Knoxville Zoo is a non-profit, 501 (c) 3 organization. All donations to Knoxville Zoo are tax-deductable.

Matching Gifts: Double your donation through your employer
If your employer has a matching gift program, you can double your donation to Knoxville Zoo! Ask your employer's human resources manager for an application, and include it with your donation.
Click here for more information and a list of companies

Memorials, Honorariums
Gifts to Knoxville Zoo in memory or in honor of a friend or loved one require no minimum dollar amount. A letter will be sent to the person you indicate informing them of your gift without mention of the amount. Memorials and honor gifts may also be designated for a specific department at Knoxville Zoo. For more information, you may call or e-mail Nacy Bergerat nberger@knoxville-zoo.org

To download the memorials and honorariums brochure, please click here (PDF, 53 kb)

Recycle Your Old Cell Phone
Knoxville Zoo is partnering with RecycleFirst to participate in cell phone recycling. RecycleFirst pays $1 for every phone that qualifies for their recycling (not scrap phones), and all proceeds directly benefit Knoxville Zoo. Scrap phones are phones not on their list or are broken; and they will recycle the scrap phones and their hazardous components in accordance with State and Federal regulations. Drop off your old cell phones at Knoxville Zoo's Ranger Station or Zoo Shop or at One Day Signs to help make a difference at both Knoxville Zoo and the landfills. RecycleFirst also takes cell phone batteries, chargers, and their accessories.

Fuzzy-go-Round
Create magical charm for the children of East Tennessee with a Knoxville Zoo carousel that is located in Kids Cove. Help support the carousel by choosing a chariot or opting for an animal. Click here to learn more.

Outreach Programming
Education outreach brings the zoo to you. For groups of seniors, schools who either supplement a field trip with an outreach encounter or use outreach instead of a field trip, and others for whom a trip to the zoo may prove difficult or without funding, the education outreach staff takes the zoo beyond the gates. Programs on a variety of topics with animals, artifacts, and biofacts to engage the audience will never replace the recreational benefits. Click here to visit our outreach program online.

Sponsor recognition would be provided on outreach materials, on the outreach ZooMobile vehicle, and in zoo publications. Please contact the development director, if you are interested in learning more about Outreach Programming opportunities at (865) 637-5331, ext. 376 or via e-mail.

On-site Education
Education is an integral part of a zoo visit, although many of our visitors don't realize they are learning. Tours, classes, "keeper chats," docent outreach, and interpretative graphics are the most formal education activities at the zoo. But visitors learn a great deal from each other. One family member will read a sign and relate it to the rest of the group or within the larger community of zoo visitors, we see strangers talking about the animals they are seeing. In addition, zoo staff wear uniforms that make them recognizable as they walk through the zoo and all answer questions and assist visitors.

Sponsorship recognition would be made at major education locations throughout the zoo and on educational materials, visitor maps, welcome brochures and other publications. Please contact the sponorship manager if you are interested in learning more about On-site Education opportunities at (865) 637-5331 ext. 307 or via e-mail.

Corporate Partners
Do you want to reach 400,000 consumers?
Are you targeting men and women aged 25-40 and kids of all ages?
Do you want brand identity at the largest year-round attraction in Knoxville?
Knoxville Zoo’s Corporate Partners Program helps our partners achieve their marketing goals and reach target audiences with their brand messages. If you are interested in learning more about partnership opportunities and benefits, please contact Tina Rolen at (865) 637-5331 ext. 377 or via e-mail.

Volunteering
Supporting Knoxville Zoo through volunteering enhances experiences and opportunities for both our visitors and volunteers.

Zoo volunteers perform a variety of tasks that include assisting with Education programs on grounds, working with zookeepers, exhibit interpretations, animal encounters, outreach programs, and helping with special events. There are currently about 200 volunteers who provide assistance to the zoo on a recurring basis. Volunteers receive special benefits such as a Zoo Shop discount, special trips and behind-the-scenes orientations of exhibits.

To volunteer, participants must be at least 13 years old or older, be a member of the zoo, purchase a volunteer manual and shirt, and attend a training course. Younger people, ages 13-17, can apply for the Youth Volunteer Program. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer and would like more information, please visit our volunteering information page or call (865) 637-5331 ext. 374.