Birmingham Zoo Inc.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The Birmingham Zoo's mission is Inspiring Passion to Conserve the Natural World. The Zoo aims to protect endangered species, educate visitors and the public about animals and promote conservation locally and globally. The Zoo is also responsible for caring for approximately 445 animals and 172 species that call the Zoo, home. BZI is the only zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in Alabama or Mississippi. As an AZA-accredited zoo, not only do we meet the highest standards of animal care, but we also inform and inspire our guests about conserving the natural world and wildlife.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Alabama Power Foundation ZooSchool
• Each week during the school year a class 30+ students attend ZooSchool. ZooSchool is held over 20 weeks/100 days of educational programming annually..
• The ZooSchool adheres to the ALSDE Course of Study Standards in the core areas of English/Language/Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science.
• The ZooSchool curriculum has been designed to reinforce the value of student achievement in the classroom.
Zoo Camps at the Birmingham Zoo
Zoo Camps are educational and encourage active learning through games, age-appropriate, hands-on science, animal encounters and nature play for students ages K-4 to 12th grade. Each week of Zoo Camp follows an exploration theme for students to engage in their natural curiosity and allow ample opportunity to practice critical emerging science skills. Need-based scholarships are available upon request.
Where we work
Awards
AZA Award for Significant Achievement for ZooSchool 2019
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Affiliations & memberships
Association of Fundraising Professionals - Member 2022
Association of Zoos and Aquariums - Member 2022
American Association of Zoo Keepers Birmingham Chapter 2023
External reviews
Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Total number of paid admissions
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Adults, Parents, Families, Economically disadvantaged people
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
The numbers by year do not include members, only paid admission. In 2020, the Birmingham Zoo was closed from mid-March to mid-June to prevent the spread of COVID
Number of unique website visitors
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Families, Parents, Economically disadvantaged people, Adults
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of species in collection
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Children and youth, Families, Parents, Economically disadvantaged people
Type of Metric
Context - describing the issue we work on
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Approximately 445 animals representing 172 species at the end of 2023.
Number of animals in collection
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Children and youth, Families, Parents, Economically disadvantaged people
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
The Zoo had a decrease in fish and invertebrates in its collection. The Zoo also handles many acquisitions and dispositions of animals throughout the year.
Total numbers of veterinarians registered/licensed by the veterinary statutory body of the country
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Both veterinarians have been awarded diplomate status.
Number of volunteers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Adolescents
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Numbers include both adult and teen volunteers. For 3 months in 2020, the Birmingham Zoo was closed to the pulbic due to COVID. Onsite volunteering resumed in fall 2020.
Number of Facebook followers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Children and youth, Families, Parents, Economically disadvantaged people
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
1. ANIMAL CARE & WELL BEING 2. CONSERVATION & RESEARCH 3. EDUCATION & OUTREACH 4. GUEST EXPERIENCE 5. INTERNAL RELATIONS 6. FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
1. ANIMAL CARE & WELL BEING: Deliver holistic animal care that integrates social and biological needs with responsible exhibition that contributes to conservation efforts and scientific research. 2. CONSERVATION & RESEARCH: Lead our community to connect to the natural world through our local and global conservation actions. 3. EDUCATION & OUTREACH: Be a leading resource in conservation education that promotes meaningful connections to the natural world and encourages conservation action. 4. GUEST EXPERIENCE: Create a positive lasting experience that connects guests with their natural world through education, conservation, and recreation. 5. INTERNAL RELATIONS: Create a positive, engaged culture that empowers staff and Board to fulfill the Zoo's mission. 6. FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY: Advance financial viability in order to sustain a robust operation and position the Zoo for future growth.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Implementing a strategic plan that engages the staff, Board, volunteers, donors and the community. The plan establishes sets to meet the goals set forth and create core values that the staff adheres to daily that align with the strategic plan.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
The Final Report for the 2023 Strategic Planning Committee was published in late 2023. However, the work of the Committee continues. In January 2023, an invitation was extended to all staff encouraging them to join one of the work groups.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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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, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We share the feedback we received with the people we serve, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild 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.
Birmingham Zoo Inc.
Board of directorsas of 02/08/2024
Mr. Thomas Sisson
Warren Averett
Term: 2021 - 2025
Randall Jordan
Bryant Bank
Robert Aland
CenterState Bank
Arthur C Henley
Birmingham Printing & Publishing - Emeritus
Colin H Luke
Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis LLP - Emeritus
Michael D Thompson
Thompson Tractor - Emeritus
Thomas Sisson
Warren Averett
Wally Nall III
Nall Development
Jack Darnall
Brasfield & Gorrie
Nancy Collat Goedecke
Bay Pine Holdings
Philippe Lathrop
Merrill Lynch
Lee McKinney
McKinney Capital
Austin Davis
Synovus
Jerry Perkins
Vulcan Materials
Alexia Borden
Brasfield & Gorrie
Mary Pat Lawrence
Protective Life
Brandon Stewart
Ex- officio Junior President
Jesse S. Vogtle
Waller, Lansden, Dortch & Davis LLP - Emeritus
Emily Wood Bowron Forehand
Red Diamond Coffee & Tea
Selena Rogers Dickerson
SARCOR LLC
Daron M. Drew-Jelks
UAB and Mines and Drew
Bing Edwards
Fortif Law Partners, LLC
David Faulkner
Christian & Small LLP & Alabma House of Representatives
Christina Grinkmeyer
Philanthropist
Daagye Hendricks
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Tim Hennessy, Jr.
Concepts & Associates, Inc.
Matt Lyden
Medical Properties Trust
Chaz C. Mitchell
Office of Mayor Randall L. Woodfin, City of Birmingham
Crystal Gunn Witherspoon
Community Volunteer
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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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 ? No -
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? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
Equity strategies
Last updated: 01/29/2024GuideStar 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
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- 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 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.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team.
- 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.