Make Your Impact
Ways to Support
Give TO JOHN BALL ZOO
Your Support Means Everything
Thank you for supporting John Ball Zoo. From providing our animals with local produce in their diets to innovative medical care, our team provides customized and compassionate care to the over 2,000 animals that call John Ball Zoo home. None of this is possible without your philanthropic support.
John Ball Zoo is an IRS Section 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to our mission of inspiring our community to be actively engaged in the conservation of wildlife and wild places. You can also explore other ways of giving, or mail your gift directly to John Ball Zoo (1300 W Fulton St, Grand Rapids, MI 49504).
For questions please contact our Development team at [email protected] or by phone at 616.336.3309.
Enrich the Lives of Your Favorite Animals
At John Ball Zoo the care and wellbeing of our animals is our top priority. One of the great ways that you can support and enrich the lives of your favorite animal friends is by donating enrichment items through our Amazon Wish List.Â
Want more ways to support the animals at John Ball Zoo? Otto Environmental is a manufacturer of large enrichment items and although they don’t have a wish list, our Zoo Keepers can use gift cards to purchase the perfect items for our animals.
SUPPORT BY GIVING:
GIFT PLANNING
A Meaningful Gift For Your Zoo
& The Animals You Love.
If John Ball Zoo has been an important part of you and your familyâs life, consider creating a legacy that will help to secure the Zooâs future by including the Zoo in your estate plan. Gift planning enables you to give gifts or assets that benefit your family now and in the future, and help sustain John Ball Zooâs promise to protect and conserve some of the most remarkable creatures on earth while accommodating your personal, financial, and philanthropic goals.
There are many ways to support the Zoo, and some are as easy as designating John Ball Zoo as a beneficiary in your will or estate, your IRA or 401K plan, or your insurance policy. You can leave a certain dollar amount or percentage, specific property or a portion, or even the remainder of your estate to John Ball Zoo.
Receive lifetime payments as well as tax savings while you support your Zoo. Transfer cash or securities to the Zoo, and receive fixed annuity payments for life.
For more information contact Kelli Smith, Chief Development & Engagement Officer at [email protected] or 616.336.4927.
Leave a lasting impact by naming John Ball Zoo in your will for a specific amount, a percentage of the total estate, or the residue of the estate.
Bequest Intention Letter
Sample Bequest Language
For more information contact Kelli Smith, Chief Development & Engagement Officer at [email protected] or 616.336.4927.
- Donate a policy that is no longer needed for family protection or establish a new policy with the Zoo as beneficiary and deduct the annual premiums.
- Deed your residence to the Zoo now, enjoy an immediate income tax deduction, and continue to live at that residence for the rest of your life.
For more information contact Kelli Smith, Chief Development & Engagement Officer at [email protected] or 616.336.4927.
Receive lifetime payments as well as tax savings while you support your Zoo.
Transfer cash or securities to the Zoo, and receive fixed annuity payments for life.
For more information contact Kelli Smith, Chief Development & Engagement Officer at [email protected] or 616.336.4927.
Gift appreciated stocks, bonds, and mutual funds to make a significant and lasting impact on John Ball Zoo. Did you know that when you make a charitable gift of securities, you may be able to reduce or eliminate federal capital gains taxes and receive a charitable income tax deduction for the fair market value of the asset upon transfer?
Stock Gift Instructions
For more information contact Kelli Smith, Chief Development & Engagement Officer at [email protected] or 616.336.4927.
A donor advised fund (or DAF) might be a great solution for you. You can use a DAF to distribute gifts to numerous charities. With a DAF, you can make gifts to charity during your lifetime, and when you pass away, your children can carry on your legacy of giving.
For more information contact Kelli Smith, Chief Development & Engagement Officer at [email protected] or 616.336.4927.
For more information contact Kelli Smith, Chief Development & Engagement Officer at [email protected] or 616.336.4927.
Animal Sponsorship Program
2022 Animal Sponsorship Levels
By sponsoring an animal, you not only help in the care and feeding of our animals at John Ball Zoo but also support conservation programs near and far. We care for more than 2,400 animals representing more than 200 species. A portion of your contribution through this program supports wildlife conservation both in the Great Lakes region and around the world.
Sponsor an animal today!
- Message from sponsored animalâs area keeper
- 4×6 photo of the sponsored animal
- Certificate of adoption
- Zoo News subscription
- Name recognition on Animal Sponsorship webpage
- Plush of your sponsored animal (pick up at gift shop)
- 4 Zoo Entry Passes
- Name listed on Animal Sponsorship sign in John Ball Zooâs Central Plaza
- Invitation to Donor Night (held annually in May)
- Message from sponsored animalâs area keeper
- 4×6 photo of the sponsored animal
- Certificate of adoption
- Zoo News subscription
- Name recognition on Animal Sponsorship webpage
- Plush of your sponsored animal (pick up at gift shop)
- 2 Zoo Entry Passes
- Invitation to Donor Night (held annually in May)
- Message from sponsored animalâs area keeper
- 4×6 photo of the sponsored animal
- Certificate of adoption
- Zoo News subscription
- Name recognition on Animal Sponsorship webpage
- Plush of your sponsored animal (pick up at gift shop)
- 2 Zoo Entry Passes
- Message from sponsored animalâs area keeper
- 4×6 Photo of the sponsored animal
- Certificate of adoption
- Name recognition on Animal Sponsorship webpage
- Message from sponsored animal’s area zookeeper
- Photo of the sponsored animal
- Digital certificate
*Digital delivery of all items.
- Message from sponsored animalâs area keeper
- 4×6 Photo of the sponsored animal
- Certificate of adoption
- Name recognition on Animal Sponsorship webpage
For questions please contact our Development team at [email protected] or by phone at 616.336.3309.
Can’t get enough of the Zoo?
For a gift of $500, you can join Conservation Circle! Conservation Circle is a group of donors whose annual gifts totaling $500 or more helps to ensure the sustainability of John Ball Zoo’s core values and community. In appreciation of their giving, Conservation Circle donors have access to exclusive special events, early Zoo Camp registration, exclusive digital behind-the-scenes, and much more! To make a gift or learn more, please visit jbzoo.org/conservationcircle
JUMP PROGRAM
Support JUMP
While John Ball Zoo is committed to continuing the JUMP program, the expense incurred impacts other Zoo projects, including habitat renovations, expansions, and educational experiences. With the help of our generous supporters and community, families of all income levels can experience outdoor education and the Zooâs mission of saving wildlife and wild places.
The Impact of Nature Play:
Nature play can encourage care for the earth, nature can improve academic outcomes, and nature can improve health and wellbeing. Learn more about the positive effects of nature from the Children & Nature Network at childrenandnature.org.
If you would like to support the JUMP program, please select JUMP as your designation on the donation form above. Or connect with our Development team at 616.336.3309 or [email protected].