Zoological Society of New Jersey

What Zoological Society of New Jersey does

The Zoological Society of New Jersey (ZSNJ), founded in 1973 and incorporated in 1975, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that serves as the exclusive charitable fundraising and operating-support arm of Essex County Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange, New Jersey. The organization operates with 1–10 employees and an unpaid Board of Trustees, generating revenue through a tiered annual membership program ($125–$1,000 across Individual through Benefactor levels), the Guardian of Wildlife adopt-an-animal program, the Owl Society planned-giving initiative, corporate membership and business partnership programs, recurring signature events (Brew at the Zoo, Member Late Nights, Penguin Waddle, BARKtoberfest), an annual appeal, and a Conservation Marketplace e-commerce storefront.

Its core programmatic activities are structured around three pillars: direct financial support to Essex County Turtle Back Zoo (more than $1.2 million contributed in the past five years and over $1 million annually through the 2010s), global wildlife conservation grant-making through the Turtle Back Biodiversity Fund to roughly 20 partner organizations spanning Vietnam, Madagascar, Namibia, Belize, Thailand, and Sri Lanka, and community engagement through the Zoo Team Go volunteer program (3,844 volunteers since 2019) and the Docent program established in 1984. The Society maintains AZA accreditation, participates in Species Survival Plans for over 30 endangered species, and is the only nonprofit with the mandate to fundraise on behalf of Turtle Back Zoo, giving it a structural monopoly on this revenue stream within Essex County. Distribution occurs through the physical zoo, an online membership store, e-commerce, corporate direct sales, and a reciprocal network of 110+ AZA-accredited zoos nationally. The organization holds a Charity Navigator 4-star rating and received the AZA Edward H. Bean Award in 2020 for its Clouded Leopard Consortium breeding program.

Name

Zoological Society of New Jersey

Legal name

Zoological Society of New Jersey, Inc.

Website

https://zoologicalsocietyofnj.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Zoological Society of New Jersey is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1973 that serves as the exclusive fundraising and operating-support arm of Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, generating revenue through memberships, donations, corporate partnerships, and events to fund zoo operations and global wildlife conservation grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Zoo & Wildlife Conservation Services

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections) (THAJADAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB), Education & Community Outreach (Responsible Pet Ownership) (BPAGAIAK), Advocacy, Policy & Public Awareness (Animal Welfare) (BPAGAIAJ)

Keywords

• Zoo membership programs
• Wildlife conservation fundraising
• Animal adoption program
• Nonprofit conservation grants
• Corporate zoo partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

West Orange

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees ranging from $125 to $1,000 providing unlimited zoo admission, exclusive events, discounts, and reciprocal privileges with 110+ affiliated zoos. Major revenue driver described as the Society's biggest fundraiser.
2. Donations and Contributions: General donations, annual appeals, and tribute donations supporting zoo operations, conservation programs, and habitat improvements.
3. Adopt-An-Animal Program: Symbolic animal adoptions through the Guardian of Wildlife program, supporting animal welfare and enrichment activities.
4. Corporate Membership Program: Corporate membership fees providing employee engagement benefits, exclusive perks, access to high-demand events, and private experiences for participating businesses.
5. Planned Giving (Owl Society): Bequests, life income gifts, life insurance, and life estate donations through the Owl Society planned giving program, supporting long-term sustainability.
6. Conservation Marketplace: Online retail sales where a portion of proceeds goes directly to conservation efforts.
7. Events and Fundraisers: Event-based fundraising including Brew at the Zoo, casino nights, holiday lights events, and other special gatherings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Zoological Society of New Jersey operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports Essex County Turtle Back Zoo through a tiered annual membership program ($125–$1,000), the Guardian of Wildlife Adopt-an-Animal program, planned giving (Owl Society), the Turtle Back Biodiversity Fund conservation grants, a Conservation Marketplace storefront, corporate membership and business partnerships, recurring fundraising events, and volunteer/docent programs. Funds raised are directed toward zoo operations, exhibit improvements, animal welfare, and global wildlife conservation partnerships with organizations across Africa, Asia, and Central America.

Product overview

The Zoological Society of New Jersey operates as a nonprofit supporting Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, offering a tiered membership program (Individual through Benefactor levels at $125-$1,000 annually) with benefits including unlimited zoo admission, exclusive events, and discounts. Core offerings include the Adopt an Animal program, Owl Society planned giving, Turtle Back Biodiversity Fund grants, Conservation Marketplace, Zoo Team Go volunteer program, Docent program, Corporate Membership Program, and Business Partnership Program. The organization hosts recurring events including Brew at the Zoo, Member Late Night/Mornings, Penguin Waddle, and BARKtoberfest. Additional fundraising mechanisms include the Annual Appeal, Donor Wall, and Amazon Wish List donations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Turtle Back Biodiversity Fund: A fund created by the Zoological Society of New Jersey that creates partnerships with worldwide causes engaged in wildlife conservation, administering grants and seeding local programs in support of fieldwork and research relevant to saving species.
• Owl Society
• Corporate Membership Program (CMP)
• Zoo Team Go

Products and services

• Annual Zoo Memberships (Individual through Benefactor tiers) Tiered annual membership program ($125–$1,000) providing unlimited admission to Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, exclusive member events, discounts on zoo amenities and partner businesses, and reciprocal access to 110+ AZA-accredited zoos for individuals, families, and households.
• Guardian of Wildlife (Adopt-an-Animal) Program Symbolic animal adoption program allowing donors to symbolically adopt zoo animals (from the 1,000-pound bull bison to baby turtles), supporting animal welfare, enrichment, and care at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo.
• Owl Society Planned Giving Program Planned giving program recognizing individuals and families who include Turtle Back Zoo and the Zoological Society in their estate plans, supporting bequests, life income gifts, life insurance, and life estate donations.
• Turtle Back Biodiversity Fund Conservation grant fund administered by ZSNJ that builds worldwide partnerships and awards grants for fieldwork and research focused on saving species. Recent and ongoing conservation funding partners include Cheetah Conservation Fund, Giraffe Conservation Foundation, SANCCOB, Asian Turtle Program, Lion Recovery Fund, Snow Leopard Conservancy, and others.
• Conservation Marketplace Online retail store where merchandise purchases support the Zoological Society and Turtle Back Zoo animals, with portions of proceeds donated to conservation efforts.
• Corporate Membership Program (CMP) Business membership program offering employee engagement benefits, individual membership packages, access to high-demand events, and unique private zoo experiences for participating businesses.
• Fundraising Events (Brew at the Zoo, Member Mornings, Member Late Night, Penguin Waddle, BARKtoberfest) Signature fundraising events held at Turtle Back Zoo and partner venues, including Brew at the Zoo (craft beer and entertainment), Member Mornings/Late Nights (members-only access), Penguin Waddle (family fun run/walk), and BARKtoberfest (pet adoption event and marketplace).
• Annual Appeal Annual donation campaign supporting Essex County Turtle Back Zoo and the Turtle Back Biodiversity Fund, with special gifts offered to first-time donors contributing $200 or more.
• Donor Wall Program Commemorative plaque program honoring donors at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo with personalized 3\"w x 1.5\"h plaques.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $1.2 million in funding provided to Turtle Back Zoo improvement and operation in the past five years alone
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Asian Turtle Program (ATP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partner for Asian tortoise and freshwater turtle protection. Funded Mauremys annamensis Project for Vietnamese pond turtle research and protection. Over 200 turtles released through breeding programs.
• Amazon River Dolphin Conservation FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Turtle Back Biodiversity Fund network of conservation organizations worldwide.
• Cheetah Conservation FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal conservation partner receiving funding for cheetah conservation efforts in Namibia. Supports livestock guarding dog programs and wildlife population monitoring.
• Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew Jersey-based conservation partner working on local wildlife protection initiatives.
• Giraffe Conservation FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in giraffe conservation efforts. Turtle Back Zoo matches funds from giraffe feeding experiences for World Giraffe Day donations.
• Madagascar Biodiversity CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner for 2026 lemur conservation focus. Receives portion of membership sales proceeds. Leading lemur conservation in Southern Madagascar through research and population increase efforts.
• NJ Tree FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner for tree planting initiatives in Essex County as part of the Turtle Back Zoo Tree Initiative.
• One Tree Planted IncminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner for tree planting through the Turtle Back Zoo Tree Initiative. One tree planted with each membership purchase internationally.
• SANCCOB (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for African penguin conservation. 2025 conservation initiative partner. Platinum level donation supporting SAFE three-year plan. Supports wildlife rehabilitation center in Namibia.
• Smithsonian InstitutioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Clouded Leopard Consortium breeding program and species survival planning efforts.
• Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner featured in conservation blog highlighting Sri Lanka wildlife conservation efforts.
• Turtle Survival AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in turtle conservation efforts, supporting critically endangered turtle species protection and breeding programs.
• Wildlife Conservation NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in broader wildlife conservation efforts through the Turtle Back Biodiversity Fund.
• Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAZA-accredited organization participating in SAFE (Saving Animals from Extinction) programs and Species Survival Plans. Provides reciprocal privileges network of 110+ zoos.
• Clouded Leopard Working GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking group partner supporting clouded leopard conservation field work in South East Asia.
• Dr. Cortni Borgerson (Montclair State University)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociate professor at Montclair State University and IUCN Primate Specialist. Conservation partner for lemur conservation in Madagascar through Turtle Back Biodiversity Fund. Works with local communities on conservation strategies.
• Lion Recovery FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner supporting African lion recovery. Donation supports 150+ projects across 23 countries focusing on habitat repair, anti-poaching, and community coexistence.
• Belize Audubon SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in jaguar conservation through Species Survival Plan. Supports Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary warden positions to protect against poaching.
• Snow Leopard ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner for snow leopard protection through in-situ conservation efforts.
• SAFE (Saving Animals from Extinction)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAZA SAFE program partner for African penguin conservation. Three-year plan addressing population decline causes from oil spills to overfishing.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wildlife Conservation Society (Bronx Zoo): Operates the Bronx Zoo and runs global field conservation programs — the closest analog to ZSNJ's hybrid local-zoo-plus-global-conservation model, with a comparable AZA-accredited structure.
• Philadelphia Zoo: Major AZA-accredited regional zoo within driving distance of ZSNJ's catchment area, with an active nonprofit membership and conservation grant program that competes for the same donor base.
• Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute: AZA-accredited zoo with a parallel mission of conservation biology research and global species survival plans — directly comparable to Turtle Back Zoo's SAFE and SSP participation through ZSNJ.
• Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden: Regional AZA zoo known for its nonprofit support arm, conservation partnerships, and field programs — comparable in size and mission mix to ZSNJ/Turtle Back Zoo.
• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Combines zoo operations with a large global conservation program — a scaled-up version of ZSNJ's local-zoo-plus-Biodiversity-Fund model.
• Roger Williams Park Zoo: Mid-sized AZA-accredited regional zoo with a nonprofit membership and conservation focus — comparable scale and programming breadth to ZSNJ.
• Bronx Zoo (Wildlife Conservation Society, zoo-only view): Major AZA zoo and membership-driven nonprofit — the closest direct comp in terms of membership tiering, reciprocal network access, and conservation storytelling.

Regional players

• Cape May County Park & Zoo: New Jersey regional zoo that competes for local visitors and family memberships within ZSNJ's home state — a regional peer that overlaps ZSNJ's catchment geography.

Broad incumbents

• National Audubon Society: Established national wildlife and conservation nonprofit with a broader avian and habitat mandate — competes for conservation-focused donors and corporate partnerships in the same geographic and mission space.
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF): Global wildlife conservation NGO that overlaps with ZSNJ's Biodiversity Fund partners (cheetahs, snow leopards, turtles) — competes for major donor and corporate conservation dollars.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ZoologicalSocietyofNJ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zoological-society-of-new-jersey

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zoological Society of New Jersey