Fast Facts

As the Zoo’s nonprofit advocate and partner, the Cleveland Zoological Society is committed to:

• Raising awareness of the Zoo as a community priority
• Improving all aspects of the Zoo, from exhibits to programs to daily operations
• Giving visitors, members and donors great value for their investment

Founded in 1957, the Zoo Society strives to ensure that Cleveland Metroparks Zoo remains one of the region’s preeminent destinations. The Zoo Society maintains the largest membership program in Northeast Ohio (46,500 households) and helps generate the margin of excellence that takes our Zoo from good to great. Zoo Society donors underwrite that margin of excellence through membership support, contributing approximately 50% of funding for major new exhibits and capital improvements and approximately 20% to the Zoo’s annual operating budget.

In 2011, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and the Cleveland Zoological Society engaged in their first-ever Joint Strategic Plan, with significant input from the community and in close alignment with Cleveland Metroparks. An exciting new mission and visionnow guide our efforts.

Finances

• ZooFutures Fund $2.57 M
• Sustaining Fund $4.9 M
• Membership Dues $2.7 M
• Annual operating & programmatic support to the Zoo, including signature Educational Outreach Programs $2.7 M

Visitor Profile

• 46,500 member households, including
• 1,100 ZooKeepers' Circle VIP members
• Families with children 12 & younger and college educated / household incomes >$75,000
• 1.3 million Zoo visitors annually

Major Projects List

• $12.5 Million capital campaign for the Zoo's new African Elephant Crossing exhibit — completed May, 2011, and exceeded the goal by 3%

• In 2004, completed the capital campaign for the Sarah Allison Steffee Center for Zoological Medicine