Page 2 - Impact Report_2020

Dear Chicago Zoological Society Friends,
Stuart D. Strahl, Ph.D.
President & CEO
Chicago Zoological Society
John P. Grube,
Chair, Board of Trustees
Chicago Zoological Society
Additionally, our Animal Adoption Sharing the Care program
Although the pandemic is not over, we are encouraged by
Thank you again for your support.
In March of 2020, the coronavirus pandemic upended life as we
know it. Like other institutions, the Chicago Zoological Society,
which operates Brookfield Zoo, faced one of the most serious
crises in our 100-year history. This Impact Report describes how
we have survived and remain sustainable despite being closed
for six months between January 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021
(the period covered by this report).
We know we’ve been incredibly fortunate. First, we are grateful
to our members and guests. Thank you for your tremendous
outpouring of support through donations, continued visits
to Brookfield Zoo, and cooperation in following our COVID-19
mitigation protocols —including mask wearing, social distancing,
and the use of our reserved ticketing system.
Our Board of Trustees, Women’s Board, and the zoo’s executive
team quickly mobilized and made the difficult, but necessary,
decisions to ensure the institution’s continued sustainability.
Our dedicated and diligent staff has been spectacular. They
have worked tirelessly to care for the animals and maintain
our operations, buildings, and grounds.
Our Conservation, Education & Training department stayed
engaged with students and families by pivoting to online
learning formats. Popular in-park Zoo Chats were replaced
with the “Bringing the Zoo to You” video campaign across our
social media channels that featured knowledgeable animal
care professionals and their fascinating animals.
We have been deeply moved by the members, donors,
corporate sponsors, and animal lovers everywhere who
generously contributed to our events and fundraising efforts.
Our Development team raised millions of dollars by launching
a large, public fundraising campaign—the Above & Beyond
Campaign—and by reimagining our most important fundraiser
of the year, the black-tie Whirl gala, as a virtual event.
raised 50 percent more revenue in 2020 than it had in 2019.
Our Community and Corporate Tree Trim displayed 603 commu-
nity and 60 corporate trees last November—the most trees we
have ever sold. And last spring, 3,000 members donated the
extension to their memberships to the zoo, worth an estimated
$170,000, and our Zoo Camp families donated $12,400. These
are just a few examples of your generosity.
falling COVID-19 infection and death rates in the United States,
mostly the result of scientific breakthroughs in the development
of life-saving vaccines. We have a lot for which to be grateful.