FISCAL YEAR 2021
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY REPORT
600,000 Annual Visitors
Each year, nearly 600,000 guests visit John Ball Zoo. They’re able to experience over 2,000 animals of over 230 species that represent the beautiful wildlife living in our world.
Prioritizing Inclusivity
We have hosted over 55,000 economically-disadvantaged children and adults in Kent and Ottawa counties, providing free Zoo admission through our JUMP program.
2022 ANNUAL REPORT
A Commitment to Care
Generations of Kent County families, seniors and children have been inspired by the Zoo. John Ball Zoo is a regional destination and a critical economic driver for Kent County and West Michigan. The Zoo has a $92 million annual economic impact in our community and is currently the most attended cultural attraction outside of Detroit in the state. John Ball Zoo also gives families and school groups in Kent County free admission to the Zoo, reduced admission for Kent County seniors to help ensure members of our community can enjoy the Zoo and learn about our efforts in wildlife conservation, sustainability and animal care.
Peter D’Arienzo
Chief Executive Officer
Saving Animals From Extinction
We participate in five Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) programs – three in the Great Lakes and two beyond the Great Lakes.
- American Turtle SAFE
- Monarch SAFE
- North American Songbird SAFE
- African Lion SAFE
- Chimpanzee SAFE
Watch Us Grow!
In 2014, John Ball Zoo became a nonprofit organization after having been managed by Kent County for decades. Since then, we have realized incredible growth in so many areas, including our team!
Our team has completed more than 24 total conservation projects, 18 of which were Great Lakes-focused
2021 AWARDS
In 2021, John Ball Zoo was the first Zoo in the world to be awarded Sustainable SITES Initiative certification
John Ball Zoo has been building to green standards for many years and is working to obtain green building certification for large projects. In 2021, John Ball Zoo was the first Zoo in the world to be awarded Sustainable SITES Initiative certification for our Meerkat habitat and the first SITES gold certification in the state of Michigan.
SITES is a national comprehensive rating system for developing sustainable landscapes, similar to LEED. SITES is awarded to landscapes, site infrastructure and spaces that demonstrate a high level of environmental and social sustainability. With SITES gold certification for the Meerkat habitat, John Ball Zoo is the first zoo in the world to receive this certification.
John Ball Zoo was the First AZA-accredited zoo in Michigan
2021 ANNUAL REPORT
Making an effort to save wild places for wildlife
In an effort to save wild places for wildlife, the Zoo continues to positively impact the environment. In efforts to reduce our carbon footprint in 2021, our Meerkat habitat solar panels produced 648 kWh, a carbon offset of 988 pounds of carbon dioxide, which is the equivalent of 10 trees. Our support to the Red Panda Network planted 8,000 trees, which has a carbon reduction of 955 tons of carbon dioxide. We also installed a new bike parking and repair station to encourage guests and staff to bike to the Zoo, which not only reduces carbon dioxide production, but also contributes to community wellness.
Financials
Statement of Activities Year Ending December 31, 2021
Revenue
- Earned & Other Revenues $16,787,217
- Millage Funding $5,589,613
- Contributed Revenues $2,313,153
Expenses
- Marketing & Membership $803,644
- Guest Services $4,043,858
- Animal Care & Conservation $3,291,647
- Education $551,274
- Fundraising $713,047
- Buildings & Grounds $3,358,168
- Administration $2,777,546
December 31, 2021 & 2020
Statement of Financial Position
| CURRENT ASSETS | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Cash & Cash Equivalents | 1,624,658 | 868,244 |
| Investments | 7,226,000 | 2,350,835 |
| Accounts Receivable | 490,322 | 19,776 |
| Pledges Receivable, Current Portion | 1,020,946 | 2,026,471 |
| Inventory | 145,166 | 132,108 |
| Prepaid Expenses | 483,657 | 221,358 |
| Total Current Assets | 10,990,749 | 5,618,792 |
| NONCURRENT ASSETS | 2021 | 2020 |
| Pledges Receivable, Net of Current Portion | 2,533,699 | 2,775,354 |
| Beneficial Interest in Assets Held by Community Foundation | 109,533 | 99,201 |
| Intangible Asset | 11,167 | 13,167 |
| Construction in Progress | 8,006,629 | 4,892,909 |
| Property & Equipment, Net | 2,127,294 | 2,204,382 |
| Total Noncurrent Assets | 12,788,322 | 9,985,013 |
| Total Assets | 23,779,071 | 15,603,805 |
| CURRENT LIABILITIES | 2021 | 2020 |
| Construction Line of Credit | - | 400,000 |
| Accounts Payable | 1,101,740 | 410,815 |
| Accrued Expenses | 502,625 | 594,955 |
| Deferred Income | 498,816 | 372,944 |
| Total Current Liabilities | 2,103,181 | 1,778,714 |
| NONCURRENT LIABILITIES | 2021 | 2020 |
| Construction Line of Credit | - | 1,300,000 |
| Total Noncurrent Liabilities | - | 1,300,000 |
| Total Liabilities | 2,103,181 | 1,300,000 |
| NET ASSETS | 2021 | 2020 |
| Without Donor Restrictions | 18,166,278 | 8,287,429 |
| With Donor Restrictions | 3,509,612 | 4,237,662 |
| Total Net Assets | 21,675,890 | 12,525,091 |
| Total Liabilities & Net Assets | 23,779,071 | 15,603,805 |
