Every day Woodland Park Zoo saves animals and creates lifelong memories that inspire people to conserve the natural world. Every gift of time or money, large or small, helps the zoo build a better community — your community. Thank you for investing in a more sustainable future for wildlife.
1. How can I make a gift?
There are many ways to make a gift to Woodland Park Zoo.
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Click here to make a donation online
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Mail your gift to Woodland Park Zoo, Attention Donations, 5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103
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Contact us to make a stock transfer or in-kind gift: 206.548.2491 or donations@zoo.org
2. How will my gift impact the zoo and our community?
Gifts fund mission based programs that help save animals and their habitats in the Pacific Northwest and around the world, as well as create new visitor experiences, world-class animal care advancements and STEM education leadership programs for underserved youth. Additionally, gift funds help maintain zoo facilities and our acres of botanical gardens. Gifts are directed to the areas of greatest need unless specified otherwise by our donors.
3. Is my donation tax deductible?
Woodland Park Zoo is a qualified 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, #91-6070005, registered in Washington state. The amount of your charitable contribution for income tax purposes is the amount given less the fair market value of benefits you receive, whether used or not. Please consult with your tax advisor to determine the potential deductibility of your gift.
Wild at Heart
Donors who give $500 or more annually join our Wild at Heart donor pack and enjoy benefits, some of which have a fair market value. You can choose to waive these benefits to allow the entire gift amount to be eligible for a tax deduction. To do this, please contact us at donations@zoo.org or call 206.548.2491.
The 2023 fair market value of Wild at Heart benefits is $350.00.
The 2022 fair market value of Wild at Heart benefits is $325.00.
The 2021 fair market value of Wild at Heart benefits is $300.00.
The 2017 - 20 fair market value of Wild at Heart benefits is $295.00.
The 2015 - 16 fair market value of Wild at Heart benefits is $261.80.
Jungle Party
All Jungle Party tickets, merchandise, item purchases and sponsorships have a fair market value. The amount of your charitable contribution for income tax purposes is the amount given less the fair market value of benefits you receive, whether used or not. Please contact us at donations@zoo.org for details about the value of your benefits.
The fair market value of standard benefits are listed below.
|
Level
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Amount
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Fair market value 2017 - 22
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Fair market value 2016
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Reception ticket
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$150.00
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$65.00
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$65.00
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General dinner ticket
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$400.00
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$140.00
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$128.00
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General dinner table (10 seats)
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$4,000.00
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$1,400.00
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$1,280.00
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Patron dinner ticket
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$650.00
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$290.00
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$128.00
|
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Patron table (10 seats)
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$6,500.00
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$2,900.00
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$1,430.00
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Sponsorship
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Varies
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See receipt
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See receipt
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Various merchandise items
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$50.00-250.00
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Purchase price
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Purchase price
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Auction item purchase
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Purchase price
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See receipt
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See receipt
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ZooParent
A ZooParent adoption is eligible for a charitable deduction. The amount of your gift that is deductible for federal income tax purposes is the amount given less the fair market value of benefits you receive, whether used or not. IRS rules allow taxpayers to claim charitable deductions if the benefits received are considered token items. The fair market value of benefits received for each ZooParent adoption level is listed below. Please contact ZooParent@zoo.org for details about the value of your benefits.
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Level
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Amount
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Fair market value 2023
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Fair market value 2022
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Fair market value 2021
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Fair market value 2019 - 20
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Fair market value 2017 - 18
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Keeper
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$50.00
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n/a
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n/a
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n/a
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$0.00
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$0.00
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Lead Keeper
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$100.00
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$58.00
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$52.50
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$49.00
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$45.90
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$41.90
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Senior Keeper
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$250.00
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$68.00
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$62.50
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$59.00
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$55.90
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$51.90
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Associate Curator
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$500.00
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$476.00
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$440.00
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$408.00
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$396.80
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$388.80
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Curator
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$1,000.00
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$476.00
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$440.00
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$408.00
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$396.80
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$388.80
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Special
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$69.00
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$0.00
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$0.00
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$0.00
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$0.00
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$0.00
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Digital Adoptions
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$40.00
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$0.00
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$0.00
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$0.00
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$0.00
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$0.00
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Group Adoptions
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Varies
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n/a
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n/a
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n/a
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See receipt
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See receipt
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Membership
Woodland Park Zoo is a qualified 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, #91-6070005, registered in Washington state. The amount of your charitable contribution for income tax purposes is the amount given less the fair market value of benefits you receive, whether used or not. Woodland Park Zoo determines the benefit of unlimited entry to the zoo to be the full cost of the membership. However, IRS rules allow taxpayers to claim a charitable deduction only if the total membership fees paid is $75.00 or less. Please consult with your advisor to determine the potential deductibility of your membership.
Corporate Membership
A corporate membership is eligible for a charitable deduction. The amount of your charitable contribution for income tax purposes is the amount given less the fair market value of benefits you receive, whether used or not. The fair market value of benefits received for each Corporate Membership is listed below. Please contact membership@zoo.org for details about the value of your benefits.
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Level
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Amount
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Fair market value 2023
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Fair market value 2022
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Fair market value 2021
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Fair market value 2020
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Fair market value 2019
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Fair market value 2017 - 18
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Associate
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$500.00
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$495.00
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$401.25
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$392.50
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$378.75
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$348.75
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$338.75
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Partner
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$1,000.00
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$990.00
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$802.50
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$785.00
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$757.50
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$697.50
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$677.50
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Benefactor
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$2,500.00
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$1,835.00
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$1,528.75
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$1,477.50
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$1,431.25
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$1,341.25
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$1,311.25
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Ambassador
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$5,000.00
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$2,320.00
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$2,255.00
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$2,170.00
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$2,105.00
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$1,985.00
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$1,945.00
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4. How do I know if my company will match my gift?
Many local companies match their employees' donations. Look up your company and see if you can double your support, or ask your HR department for more information. Then just fill out the online matching gift request or turn in your matching gift form to your employer to get the match!
Look up your company
5. What is a donor-advised fund?
A donor-advised fund, or DAF, is a philanthropic vehicle established at a public charity. It allows a donor to make a charitable contribution to that public charity and be eligible for an immediate tax deduction, then recommend grants to qualified charitable organizations over time.
Since the initial contribution to the DAF is eligible for tax deduction, the donor cannot receive any goods or services from Woodland Park Zoo. Event tickets, table sponsorships and zoo memberships are not eligible for DAF grants because they contain benefits that are not tax deductible.
Also, a DAF cannot be used to pay a personal pledge made by the donor. If you plan to make grant recommendation from a DAF, please contact Sarah Valentine to make a non-binding gift agreement instead of a personal pledge.
6. Can I receive any benefits if I direct a gift through another entity?
Donors who give through a private foundation, donor-advised fund, United Way, Benevity and other similar organizations cannot receive any goods or services from Woodland Park Zoo because the initial contribution is eligible for a tax deduction. Event tickets, table sponsorships and zoo memberships are not eligible for directed gifts because they contain benefits that are not tax deductible.
Many employers have moved to utilizing Benevity, a company that facilitates workplace giving and matching gift campaigns and is also a donor-advised fund. Check with your employer to confirm if they are using the Benevity platform.
7. What is a planned gift?
Wills, trusts and inclusion as a beneficiary in estate plans are all types of planned gifts that help preserve the future of the zoo and ensure your legacy. Learn more.
8. How can my company become involved with the zoo?
9. What is your Donor Privacy Statement?
Woodland Park Zoo recognizes the importance of protecting the privacy of the individuals and organizations maintained in our database. You can view our full privacy statement here.
10. Do you adhere to the Donor Bill of Rights?
Yes, to ensure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, Woodland Park Zoo joins many other fundraising organizations in declaring that all donors have the following rights. Read more.