The Zoo is now embarking on the most significant fundraising initiative in its history to develop the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park, reimagine outdated areas at the Saint Louis Zoo, and strengthen the endowment.
Key Elements
- This will be the largest fundraising campaign in the Zoo’s history, meaning the close partnership of CCS will be imperative to success.
- Development staff are among the most dedicated there are in the field and additive fundraising of $160 million over six years will require human resources.
The Challenge
Voted the nation’s “Best Zoo” and “Top Free Attraction,” the Saint Louis Zoo is internationally recognized for its innovative exhibits and its leadership in education, animal care, research, and conservation locally and around the world. The core mission of the Zoo had remained unchanged since their founding more than a century ago and it was time to think bigger and bolder for their animals, community, and future. The recent passing of Prop Z, a sales tax in St. Louis to support the Zoo, as well as the acquisition of 425 acres of land, served as levers in creating a new strategic plan with exciting opportunities at the Saint Louis Zoo and WildCare Park.
The Solution
CCS partnered with the Saint Louis Zoo to test case messaging, identify volunteer campaign leadership, create a top prospect list, identify new major gift prospects using predictive AI and wealth capacity, and right-size a fundraising goal. In addition, we partnered with the Zoo to augment the Development Department’s organizational chart to optimize workflow and ensure the appropriate resourcing of staff in advance of a major fundraising campaign.
The Impact
The Saint Louis Zoo launched a campaign with a total goal of $160 million — $140 million for capital projects prioritized at WildCare Park and the Saint Louis Zoo, and $20 million for the endowment. Due to the campaign’s remarkable success and the extraordinary generosity of donors, the Zoo established a subsequent challenge goal of $170 million. A comprehensive planning phase allowed for the recruitment of volunteers, campaign material development, and top prospect engagement. Because of this campaign, the Zoo can now provide interactive experiences for children and families to learn about animals, as well as spaces dedicated to conservation breeding of some of the world’s most endangered species.
Featured Team Member
The Saint Louis Zoo is a world-class institution with world-class leadership. The economic, environmental, community, and global impact of this campaign will be unmatched. It’s an honor to support the talented conservationists at the Saint Louis Zoo as they bring species back on the brink of extinction.
Brooke Laskin, Senior Vice President, CCS Fundraising
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