FRIENDS OF THE ALEXANDRIA ZOO

What FRIENDS OF THE ALEXANDRIA ZOO does

Friends of the Alexandria Zoo (FOTAZ) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1971 to support and enhance Alexandria Zoological Park, a community zoo established in 1922 in Alexandria, Louisiana. FOTAZ operates as the fundraising, membership, and volunteer arm of the zoo, serving central Louisiana families, K-12 schools, individual members, donors, corporate sponsors, and event-driven visitors. The organization's core product is access to a 400+ animal collection across four themed regions — Land of the Jaguar, Louisiana Habitat, African Experience, and Australian Walkabout — supported by a tiered annual membership program (Individual at $32 to Platinum at $1,000), admissions, and educational programming including Summer Safari camp, Winter Safari camp, Teen Trek, Stroller Safari, and curriculum-aligned Bio Bags for schools.

FOTAZ generates revenue across seven principal streams: recurring membership subscriptions ($32-$1,000), one-time general admissions, donations (including unrestricted, commemorative bricks/benches/trees/Jaguar Deck plaques, and a $300-$2,500 train advertising program), corporate sponsorships for habitats and events (marketed against 120,000+ annual visitors), ticketed events (Zoo Brew, Zoo Boo, Holiday Light Safari, Safari Smash Pickleball, Mardi Gras Party, Earth Day, Expedition: Grown Up), an Adopt an Animal symbolic program, and on-site retail and concessions (Zootique gift shop, Palm Cafe, train rides). It also operates planned giving/legacy bequest programs. Technology infrastructure is limited to standard nonprofit SaaS — Doubleknot for membership and ticketing, Constant Contact for email marketing, and brightwheel for camp registration — with no proprietary technology systems.

The organization holds AZA accreditation and participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plans (including the Jaguar SSP that yielded the July 2025 birth of jaguar cub Solana) and the SAFE initiative. FOTAZ provides annual funding to the Zoo Conservation Outreach Group (ZCOG), supports field conservation for jaguar, maned wolf, Andean bear, Andean condor, and Chilean flamingo, and funds the Les Whitt Memorial Scholarship. Veterinary partnerships with LSU Teaching Hospital and international animal transfer relationships (Parque Summit Zoo in Panama, Brevard Zoo in Florida) round out the operational ecosystem. Distribution is anchored at a single physical site at 3016 Masonic Drive, with secondary event venues (Alexandria Tennis Complex) for off-site fundraisers.

Name

FRIENDS OF THE ALEXANDRIA ZOO

Legal name

Friends of the Alexandria Zoo

Website

https://thealexandriazoo.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Friends of the Alexandria Zoo (FOTAZ) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports Alexandria Zoological Park in Alexandria, Louisiana through memberships, fundraising, and conservation programs. It serves central Louisiana families, K-12 schools, members, donors, and corporate sponsors via zoo admissions, educational camps, signature events, and commemorative giving.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Zoo and Wildlife Conservation Services

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Zoo & Aquarium Parks (Ticketed Wildlife Attractions) (THAJAEAE), Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB)

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation
• Zoological park
• Educational programming
• Animal welfare
• Community events

Headquarters

HQ city

Alexandria

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership subscriptions with multiple tiers ranging from $32 to $1,000, providing free admission, discounts, and exclusive benefits to members.
2. Admission Fees: General admission fees for zoo visitors providing access to exhibits and animal viewing areas.
3. Donations: General donations and commemorative giving programs including engraved bricks, benches, trees, and named plaques that support zoo operations and conservation efforts.
4. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships for habitats, events, and naming rights that provide brand visibility to over 120,000 annual visitors.
5. Event Tickets: Revenue from special ticketed events including Zoo Brew ($40-$45), Zoo Boo, Holiday Light Safari, Safari Smash Pickleball Tournament, and other community events.
6. Adopt an Animal Program: Symbolic animal adoption programs where supporters pay for adoption packages including plush animals, certificates, and photos.
7. Retail and Food Service: Revenue from gift shop (Zootique), Palm Cafe concessions, and train rides on zoo grounds.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Friends of the Alexandria Zoo (FOTAZ) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that financially supports and enhances Alexandria Zoological Park through memberships, donations, sponsorships, and volunteer programs. It funds animal care, conservation initiatives, and science-based education programming, while operating community events, camps, and retail/food concessions at the physical zoo.

Product overview

Friends of the Alexandria Zoo (FOTAZ) is a 501c(3) non-profit organization that operates Alexandria Zoo as a unified visitor destination combining animal exhibits with educational programming and community events. The core offerings include general zoo admission and multi-tiered membership programs (Individual through Platinum levels), supplemented by educational camps (Summer Safari, Winter Safari, Teen Trek, Stroller Safari) and on-site education programs. The zoo hosts numerous signature events throughout the year including Zoo Boo, Holiday Light Safari, Zoo Brew, Mardi Gras Party, Earth Day, and Safari Smash Pickleball Tournament. Additional revenue streams include venue and birthday party rentals, commemorative giving (benches, bricks, plaques), train rides, and an Adopt an Animal program. Conservation efforts are supported through the Saving Species program and Zoo Conservation Outreach Group (ZCOG) partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Zoo Admission

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 120,000 visitors annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Zoo Conservation Outreach Group (ZCOG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFOTAZ provides annual funding to ZCOG, a non-profit coalition of zoos and aquariums committed to wildlife and habitat conservation throughout the Americas. ZCOG supports field conservation projects for jaguar, maned wolf, flamingo, and Andean condor. FOTAZ also funds the Les Whitt Memorial Scholarship through ZCOG.
• Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlexandria Zoo participates in AZA's Species Survival Plans (SSP) and Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) initiative. AZA is a membership organization that provides accreditation, professional training programs, and coordinates conservation efforts across member zoos.
• Jaguar Species Survival Plan (SSP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinated program managing jaguar populations in North American zoos. Bebu the jaguar was relocated as part of this plan to add new genetics to the population. The SSP coordinates breeding recommendations and conservation efforts.
• Parque Summit Zoo (Panama)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPanamanian facility that cared for Bebu and other jaguars before relocation to US zoos. Bebu and his brother were orphaned at four months old and were non-releasable wildlife before international conservation transfer.
• Brevard Zoo (Florida)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhilomena (Philly) the jaguar was born at Brevard Zoo in Florida on January 27, 2015, before being transferred to Alexandria Zoo in 2022. Source of breeding stock through SSP recommendations.
• Walker KiaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for Zoo Brew 21+ event (Saturday, April 25, 2026). Logo featured in event materials and promotion.
• RoyOMartinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor logo displayed at Safari Smash Pickleball Tournament. Local Louisiana company supporting community events.
• Distran SteelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor logo displayed at Safari Smash Pickleball Tournament. Local Louisiana company supporting community events.
• Beta (Engineering)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor logo displayed at Safari Smash Pickleball Tournament. Engineering firm supporting community events.
• Explore Alexandria PinevilleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal tourism partner logo displayed at Solana's First Birthday event. Promotional partnership for community events.
• Atwood's BakeryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal bakery sponsor providing king cake for Mardi Gras Party and treats for Zoo Brew events. Logo featured in event materials.
• ClecominorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal utility company sponsor for Earth Day event. Logo featured in event promotional materials.
• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)minorOthersAlexandria Zoo references IUCN Red List categories to inform guests about species conservation status. IUCN provides the world's most comprehensive information on global extinction risk status.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Memphis Zoo: Mid-size AZA-accredited zoo with similar exhibits, education programs, and membership tiers. Comparable scale and operating model for benchmarking visitor programs and event revenue.
• Audubon Zoo (New Orleans): Louisiana's flagship zoo, operated by the Audubon Nature Institute nonprofit. Larger than Alexandria but uses the same membership, school field trip, and event-driven revenue mix in the same state.
• Brevard Zoo: Smaller conservation-focused AZA zoo that supplied jaguar breeding stock to Alexandria Zoo via SSP. Comparable in size and mission orientation toward conservation partnerships.
• Nashville Zoo: Mid-size regional zoo with comparable AZA participation, education programming, and event-driven revenue strategy in a similar mid-South demographic.
• BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo: Another municipally-affiliated zoo in Louisiana with a comparable mid-size operation, similar visitor scale, and nonprofit fundraising arm. Closest geographic and structural comparable to Alexandria Zoo.

Broad incumbents

• Houston Zoo: Large AZA-accredited zoo in the same Gulf South region operating a comparable membership, education, and conservation model — but at a much larger scale and budget.
• Zoo Atlanta: Larger AZA-accredited zoo with similar educational and conservation programming but at materially greater scale. Useful benchmark for what Alexandria Zoo's programming could mature into.

Regional players

• Global Wildlife Center: Louisiana wildlife attraction offering drive-through safari experiences and animal encounters. Adjacent Louisiana wildlife tourism competitor that competes for similar family and school group dollars in the same regional market.

Others

• Zoo Conservation Outreach Group (ZCOG): Coalition of zoos and aquariums supporting field conservation that FOTAZ funds annually. Enables field conservation projects (jaguar, maned wolf, Andean condor, flamingo) that a single zoo could not execute alone.
• Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA): Industry accreditation body that Alexandria Zoo belongs to. Not a peer in the operational sense, but a structural counterparty whose accreditation, SSP coordination, and SAFE program materially shape Alexandria Zoo's species access and conservation funding.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/friends-of-the-alexandria-zoo

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 FRIENDS OF THE ALEXANDRIA ZOO