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Fiscal Year 2021

Financial Year in Review

Like most organizations across the globe, the Chicago Zoological
Society (the “Society”) faced unprecedented operating and financial
challenges during the last fiscal year as a result of the COVID-19
pandemic. While the response to the pandemic required the
Brookfield Zoo to close to the public for approximately three CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY CAPITAL INVESTMENT ($000)
months, and significantly curtail guest attendance for many months $18,000
after reopening, the Society’s Board of Trustees and the Brookfield 16,000 10-Year Cumulative Total
of $69.9 MM
Zoo management team worked diligently to minimize the 14,000
pandemic’s impact to the Society’s 2021 financial results. 10-Year Annual Average
of $7.0 MM
Examples of management’s actions included: quickly restructur- 12,000
ing portions of the organization to minimize short-term operating 10,000
losses; collaborating with the Society’s Board of Trustees and donor 8,000
community to launch the successful Above & Beyond Campaign; 6,000
and, securing available Federal funds to meet ongoing operating
costs and expenses. These and many other management and 4,000
operating efforts produced a fiscal year Operating Fund net surplus 2,000
of $9.3 million, prior to meeting the Society’s debt service and 0
other financial obligations of $6.4 million. The remaining net ‘11 ‘12 ‘13 ‘14 ‘15 ’16 ‘17 ‘18 ‘19 2020
surplus increased the Total Net Assets in the Society’s Operating
Fund to $2.0 million as of the fiscal year end, March 31, 2021.
The 2021 Brookfield Zoo attendance was approximately
938,000 guests. The Society remains cautiously optimistic that
attendance will improve for fiscal 2022 as COVID-related restric- CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY TOTAL ATTENDANCE (000)
tions continue to be rolled-back and members and guests, both 2,500
old and new, have the opportunity to explore the Brookfield Zoo 2,158 2,339 2,174 2,183 2,264 2,224
and the continuing DINOS EVERYWHERE! animatronic exhibit. 2,087 1,909 1,999
Over the last 10 years, the Society has invested nearly $70 2,000
million in Brookfield Zoo capital projects for deferred maintenance,
guest experience improvements, and animal exhibit enhancements. 1,500
However, continued capital investments beyond any future Society
annual Operating Surplus will be necessary to address additional 1,000 938
deferred maintenance, animal exhibit and guest experience improve-
ments. A portion of these future capital needs will be received from 500
the May 2020 Illinois State Capital Appropriation Bill. While the
full value and timing of the distribution of these capital funds has
yet to be determined, the Society is actively working to develop 0 ‘11 ‘12 ‘13 ‘14 ‘15 ’16 ‘17 ‘18 ‘19 2020
a strategic capital spending plan for these much-needed funds,
including the development of a new Master Plan under the
guidance of the Society Trustees and executive management staff.
The Society wishes to extend special thanks and appreciation
to the Forest Preserves of Cook County, our public partner, as well
as our very generous Trustees, Women’s Board members, Governing
Member Ambassadors, donors, and members. Their support, as well
as the tireless dedication and contributions of our volunteers and
staff, provide the foundation for the continued financial integrity Michael P. Emmert
of the Chicago Zoological Society. Treasurer, Board of Trustees of the
Chicago Zoological Society

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