tiger chase
Charity Navigator 4-star rating

Your gift of time or financial support helps FONZ and the Smithsonian's National Zoo to fulfill our mission to provide leadership in animal care, science, education, and sustainability. Here's how you can contribute.

Donate nowSupport the National Zoo

Support wildlife conservation by making a tax-deductible donation to Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ). As thanks for your donation, you will receive a 2009 calendar for your computer desktop. New wallpaper featuring your favorite Zoo animals will be posted online every month for you to download. Your gift will be well spent. Eighty-five percent of FONZ's budget directly supports Zoo renewal, wildlife education, and conservation programs.
Give Online—It's Quick, Easy, and Secure

You can support the Zoo by giving at work, donating stock, establishing a life income gift, designating FONZ as the beneficiary of your estate, joining FONZ, volunteering at the Zoo, and in other ways. Get all the details.

Support Special Programs

Asian elephantDonate to Elephant Trails
The Zoo's Elephant Trails campaign takes a comprehensive, four-pronged approach to ensuring a future for Asian elephants. Help us blaze new trails for the endangered Asian elephant and create a brighter future for elephants and the planet that we all share. link tomore

cheetahSupport our Cheetah Conservation Program
The Zoo's new Cheetah Science Facility will greatly advance the Zoo's cheetah conservation program, but we need your help to achieve the program's ambitious goals.
click formore

small-clawed otter with ballHelp Provide Enrichment for Our Animals
Thanks to all the generous donors who have helped us get items on our Giving Tree wish list. Throughout the year, we welcome donations for new enrichment items and for staff training. click toGive something special to our animals.

GLT adult and babySupport the Golden Lion Tamarin Conservation Program
The Zoo has been working to conserve golden lion tamarins for more than 30 years. Your donation helps protect golden lion tamarins from extinction. link tomore

 

Tai ShanSupport the Giant Panda Conservation Fund
Tai Shan is the Zoo's newest conservation success story. 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 and get Tai Shan wallpaper for your computer. link tomore

Sumatran tigerSupport 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. link tomore

northern cardinalSupport 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. click for 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 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 pledge form.

No giving campaign at your employer? Contact us at v202.633.3044, and we can work with you to establish a giving campaign at your employer.

Ask for a Matching Gift

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. link tomore

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.

 

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 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.

Join FONZ

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

Volunteer at the Zoo

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

Charity Navigator 4 star ratingFriends of the National Zoo is proud to have been awarded a link tofour-star rating from Charity Navigator. This top rating indicates that FONZ demonstrates strong fiscal management—supporters can be confident in our efforts to maximize the impact of donations.

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