Everything you need to know about The Pride

At the start of the year, the Zoo Society rolled out a brand new donor recognition program called The Pride. While this is very exciting news, you probably have a lot of questions for us. Good news, we've got your answers!

What is the Pride?

The Pride is a group of our most loyal donors. Anyone who gives $1,000 or more of unrestricted operating support to the Zoo Society is part of The Pride for a year.

Is this a new program?

Yes, in 2020 the Zoo Society established The Pride as a way to encourage annual gifts that have an impact on the Zoo. The Pride is a new gift recognition program, and those who donate this unrestricted operating support will be contacted by the Zoo Society staff and offered opportunities to enjoy the Zoo and learn more about its programs.

The Zoo Society has always solicited and received annual donations, but this is a way to ensure all of our donors are thanked, have opportunities to enjoy the zoo and feel special for being part of The Pride.

Does the ZooKeepers Circle program exist anymore?

No. The ZooKeepers Circle membership program has been discontinued effective January 1, 2020. Incentives for current members of the program will remain through your membership expiration date. For example: Those who joined ZooKeepers Circle in June 2018 will be eligible for benefits and events through June 2020.

Starting now, ZooKeepers Circle members will be asked to join The Pride. Members of The Pride will receive complimentary donor admission to the Zoo and the opportunity to participate in other Zoo experiences as donors.

But I just want to be a member to the Zoo, not to donate.

When you donate to The Pride you will receive complimentary donor admission to the Zoo and The RainForest for one year – it’s our way of saying thank you for supporting the Zoo Society. You will receive entry to the Zoo for one year, reciprocity at other accredited Zoos and discounts at the Zoo gift shop and more.

When you give to The Pride you will also be offered stewardship opportunities to experience and learn about the Zoo, but you certainly do not have too.

How will I know what events there are or how to donate?

Each Pride member will be assigned a Zoo Society team member as their personal contact. This staff person will help plan your visits to the Zoo, inform you of donor stewardship opportunities and answer any questions you have.

Where does my donation to The Pride go?

Your gift to The Pride supports annual unrestricted funding to the Zoo Society. The Pride donors help provide $2 million in operating support to the Zoo each year.

If I am a current ZooKeepers Circle member, what are my options when it is time to renew?

Your incentives as a ZooKeepers Circle will remain through your current expiration date. Upon renewal, you will have the option to join The Pride at your current giving level of $1,000 or more, or may choose one of the Zoo Society’s membership levels below $1,000. To continue to have access to the Zoo and events and to make an impactful donation, you have a number of
options available when it is time to renew your gift. The Zoo Society provides multiple ways and opportunities for donors of all levels to support the Zoo:

• Give a donation to the ZooFund, the Cleveland Zoological Society's annual fund campaign. Honor and memorial gifts for loved ones can be made to the ZooFund.

• Join us at one of the various membership levels to receive membership to the Zoo and The RainForest in addition to recognition, events and other benefits. Memberships range from $69 to $500 and offer an array of member benefits.

• Join us in The Pride at the $1,000 level or higher and receive complimentary donor admission to the Zoo and other opportunities to participate in other Zoo experiences as donors.

What are my options if I give ZooKeepers Circle memberships as gifts?

That is no longer an option as of January 1, 2020. Through our ZooFund, you can give a gift in honor or in memory of someone. For that special occasion or special person in your life, you can give a donation and they will receive a letter acknowledging that someone has given a donation to the Cleveland Zoo Society in their honor/memory.

What if I make a gift to ZooFund?

The Pride supports our ZooFund, which is unrestricted operating support. If you donate $999 or less to the ZooFund, we will provide you with an acknowledgement letter for your records and invitations to special events based on your donation amount. If you donate $1,000 or more to the ZooFund, you will join The Pride and be offered complimentary donor admission to the Zoo, opportunities to participate in other Zoo experiences as donors, and an assigned member of the Zoo Society staff to be your personal contact to help you experience everything the Zoo has to offer.

Who do I contact with questions?

Please reach out to Andrea Ponikvar, Director of Advancement, at 216-635-3323 with your questions.