ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY

The mission of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee is to conserve wildlife and endangered species, educate people about wildlife and the environment, and support the Milwaukee County Zoo.

The Zoological Society is currently working with the Zoo on a Window to the Wild Capital Campaign to reimagine the Zoo over the next 25 years. The first phase of the campaign supports Adventure Africa, which will include new exhibits for elephants, African hoofstock, hippos and rhinos. The Society aims to raise $25 million for Adventure Africa and has raised more than $19 million so far.

• The Zoological Society offers classes and camps for children ages infant to 14 and adults and operates school programs and internship programs.
• Kohl's Wild Theater is the largest zoo-based theater group in the nation, a partnership between Kohl's Cares, the Zoological Society and the Zoo.
• The Society operates the Zoo Pass membership program. Half of the money raised goes to the Zoo in unrestricted funds.
• Each year, the Zoological Society holds an Annual Appeal for a project at the Zoo.
• The Society raises money through 7 fundraising events a year, including a gala, bike ride and family campout.
• The Society raises money through Platypus Circle, a high-end giving program; grants; major gifts; and Simba Circle, a legacy giving program.
• Zoo Pride serves as the volunteer auxiliary of the Society & Zoo.
• The Society supports the conservation work of Zoo staff in Milwaukee and around the world, including zookeeper exchanges and research in Belize, giraffe conservation in Namibia, migratory bird studies in Milwaukee, iguana conservation in the Caribbean and more. It also supports two veterinary residencies at the Zoo’s Animal Health Center and research by the Zoo’s veterinary staff on heart disease in great apes.

• The Zoological Society employs 50 FT and 45 PT. Its Education Department is led by professional educators who are experts in reaching children of many ages, abilities and learning styles. Its Creative Department provides writing, graphics and design support to the Milwaukee County Zoo as well as the Society, completing 650 projects in the most recent fiscal year.
• The Zoological Society is led by a diverse Board of Directors made up of some of the top Milwaukee-area professionals in fields such as finance, marketing and law. Its CEO, Jodi Gibson, has held senior leadership positions at large organizations in the nonprofit and corporate sectors, including 2 Fortune 200 companies. It also has an Associate Board of young professionals.
• The Zoological Society operates on the grounds of the Milwaukee County Zoo,

The Zoological Society has supported the Milwaukee County Zoo since 1910. Recent accomplishments include:
• The Society provides $10M a year to the Zoo in cash & in-kind support.
• Zoo Pass membership has tripled in the past 25 years & now reaches nearly 50,000 member households.
• The Education Department reaches about 250,000 people a year through classes, camps, field trips, school programs & Kohl's Wild Theater. Innovative programs such as Animal Connections Continuum, which engages young students in experiences about animals & empathy, keep the Society on the leading edge of conservation education.
• Kohl's Wild Theater has grown to become the nation's largest zoo-based theater group.
• The Society has raised more than $19 million for its Window to the Wild Capital Campaign, which supports the Zoo's new Adventure Africa area. The first phase of Adventure Africa, a new elephant exhibit and African hoofstock exhibit, opened in May 2019. Future phases will include new exhibits for hippos and rhinos.