Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc.

The strategic goals of the Indianapolis Zoo are to:

A. Manage operations prudently to ensure the continuation and sustainability of the mission by:
1. Developing new or refining existing programs that increase efficiency and advance the Zoo's mission;
2. Developing programs that will achieve attendance goals;
3. Developing departmental budgets consistent with revenue and expense targets;
4. Developing and implementing new programs to improve customer service and increase measured guest satisfaction and
retention, and;
5. Advancing safety and emergency preparedness programs, including cross-departmental involvement.

B. Act proactively and energetically in the pursuit of our mission by:
1. Achieving the highest community, inclusion, and industry standards with respect to our collection, environment, guests,
governance, staff, and suppliers;
2. Advancing conservation initiatives;

C. Fostering a climate in which staff are valued, challenged, and encouraged to be diligent to their responsibilities and our mission.

The annual institutional goals are based on the strategic pillars as defined in the Board-approved Strategic Plan. The strategic pillars are:

• Create a differentiated product
• Develop a distinctive image
• Create compelling experiences that enhance audience engagement
• Stimulate attitudinal change
• Maintain long-term perspective and planning.

Individual departmental business plans are developed as a result of the institutional goals and include detailed action plans along with departmental budgets.

The Indianapolis Zoo has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 1989, meeting the highest standards for zoos and aquariums in the country. The Zoo is also accredited by the American Association of Museums (AAM). In 1996, it was accredited by the AAM as a zoo, aquarium, and a botanical garden, the first zoo to receive all three accreditations.

The organization has made many noteworthy achievements over the years, demonstrating its capabilities to advance its conservation mission, but also a proven ability for fiscal sustainability. Some of these achievements include:
• The Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center opened in May 2014. The Center is home to one of the largest groups of orangutans in any American zoo. It serves as a vital education, research, and conservation center for orangutans.
• In September 2006, the Indianapolis Zoo awarded the first Indianapolis Prize and Lilly Medal to Dr. George Archibald. The biennial Indianapolis Prize is the world's leading award for animal conservation. In 2014, the Zoo increased the cash award from $100,000 to $250,000 and each of the five finalists receive a $10,000 cash award.
• In March 2000, the Zoo announced the first conception of an African elephant through artificial insemination. This historic event was the result of 10 years of work and research into elephant reproductive physiology. Today, the Zoo has the only two female elephants to have successfully given birth to three calves each through artificial insemination.
• The White River Gardens opened in 1999 as a result of a $14.5 million campaign. This 3.2-acre garden complex was built to connect visitors to the natural world through plants and garden designs that they can replicate in their own yards. It includes a glass conservatory, design gardens, a wedding garden, and 1.5 miles of paths and walkways.
• In 1995, the Indianapolis Zoo became the first zoo in the world to successfully hatch the endangered Grand Cayman blue iguana and has been recognized for its participation in a breeding program for the Jamaican iguanas, the rarest lizard in the world.
• The Zoo has consistently maintained a balanced operating budget within a few short years of relocating to White River State Park in 1988 and does not carry debt. Approximately 70% of the Zoo's annual revenue is earned income, and a strong philanthropic community provides additional operating funds as well as capital project funding.
• The Zoo has received major grants from such national organizations as the National Science Foundation, Institute of Museum and Library Services, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Lilly Endowment, Eli Lilly Company Foundation, Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation, and the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

Phase I of the Campaign for Conservation and Community was completed - a $31 million campaign to invest in the Zoo's campus and infrastructure projects which included Oceans (opened in 2007) and the Dolphin Pavilion (opened in 2005). New and renovated exhibits have historically provided increased Zoo attendance and revenue. Attendance increased by 12% with the renovated Dolphin Adventure in 2005, and by 11% with renovated Oceans exhibit in 2007.

The Phase II, Campaign for Conservation and Community: Saving the Orangutan was completed in 2014. This was a $30 million campaign that was developed as a result of the 2010 Strategic Plan and included new and renovated exhibits and enhanced shows and attractions through 2017. The exhibits that were developed as part of this campaign included: Tiger Forest (which opened in 2011), Flights of Fancy (which opened in 2012), and the new $23 million Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center (the Center) which opened in May 2014. Attendance in 2014, a record 1.24 million, reflected an increase of 21%.

The Center is truly the best orangutan exhibit in the world as its design stimulates the apes' physical, social and intellectual abilities while providing the public with an incredible opportunity to interact with these amazing animals like no other exhibit in existence. The goal of the Center is to engage and enlighten visitors about the critical status of orangutans in their natural habitat, and to empower them by offering an opportunity to contribute directly to conservation efforts in Borneo. One such project is a tree planting program in Kutai National Park. Visitors can donate during their visit by swiping a credit card at one the kiosks in the Conservation Station area of the exhibit. Through 12/31/2017, over $39,000 in donations were made by visitors to plant trees.

The Zoo's conservation focus has advanced through the Indianapolis Prize and through partnerships with and support of a wide range of in situ projects, including: the Tarangire Elephant Project, the Goualougo Triangle Ape Project; the Kutai Orangutan Project, the Amur Tiger Conservation Project, the Cheetah Conservation Fund, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, the International Elephant Foundation, and others.