Community Foundation Challenge

I have some exciting news to share with you.  For a very limited time (perhaps only one day!), the Detroit Zoological Society has the opportunity to receive a 50% match on contributions... but we need your help.  

As you know, a referendum was passed last August in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne Counties that provides a portion of the Detroit Zoo’s total operating needs.  We are grateful to our community for voting to support the vital public revenue portion of our expenses.  However, the Zoo still relies heavily on both earned revenue and philanthropic support to cover much of our budget.  Your support is as important now as it has ever been.

On August 18, your generosity can go even further.  The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan has announced the Community Foundation Challenge – Arts & Culture.  Through this program, up to $1 million will be provided to match general operating gifts to support participating arts and cultural organizations like the Detroit Zoological Society.  Gifts can only be made online to the Community Foundation.  A match of $1 will be provided for every $2 contributed!

The challenge ends as soon as the $1 million of match is exhausted, and there will be dozens of organizations seeking a portion of this.  Please mark your calendar to go to www.cfsem.org at 10 a.m. on August 18 to make a gift specifically in support of the Detroit Zoological Society.  Gifts must be made online by credit card or e-check and can range from $25 up to $10,000 per contributor.

For more information and details in the weeks leading up to August 18, visit www.cfsem.org.  If you have any questions, please contact our Director of Development Alice Elwood, at aelwood@dzs.org or (248) 541-5717 ext. 3704.

Also, please take a moment to forward this page to your friends and colleagues who care about the Detroit Zoo!

Sincerely,




Ron L. Kagan
Executive Director
Detroit Zoological Society