Arkansas Zoological Foundation

aka AZF   |   Little Rock, AR   |  www.arkzoofoundation.org

Mission

The Arkansas Zoological Foundation raises funds for the growth and development of the Little Rock Zoo.

Ruling year info

2005

Executive Director

Susan Altrui

Main address

1 Zoo Dr

Little Rock, AR 72205 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

35-2241655

NTEE code info

Zoo, Zoological Society (D50)

Wildlife Preservation/Protection (D30)

Protection of Endangered Species (D31)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

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Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

The Arkansas Zoological Foundation raises needed funding to support capital projects and programs for the state's only accredited zoo, the Little Rock Zoo. As a municipally funded zoo it takes a public and private partnership to fully support the zoo and help it fulfill its mission of conservation learning.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Wild Club Membership Program

Annual giving club of the Arkansas Zoological Foundation that also provides an annual membership benefit to the Little Rock Zoo along with other benefits.

Population(s) Served

Where we work

Accreditations

Association of Zoos and Aquariums 2003

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.

Number of donations made by board members

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Type of Metric

Input - describing resources we use

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

All members of the Zoo Foundation Board of Directors are required to make a personal gift to the Zoo Foundation. This rule was enacted in 2016.

Number of attendees present at rallies/events

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

The Zoo Foundation hosts three fund raisers each year: Wild Wines, Zoo Brew and MardiCraw'n for the Zoo.

Number of facilities improved

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

The Zoo Foundation raises funds to build new habitats and renovate old facilities.

Our Sustainable Development Goals

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

The Arkansas Zoological Foundation aims to raise funds to complete the construction of the Little Rock Zoo's facility master plan to help the Zoo fulfill its mission of providing engaging experiences that inspire people to value and conserve our natural world.

The Arkansas Zoological Foundation uses annual giving campaigns, capital campaigns and special events to raise funds for various capital projects.

The Arkansas Zoological Foundation has a demonstrated record of success for raising funds for new construction projects at the Little Rock Zoo and is poised to continue this success. The board has fresh, new leadership and continues to attract new, dynamic board members eager to raise funds. Zoo staff are also well qualified to lead and have several years experience with fundraising, the Zoo and the Zoo Foundation.

The Zoo Foundation has built three new major exhibits, funded a new strategic plan and a new master plan, and also purchased and donated to the Zoo a new miniature train ride. The Zoo Foundation has not completed all projects on the Zoo's facility master plan for renovation.

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

done We shared information about our current feedback practices.

  • How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?

    Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Paper surveys, Community meetings/Town halls, Suggestion box/email,

  • How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

    To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve,

  • What significant change resulted from feedback?

    Guest satisfaction surveys are used at the end of every fund raising event to inform decisions for how we better organize future events. The Zoo Foundation recently led a Community Task Force that took input from stakeholder groups and used both online surveys, in person surveys and round table discussions to gain input on what future programs and new animal habitats the Little Rock Zoo should invest in. Results from these surveys indicated a strong desire from the public for the Zoo to invest in a new African habitat with giraffes as the main species. The Zoo also conducted a Kid Task Force where kids were given an opportunity to provide input on what programs they wanted added to the Zoo. This also provided meaningful input in the direction of the Zoo's Master Plan.

  • With whom is the organization sharing feedback?

    The people we serve, Our staff, Our board, Our funders, Our community partners,

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

Financials

Arkansas Zoological Foundation
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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lock

Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

Arkansas Zoological Foundation

Board of directors
as of 8/11/2020
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board co-chair

Lisa Buehler

Allegra

Term: 2015 - 2016


Board co-chair

Lisa Buehler

Allegra Print and Image (Owner)

Term: 2011 - 2019

Lauren Landers

Jessica Poynter

Raymond James

Ali Beebe

Children's Hospital

Elizabeth Burrup

Centennial Bank

Chad Causey

Arkansas Aerospace Alliance

Marisa Choate

Kyle Duty

Shelter Insurance

Dr. Joel Goellner

UAMS

Ben Jackson

Mitchell Williams Law Firm

Rex Kyle

First Security

Lea May

Jaimie Moss

Wright, Lindsey & Jennings, LLP

Dr. Jessica Scott

UALR

Betsy Snyder

Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church

Wendie Weare

Bubba Wood

Arkansas Portable Toilets

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 02/18/2020

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Female, Not transgender (cisgender)
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or Straight
Disability status
Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

No data

 

No data

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data

Equity strategies

Last updated: 02/17/2020

GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more

Data
  • We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
  • We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
  • We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
  • We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
  • We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
  • We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
Policies and processes
  • We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
  • We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
  • We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
  • We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.