IN FULFILLMENT OF OUR MISSION TO INSPIRE A CULTURE OF UNDERSTANDING AND DISCOVERY OF OUR NATURAL WORLD THROUGH CONSERVATION, INNOVATION AND LEADERSHIP, OUR GOAL IS TO BUILD A FIRST CLASS ZOO FOR MIDDLE TENNESSEE AND TO DEVELOP A FACILITY THAT IS RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE IN ANIMAL CARE AND GLOBAL CONSERVATION WITH STRONG COMMUNITY VALUE IN MIND. WE STRIVE TO BE THE BEST AT CREATING UNIQUE DESIGNS AND INNOVATIVE ARCHITECTURE AND HORTICULTURAL COMPONENTS TO ENHANCE EXHIBITS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ANIMALS, OUR VISITORS AND THE ZOOLOGICAL COMMUNITY.
Executive compensation, broken down
Form 990 · Part VII & Schedule J · 11 reported individuals · Filing year 2024
Percentile bands compare each position's total pay with the same role at Animal-Related organizations nationwide.
- Base
- $620k
- Bonus
- $59k
- Other
- $4k
- Benefits
- $20k
- Base
- $203k
- Bonus
- $9k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $15k
- Base
- $202k
- Bonus
- $14k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $9k
- Base
- $153k
- Bonus
- $4k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $9k
- Base
- $158k
- Bonus
- $2k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $3k
- Base
- $152k
- Bonus
- $2k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $402
- Base
- $129k
- Bonus
- $4k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $12k
| Position | Base | Bonus | Other | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
President & CEO Above 90th percentile | $620k | $59k | $4k | $20k | $776k $823k |
Vice President Above 90th percentile | $203k | $9k | — | $15k | $250k $265k |
Chief Financial Officer 75th to 90th percentile | $202k | $14k | — | $9k | $248k $263k |
Chief Operating Officer 75th to 90th percentile | $153k | $4k | — | $9k | $184k $195k |
Chief Development Officer Median to 75th percentile | $158k | $2k | — | $3k | $164k $173k |
Veterinarian Highest Compensated Employee Median to 75th percentile | $152k | $2k | — | $402 | $161k $171k |
Chief Human Resourses Officer Officer (Unspecified) | $129k | $4k | — | $12k | $161k $171k |
Director of IT Chief Information Officer 10th to 25th percentilevs all sectors nationwide | — | — | — | — | $127k $134k |
Director of Marketing Director (Operational) 75th to 90th percentile | — | — | — | — | $125k $133k |
Veterinarian Highest Compensated Employee 10th to 25th percentile | — | — | — | — | $125k $132k |
Avian Curator Highest Compensated Employee Below 10th percentile | — | — | — | — | $105k $112k |
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 33 unpaid individuals.
Top pay as a share of expenses
In 2024, the highest total compensation at NASHVILLE ZOO INC equaled 2% 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.
Up 6%
from 2023
From $731k in 2023 to $776k 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 Executive Officer pay rose 6% from 2023 to 2024, while revenue fell 24%.
- Vice President pay rose 5% from 2023 to 2024.
- Chief Financial Officer pay rose 6% 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 NASHVILLE ZOO INC
What does the Chief Executive Officer of NASHVILLE ZOO INC earn?
In 2024, the Chief Executive Officer of NASHVILLE ZOO INC received $775,871 in total compensation. This pay is in the top 10% for Chief Executive Officer roles among Animal-Related organizations nationwide: at least 9 in 10 comparable filings report less. Based on IRS Form 990 data.
How does Chief Executive Officer pay at NASHVILLE ZOO INC compare with similar nonprofits?
Compared with the same role at Animal-Related organizations nationwide, the 2024 pay of the Chief Executive Officer at NASHVILLE ZOO INC falls in the top 10%. In 2024, the highest total compensation at NASHVILLE ZOO INC equaled 2% of the organization's total expenses. The median for animal-related organizations is 8%.
What are NASHVILLE ZOO INC's revenue and expenses?
In 2024, NASHVILLE ZOO INC reported $35.9M in total revenue and $31.9M in total expenses on its IRS Form 990.
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