The Pride

What is The Pride of the Cleveland Zoological Society?

The Pride supports the annual fund and allows Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to thrive, grow and evolve. As the advancement partner of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, the Cleveland Zoological Society works to secure private funding that helps catalyze excellence at your Zoo. From creating a joyful summer day experience for more than 1 million guests a year, to educational programming for children, to efforts to secure a future for wildlife around the globe, the Zoo needs your support.

How does being a donor of The Pride help the Zoo?

Your gift to The Pride supports annual unrestricted funding to the Zoo. The Pride (donors of $1,000 and up) help provide $2 million in operating support to the Zoo each year.

Your support allows us to:

• Focus on all aspects of animal care — from the food the animals eat to innovative research that informs future management practices
• Introduce students to inquiry-based science that captures their imaginations and encourages exploration and innovation
• Educate and inspire guests on how animals they see in their communities are ambassadors for those in the wild
• Advise and financially support partners in the field who are working to protect species most at risk the world

Virtual Opportunities in 2021

Pride donors are invited by email to our ZooZoom virtual events. We will reassess our events mid-year and hope to gather in-person for the second half of 2021. 

Tuesday, January 12 at 9 a.m.
Primate, Cat & Aquatics Building

Thursday, February 25 at 6 p.m.
The RainForest

Tuesday, March 9 at 9 a.m.
Sarah Allison Steffee Center for Zoological Medicine

Thursday, April 29 at 6 p.m.
Location TBD

Tuesday, May 4 at 9 a.m.
Location TBD

Who do I contact with questions?

Please reach out to Leta Obertacz, Director of Advancement, at (216) 635-3346 with your questions.