How is the Zoo governed?
The Saint Louis Zoological Park (the Zoo) is legally classified as a tax-supported political sub-district of the State of Missouri. Essentially, the Zoo is a government agency and has restrictions on how it raises and spends money. The Zoo has created nonprofit partners to allow it to accomplish certain tasks and activities that will help to ensure the Zoo remains successful. Thus, the Zoo is governed and supported by four organizations: The Zoo Commission. The Missouri State Legislature established the Zoo sub-district Commission as the Zoo's governing authority. Five members of the Commission reside in the City and five members reside in the County. The Commission has the fiduciary responsibility for the well-being of the Zoo.
In addition, three independent nonprofit organizations support the Zoo and are governed by volunteer boards. The Zoo Friends Association is a private nonprofit founded in 1963. The Friends Board generates income through its membership program, Zoo Parents program, the Marlin Perkins Society and other fundraising activities. The Friends also lease the Zoo's train and parking operations. Proceeds from these operations and fundraising activities are periodically donated to the Zoo. The Zoo Board of Trustees is a private nonprofit organization founded in 1995. It is made up of business and community leaders who work with the Zoo to secure gifts for capital, programming and endowment expansion. Its purpose is to support and enhance zoological programs by providing facilities, funds and advice. The Zoo Endowment Trust was created jointly by the Zoo Friends Association and Board of Trustees in 2004. Members of the Trustees and Friends serve on the Endowment Trust Board to oversee investment policies and review fiscal matters related to the Trust. The Trust holds and manages financial assets, both donor restricted and board designated, for the advancement of the Zoo. Members of the Zoo Commission, the Zoo Friends Association Board and the Zoo Board of Trustees serve on joint committees of the Zoo, including Government Relations, Animal Care Advocacy, Education, Audit and others. One of these committees, the Finance Committee, is made up of legal, accounting and investment experts from the community. The Committee sets policy, reviews the Zoo's financial statements and budgets and reports regularly to the Commission, Zoo Friends and Trustees on financial activity.
|
