Page 34 - Impact Report 2017
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2017 Financial Year in R vi w
30,000 CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY CAPITAL INVESTMENT ($000) The Chicago Zoological Society (CZS) realized a General
25,000 10-Year Cumulative Total Operating Fund net surplus of $4.7 million, before capital
20,000 of 102.0 MM transfers, for Fiscal Year 2017. Our positive results were driven by
15,000 10-Year Annual Average a continued focus on creating revenue opportunities and included:
10,000 of 10.2 MM presenting exciting attractions such as the D D
5,000 exhibit, increasing membership and philanthropic contribution
‘08 ’09 ‘10 ‘11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ‘15 ’16 2016 levels, enriching the guest experience with carefully developed
0 animal interactions, and aggressively pursuing available public and
private grant opportunities to further our animal conservation,
CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY TOTAL ATTENDANCE (000) education, and community engagement activities. These strategic
initiatives resulted in nearly 2.3 million visitors in 2017 (the
2,500 2,229 2,283 2,158 2,339 2,174 2,087 2,183 2,264 2,224 sixth largest attendance figure in the history of Brookfield Zoo),
2,000 2,158 enhanced revenue opportunities, and along with continuing
2,138 2,076 strong expense controls, drove overall positive fiscal results.
1,500 The net surplus of funds generated by the Society’s operating
activities is particularly important to the institution. These
1,000 funds are an essential, yet insufficient, source of capital needed
for the renovation, replacement, and maintenance of Brookfield
500 Zoo’s assets. While the Society has invested $102 million
during the past 10 years in capital projects, as seen in the graph
0 ’07 ‘08 ’09 ‘10 ’11 ‘12 ’13 ‘14 ’15 ’16 2017 to the left, previous external sources of funding for necessary
capital asset investment have currently decreased due to the
fiscal challenges many local, state, and federal agencies are
facing. However, the CZS Board of Trustees and management
are committed to the future growth and enhancement of the
institution as evidenced by the expected June 2018 completion
of a five-year Strategic Plan that includes key business driver
and capital asset planning elements. These elements will drive
both short and long-term goals relating to our capital needs.
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 Board of Trustees, Women’s Board,
Governing Member Ambassadors, and donors. Their support, as
well as the invaluable contributions of our volunteers and staff,
continues to strengthen the financial foundation of the Society.
Michael P. Emmert
Treasurer, Board of Trustees
Chicago Zoological Society
32 CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | ANNUAL IMPACT REVIEW
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