Virginia Zoological Society Support Funds

Annual Fund
The Annual Fund supports the Zoo's special programs or traveling exhibits, marketing and advertising efforts, special events for the community, and wildlife education programs, as well as the costs of day-to-day operations.

Conservation & Research Fund
The Virginia Zoo Research and Conservation Fund, established in 2001, is funded by the Education Department of the Virginia Zoo and designated contributions. The C&R Fund supports in-house conservation projects undertaken by Virginia Zoo staff as well as local, national and international projects that meet the Zoo's mission to serve "people, animals and the environment". Projects supported since the launch of the C&R Fund include:

Sungazer lizard breeding program here at Virginia Zoo
Contribution to the Zoo Conservation Outreach Group
Chesapeake Bay Oyster Restoration project on Virginia Zoo grounds

Keeper Fund
The Keeper Fund was established in December 2000 to support projects, programs, or endeavors initiated by Virginia Zoo zookeepers. Much of the Fund supports ongoing, zoo or wildlife-specific training for the keepers so that they are more prepared and educated on the latest advances and research in captive animal care.

Horticulture Fund
The Horticulture Fund supports special projects undertaken by the Zoo's horticulture staff and volunteers, such as new gardens or plants, education publications, outreach projects and programs and professional development.

Capital Improvement Fund
The Capital Improvement Fund is perhaps the most well known and certainly the largest of the Zoo's support Funds. The CIF supports new exhibits, animals and capital projects (such as buildings, large equipment and vehicle purchases, and renovations) that improve the Zoo and continue its growth according to the Master Plan. To date, the following capital projects have been completed, are underway, or are in the planning and design stages:

Okavango Delta African plains exhibit (opened May 4, 2002)
Education and Visitor Center (opened December 5, 2002)
Prairie Dog exhibit (opened September 11, 2004)
Butterfly & Orchid Conservatory (In design)