Birmingham Zoo Launches 'Feed Your Animals' Fundraising Campaign

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The coronavirus pandemic has hit local nonprofits in a big way, and the Birmingham Zoo knows this all too well. The zoo announced a new fundraising effort with a goal to raise $780,000 by the end of January.

The zoo's campaign slogan, "Feed Your Animals: Give Today to Secure the Future," emphasizes the dire need for funding the approximately $30,000-per-day operation of the zoo.

Protective Life Corporation jump-started the campaign by awarding a $250,000 grant that will be combined with other matching gifts from businesses and leaders. These matching gifts are meant to encourage contributions to offset the zoo’s projected $2.5 million operating loss at the end of the year. Gifts made by the public will be matched dollar for dollar up to $390,000.

"In these challenging times, we must invest in what makes Birmingham great. The Birmingham Zoo is a beloved asset in our city and offers a place where families can spend time outdoors, even during the pandemic," said Protective Life CEO Rich Bielen. "As a community, it is important that we come together to protect and advance the zoo’s future, and we hope our contribution will inspire the gifts of other Birmingham residents."

Joining forces to kick off the Feed Your Animals campaign are the Alabama Power Foundation and Phyllis and Larry Wojciechowski, contributing $50,000 each with additional funding from the Daniel Foundation of Alabama, James Milton and Sallie R. Johnson Foundation, Altec, Inc., and Larry and Mike Kondel.

"The Zoo is the home for these animals. They must be cared for and cannot wait patiently until this crisis is over," Chris Pfefferkorn, Birmingham Zoo's president and CEO, said in a statement. "We are asking the public to help provide critical support through the purchase of Zoo Memberships and now by making a campaign gift that will be matched with the $250,000 grant from Protective Life Foundation and the additional matching funds."

Even with a Payroll Protection Program loan that was received earlier this year, some employees had to be laid off, and the number of days the zoo is open to the public was reduced to cut expenses.