THE MISSION OF KNOXVILLE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS IS TO CELEBRATE THE WONDERS OF THE NATURAL WORLD. THROUGH EDUCATION, CONSERVATION, EXHIBITION, RESEARCH AND RECREATION, THE ZOO WILL TELL THE STORIES OF THE ANIMALS, THE PLANTS AND THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE UP THE COMMUNITIES OF THE EARTH. THE ZOO WILL DEVELOP POSITIVE ATTITUDES AND ACTIONS ABOUT NATURE AND ABOUT CONSERVATION AS A LOCAL AND GLOBAL ISSUE.
Executive compensation, broken down
Form 990 · Part VII & Schedule J · 7 reported individuals · Filing year 2024
Percentile bands compare each position's total pay with the same role at Animal-Related organizations nationwide.
- Base
- $159k
- Bonus
- $29k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- —
- Base
- $159k
- Bonus
- $14k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- —
- Base
- $152k
- Bonus
- $12k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- —
| Position | Base | Bonus | Other | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chief Operating Officer 75th to 90th percentile | $159k | $29k | — | — | $188k $200k |
Chief Financial Officer Median to 75th percentile | $159k | $14k | — | — | $173k $184k |
Chief Development Officer Median to 75th percentile | $152k | $12k | — | — | $164k $174k |
Project Manager Median to 75th percentilevs all sectors nationwide | — | — | — | — | $138k $147k |
Director of Operations 25th percentile to median | — | — | — | — | $110k $117k |
Director of Animal Care, Education, & Conservation Highest Compensated Employee Below 10th percentile | — | — | — | — | $101k $107k |
President/ceo Median to 75th percentile | — | — | — | — | $85k $90k |
Teal figures restate each filed amount in 2026 dollars.
Estimated with BLS CPI-U for the South region, restating filed pay into May 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Plus 30 unpaid individuals.
Top pay as a share of expenses
In 2024, the highest total compensation at KNOXVILLE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS INC equaled 1% of the organization's total expenses. The median for animal-related organizations is 8%.
Based on 3,692 animal-related organizations, each measured at its most recent filing year with reported expenses and compensation.
Funded by
Private foundations whose Form 990-PF Part XV grants matched this organization.
Down 42%
from 2023
From $325k in 2023 to $188k in 2024.
Estimated with BLS CPI-U for the South region, restating filed pay into May 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Chief Operating Officer pay rose 29% from 2023 to 2024, while revenue fell 26%.
- Chief Financial Officer pay rose 12% from 2023 to 2024.
- Chief Development Officer pay rose 11% from 2023 to 2024.
Pay for the position itself, not any one person. The officeholder may have changed between 2023 and 2024.
Among peers
Revenue and top compensation, plotted against similar organizations. This organization is highlighted in cyan.
Common questions about KNOXVILLE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS INC
What does the Chief Operating Officer of KNOXVILLE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS INC earn?
In 2024, the Chief Operating Officer of KNOXVILLE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS INC received $188,150 in total compensation. This pay is in the top quarter for Chief Operating Officer roles among Animal-Related organizations nationwide, though not the top 10% of comparable filings. Based on IRS Form 990 data.
How does Chief Operating Officer pay at KNOXVILLE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS INC compare with similar nonprofits?
Compared with the same role at Animal-Related organizations nationwide, the 2024 pay of the Chief Operating Officer at KNOXVILLE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS INC falls between the 75th and 90th percentiles. In 2024, the highest total compensation at KNOXVILLE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS INC equaled 1% of the organization's total expenses. The median for animal-related organizations is 8%.
What are KNOXVILLE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS INC's revenue and expenses?
In 2024, KNOXVILLE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS INC reported $16.5M in total revenue and $18.3M in total expenses on its IRS Form 990.
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