THE SAINT LOUIS ZOO ASSOCIATION WAS ESTABLISHED TO SUPPORT AND ENHANCE THE SAINT LOUIS ZOO BY PROVIDING FACILITIES, FUNDS, AND ADVICE. THE ASSOCIATION PROVIDES DIRECT FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE ZOO FOR RENOVATIONS, NEW FACILITIES, PROGRAMS, CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH; ADMINISTERS FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGNS AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE ZOO; AND MANAGES THE ZOO'S ENDOWMENT. THE SAINT LOUIS ZOO ASSOCIATION WORKS TO ADVANCE THE SAINT LOUIS ZOO'S MISSION TO CONSERVE ANIMALS AND THEIR HABITATS THROUGH ANIMAL MANAGEMENT, RESEARCH, RECREATION AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT ENCOURAGE THE SUPPORT AND ENRICH THE EXPERIENCE OF THE PUBLIC.
Executive compensation
Form 990 · Part VII & Schedule J · 10 reported individuals · Filing year 2024
Percentile bands compare each position's total pay with the same role at Animal-Related organizations nationwide.
| Position | Total |
|---|---|
President & CEO Median to 75th percentile | $81k $86k |
Vice President - Internal Relations Vice President Median to 75th percentile | $72k $76k |
Director - Saint Louis Zoo Director (Operational) 25th percentile to median | $70k $73k |
Vice President - Philanthropy Board Vice President 25th percentile to median | $66k $70k |
Vice President - Architecture & Planning Vice President Median to 75th percentile | $65k $68k |
Director - Wildcare Park Director (Operational) 25th percentile to median | $56k $59k |
CFO & Vice President - Finance 25th percentile to median | $52k $55k |
Vice President - Business Operations Vice President 25th percentile to median | $40k $43k |
Vice President - Animal Operations Vice President 25th percentile to median | $40k $42k |
Director- Development Director (Operational) 10th to 25th percentile | $39k $41k |
Teal figures restate each filed amount in 2026 dollars.
Estimated with St. Louis, MO-IL metro-area CPI-U, restating filed pay into April 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Plus 74 unpaid individuals.
Top pay as a share of expenses
In 2024, the highest total compensation at THE SAINT LOUIS ZOO ASSOCIATION equaled 0.5% 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 17%
from 2023
From $69k in 2023 to $81k in 2024.
Estimated with St. Louis, MO-IL metro-area CPI-U, restating filed pay into April 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Chief Executive Officer pay rose 17% from 2023 to 2024, while revenue fell 8%.
- Vice President pay rose 8% from 2023 to 2024.
- Director (Operational) 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 THE SAINT LOUIS ZOO ASSOCIATION
What does the Chief Executive Officer of THE SAINT LOUIS ZOO ASSOCIATION earn?
In 2024, the Chief Executive Officer of THE SAINT LOUIS ZOO ASSOCIATION received $81,258 in total compensation. This pay is above the median (the midpoint) for Chief Executive Officer roles among Animal-Related organizations nationwide, within the top half of comparable filings. Based on IRS Form 990 data.
How does Chief Executive Officer pay at THE SAINT LOUIS ZOO ASSOCIATION compare with similar nonprofits?
Compared with the same role at Animal-Related organizations nationwide, the 2024 pay of the Chief Executive Officer at THE SAINT LOUIS ZOO ASSOCIATION falls between the median and the 75th percentile. In 2024, the highest total compensation at THE SAINT LOUIS ZOO ASSOCIATION equaled 0.5% of the organization's total expenses. The median for animal-related organizations is 8%.
What are THE SAINT LOUIS ZOO ASSOCIATION's revenue and expenses?
In 2024, THE SAINT LOUIS ZOO ASSOCIATION reported $58.5M in total revenue and $17.8M in total expenses on its IRS Form 990.
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