Does Sacramento Zoo donate to fundraisers?

The Zoo's standard donation is four general admission passes valued at $96.

Pass expiration dates are at least one year beyond the date of your fundraiser.

The Zoo reviews every request within two weeks and emails the requesting organization whether or not it is approved.

The request form covers live, silent and online auctions, raffles and door prizes, and peer-to-peer events such as walkathons, rides and runs.

What Sacramento Zoo donates

Sacramento Zoo has typically donated: 4 General Admission Passes.

Who can apply

Sacramento Zoo donates to organizations with 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.

Sacramento Zoo limits donation requests by area: Regional.

How to apply

Sacramento Zoo asks every request to include the following.

• Submit the online request form at least 30 days before your event date; late requests are automatically rejected.
• Your organization's 9-digit Tax ID number is required to process the request.
• Attach your organization's letterhead or proof of 501(c)(3) status as a single PDF or Word document.
• Explain your organization's work, how you will acknowledge the donation at your event, and your fundraising goals.

When to ask

Sacramento Zoo states a lead time of 30 days. Count back that far from your event date and send the request no later than then.

Across more than 25,000 fundraising events in our own records over fifteen years, March, April and May are the busiest months for fundraisers, October is the next busiest, and July and December are the quietest.

Work backwards from your event rather than forwards from today, and if your event falls in the spring peak, ask earlier than the stated lead time rather than later.

Common questions

Do I need to be a 501(c)(3) to request a donation from Sacramento Zoo?

Yes. Sacramento Zoo's donation program is limited to organizations with 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, so you will need your determination letter and Tax ID before you apply.

How far ahead should we ask Sacramento Zoo for a donation?

Sacramento Zoo's stated lead time is 30 days. Work backwards from your event date: count back that far from the day of the event and send your request before that point.