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The Annual Drive to Support the Zoo
Hi there. You look familiar. Maybe we've already met through the human viewing window, but let me formally introduce myself. I'm Willie the Chimp and I'm a VIP here at the Houston Zoo (very important primate, that is.)
My family and I moved to the Zoo in the summer of 2010 and we've been living very happily in the new African Forest exhibit. Since our arrival, I've noticed that the Zoo has grown a lot. In addition to all of us "newbies" in the African Forest, the Zoo has also welcomed many new babies...including Aurora the Orangutan and Asali the Giraffe!
As our Zoo continues to grow and expand, we need your support now more than ever. Please consider making a gift to the Zoo's Annual Drive today.
Spotlight on Willie the Chimp, Houston Zoo VIP
Click the video below to watch as Willie explores his new home in the African Forest for the first time! Support from friends like you helped bring him here, and your generosity today will help to provide him (and the rest of the animals at the Zoo) with the very best care available in the year ahead.
Why Your Support Matters
The Houston Zoo is the only non-profit, privately funded zoological park in the Texas Gulf Coast area. Each year, earned revenue from gate admission, memberships, and concessions covers less than half of the total expenditures associated with operating the Zoo. Generous contributions from friends like you help us to fill that gap.
What Your Gift Will Fund
When you make a gift to the Zoo's Annual Drive, you can rest assured that your money will be used responsibly and in the area where it is most immediately needed, including:
Animal Care and Enrichment - All of our animals get the VIP treatment every day, which includes nutritious meals, expert veterinary care, and enrichment items like toys and treats.
Education for Families and Youth - The Houston Zoo truly is a "Zoo for All." We provide education programs to individuals of all ages, from infants to seniors. These programs help communicate the importance of caring for animals and our environment.
Wildlife Conservation and Awareness - In addition to building appreciation for animals here on Zoo grounds, the Zoo participates in several conservation programs that are bringing animal species back from the brink of extinction.
A First Class Cultural Institution for Houston - As the fourth largest city in the country, doesn't Houston deserve a Zoo that is truly one-of-a-kind? Your gift will help keep our animal habitats modern and comfortable, and will enhance the Zoo experience for all who visit.
Maximizing Your Support
Does your company have a matching gift program? Corporate matching gifts are a great way for supporters like you to maximize personal contributions to the Zoo and increase the impact of your gift. By taking advantage of a company's matching gift benefit, you may be able to double or even triple the amount of a contribution. Each company has its own program guidelines, so contact your HR representative for more details.
Completed matching gift forms can be sent to:
For more information about giving to the Houston Zoo, read our most recent annual report or visit GuideStar, the premier site for researching nonprofit organizations.
You can also send us an email inquiry or call 713.533.6701 for more information.
