The Minnesota Zoo Foundation (Foundation) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that accelerates the Minnesota Zoo’s impact as a driving force for the health and well-being of people, animals and the planet by providing critical support and resources to fuel their mission.

The Foundation solicits and accepts gifts for purposes that will help the organization further and fulfill its mission. The Foundation urges all prospective donors to seek the assistance of personal legal and financial advisors in matters relating to their gifts, including the resulting tax and estate planning consequences. The following policies and guidelines govern acceptance of gifts made to Foundation for the benefit of any of its operations, programs or services. 

The Foundation shall consider its mission, current strategic priorities, public relations, and management issues when considering the solicitation, acceptance, or use of any gift. Generally, gifts will be accepted where there is charitable intent on the part of the donor and the gift has practical application for the Foundation or Zoo. The Foundation reserves the right to decline any gift, financial commitment, grant, sponsorship agreement, or bequest at any time. The Foundation may decline or return a gift for reasons including but not limited to actual or potential reputational harm or legal compliance, breach of an agreement or misuse of the Minnesota Zoo or Minnesota Zoo Foundation intellectual property including name or brand. ‍

The Foundation generally will accept unrestricted gifts, and restricted gifts for specific programs and purposes at the request of the Minnesota Zoo, provided that such gifts are not inconsistent with its stated mission, purposes, and priorities. The Foundation will not accept gifts that are too restrictive in purpose. Gifts that are too restrictive are those that do not support existing budgeted priorities, gifts that are too difficult to administer or gifts that are for purposes outside the mission. In general, all gifts less than $1,200 will be considered unrestricted gifts to support general operations, unless solicited for specific Zoo initiatives as part of a clearly identified restricted gift campaign. The Finance Committee shall adopt guidance on acceptance of restricted gifts and, in consultation with Foundation Management, shall make all final decisions on the restrictive nature of a gift, and its acceptance or refusal. The Foundation will recognize donations as of the date they are received by the Foundation, and revenue will be recognized in the fiscal period in which they are received.

The Foundation will accept stock or other negotiable instruments as a vehicle for donors to transfer assets to the organization. Transfer and recording of the value of the asset shall be done in a consistent manner and in compliance with accounting standards. Foundation Management shall direct the Foundation’s investment firm to immediately sell all stock or other negotiable instruments as soon as they are received.

‍The Foundation shall accept contributions of in-kind goods and services other than cash that are related to the programs and operations of the Foundation and the Zoo. In general the Foundation does not accept any other contributions of non-cash items (including but not limited to real estate, real property, personal property, crypto currency, being named a trustee as part of a trust, and illiquid ownership of assets).

‍The Minnesota Zoo Foundation appreciates your donation and your support of our mission. Our budget and ongoing financial health rely on accounting for and accepting irrevocable, non-refundable donations from the public. Therefore, the Foundation considers all donations to be nonrefundable. The Foundation may consider returning donations to the donor, but only in limited circumstances. If you have made an error with your donation, or accidentally made a duplicate donation, or believe a donation transaction was fraudulently made on your behalf, please contact us at donations@mnzoo.org. Depending on the circumstances, the Foundation will consider your request if it is made within forty-five (45) days of the original donation. The Foundation may ask for proof of identity before issuing a refund, and will only consider returning donations to the original donor of the same name and at original postal address within the United States. Refunds are only considered once the original payment method has fully cleared, and all refunds are returned using the original method of payment. For example, if your donation was made by credit card, your refund will be credited to that same account. You are responsible for all tax considerations that may arise if your donation is refunded.