Donations

Zoo Friends is a registered Not For Profit organization. We receive the majority of our funding directly from membership fees.

The following is a breakdown of how our membership fees are distributed:

• 50% goes straight to Taronga and Taronga Western Plains Zoo. In 2007, this has amounted to over $1.3 million.
• $5 goes to the Taronga Foundation in support of the Zoological Parks Board's master plan. So far in 2007, this has amounted to over $367,991.*
• After operating expenses are met, all remaining funds are returned straight back to the Zoos in grants.

*For every $1 that we donate to the Taronga Foundation, the NSW government matches it with $3.

Zoo Friends actively supports the Zoos' conservation and education programs.

In 2004/2005 we funded $400,000 for the new rainforest aviary upgrade and $75,000 for the new wombat exhibit at Taronga. At Taronga Western Plains Zoo, over $47,000 was given for an ultrasound machine to assist vets in the field. We also gave directly to the Zoos $850,000 in levies and $170,000 to the Taronga Foundation.

An additional $8000 grant allowed eight staff from Taronga Western Plains and Taronga to attend the annual ARAZPA Conference and $18 500 awarded to Zoo staff in our annual fellowships.

We have also committed $500 000 over the next three years toward the critically endangered Silvery Gibbons conservation project.

Although donations to Zoo Friends are not tax deductible, we appreciate any donations towards our conservation and education projects.