Zoo Miami foundation

What Zoo Miami foundation does

Zoo Miami Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1956 that operates as the fundraising and programmatic partner for Zoo Miami, a 750-acre open-air zoological park located in Miami, Florida. The zoo itself is owned by Miami-Dade County and operated under the Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department, creating a public-private partnership structure in which the Foundation handles fundraising, education programming, membership, marketing, and community engagement. The park houses over 2,000 animals representing 375 species across ecosystem-themed exhibits spanning the Amazon, Asia, Australia, and the Florida Everglades, plus a Sea Turtle Hospital opened in 2022.

The Foundation's operations span a diversified revenue model combining one-time admission tickets ($25.95 adult / $21.95 child), recurring annual memberships described as one of the largest in South Florida, corporate sponsorships and event partnerships (Kaseya, Baptist Health, Accenture), venue rentals for commercial photography and film shoots ($750-$1,000/day), seasonal events such as ZooRun and Monster Masquerade, retail and food services operated by Service Systems Associates, and philanthropic donations including a recent $2 million transformational gift. Educational programming reaches K-12 students through school visits, camps, and the Conservation Teen Scientist volunteer pipeline. Conservation initiatives span 36+ projects on six continents, with over $900,000 deployed annually through the Zoo Miami Wildlife Conservation Fund to 75+ programs in 25+ countries.

Technology infrastructure centers on standard zoological management systems including ZIMS for animal records, AZA Species Survival Plan population management software, and preventative veterinary medicine protocols. In June 2025, the Foundation launched a free mobile application offering GPS wayfinding, mobile food ordering via Apple Pay/Google Pay, and personalized day planning. Recent capital initiatives include a groundbreaking for a 25,000-square-foot Animal Hospital in February 2026 and a new Sumatran tiger habitat scheduled to break ground in April 2026. The Foundation holds AZA accreditation, a Charity Navigator four-star rating, and memberships in the Florida Attractions Association, American Public Gardens Association, ArbNet, and NAJGA.

Name

Zoo Miami foundation

Legal name

The Zoo Miami Foundation

Website

https://zoomiami.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Zoo Miami Foundation is a non-profit organization operating Zoo Miami, a 750-acre open-air zoological park in Miami with 2,000+ animals across 375 species, serving nearly one million annual visitors through admissions, memberships, education programs, and conservation initiatives spanning six continents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Zoological Park and Wildlife Conservation

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

akta.pro primary industry

Zoo & Aquarium Parks (Ticketed Wildlife Attractions) (THAJAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections) (THAJADAL), Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB), Wildlife Sanctuaries & Rescue Centers (Visitor Operations) (THAAAFAA), Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD)

Keywords

• Zoological park operations
• Wildlife conservation services
• Animal education programs
• Wildlife rehabilitation services
• Conservation grant programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Miami

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, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. General Admission Tickets: Day passes for zoo entry with online and on-site purchasing options. Adults $25.95, children (3-12) $21.95. Children 2 and under free. Peak pricing during events.
2. Membership Program: Annual memberships providing free admission, discounts on rentals and events, and member-only ticket pricing. One of the largest membership bases in South Florida.
3. Venue Rentals and Special Events: Corporate events, weddings, birthday parties, and private event hosting. Includes Monster Masquerade (21+ Halloween event at $125-150/ticket), ZooRun events, and venue rentals.
4. Retail and Food Services: Gift shop, dining facilities, and food/beverage sales operated through Service Systems Associates (SSA). Includes Zoo Doo compost program.
5. Donations and Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships including fan-favorite events, naming rights, LED entrance screen upgrades, and general donations through the Foundation. Capital campaigns like Connecting for Life fund major expansions.
6. Conservation Grants and Scholarships: Zoo Miami Wildlife Conservation Fund awards grants to organizations worldwide. Ron Magill Conservation Endowment funds scholarships for students pursuing wildlife conservation careers.
7. Commercial Photography/Film Permits: Commercial still photography starting at $750/day, film/TV/video shoots starting at $1,000/day, with hourly rates for extended shoots. Requires insurance and Miami-Dade film permits.
8. Animal Experiences: Premium animal encounters, giraffe feeding, and behind-the-scenes tours available for additional fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Zoo Miami Foundation operates and supports Zoo Miami, a 750-acre open-air zoological park housing over 2,000 animals representing 375 species, offering admission tickets, annual memberships, animal encounters, educational programs, and venue rentals. The Foundation raises funds through donations, memberships, and corporate sponsorships to support animal care, conservation programs spanning 36+ projects across six continents, the Sea Turtle Hospital, and educational outreach reaching nearly one million visitors annually.

Product overview

Zoo Miami Foundation operates Zoo Miami, a 750-acre open-air zoo housing over 2,000 animals representing 375 species. The organization offers a unified visitor experience combining admission tickets and annual memberships with add-on experiences including Safari Cycle rentals, accessibility equipment, and animal encounter programs. Digital offerings include a mobile application with GPS navigation and food ordering capabilities, plus live animal webcams. The foundation provides educational programming through school programs, camps, and internships, and maintains extensive wildlife conservation initiatives with over 36 projects across six continents, including a Sea Turtle Hospital. Event programming includes annual runs, adult parties like Monster Masquerade, and travel expeditions. Revenue streams include admissions, memberships, donations, and venue rentals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Zoo Admission Tickets General admission tickets to Zoo Miami for adults ($25.95) and children ages 3-12 ($21.95), with children under 2 admitted free. Zoo open 10am-5pm daily with online and on-site purchasing.
• Zoo Membership Annual membership passes offering unlimited visits, member discounts on rentals and events, member-only ticket pricing, and free parking.
• Safari Cycle Rentals Pedal-powered safari cycles available in small (up to 2 adults and 2 small children, $50.47 regular / $40.19 member) and large (up to 4 adults and 2 small children, $64.49 regular / $51.40 member) sizes for self-guided zoo exploration.
• Accessibility Equipment Rentals Strollers ($14.95 regular / $12.15 member), wheelchairs ($13.08 regular / $11.21 member), and Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECVs) available for all-day rental to enhance accessibility for guests with mobility needs.
• Animal Experiences Up-close animal encounters and feeding experiences, including giraffe feeding, parrot feeding, and animal close-up presentations in Critter Connection.
• ZooRun Annual running event featuring ZooRun 5K, 10K, and ZooKidsDash races benefiting the Zoo Miami Wildlife Conservation Fund, with proceeds supporting wildlife conservation programs.
• Monster Masquerade 21+ adult Halloween party featuring open bars, food from local restaurants, DJ dance party, costume contest, and after-hours animal experiences. Tickets $150 regular, $125 online sale, with group 4-pack available for $500.
• Zoo Miami Mobile Application Free mobile app with GPS-based wayfinding, mobile food ordering with Apple Pay/Google Pay, and personalized day planner for planning visits around animal feedings and presentations.
• Conservation Action Center Indoor interactive exhibit where visitors can crawl through a python display to learn about invasive species.
• Live Cams Live streaming webcams featuring meerkats and other animals for virtual zoo viewing from home.
• Education Programs School programs, zoo camps, internship programs, speaker series, night programs, and community programs bringing nature and science education to K-12 students, teachers, and the broader community.
• Conservation Programs Wildlife conservation initiatives spanning 36+ projects across six continents, including Florida Bonneted Bat, Florida Flamingo, Imperiled Butterflies, Gopher Tortoise, Sea Turtle Hospital, and international programs.
• Sea Turtle Hospital Rehabilitation facility for sea turtles opened June 2022, having returned 60 sea turtles to the wild, with capability to treat five different sea turtle species.
• Zoo Doo Compost Composted animal manure available for purchase through the online store.
• Wildlife Guardians (Adopt an Animal) Symbolic animal adoption program supporting wildlife conservation efforts at the zoo.
• Travel Program Travel opportunities including Into the Wild Travel Program featuring escorted trips to destinations like Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Glacier National Parks, and Costa Rica with wildlife expert Ron Magill.
• Venue Rentals Facility rentals for corporate events, weddings, and private gatherings at zoo locations.
• Commercial Photography and Film Permits Commercial still photography starting at $750/day for 7 hours (each additional hour $150), and film/TV/video shoots starting at $1,000/day for 7 hours (each additional hour $200). Requires insurance and Miami-Dade film permits.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 1 million visitors annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Miami-Dade CountycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 February 2026Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and County Commissioner Kionne McGhee participated in groundbreaking ceremony for the new 25,000-square-foot Animal Hospital funded through a private-public partnership. Zoo Miami is part of Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department.
• Brookfield Zoo ChicagocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 16 January 2026Brookfield Zoo in Chicago provided African painted dog male (Cesar) as breeding partner for Zoo Miami's pack as part of the AZA SSP program. Two zoos coordinated sperm collection and reproductive management.
• KaseyacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 January 2026Kaseya is a Miami-based global provider of AI-powered IT management and cybersecurity software. The company made a major gift funding the upgrade of Zoo Miami's LED entrance screen at SW 152nd Street and Zoo Drive. Kaseya is a longtime supporter with sponsorships including ZooRun and Feast with the Beasts events. The partnership provides visibility for Kaseya through naming rights and high-traffic sponsorships.
• Phoenix Zoo (Arizona)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 18 November 2025Phoenix Zoo provided two young male lions (Azizi and Jasiri, born June 3, 2024) to Zoo Miami as part of the AZA Species Survival Plan to re-establish a pride at the zoo.
• Florida Wildlife Commission (FWC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 September 2025FWC rescued and transferred an American crocodile to Zoo Miami for treatment and rehabilitation after the animal suffered severe trauma including spear and bullet wounds and lead toxicity from ingested fishing weights.
• Bill Baggs State ParkminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 September 2025Bill Baggs State Park served as the release location for sea turtles rehabilitated at Zoo Miami's Sea Turtle Hospital, coordinating with Miami-Dade Parks Sea Turtle Conservation Program for successful wild releases.
• South-East Zoo Alliance for Reproduction and Conservation (SEZARC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 September 2025SEZARC partnered with Zoo Miami's Animal Health team to perform fertility exams on African painted dogs including electro-ejaculation procedures to evaluate and collect sperm for population management of this endangered species.
• National Zoo (Washington D.C.)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 8 September 2025National Zoo in Washington D.C. transferred Andean bear Brienne to Zoo Miami as part of the AZA Species Survival Plan population management program for this threatened species.
• Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (Colorado)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 29 August 2025Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado bred and sent meerkat Clementine to Zoo Miami via Great Plains Zoo in South Dakota as part of the AZA-managed population management program.
• Baptist HealthcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 July 2025Baptist Health served as presenting sponsor of the 13th annual ZooRun 5K/10K event on November 1, 2025. The event benefited the Zoo Miami Wildlife Conservation Fund supporting over 75 programs across 25+ countries.
• AccentureminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 July 2025Accenture served as Silver sponsor of the 2025 ZooRun event benefiting the Zoo Miami Wildlife Conservation Fund.
• VEG ER for PetsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 July 2025VEG ER for Pets served as Silver sponsor of the 2025 ZooRun event benefiting the Zoo Miami Wildlife Conservation Fund.
• Dr. Jamie Berning (Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery of Ohio)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 January 2025Dr. Jamie Berning and her team traveled from Columbus, Ohio to Zoo Miami to perform dental procedures on various animals including orangutans, chimpanzees, sloth bears, and jaguars as part of the zoo's preventative medicine program.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• SeaWorld Orlando: A marine-life theme park in Orlando featuring aquariums, animal shows, and rides. Competes with Zoo Miami for the Florida family tourism market, particularly with overlapping aquatic and large-mammal exhibits, though its core focus is marine rather than terrestrial wildlife.
• Disney's Animal Kingdom: Operated by Walt Disney World in Orlando, Animal Kingdom is a 580-acre theme park combining zoo-style animal exhibits with Disney-grade theming and entertainment. It competes for Florida family tourism and tourist discretionary spend, with substantially larger brand and capital resources, though it focuses on entertainment as much as conservation.
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: A 335-acre theme park in Tampa combining thrill rides with African-themed animal habitats across more than 12,000 animals. Directly competes with Zoo Miami for Florida family tourism dollars, particularly Central Florida visitors, and offers a similar blend of animal experiences and entertainment.

Direct peers

• Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society: AZA-accredited 23-acre zoo in West Palm Beach with 500+ animals and active conservation programs. Smaller regional competitor serving overlapping South Florida population, with similar public-private structure and conservation focus.
• Bronx Zoo (Wildlife Conservation Society): Operated by the Wildlife Conservation Society, a 265-acre AZA-accredited zoo with ~10,000+ animals and global conservation programs across 60+ countries. The Wildlife Conservation Society model of integrating zoo operations with field conservation is highly comparable to Zoo Miami Foundation's structure.
• Miami Seaquarium: Marine-life attraction in Key Biscayne focused on aquariums, dolphin shows, and sea turtle rehabilitation. Competes in the broader Miami family entertainment market and shares a marine conservation orientation, including sea turtle rehabilitation programs.
• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Non-profit operator of the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, both AZA-accredited with comparable scale (~3,500+ animals), similar conservation program structure, and member-supported revenue model. Operates on a public-private partnership basis similar to Zoo Miami Foundation, with comparable conservation grantmaking and education programming.
• Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens: AZA-accredited 117-acre zoo in Jacksonville with ~2,000+ animals, gardens, and conservation programs. Closest in-state Florida competitor and most direct peer in terms of size, model, and target market (Florida family tourism).
• Smithsonian's National Zoo (Washington D.C.): AZA-accredited zoo operated by the Smithsonian Institution with free admission, ~2,700 animals across 390 species, and active SSP participation. Recently transferred an Andean bear to Zoo Miami under SSP management. Comparable in conservation scope and federal-affiliated institutional model.

Emerging players

• Butterfly World: Located in Coconut Creek, Florida, this attraction is a direct partner via the South Florida Adventure Pass. Smaller in scale and focused on butterflies and tropical birds, but operates as a complementary regional attraction that bundles with Zoo Miami admissions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ZooMiami
• Facebookfacebook.com/zoomiami

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

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 Zoo Miami foundation