The efforts of the Chicago Zoological Society would not be possible without your support. Working together, we can ensure that future generations have the opportunity to enjoy wild things and wild places. Join our Bison Circle Elite Status level with a gift of $2,000 or more.
The Bison Circle recognizes those generous donors who are committed to the Chicago Zoological Society's mission—to inspire conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature—and are able to support the Society through significant gifts of $2,000 or more. Bison Circle members truly make an impact. Through their contribution, we are able to reach millions of individuals each year, including:
•Two million zoo guests engaged by unique exhibits and programs
•Over 250,000 schoolchildren, campers, and families who participate in award-winning science education programs
•Nearly 24,000 teachers who take part in our professional development workshops
The Chicago Zoological Society can accept donations through the PayPal Giving Fund. If you would like to donate via PayPal, please click here. Please note, you will be taken off the website managed by the Chicago Zoological Society to the charity page for the Society on the PayPal website. When donating, you have the option to make your donation anonymous. We would prefer you do not, so we can properly thank you for your gift. Also, anonymous donations will not be considered if you are attempting to attain an Elite Status. If you have any specifics around the gift you make via PayPal (i.e. honor or memorial gift, or a gift to a specific fund), please contact us at SafariCircle@CZS.org or 708-688-8560.
General guidelines for non-cash donations
For electronics to generally be accepted, the value of the electronic item typically must have a fair market value greater than the cost of shipping the item to the donation facility.
The Chicago Zoological Society will from time to time accept donations of animals from the public, however, the Society does not accept domestic animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, ferrets, cats, dogs, parakeets, and farm animals. Other animal such as captive bred reptiles, exotic birds and mammals may be accepted only on a limited case by case basis.
The Society will not accept wild native species, those possessing such animals should contact your nearest rehabilitation organization or the Illinois Department of Natural Resources who can provide information on the location of rehabilitation organizations.
Diverse Communities Across Chicagoland
We inspire conservation action by leading by example, and Bison Circle donors are an integral part of our conservation programs. The Society is an active partner in wildlife protection programs around the world, including the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, the world’s longest-running study of bottlenose dolphins.
We have also pioneered the field of conservation psychology, the study of how people connect with animals and nature—an endeavor that would be much more difficult without Bison Circle members.
Bison Circle donors care…and their support is critical to animal welfare. Thanks to their donations, thousands of animals representing 400 species receive state-of-the-art care through top-notch medical, husbandry, and nutrition programs. In fact, animal care technologies developed at Brookfield Zoo are employed in 165 countries.
Discover the Bison Circle giving levels and associated privileges, or call (708) 688-8560 for more information.