Corporate Partnerships

We have ambitious plans for the future of the Smithsonian National Zoological Park as a force in wildlife conservation and environmental protection. The Zoo, with support from Friends of the National Zoo, has been leading national and international conservation and education initiatives for many years. But the need for such efforts is growing beyond our ability to support them. We must join forces with corporate America to ensure a future for wildlife and a high quality of life for our children and their children’s children.

The National Zoo has developed a ten-year strategic plan. With increased non-federal (private) funding, we plan to secure the resources to move forward in maintaining world-class standards in the areas of animals, facilities, reproductive biology, veterinary medicine, and visitation. With newly formed corporate partnerships, we will be able to redirect precious resources to support these goals.

FONZ and the National Zoo have developed partnerships with corporations that provide funding and other support for the Zoo’s important conservation and public education programs. Partnerships may take the form of both monetary and in-kind donations, along with a mix of advertising and promotional exposure.

Affiliation With FONZ Is Good Business

Companies need to break through marketplace clutter to generate top-of-mind awareness, build brand equity, and increase consumer loyalty. Join FONZ in support of the National Zoo and bring public attention to your company's conservation efforts, while enhancing your corporate image and differentiating your product from the competition's.

Current year-round partners include:

CGH Technologies - CGH Technologies is a forward-thinking information engineering and management support company dedicated to providing innovative technological solutions to the business community. CGH also has a reputation as strong corporate citizen, and in 2009 the National Zoo welcomed CGH as a new corporate partner. In addition to providing a generous contribution, CGH assisted the Zoo in expanding our web cam operations and technology. CGH has donated cameras and hardware for the Zoo's new Elephant Community Center, part of the new Elephant Trails exhibit, to aid in our efforts to study elephants. Once the renovations to the center are complete, these cameras will provide the public with round-the-clock, clear viewing opportunities of our elephants. At the Zoo's Front Royal, Virginia, campus, CGH and its partner, GBNSS, have installed new cameras to assist in the study of the clouded leopard cubs, born in March 2009. CGH plans to add more cameras around this 3,200-acre research facility, which will allow both animal care staff and the public to take part in more close-up animal observation.

With help from CGH Technologies and GBNSS, millions of people around the world will be able to observe wildlife at the National Zoo, which we hope will inspire future conservation efforts.

The Coca-Cola Company – Coca-Cola products are served at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. In addition to providing product and funding for major Zoo events, receptions, and fundraisers, proceeds from Coca-Cola products sold such as soft drinks, water, and juice, help to support the Zoo’s important conservation and education programs throughout the year.

Coca-Cola is an ongoing underwriter sponsor of National ZooFari, Guppy Gala, and Boo at the Zoo, all of which benefit endangered species acquisition, research and breeding, as well as the Zoo’s public education programs.

United Airlines – In October 2006, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo announced that United Airlines is the exclusive airline sponsor of Asia Trail. United is generously donating funds to support the Zoo’s efforts to study and conserve Asian species, and is providing air travel for Zoo scientists and staff. Additional in-kind support will enable the National Zoo to educate the public about its conservation and science programs around the world. Our scientists and animal-care experts will be able to collaborate with their colleagues abroad, as we work together to protect and save endangered species and their habitats.

FONZ also invites businesses to support its major events.

We are grateful for the ongoing support of such companies as Whole Foods Market and GEICO.

For more information on corporate partnerships or sponsoring a Zoo event, call Jackie Vinick at 202.633.3046 or email her.