Why Support Cameron Park Zoo
Cameron Park Zoological and Botanical Society is the non-profit side of the Zoo. The Society allows the Zoo to function as a 501 c 3 organization, capable of accepting tax deductible donations. Donors are very important to the Cameron Park Zoo’s education and animal care programs, our AZA field projects, and the Zoo’s local and international conservation initiatives.
By supporting Cameron Park Zoo, you support one of the most popular educational and conservation organizations in the region. The natural habitat of the Zoo, coupled with the many educational offerings, has made Cameron Park Zoo a favorite of students ranging from kindergarten through college. There is so much that we all still have to learn about the world around us.
Your annual gift to the Cameron Park Zoological & Botanical Society allows us to continue our conservation activities, both domestic and abroad. Your gift allows our animals to receive excellent care, helps maintain our beautiful natural habitat settings, and allows us to meet emergent needs that come up in the course of the year. Please consider giving a gift to the Cameron Park Zoological & Botanical Society today!
Annual Gifts To The Zoo
Director’s Circle- $1000+
The Director’s Circle was developed to provide an avenue for individuals who wish to contribute to Cameron Park Zoo at a higher level while offering them a deeper connection to the Zoo in the process! Your contribution helps to fund
- Conservation activities in which the Zoo plays a role, both domestically and internationally
- Animal Care and Husbandry, including veterinary care and enrichment activities
- Care and maintenance of the animal habitats
- Ongoing training for animal care managers and keepers
There are two Director Circle levels to choose from – $1,000 or $2,500. You may also choose to pay in full or make convenient monthly payments.
Director’s Circle ($1,000 annually or pay $83.34 monthly)
Unlimited visits for two named adults and their children and/or grandchildren 17 & under
10 one day passes for friends, family & associates
Special gift from Cameron Park Zoological & Botanical Society
Private behind the scenes tour of Africa and Brazos River Country for up to 8.
Annual Director’s Circle reception
Hear it first messages from the Zoological & Botanical Society Executive Director
Recognition on Cameron Park Zoological & Botanical Society’s donor board
Reciprocal admission at over 100 other AZA accredited Zoos and Aquariums
Discounts in the Zootique Gift Shop and Cafés
Gold Level ($2,500 annually or pay $208.34 monthly)
Unlimited visits for two named adults and their children and/or grandchildren 17 & under
10 one day passes for friends, family & associates
Special gift from Cameron Park Zoological & Botanical Society
Unique painting by one of the animals at Cameron Park Zoo
Private carted behind-the-scenes tour with Cameron Park Zoological & Botanical Society’s Executive Director for up to 10.
Annual Director’s Circle reception
Hear it first messages from the Zoological & Botanical Society Executive Director
Recognition on Cameron Park Zoological & Botanical Society’s donor board
Reciprocal admission at over 100 other AZA accredited Zoos and Aquariums
Discounts in the Zootique Gift Shop and Cafes
For more information contact Duane McGregor at 254-750-8423 or duanem@cameronparkzoo.com.
Memorial & Honor Gifts
Memorial and honor gifts are a thoughtful way to celebrate a birthday, wedding, new baby, graduation or any special occasion. They also function as an expression of sympathy by honoring the memory of a friend or relative.
Your gift will be promptly acknowledged and the honoree will be notified of your thoughtfulness, without disclosure of the amount of the gift. All honor and memorial gifts are tax deductible.
If you would like to honor or memorialize someone, please send us the following information with your payment:
- The name of the person who you want to honor
- The address where you want the notification sent
- Any special message that you would like to include
We can also take your information over the phone if you would like to pay with a credit card.
Send your memorial or honor gifts to Cameron Park Zoo, 1703 N. 4th Street, Waco, TX, 76707. To contact us by phone, call 254-750-8423.
Legacy Society
A planned gift is a wonderful way to benefit the Cameron Park Zoological and Botanical Society. There are many ways to leave a planned gift, and gifts can be designated to a specific area, or allowed to be used by the Zoo for the areas of greatest need. Whatever you decide, you can be confident in the fact Cameron Park Zoo will comply with your wishes, providing you with a lasting legacy.
All of our donors who notify the Cameron Park Zoo that they have made a planned gift will be eligible to take part in The Legacy Society. Special activities are planned for and special recognition will be given to all of our Legacy Society members. To find out the many ways in which you can designate the Cameron Park Zoo as the recipient of a planned gift, consult the list below or call 254-750-8423.
Cash
A gift of cash is the simplest and most direct way to leave a lasting legacy. A simple designation in your will could benefit the Zoo greatly.
Personal Property
Antiques, rare books, coin collections, jewelry, or anything of value can be given to the Zoo. If you have a valuable item and wish to leave it to the Zoo, please contact us or your estate attorney to make sure the item is properly designated.
Real Estate
A personal residence, farm, or vacation home can be given to the Zoo upon one’s death, or we can structure the gift in such a way that the current tenant can continue to live on the property until a designated time. For donors who are interested in tax benefits, this is an excellent fit, because you receive an immediate charitable deduction and pay no capital gains tax.
Charitable Remainder Trusts
A Charitable Remainder Trust distributes income to a donor or other beneficiaries for their entire lives or a specified term of years. After the end of the designated time frame, the balance of the trust is given to the Cameron Park Zoo. Contact us or discuss this option with your estate attorney in order to learn more.
Pooled Income Fund
The Zoo’s Pooled Income Fund is a fund established at the Waco Foundation. The Cameron Park Zoo would only access these funds in case of emergency, and the fund works as an endowment for the Zoo. If you would like to ensure that the Zoo is able to continue its programs and activities well into the future, this option is for you.
Life Insurance
Life Insurance is an asset that can be signed over to the Zoo in a fairly easy transaction. Retirement policies are also rather easy to be rolled over to the Zoo. If you don’t need to leave an insurance policy to your loved ones, or have multiple policies, this is an option to consider.
There are other ways to make a planned gift to the Cameron Park Zoological and Botanical Society which are not detailed here, but might be best for you. Contact Duane McGregor at 254-750-8423 for more information, or consult with your attorney on how you would like to structure your charitable gifts.
Cameron Park Zoological & Botanical Society
In 1955, a group of outdoor sports and wildlife enthusiasts had a vision that has become Waco’s second most visited tourist attraction.
The Cameron Park Zoological & Botanical Society founded Waco’s beloved zoo and has guided its growth for nearly seven decades. What started with just thirty animals almost 70 years ago is now a nationally recognized, highly-respected and essential part of the Waco community.
The Society’s mission is to promote and advance Cameron Park Zoo by rallying public and financial support; to champion the zoo’s efforts in advocating conservation awareness and cultural enrichment through education and recreation; and to enhance the zoo’s enterprise as a survival center for native and exotic animal species and an active community partner in economic development through tourism.
Cameron Park Zoo’s history and leadership in the national zoo community are possible due to the unique working relationship between the Cameron Park Zoological & Botanical Society, the City of Waco and McLennan County.
The Society’s strong, long-standing partnership with the City of Waco allows funding for myriad programs, exhibits and other zoo activities with private donations rather than the people of Waco’s tax dollars. Cameron Park Zoological and Botanical Society host events that help raise critical dollars for animal enrichment and zoo improvements. We fund educational programming and raise conservation awareness. Our Society is proud to make significant investments each year to conservation efforts worldwide to help save our animal ambassadors’ wild counterparts. Most of all, we’re grateful to serve the people of Waco by providing unforgettable opportunities to learn and enjoy the zoo many of us have supported all of our lives.
