Cincinnati Zoo Foundation

What Cincinnati Zoo Foundation does

The Cincinnati Zoo Foundation operates the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, a nonprofit zoological and botanical institution headquartered at 3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio, founded in 1873 and one of the oldest zoos in the United States. It is operated by the Zoological Society of Cincinnati as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums since 1978, and holds an ArbNet Level 4 botanical garden designation. Core products span general zoo admission, tiered annual memberships (Standard, Gold, Platinum), a separate Virtual Membership product, retail and food-and-beverage outlets, ride and attraction upsells (Safari Train, Conservation Carousel, Giraffe Feeding), premium behind-the-scenes experiences, education programs (camps, Zoo Troop, school and group programs, Zoo Academy), and conservation research through the Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) and the wholly-owned Bowyer Farm in Mason, Ohio.

Revenue is generated across multiple streams: tiered gate admission with SNAP/EBT-discounted tickets at $3-$6, membership subscriptions priced $95-$375 annually per tier, on-site retail through shopcincinnatizoo.com, multi-outlet F&B (Base Camp Cafe, Hops, Tuskers, LaRosa's, food trucks), transactions on rides and animal encounters, education program fees, corporate sponsorships, and donor-club contributions (Keeper Circle, Andrew Erkenbrecher Society) plus animal adoption programs. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the physical zoo, online ticketing and e-commerce, and reciprocal admission benefits across 100+ AZA-affiliated zoos and aquariums. The organization also pursues virtual, geography-extending distribution through live animal camera streaming available globally.

The firm's footprint includes park operations, group sales (15+ visitor discounts), corporate partnerships with Honda, Huntington Bank, Chick-fil-A, Macy's, and Furniture Fair, and a multi-decade international conservation partnership with the South Rift Association of Land Owners (SORALO) in Kenya dating to 2004. Recent strategic activity includes the 2026 mRNA vaccine partnership with Colossal Biosciences, Baylor College of Medicine, and Houston Zoo; a 2026 Eastern box turtle release program with the Ohio Division of Wildlife at Bowyer Farm; and a 2017-vintage accessibility initiative with Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center producing the Zoo Access for All program. Following a $254 million facility transformation under CEO Dave Jenike, Mark Fisher was appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2026 to formalize executive capacity for the post-transformation period.

Name

Cincinnati Zoo Foundation

Legal name

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Website

https://cincinnatizoo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1873

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The Cincinnati Zoo Foundation operates the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, a nonprofit, AZA-accredited zoological and botanical institution in Cincinnati, Ohio (founded 1873), serving families, schools, and conservation partners through admissions, memberships, education programs, and field research.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Zoological Park and Botanical Garden Attractions

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections) (THAJADAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife Interpretation & Education Centers (Visitor Centers, Museums) (THAAAFAG), Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB), Museum, Zoo & Attraction Gift Shops (CRALAJAG)

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation services
• Zoological garden attractions
• Membership subscription programs
• Environmental education programs
• Animal encounter experiences

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Admission Tickets: General admission fees for zoo visitors, with tiered pricing for adults, children, seniors, and special discount programs for SNAP/EBT cardholders, military, and first responders.
2. Membership Subscriptions: Annual memberships sold in multiple tiers (Individual, Dual, Family) and levels (Standard, Gold, Platinum) providing year-round unlimited admission, parking, discounts, and exclusive member benefits including rides.
3. Retail Sales: Gift shop merchandise including souvenirs, apparel, and practical items. Online retail store accessible at shopcincinnatizoo.com.
4. Food and Beverage: Multiple dining locations including food trucks, snack stations, Base Camp Cafe, Hops, Tuskers, LaRosa's, and specialty food outlets throughout the zoo.
5. Rides and Attractions: Safari Train, Conservation Carousel, Giraffe Feeding Experience, Face Painting, and Souvenir Photography available as add-on experiences to admission.
6. Virtual Membership: Remote access membership providing live animal cam feeds, exclusive videos, and online store discounts for international fans without physical admission.
7. Donations and Sponsorships: Charitable contributions, planned giving, donor club memberships (Keeper Circle, Andrew Erkenbrecher Society), corporate sponsorships, and animal adoption programs.
8. Education Programs: School programs, camps, Zoo Troop, professional development, and overnight adventures generating program fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

The Cincinnati Zoo Foundation operates an AZA-accredited zoological park and botanical garden offering paid visitor admissions, tiered annual memberships (Standard, Gold, Platinum), virtual memberships with live animal camera access, animal encounters and rides (Safari Train, Conservation Carousel, Giraffe Feeding, Cheetah Encounter, Wings of Wonder), behind-the-scenes premium tours, and education programs for schools and the public. The Foundation also conducts wildlife conservation research, including species relocation and mRNA vaccine programs, supported by donations, sponsorships, and grants.

Product overview

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is an AZA-accredited zoo offering a portfolio of visitor experiences, membership subscriptions, and conservation programs. The core offering is general zoo admission with access to animal exhibits and habitats. Membership subscriptions (Platinum, Gold, Standard tiers) provide varying levels of unlimited admission, parking, and ride access, while Virtual Membership offers remote access to live animal cams. Premium experiences include Behind-the-Scenes Tours, animal encounters (Cheetah Encounter, Wings of Wonder, Barnyard Bonanza), and rides (Safari Train, Conservation Carousel, Giraffe Feeding). The Zoo also operates Elephant Trek habitat, Bowyer Farm conservation site, and education programs including camps and school programs. The Zoo Access for All program provides accessibility services and SNAP/EBT discounts for underserved communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Zoo Access for All: Accessibility program designed to encourage families and individuals of all backgrounds to visit the zoo, providing resources, policies, and tips for visitors with developmental disabilities and economic constraints
• Living Classroom Education Access Fund
• Virtual Membership

Products and services

• General Zoo Admission Day-of general admission tickets for visitors to access the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden grounds, animal exhibits, and habitats. Tiered pricing for adults, children, seniors, with discounts for SNAP/EBT cardholders, military, and first responders.
• Zoo Annual Membership (Standard / Gold / Platinum) Annual subscriptions granting year-round unlimited admission, free parking, discounts on food, retail, and education programs, and reciprocal access to 100+ AZA zoos and aquariums. Platinum adds unlimited rides and free guest privileges.
• Virtual Membership Remote digital membership providing access to live animal camera feeds (Hippo Cam, Giraffe Cam, Lion Cam, Elephant Trek, Sea Otter Cam), exclusive videos, insider news, and online store discounts for international supporters.
• Safari Train Electric train ride circling the inner loop of the zoo providing views of animal habitats. $5 per person per ride; included with Gold, Platinum, and Donor memberships.
• Conservation Carousel Carousel with various animal figures located near Swan Lake. $4.00 per person per ride.
• Giraffe Feeding Experience Interactive feeding experience at Giraffe Ridge where visitors can feed giraffes. $5 per person, available at scheduled times.
• Behind-the-Scenes Experiences Premium guided behind-the-scenes tours and animal encounters. Proceeds support global conservation efforts.
• Cheetah Encounter Wildlife demonstration featuring cheetahs, servals, and porcupines. Available Friday-Tuesday at 10:30am and 12pm.
• Wings of Wonder Free-flight bird demonstration in the amphitheater featuring various bird species flying over visitors. Available Wednesday-Sunday at 11:30am and 1pm.
• Barnyard Bonanza Family-friendly demonstration of barnyard animal behaviors in the Children's Zoo. Available Thursday-Monday at 11am and 2pm.
• Education Programs Educational offerings including Camps, Zoo Troop, Day Programs, Evening Programs, Overnight Adventures, Professional Development, School & Group Programs, and Zoo Academy for K-12 schools, homeschoolers, and the general public.
• Zoo Bucks Gift Certificates Gift certificates redeemable at the zoo for admission, dining, and retail purchases. Available in amounts from $20 to $500.
• Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) Conservation and research division conducting endangered species protection, species relocation research, and wildlife monitoring using GPS/VHF tracking technology.
• Zoo Access for All Program Accessibility program providing discounted admission for SNAP/EBT cardholders (Adults $6, Child/Senior $3), mobility equipment rentals, sensory-friendly resources, calming rooms, and ADA-compliant services developed with Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

Quantifiable outcome

• GPS tracking successfully monitors released turtles through fall 2027
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bowyer FarmcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2026Secure property owned by the Cincinnati Zoo in Mason, Ohio, equipped with trail cameras for species activity monitoring. Used as research site for wildlife conservation and species relocation programs.
• Ohio Division of WildlifecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 June 2026State wildlife agency leading a box turtle rehoming research project with Cincinnati Zoo. The zoo released ten Eastern box turtles at Bowyer Farm as part of a statewide research effort to study whether rehomed turtles can successfully adapt to new habitats.
• Colossal BiosciencescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026De-extinction company partnered with Cincinnati Zoo to deploy conservation tools protecting living endangered species. Zoo benefited from mRNA vaccine development for elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus that saved two vaccinated young elephants.
• Baylor College of MedicineminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Academic partner in the mRNA vaccine development collaboration for elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus, working alongside Colossal Biosciences and Houston Zoo.
• Houston ZoominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Collaborating partner in the mRNA vaccine development program for elephant herpesvirus, working alongside Colossal Biosciences and Baylor College of Medicine.
• Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Long-term partnership since 2017 (funded by IMLS grant) to make the zoo the most welcoming, accessible, and inclusive for individuals with developmental disabilities. Includes LEND program training for staff and Calming Room collaboration.
• University of CincinnatiminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Academic partner collaborating with Cincinnati Zoo and Children's Hospital on Calming Rooms design and accessibility initiatives for visitors with sensory sensitivities.
• South Rift Association of Land Owners (SORALO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Ongoing partnership with SORALO in Kenya focusing on community-led conservation aligned with Naivasha Vision principles. The collaboration strengthens through capacity-building and strategic initiatives since 2004, though challenges remain due to geographic distance and communication barriers.
• Circle Tail IncminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal service dog training organization that helped identify sensitive and restricted areas of the zoo for service animal handlers.
• The Summit HotelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel partnership offering Wild Wonders Escape Package and Fiona hotel package combining zoo admission with hotel stay near the zoo.
• Honda (Summer Adventure Sponsor)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSummer Adventure program sponsor providing marketing support for seasonal zoo events and promotions.
• Huntington BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSafari Train sponsor providing branding and marketing support for the zoo attraction.
• Chick-fil-AminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGiraffe Feeding Experience sponsor supporting the attraction and visitor experience.
• Thomas GalbraithminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Membership Sponsor providing support for membership programs.
• TrihealthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNursing Nests sponsor at the zoo, supporting family-friendly amenities.
• Heidt Family FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCourtesy Cart sponsor supporting mobility accessibility services at the zoo.
• MacysminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSensory-Friendly Santa sponsor supporting special needs accessibility programs.
• Furniture FairminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConservation Carousel sponsor providing branding and marketing support for the attraction.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Columbus Zoo and Aquarium: AZA-accredited Ohio zoo operating a comparable mix of animal exhibits, rides, education programs, and membership tiers; the most direct geographic and operational competitor within Ohio.
• Bronx Zoo (Wildlife Conservation Society): Large AZA-accredited zoo with substantial conservation science, membership program, and reciprocal-network participation; an industry-leading benchmark for zoo operations and conservation fundraising.
• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: AZA-accredited zoo and botanical operation with globally recognized conservation research, membership subscriptions, and Safari Park-style attractions, broadly comparable to Cincinnati's combined zoo + botanical garden positioning.
• Saint Louis Zoo: Free-admission AZA-accredited zoo with strong conservation research (WildCare Institute) and education programming; comparable mid-size zoo operating model with significant membership and donor revenue.
• Smithsonian's National Zoo (NZCBI): AZA-accredited zoo operated as a nonprofit with deep conservation research, free general admission, and education programming; very close peer in mission structure and conservation-science scope.
• Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance: AZA-accredited zoo with a comparable combination of animal exhibits, membership tiers, conservation research, and education programs targeting families in a similar mid-market US metro.
• Houston Zoo: AZA-accredited zoo that directly collaborates with Cincinnati on the elephant herpesvirus mRNA vaccine; overlapping membership/education models and conservation partnerships make it a close operational peer.
• Philadelphia Zoo: America's first zoo, AZA-accredited, operating comparable animal habitats, rides, membership tiers, and seasonal events; a strong peer for ticketed zoo operations with conservation science programs.
• Zoo Atlanta: AZA-accredited zoo with notable giant panda conservation work, member programs, and education offerings; comparable sized and structured zoo operation with strong research credentials.
• Brookfield Zoo (Chicago Zoological Society): AZA-accredited zoo with extensive conservation research (CZS Center for Animal Care Science), membership tiers, and education programming; parallels Cincinnati's blend of visitor experience and conservation science.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cincinnatizoo
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCE3VoxyYmyQCReOXk2ogsVg
• Facebookfacebook.com/cincinnatizoo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cincinnati-zoo-&-botanical-garden
• Instagraminstagram.com/cincinnatizoo
• TikToktiktok.com/@cincinnatizoo

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cincinnati Zoo Foundation