SUPPORT YOUR ZOO
The Fresno Chaffee Zoo provides a fun, unique and up-close experience that strengthens the bond between people and wildlife. Thanks to the generosity of private donors like you, we are able to fulfill our mission.
Kingdoms of Asia Trail Tiles
12”x12” tiles in our new exhibit featuring expansive habitats to the Malayan tigers and Komodo dragons.
African Adventure Trail Tiles
These $500 trail tiles are 12″x12″ and are an excellent way to leave your mark on this spectacular exhibit.
Sea Lion Cove Donor Wall
Show your support for Fresno Chaffee Zoo’s Sea Lion Cove exhibit by joining our exclusive wall donor wall.
Corporate Partnership
Elevate your brand by aligning with our cause and contribute towards a shared, hopeful, and sustainable future for the Central Valley and beyond.
- Company Logo/Name Recognition: FCZ Website’s Support Page, Monthly Member Newsletter and Annual Report
- 25 General Admission Zoo Tickets
- $15 off of Memberships
- Company Logo/Name Recognition: FCZ Website’s Support Page, Monthly Member Newsletter and Annual Report
- 50 General Admission Zoo Tickets
- $15 off of Memberships
- Bronze Level Sponsorship for one community event
- Private Guided Tour of Kingdoms of Asia or African Adventure for 6 people
- Invitations to select VIP & networking events, such as exhibit openings and curated lectures
- Company Logo/Name Recognition: FCZ Website’s Support Page, Monthly Member Newsletter and Annual Report
- 75 General Admission Zoo Tickets
- $20 off of Memberships
- Bronze Level Sponsorship for one community event
- Private Guided Tour of Kingdoms of Asia or African Adventure for 8 people
- Invitations to select VIP & networking events, such as exhibit openings and curated lectures
- One Patron Membership (Level 1) – Invitations to patron events, complimentary admission to seasonal exhibits, and a Behind-the-Scenes Zoo Experience
- Logo/Name on Billboard for Illuminature**
- Company Logo/Name Recognition: FCZ Website’s Support Page, Monthly Member Newsletter and Annual Report
- 100 General Admission Zoo Tickets
- $25 off of Memberships
- Bronze Level Sponsorship for one community event
- Private Guided Tour of Kingdoms of Asia or African Adventure for 10 people
- Invitations to select VIP & networking events, such as exhibit openings and curated lectures
- One Patron Membership (Level 1) – Invitations to patron events, complimentary admission to seasonal exhibits, and a Behind-the-Scenes Zoo Experience
- Logo/Name on Billboard for IllumiNature**
- Logo/Name on Bus Wrap and Main Entrance Sign for IllumiNature**
For more information or to start your partnership with Fresno Chaffee Zoo, contact us at 559-498-5959 or giving@fcz.org.
Your partnership could be tax deductible. Please contact your financial advisor for tax-deduction eligibility.
Rates and benefits could be subject to changes.
Thank You To Our Champion Partner
Thank You To Our Advocate PartnerS
Tribute Gifts
Donate to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo in tribute of birthdays, anniversaries, special occasions or to honor loved ones.
Your Gift Matters
Make a Big Impact With a Future Gift
A legacy gift enables you to support Fresno’s Chaffee Zoo Corporation, secures the financial needs of your loved ones, and provides you with tax benefits. Legacy gifts of all sizes help us to meet our current needs and secure the Zoo’s future.
Learn how you can continue to make a difference for the animals at Fresno Chaffee Zoo and for all the earth’s inhabitants with thoughtful gift planning.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL OUR Development OFFICE AT 559-498-5959 or email giving@fcz.org.
Zoo Camp Scholarships
Molly Steinsapir Scholarship Fund
This is Molly Olivia Steinsapir with her dog Calvin. Sadly, Molly left our world all too soon on February 15, 2021 at the age of 12 after two weeks of battling a severe brain trauma.
Molly learned to love and respect animals through family visits to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, named after her great‐grandfather Dr. Paul Chaffee. Molly was inquisitive, a voracious learner, and did not hesitate to share her environmental viewpoints with others. She wanted to do, and did do, her part to make the world a better place.
Your donation will provide underserved children with the opportunity to attend Zoo Camp to further their education of the natural world, and the animals which inhabit it.
Zoo Docent Scholar Endowment
Support zoo education scholarships by donating to the Zoo Docent Scholar Endowment. These funds will be held in perpetuity. The earnings from the Zoo Docent Scholar Endowment will provide zoo education scholarships to economically disadvantaged youth in Fresno County who would otherwise not be able to attend. The Zoo’s education programs create an additional learning and social development space for children while also fostering a greater sense of appreciation for wild things and wild places.
Become a MEMBER
General Membership Benefits
Member Access and Discounts:
- Free annual unlimited admission during regular Zoo hours
- Free admission to Stingray Bay
- Discount on giraffe feeding at Twiga Terrace
- A 10% discount at all Fresno Chaffee Zoo gift shops and cafés
- Discounted rates on education programs
- Discounted rates on birthday parties and special events
Special Perks and Programs:
- Monthly Member Perk
- Free -OR- Discounted admission to over 120 AZA reciprocal Zoos and
- Aquariums nationwide.
- Reciprocal Zoo List
Disclaimer: Fresno County residents receive $10 off any level of membership with zip code verification (may not be combined with other discounted offers). Discount can only be applied with phone and in-person orders (discount not available online). Discount not valid on gift memberships. This discount is made possible through Measure Z.
Auto-renewals will only apply to the base-level cost of memberships and will exclude any add-ons and/or Fresno County resident discount. If you would like to purchase the Extra Adult add-on or apply the Fresno County resident discount to your membership, please email our Membership Department at membership@fcz.org, call us at (559) 498-5921, or visit our Membership Center during your next visit.
Additional Membership Levels
Membership benefits for one named college student. Student ID from a 2 or 4 year college or university required when visiting. Not eligible for any other promotions or discounts.
$50
Membership Benefits for one named adult.
$100
Membership benefits for up to two named adults in the same household and up to eight dependent-aged* children in the same household or grandchildren*.
$185
Option to add an Extra Adult: $50
Membership benefits for up to two named adults in the same household and up to eight dependent-aged* children in the same household or grandchildren*.
Two guests per visit, unnamed guests must attend with the members.
$300
Option to add an Extra Adult: $50
Membership benefits for up to two named adults in the same household and up to eight dependent-aged* children in the same household or grandchildren*.
Two guests per visit, unnamed guests must attend with the members.
Guided tour of the Fresno Chaffee Zoo for up to four people.
Invitation to select exclusive events throughout the year.
$500
Option to add an Extra Adult: $50
Membership benefits for up to two named adults in the same household and up to eight dependent-aged* children in the same household or grandchildren*.
Two guests per visit, unnamed guests must attend with the members.
Guided tour of the Fresno Chaffee Zoo for up to four people.
Invitation to select exclusive events throughout the year
$1,000
Option to add an Extra Adult: $50
One additional adult may be added to any membership level excluding College Memberships. The additional adult must be named.
Extra Adult: $50
Patron Programs
Make an impact today by joining one of our Patron or Young Fresno Chaffee Zoo Society memberships. By supporting Fresno Chaffee Zoo, you will help in achieving our mission to inspire people to care for animals, create connections, build community and save wildlife.
Join the next generation of supporters and experience the zoo in a whole new way. We invite young families, professionals, and philanthropists between the ages of 21 to 45 years old to be part of our Young Zoo Society. As a member, you’ll receive benefits such as networking opportunities at various events throughout the year, invitations to previews of new and renovated exhibits and much more!
Individual Membership with a $300 Contribution
FAMILY MEMBERSHIP WITH A $500+ CONTRIBUTION
Member benefits
Individual Membership includes membership benefits for one named adult plus one guest per visit
Family Membership includes membership benefits for up to two named adults in the same household and up to eight dependent-aged* children* in the same household or grandchildren.
Additional Benefits Include:
- Guided tour for up to six guests
- Networking Opportunities at various events throughout the year
- Invitations to previews of new and renovated exhibits
- Invitations to Fresno Chaffee Zoo member only events
- Invitations to customized events throughout the year
- A portion of your membership could be considered tax-deductible subject to general limitations applicable to your personal circumstances. Please visit www.irs.gov or contact your financial advisor for tax-deduction eligibility
*18 years of age or younger
*Children must reside in the same household as named adults. Up to eight
Build on the civic legacy of community support to continue building a world-class zoo that provides expert animal care to the animals while also working to conserve species in their natural habitats. Patrons receive benefits like invitations to customized events throughout the year, complimentary admission to seasonal exhibits and much more!
Patron Level 1 – $3,000 contribution
Patron Level 2 – $5,000 contribution
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
Family Membership includes membership benefits for up to two named adults in the same household and up to eight dependent-aged* children* in the same household or grandchildren.
Additional Benefits Include:
- Two additional guests per visit
- Free giraffe feeding at Twiga Terrace
- Free admission to seasonal exhibits
- Patron Level 1 receives one behind the scenes tour for up to eight guests
- Patron Level 2 receives two behind the scenes tours for up to eight guests
- Networking Opportunities at various events throughout the year
- Invitations to previews of new and renovated exhibits
- Invitations to Fresno Chaffee Zoo member only events
- Invitations to customized events throughout the year
- Recognition in the Annual Report
- A portion of your membership could be considered tax-deductible subject to general limitations applicable to your personal circumstances. Please visit www.irs.gov or contact your financial advisor for tax-deduction eligibility
*18 years of age or younger
*Children must reside in the same household as named adults. Up to eight
If you have any questions, please call our Membership office at 559-498-5921.
Memberships are non-refundable and non-transferrable. Misuse may result in forfeiture.
A portion of your membership could be considered tax-deductible subject to general limitations applicable to your personal circumstances. Please visit www.irs.gov or contact your financial advisor for tax-deduction eligibility.
Other Ways to Get Involved
Become a VOLUNTEER
Group Volunteers
Have a group looking for a fun volunteer opportunity? We are searching for school clubs, organizations, and families to volunteer for our special events, Ice Cream Zoofari and Zoo Boo. Assist with activities, crafts, and serving food. It’s a great way to get involved and have some fun!
If interested: Groups of 5 people or more, and 13 years and older, are encouraged to contact volunteer@fcz.org.
Become a Zookeeper Assistant
Ages 18 and older.
If you are interested in helping out with animals in a variety of ways, then this could be a great opportunity for you! It’s a great learning experience and allows the opportunity to interact with zookeepers. Gain knowledge on the husbandry of our animals. Application and a negative TB test are required.
Become a Docent
Join Our Program
Fresno Chaffee Zoo is always looking for volunteers who would like to be a part of the zoo’s mission. We have several different opportunities depending on your schedule. If you only have one day a year to volunteer, you or your group can volunteer to help at the zoo for one of our special events. If you have a few days a month to volunteer, you can join our Zoo Ambassadors program. Zoo Ambassadors welcome visitors to the zoo and share with them insider tips and tricks on how to have a great day at the Zoo. If you have more days to offer, consider joining our Docent program.
Docents form the core of our educational volunteers at Fresno Chaffee Zoo. They lead tours of Zoo grounds and exhibits, perform public talks with bio facts, assist with educational programs and act as ambassadors of the Zoo.
Training for this program is at the end of the fall and beginning of winter. Applications will become available at the end of August.
For questions about event volunteering for groups or corporations email volunteer@fcz.org.
donate to our Browse Program
The animals at Fresno Chaffee Zoo consume hundreds of pounds of browse every year! We encourage Zoo visitors to bring their pesticide-free browse to the Zoo’s approved drop-off location.
We encourage Zoo visitors to bring their PESTICIDE-FREE browse to the Zoo’s approved drop-off location. Please scroll down to view our approved browse species and a list of Frequently Asked Questions. We are so thankful for your donations! If you have any questions, please email info@fcz.org.
APPROVED BROWSE
Xylosma, Mulberry, Chinese Pistache, Carob, Bamboo, Arundo grass and Chinese Elm.
BROWSE FAQs
We are happy to try and help you identify what kind of tree you have. Please send a photo of the specific tree to info@fcz.org and we will do our best to assist you.
Fresno Chaffee Zoo accepts browse donations on a 24/7 basis. Please click here to view the browse drop-off location.
We are looking for whole branches. Small, chopped pieces are difficult for us to manage.
Unfortunately, we cannot. We are not licensed tree trimmers and cannot take on the liability.
We cannot take any trees or plants that have been treated with a pesticide, even an organic one, as it may be harmful to the animals.
Unfortunately, we do not. We are looking for fresh branches with the leaves still on.
We are only able to use branches. We do not have a use for/place to dispose of tree trunks or large sections of limb.
Unfortunately, we are unable to pick up browse donations at this time.
There are several possible reasons we may not be able to accept a browse donation. Hopefully the staff member who responded to your e-mail explained our requirements. Your tree may have been turned down because it is not on our list – usually because it is toxic to our animals. There may also be occasions when we get so many donations that we simply cannot accommodate them all and have to turn donations away. Thank you for thinking of us and taking your time to try and help, we are sorry we could not accept your donation.
It takes us some time to process trees that are donated. They have to be sorted before they are delivered to the appropriate section of the zoo depending on which species of animals will be eating them. Therefore, guests are unable to see donations used right away.
