Capital Campaign
Enriching Lives
The Zoo is preparing to launch a major $70 million dollar public capital campaign with the first phase to raise a minimum of $20 million. These funds will be put to creative use by a dynamic team of experienced Zoo professionals, dedicated board members, and visionary community leaders. Together, we will embark on a comprehensive renewal of the entire Phoenix Zoo so that it keeps pace with the needs of the nation's fifth largest city. We intend to refresh and revitalize the Phoenix Zoo so that it can continue as one of the most beloved cultural resources in the Phoenix Metropolitan area and the Southwest.
The campaign focuses on four components and an initial endowment fund designation:
- As an entertainment setting of nature-centered experience, the Zoo will offer a variety of distinctive and welcoming activities via a new entry Oasis. The entrance will welcome visitors to the diversity of the planet. It will feature an array of
live animals and aquatic features plus displays of cultures from around the globe. It will include admissions, shopping, restaurants, and technology –
a variety of experiences and engagements that immerses
the visitor into a celebration of involvement & diversity. - Engagement with animals will continue to be the core of the Zoo experience. We will strive to make this element even more meaningful for our visitors through enhanced and concentrated exhibits, making animals more visible, closely spaced, cleverly labeled, and
presented in a more natural habitat, where unique animal encounters are more frequent. The beautiful grounds offer vistas and
trails that lead visitors to view a more humane environment
for wildlife while they relax and enjoy the park -like
setting & outdoors. Discovery and exploring are encouraged!
- Behind the scenes, a group of naturalists and volunteers will work to provide a Sanctuary for animals that have no other place to live or whose very lives are in danger. Roaming free, cared for, and closely observed, these special animals will be the basis of an ongoing program of conservation education and activism. Tours and workshops will be offered in the Sanctuary center area. A new volunteer and administration center will enable recruiting, training, and development of scores of citizen stewards who work with us to care for animals and nature.
- The new Gatsby Exhibit Tent will sit high on the hill at
the edge of the Enchanted Forest overlooking the lawn that
descends to the Main Lake. It will host indoor and outdoor
environmental programs, parties, weddings and special
events. It will promote hands-on discovery and Zoo
activities. This site will accommodate small elegant
gatherings and large social events for the public. A new
tiger exhibit and conservation learning center will be
connected to this complex. It will house indoor and outdoor spaces, hands-on exhibits, and activities that promote active inquiry. It will house multi-media and distance learning capability to allow the Zoo to reach people across the entire state. Activities will stimulate understanding and involvement in the natural world.
- The Phoenix Zoo has been a landmark in this community
since the early1960’s, unfortunately the infrastructure
systems on the property are in dramatic need of upgrade and
improvement in order to meet today’s minimum health & safety
standards. The Zoo must rebuild and improvement these aging
systems immediately in order to service the next generation
of citizens. A part of this capital campaign will address
this critical need.
Find out more.
- Establishing an endowment will help the Zoo to become more
sustainable in years to come and to create a foundation for
future repairs & replacement and service programs.
A renewed & redesigned Phoenix Zoo will invigorate, inspire and engage our regular community guests while attracting and entertaining the new visitors to our area. But, the Phoenix Zoo cannot embark on this exciting, ambitious journey alone. For more than four decades, we have relied upon the commitment of our volunteers and the generosity of our community to thrive and grow. Brick by brick, dollar by dollar, creature by creature, we have built one of the five best zoos for children in the country. At this time, in a new century, we will undertake a fundraising campaign that will support our ambition to serve our community as a cultural resource with the highest standards of entertainment, education and enlightenment. We call upon our friends, neighbors and allies to join us in this exciting journey. By investing in us, our supporters invest in children; nature and the quality of life in our community for years to come.
For additional information on supporting the Phoenix Zoo, please contact us.
