Whether it’s taking in the beautiful glow at Wild Lights each winter or learning a new fact about a favorite animal from a helpful zookeeper, almost every St. Louisan has fond memories of the Saint Louis Zoo. And it’s not difficult to see why. The Zoo offers entertainment, education and more while serving as a global leader in animal research and conservation. Planned giving offers everyone the opportunity to help animals around the world while ensuring that future generations can enjoy enriching experiences right here in St. Louis.
People who remember the Saint Louis Zoo as a beneficiary are recognized as members of its Heritage Society. The program honors those who intend to make legacy donations with special recognition, invitations to events and more. There are no requirements to join outside of sharing your intention to include the Zoo in your estate plan. “It’s our goal to show gratitude and celebrate the people who support the Zoo this way before it’s too late,” Director of Planned Gifts Lori Sullivan explains. “Members of the Heritage Society have plans to support the Zoo in a variety of ways, but we don’t require them to share the details.”
Heritage Society members receive benefits, such as early access to new animal exhibits and an annual breakfast celebration. “The perks of the Heritage Society are a way to honor the special relationship members have with the Zoo,” Sullivan says. “We understand that their future gifts will benefit the St. Louis community, but they personally will not get to enjoy the impact. It’s a truly selfless act to make a legacy gift to support the places and causes you love. We’re honored to call these people part of the Saint Louis Zoo family.”
Unless a donor specifically indicates otherwise, all legacy gifts go toward the Zoo’s permanent endowment. Through it, donations are invested and stewarded, ensuring ongoing funding for the Zoo’s mission. Each year, a set percentage of the investment is distributed toward operations and conservation efforts, according to the donor’s desired impact. “All of the pillars of our mission are supported by the endowment, and it provides a significant portion of our annual operating budget,” Sullivan notes. “Thanks to the generosity of the community, we’ve been able to double the endowment multiple times since it was established in 2004. Through it, legacy gifts make even more of a lasting impact.”
There are many ways that donors may support the Saint Louis Zoo. These include donations of cash, stock, life insurance, property and retirement assets during life or after. Sullivan notes that no gift is too small to make an impact. “Everyone has an estate—you don’t have to be rich to leave a legacy,” she says. “Being part of the Zoo’s Heritage Society creates an emotional connection that will last forever. Legacy donations are about more than passing down assets; they are a way to pass on your values and make an enduring statement about what is important to you.”
The Saint Louis Zoo conserves animals and their habitats through animal management, research, recreation and education. With a planned gift, you can help animals around the world while supporting the legacy of the zoo for future generations. For more information, call 314.646.4973 or visit stlzoo.org/plannedgiving.
Cover design by Julie Streiler
Photo courtesy of Saint Louis Zoo
Pictured at the top: Tracy Malke, Charlie Hoessle and Marguerite Garrick at a Saint Louis Zoo Heritage Society event.
Photo: Diane Anderson
