: 95-2268554 · SANTA BARBARA, CA 93103-3759 · United States · FY 2024 Data

3 out of 5 59 / 100 Based on 2+ years of filings

Financial strength (30%) 86/100

Reliability (20%) 55/100

Effectiveness (25%) 88/100

Impact (25%) No data yet

Financial data: FY 2024 · Scored 9/13/2026

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Mission Statement

The Santa Barbara Zoo is dedicated to the preservation, conservation, and enhancement of the natural world and its living treasures through education, research, and recreation.

Financial Overview — FY 2024

$21.8M

Total Revenue

$18.0M

Total Expenses

$45.2M

Net Assets

428

Employees

Revenue Sources

Expense Breakdown

Program Expense Ratio 82.1%

Fundraising Efficiency 283.9%

Operating Reserve 30.13x

Liability-to-Asset 3.8%

Revenue Diversification 47.5%

Executive Compensation $857K

Compared with Peers

FY 2024

Compared with 157 similar organizations (United States, Animal-Related, $10M–$100M in expenses), FY 2024.

This organization Middle half of peers (P25–P75) Peer median

Ratio	This org	Peer median	Position (P10 → P90)
Program expense ratio Program expenses / total expenses · higher is better	82.1%	82.1%	P10P90	Below median
Admin expense ratio Management and general / total expenses · lower is better	9.0%	9.4%	P10P90	Above median
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expenses / total expenses · lower is better	8.9%	6.1%	P10P90	Below median
Fundraising efficiency Fundraising expenses / gross fundraising income · lower is better	283.9%	534.4%	P10P90	Above median
Operating reserve Months of expenses covered by net assets · higher is better	30.1 mo	23.7 mo	P10P90	Above median
Liabilities to assets Total liabilities / total assets · lower is better	3.8%	9.2%	P10P90	Top quarter
Revenue concentration Share of revenue from the largest source · lower is better	47.5%	71.2%	P10P90	Top quarter
Revenue growth Year over year revenue growth	19.6%	8.4%	P10P90
Expense growth Year over year expense growth	5.0%	8.4%	P10P90
Surplus margin Surplus as a share of revenue	17.3%	5.2%	P10P90

Financial History

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Net Assets	Program %	Staff
2024	$21.8M	$18.0M	$45.2M	82.1%	428
2023	$18.2M	$17.2M	$40.9M	81.1%	377
2022	$16.6M	$15.7M	$37.5M	81.1%	375
2021	$25.2M	$12.4M	N/A	—	322

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Organization Details

EIN: 95-2268554
State: CA
City: SANTA BARBARA
ZIP: 93103-3759
Classification: D500
Category: Animal-Related
Rating: 3★
Coverage: A
Last Updated: Aug 2026
IRS Ruling Year
Foundation Code: 15
Form 990: On File

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CharityAI™ rates charities from 0 to 100 using public filings (IRS Form 990 and the equivalent registries outside the US) together with the information the charity itself provides on DonationX. Ratings are recalculated every quarter, without human bias, and shown as stars.

Four pillars

Financial strength30%

Program expense ratio, fundraising efficiency, operating reserves, liabilities and revenue diversification, compared with similar organizations.

Reliability20%

Standing with the registry, filing history, verification and how complete the profile is.

Effectiveness25%

How much goes to programs and how consistently the organization delivers them.

Impact25%

The outcomes the charity reports on DonationX: people served, cost per service and results.

Stars

★★★★★ 80–100 ★★★★☆ 60–79 ★★★☆☆ 40–59 ★★☆☆☆ 20–39 ★☆☆☆☆ 1–19

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