Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association

“The form 990 is prepared by glaza's staff, reviewed by glaza's independent accounting firm, and presented to the audit committee for review. After the audit committee review, the committee presents the form 990 to the full board of trustees with a recommendation for acceptance. The form 990 is then reviewed and accepted by the board of trustees, prior to electronic filing with the internal revenue service.”

“Glaza regularly monitors and enforces compliance with its conflict of interest policy by annually distributing a written conflict of interest policy, as well as a list of businesses with which glaza had significant relationships during the prior year, and a conflict of interest disclosure statement that must be completed. Conflicts of interest disclosure is required from the entire governing body and senior staff who can influence the actions of glaza, make commitments on glaza's behalf, and/or have access to confidential information concerning glaza and its constituencies.”

“In compliance with the internal revenue code (irc sec. 4958) and the california nonprofit integrity act (s.b. 1262), glaza's executive committee annually reviews and approves the total compensation for the president and any bonus compensation for the chief financial officer. The executive committee reviews comparability data, compensation history, and the performance evaluation for the president and documents its work. The committee deliberates and presents its recommendations to the full board of trustees for approval.”

“Glaza's annual information return can be found on its own website and third party websites such as charity navigator and guidestar.”

“Glaza makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, annual audited financial statements, and annual information returns available to the public upon request.”

“The greater los angeles zoo association ("glaza"), the official support organization of the los angeles zoo and botanical gardens ("zoo"), is a not-for-profit corporation organized for the purpose of establishing, developing, beautifying, and improving the zoo. The zoo is owned and operated by the city of los angeles ("city"), department of the zoo. To fulfill its mission, glaza conducts a fundraising program that raises funds for operational, programmatic and capital needs and projects; directs and operates the zoo's membership programs for nearly 42,000 households; manages marketing, strategic branding, and public relations for the zoo; conducts a site rentals program; plans and executes special events and travel programs; creates and distributes publications; manages its website; recruits and trains approximately 520 docents and volunteers; and oversees certain visitor amenities including food and retail concessions. Operating agreement: the city entered into an agreement with glaza (the operating agreement) for the purposes of obtaining assistance in establishing, developing, beautifying, and improving the zoo. The operating agreement was executed on september 29, 1997 and expired on september 29, 2022. Under section iii of the operating agreement, the zoo and glaza established several memoranda of understanding (mous) to identify specific programs and financial obligations. Glaza has been working in good faith with the city and the zoo to negotiate a new operating agreement. On september 2, 2022, the city council (council) approved an extension of the current operating agreement through march 30, 2023, with an option to extend for an additional six months through september 30, 2023 while negotiations continue. The council also directed that the extension include the terms of the expired mous, as well as the current version of the city's standard contracting provisions. During the year ended june 30, 2023, glaza and the city prepared both the first and second amended and restated operating agreements to incorporate the council's directions and extend the contractual relationship through september 30, 2023. Membership memorandum of understanding (mou): under this mou, glaza manages the zoo's membership program. Fees collected from members are used to fund department expenses, as well as support expenses for volunteer and docent programs, publications, and website management. The last mou expired june 30, 2017. During the terms of both the first and second amended and restated operating agreements, the city and glaza continue to operate under the terms of the expired mou. Per section vii of the operating agreement, glaza remits 25% of membership fees received to the zoo, plus the net surplus (if any) after department expenses and other specified programs' expenses are paid. Concession agreement: in may 2019, glaza and the city executed the 6th amendment to the operating agreement (the 6th amendment), effective july 1, 2019. The 6th amendment terminates and replaces the concession agreement and future concession mous and became part of the existing operating agreement. The city and glaza intend to incorporate this 6th amendment into the renegotiated operating agreement. The 6th amendment grants glaza the right to enter into a concession services agreement with a concessionaire for a ten-year period, with a five-year option to extend. The concession services agreement between glaza and the concessionaire, ssa group, llc (ssa), was approved by the los angeles city council (council) in december 2019. An amendment to the concession services agreement was approved by the council in august 2021 and became effective october 1, 2021. Per the 6th amendment, glaza pays the zoo 80% of commissions received for services and amenities provided by the concessionaire, plus the remainder of commissions after retention of an annual fee for managing the concessions services agreement. Marketing & public relations, and site rentals & catered eve”

“Membership, visitor amenities, publications, website, docents and volunteers, as well as membership and concessions transfers to the los angeles zoo. Glaza directs and operates the zoo's membership programs for nearly 42,000 households. In accordance with the operating agreement, glaza remits 25% of membership fees received to the zoo. Glaza oversees visitor amenities, including food and retail concessions, and site rentals. In accordance with the concession agreement between glaza and the zoo, glaza transfers a portion of concessions commissions to the zoo. Publications and website management: the publications division manages the zoo's website and creates and distributes the following publications: - zoo view, the award-winning magazine for glaza members, which is published quarterly. - zooscape, the award-winning newsletter, which is published 6 times per year and which features monthly zoo events and news. - gnus, the biweekly newsletter for zoo staff and volunteers. Volunteer and docent programs: 521 glaza volunteers performed nearly 51,595 hours of service helping with 98 assignments on and off site, as well as virtually. Volunteers play a vital role in fulfilling the zoo's mission of "saving wildlife, enriching our communities, and creating connections to nature." training and onboarding: - 88 new docents, docent specialists, and general volunteers were onboarded in the year ended june 30, 2023. Daily public facing assignments: - ongrounds: 250 volunteers served as public facing ambassador to help with interpretation and guest support at habitats, other zoo sections, and at muriel's ranch; giving over 15,052 hours and 299,199 guest interactions. Research: - 73 volunteers gave 1,096 hours observing animal behaviors to support animal care. Behind the scenes: - food preparation: 59 volunteers, gave 8,904 hours with 16 assignments helping prepare animal diets. - enrichment: 22 volunteers gave 1,391 hours helping animal care create and prepare enrichment items and maintain the enrichment garden. Virtual and administrative assignments: - virtual field trips: 23 volunteers gave 668 hours, visiting 190 classes and 4,507, teachers, and family members. - animal information: 6 docents gave 597 hours maintaining the notebook and fact sheets for reference for all zoo personnel and docent/volunteer trainings. - docent and volunteer training: 69 docents gave 4,089 hours onboarding, training, and mentoring new docent specialists and general volunteers. Periodic assignments: - events: 191 volunteers gave 3,143 hours helping prepare and serve as ambassadors at events. - corporate and community group volunteer days: 4 corporations and 1 community group gave 355 collective hours supporting animal care through enrichment projects.”

“Direct support of the zoo including transfers for capital improvements, zoo operations, special projects, conservation and education programs. During the year ending june 30, 2023, glaza supported the zoo in a breadth of projects and programs including conservation grants for gorilla rehabilitation, asian elephants, african grey parrots, anti-poaching programs, and african painted dogs. 17 grants were funded in the fiscal year ending june 30, 2023.”

“Marketing, strategic branding, and public relations, as well as special events, community events and travel programs. On july 1, 2013, glaza assumed responsibility for marketing, strategic branding, and public relations for the zoo. Glaza's aim is to raise attendance by making a strategic longterm investment in marketing and advertising that will increase the zoo's visibility with local residents and tourists. Glaza also produces and promotes special events and programs designed to enhance zoogoers' enjoyment, attract new visitors, raise money for zoo programs, and provide opportunities for education and entertainment. Activities during the year ended june 30, 2023 included: - l.a. Zoom to you virtual programming campaign, aimed at keeping people engaged with the zoo and its mission. Content included behind-the-scenes videos, keeper talks, activity guides, crafts, and more. - zoo friday nights, a family-themed after-hours event held every friday in july 2022, which featured selected animals on exhibit and family-friendly entertainment. - brew at the l.a. Zoo, an adults-only event featuring local craft and microbreweries, select animal viewings, live music, dancing, and food trucks, held in august 2022. - member appreciation month in august, to celebrate and honor those who continued to support glaza. - boo at the l.a. Zoo, from october 1-31, celebrating the spirit of halloween with entertainment and special animal enrichment experiences, with trick or treating on select weekends. - l.a. Zoo lights, reimagined evening event with all-new animal light displays, plus special nights for new year's eve and lunar new year festivities in january. Held most nights between november 17, 2022 to january 22, 2023. -wild for the planet, special activities promoting sustainable lifestyle practices, special keeper talks, and entertainment, every weekend in april 2023. - sustainable wine + dinner series, exploring sustainable practices in the wine industry and the connection to wildlife. - roaring nights, the zoo's summer concert series, returned for one night in june 2023 featuring live music and food trucks. - staffing for a full program of special events for members and visitors, and staff support for marketing and community events.”