Page 30 - 2016 CZS Impact Report

2016 Financial Year in Review

CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY CAPITAL INVESTMENT ($000) The Chicago Zoological Society (CZS) ended 2016 with a
30,000 General Operating Fund net surplus of $3.5 million, before
10-Year Cumulative Total transfers to the Capital Fund, and continues to maintain an
25,000 of 116.8MM accumulated net surplus in the Society’s General Operating
10-Year Annual Average Fund. Total attendance rose by 3.7% over 2015 to 2.26 million
of 11.7 MM
20,000 guests. Continued membership and admissions/guest services
revenue growth, along with higher tax collections, contributed to
15,000 a $1.2 million or 2% rise in General Operating Fund Revenue.
This performance allowed the Society to again transfer $3.1
10,000 million from the General Operating Fund to the Capital Fund
to pay for ongoing deferred maintenance needs at Brookfield
5,000 Zoo. The Society’s Total Net Assets declined by $3.7 million
or 2% mainly reflecting the offset of positive investment
0
‘03 ’04 ‘05 ‘06 ’07 ‘08 ’09 ‘10 ’11 ‘12 ’13 ‘14 ’15 2016 and general operating results by fixed asset depreciation.
Replacing, renovating, and maintaining the 80-year-
old infrastructure of the zoo through deferred maintenance
programs and capital initiatives remains a top priority of
the Society. A disciplined capital maintenance budgeting
process in the Society’s General Operating Fund, coupled
CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY TOTAL ATTENDANCE (000)
with record levels of private fundraising and public support,
2,500 2,339
2,229 2,283 2,264 allowed the Society to invest nearly $117 million during the
2,138 2,158 2,174 2,183
2,076 2,087 past 10 years in capital projects and deferred maintenance.
2,000 1,892 The chart to the left shows that these increased capital
funds have enabled the Society to invest an average of nearly
1,500 $12 million annually during the past several years.
The Society continued to improve its fiscal and budgetary
controls in 2016 and is committed to maintaining and
1,000
exhibiting strong financial practices and procedures. We are
pleased to report that for the eighth consecutive year, the
500 Society’s auditor, Plante Moran, completed the annual audit
without identifying any financial statement adjustments
0 or management issues for the Society’s consideration.
‘06 ’07 ‘08 ’09 ‘10 ’11 ‘12 ’13 ‘14 ’15 2016
The Society wishes to extend special thanks and appreciation
to our public partner, the Forest Preserves of Cook County, and
to our very generous Trustees, Women’s Board members, and
donors. Their support, as well as the invaluable contributions of
our volunteers and staff, continues to strengthen the financial
foundation of the Chicago Zoological Society and help
ensure that Brookfield Zoo remains an educational resource
and destination for more than 2 million people annually.

Mi
Michael P. Emmerth l P E
Treasurer, Board of Trustees
Chicago Zoological Society

28 CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | ANNUAL IMPACT REVIEW