Support the National Zoo

Help Build a Home for Seals and Sea Lions
We are building a new home for the National Zoo’s seals and sea lions and we need your help to get the job done. This new habitat will be filled with fun and innovative features for our seals, sea lions, and pelicans—and visitors like you.
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Help Provide Enrichment for Our Animals
Enrichment is an integral part of the daily care of the animals at the Zoo. Staff have created a wish list of items that you can buy and donate. We also welcome financial contributions.
Give something special to our animals.

Support the Giant Panda Conservation Fund
With fewer than 1,600 giant pandas living in the wild, each birth is critical. By learning more about them and helping them to breed, scientists are working to prevent giant panda extinction. Help support the Zoo's panda conservation efforts. more

Support the Tiger Conservation Fund
The Zoo has been engaged in securing a future for wild tigers since 1973. The Zoo's Tiger Conservation Fund supports the training and mentoring of leaders in wild tiger conservation from the tiger range states in Asia. more

Support Neighborhood Nestwatch
This Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center citizen-science program educates the public about and helps protect backyard birds and their habitat. With your donation to this important program, you will get beautiful bird wallpaper. more

More Ways to Give

Give at Work
Take advantage of this easy way to give to FONZ—donate through regular payroll deductions by means of your employer's workplace giving program. FONZ participates in United Way (0967) and the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) through Earth Share, a federation of the nation's most respected environmental and conservation charities. Simply select # 11434 on your CFC pledge form.

No giving campaign at your employer? Contact us at 202.633.3044, and we can work with you to establish a giving campaign at your employer.

Your employer may match your workplace contribution and other gifts to FONZ—even your membership donation or volunteer time! Contributions of retired or part-time employees and employees' spouses may even be eligible. See whether your company has contributed matching funds to FONZ, or ask your human resources office for matching gift forms and eligibility requirements.

Donate Stock and Avoid Capital Gains Tax

You benefit doubly from this type of gift because no capital gains need ever be paid on the gifted securities and you enjoy a nice tax deduction for the amount of your gift.

Volunteer at the Zoo

Zoo volunteers offer invaluable support. They learn, help the Zoo with education and conservation activities, and have fun. more

Establish a Life Income Gift

Life Income Gifts are a wonderful way to ensure a lifetime income for you and your beneficiaries, while supporting the important work of FONZ today. With Life Income Gifts, you receive an income tax deduction for the gift and reduce capital gains tax on the donated appreciated securities. Annuities are not affected by stock market fluctuations and may offer a higher rate of return than you currently receive.

Designate FONZ or the Zoo as a Beneficiary of Your Estate

You can designate FONZ as the beneficiary of your life insurance, IRA, or your will to provide support to FONZ after your lifetime. These gifts generally avoid probate and may also reduce income or estate taxes.

Make a Charitable Rollover Gift

Congress has temporarily extended through 2011 the legislation that allows donors to make tax-free gifts from their IRA accounts. If you are age 70 ½ or older, you can make tax-free “Charitable Rollover” gifts totaling up to $100,000 until December 31, 2011. While you cannot claim a charitable deduction for IRA gifts, your gift amount will reduce your taxable estate, and you will not be required to pay income tax on any amounts you distribute to qualified charities.

Join FONZ

Get great benefits, and discover a world of adventure and fun while helping FONZ support the Zoo's international conservation efforts. more