GET INVOLVED
Animal SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES

GET INVOLVED
ADOPT AN ANIMAL
ADOPT stands for “Animals Depend On People Too.” By sponsoring an animal, you help feed and care for one of the more than 2,400 animals that call John Ball Zoo home. A portion of your contribution through this program also goes to support wildlife conservation in the Great Lakes region and around the world.
Yes! An Animal Sponsorship is a great gift for any occasion. Simply enter the individual’s name in the “name for recognition materials” section when purchasing a sponsorship.
We care for more than 2,200 animals representing more than 200 species. Your contribution helps fund the care and feeding of the animals here at John Ball Zoo, as well as supporting wildlife conservation both in the Great Lakes region and around the world.
Animal sponsorships are available for animals not listed, however, the benefits materials outlined in this page are specific to the listed selection of animals. If you choose to sponsor an animal not listed, you will not be eligible for animal-specific benefits.
Sponsor benefits will be shipped via USPS. Shortly after your payment has been processed, you will receive a confirmation email detailing your shipping information. If any of the shipping details in the email are incorrect, please contact Seth Montague at [email protected] or call 616.336.3309.

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2023 Animal Sponsorship Levels

$1500 Level
- Name recognition on Animal ADOPTion sign in the Zoo
- Exclusive animal experience
- Gift certificate for a plush animal from the Zoo gift shop
- Certificate of ADOPTion
- Message from sponsored animal’s area keeper
- Photo of the sponsored animal

$1000 Level
- Name recognition on website
- Exclusive animal experience
- Certificate for an animal plush from the Zoo gift shop
- Certificate of ADOPTion
- Message from sponsored animal’s area keeper
- Photo of sponsored animal

$500 Level
- Exclusive animal experience
- Certificate of ADOPTion
- Certificate for an animal plush from the Zoo gift shop
- Message from sponsored animal’s area keeper
- Photo of sponsored animal

$250 Level
- Certificate of ADOPTion
- Message from sponsored animal’s area keeper
- Photo of sponsored animal

$100 Level
- Certificate of ADOPTion
- Message from sponsored animal’s area keeper
- Photo of sponsored animal
- *Digital delivery of all items

$50 Level
- Certificate of ADOPTion
- Photo of sponsored animal
- *Digital delivery of all items

$150 Group Sponsorship
- This sponsorship level is great for classrooms, offices, teams, etc.
- Name recognition on website
- Certificate of ADOPTion
- Message from sponsored animal’s area keeper
- Photo of sponsored animal

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Can't get enough of the Zoo? join Conservation Circle!
For a gift of $500, you can join Conservation Circle! Conservation Circle is a group of donors whose annual gifts totaling $500 or more helps to ensure the sustainability of John Ball Zoo’s core values and community. In appreciation of their giving, Conservation Circle donors have access to exclusive special events, early Zoo Camp registration, exclusive digital behind-the-scenes, and much more!
To learn more about Conservation Circle, please contact:
Gina Schulz, Chief Advancement Officer
[email protected]
616.336.3309 x4927.

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Conservation Circle Donor Levels
All levels of Conservation Circle donors receive exclusive benefits including special Zoo communications, personal staff concierge, priority Zoo Camp registration, and onsite recognition at the Zoo.
Director:
$500 - 999
All of the benefits listed above, plus:
- Complimentary Preferred membership
- Invitation to Donor Night
- Invitation to Conservation Circle events
- Personal staff concierge
- Priority Zoo camp registration
- Onsite recognition at the Zoo
Guardian: $1,000 -2,499
All of the benefits listed above, plus:
- Complimentary Preferred membership
- Invitation to Donor Night
- Invitation to Conservation Circle events
- Personal staff concierge
- Priority Zoo camp registration
- Onsite recognition at the Zoo
- Behind-the-scenes tour (digital in 2022)
Scientist: $2,500 - 4,999
All of the benefits listed above, plus:
- Complimentary Preferred membership
- Invitation to Donor Night
- Invitation to Conservation Circle events
- Personal staff concierge
- Priority Zoo camp registration
- Onsite recognition at the Zoo
- Behind-the-scenes tour (digital in 2022)
- Animal training (digital in 2022)
Explorer: $5,000 - 9,999
All of the benefits listed above, plus:
- Complimentary Preferred membership
- Invitation to Donor Night
- Invitation to Conservation Circle events
- Personal staff concierge
- Priority Zoo camp registration
- Onsite recognition at the Zoo
- Behind-the-scenes tour (digital in 2022)
- Animal training (digital in 2022)
- Private Zoo tour & lunch
Adventurer: $10,000 - 24,999
All of the benefits listed above, plus:
- Complimentary Preferred membership
- Invitation to Donor Night
- Invitation to Conservation Circle events
- Personal staff concierge
- Priority Zoo camp registration
- Onsite recognition at the Zoo
- Behind-the-scenes tour (digital in 2022)
- Animal training (digital in 2022)
- Private Zoo tour & lunch
- Personal invitation to animal hospital tour
Educator:
$25,000 +
All of the benefits listed above, plus:
- Complimentary Preferred membership
- Invitation to Donor Night
- Invitation to Conservation Circle events
- Personal staff concierge
- Priority Zoo camp registration
- Onsite recognition at the Zoo
- Behind-the-scenes tour (digital in 2022)
- Animal training (digital in 2022)
- Private Zoo tour & lunch
- Personal invitation to animal hospital tour