Page 32 - Impact Report_2018

2018 Financial Year in Review

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 $2.8 million, before Capital
20,000 of $92.0 MM transfers, for fiscal 2018. Our results were driven by a continued
15,000 10-Year Annual Average focus on creating revenue opportunities and included: presenting
10,000 of $9.2 MM exciting attractions such as the Amazing Arachnids exhibit;
5,000 increasing philanthropic contribution levels; enriching the guest
’09 ‘10 ‘11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ‘15 ’16 ‘17 2018 experience with carefully-developed animal interactions; and
0 aggressively pursuing available public and private grant
opportunities to further our animal conservation, education,
CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY TOTAL ATTENDANCE (000) and community engagement activities. These strategic initiatives
resulted in 1.9 million visitors in 2018.
2,400 2,283 2,339
2,300 2,228 The net surplus of funds generated by CZS operating
2,200 2,263 2,223 activities is particularly important to the institution. These funds
2,100 2,158 2,173 2,183 are an essential, yet insufficient source of capital needed for the
renovation, replacement, and maintenance of the Brookfield
2,087 Zoo’s assets. While CZS has invested $92 million during the past
ten years in capital projects, as seen in the graph to the left,
2,000 previous external sources of funding for necessary capital asset
1,909 investment have decreased due to the fiscal challenges many
local, state, and federal agencies are facing. However, the
1,900 CZS Board of Trustees and management are committed to the
future growth and enhancement of the institution as evidenced
1,800 by the June 2018 completion of a five-year strategic plan that
includes key business driver and capital asset planning elements.
1,700 The plan, Our Charge Forward, establishes clear short and
long-term goals and highlights the need for capital investment
1,600 to carry on the vision of Edith Rockefeller McCormick when she
donated 83 acres nearly 100 years ago to the Forest Preserves of
1,500 Cook County to establish a large, modern zoological park.
’09 ‘10 ’11 ‘12 ’13 ‘14 ’15 ’16 ‘17 2018
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, and donors. Their support,
as well as the invaluable contributions of our volunteers and staff,
continues to maintain the financial foundation of the Chicago
Zoological Society.

Michael P. Emmert
Treasurer, Board of Trustees
Chicago Zoological Society

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