Valley Zoological Society Endowment Fund
In 1986, the Valley Zoological Society Board of Directors voted to create a permanent endowment fund to help strengthen the financial status of the Zoo. The Sams Foundations established challenge grants totaling $3 million to kick-start the Endowment Fund. The Earl C. Sams Foundation committed to match dollar for dollar up to $2 million and The Lightner Sam's Foundation committed to match an additional $1 million. Since the Endowment Fund's formation, over $10 million has successfully been raised from businesses, corporations, foundations and concerned individuals from all over the Rio Grande Valley, state, country and world. Each year, a portion of interest income generated from the endowment helps ensure that the Zoo has sufficient funds to operate. To make a donation to the Endowment Fund or for more information contact vze@gpz.org or call the Director at (956) 546-7187.

Adopt-An-Animal
Help us feed our animal collection by making the decision to Adopt-an-Animal. By adopting an animal, your tax-deductible donation will pay for an animal's food bill for an entire year. Read more about the benefits of adoption and download a price list and application.

Membership
Upgrade your membership to a Supporting Member level or higher. Read about the great benefits of membership and download an application.

Give to Conservation
The Gladys Porter Zoo works on various worthy conservation projects. Additional funds to pay for expenses that are not covered by grants are always in need. Read more about our projects on our Conservation page. To help us further our conservation initiatives make a donation to our conservation fund.

Volunteer
Like any other non-profit organization, the Gladys Porter Zoo greatly depends on its surrounding community for support. The Zoo offers several programs that are designed to utilize the donated services of community members. The following are just some of the volunteer opportunities the Gladys Porter Zoo offers: The Docent Council, Summer Teen Volunteer Program and Private Industry Council Programs.

Answer the Call of the Wild
Donate your old cell phone and help save gorillas! 100% of the funds generated by Gladys Porter Zoo through the collection of your unwanted cell phone will be used for lowland gorilla conservation. Half of the proceeds will remain at the Gladys Porter Zoo, and the other portion will be donated to the Wildlife Conservation Society to support their conservation efforts in Africa. Drop off location is the Zoo's adminstrative office.

Zoofari
Gladys Porter Zoo's biggest fundraiser of the year is Zoofari. Each year, proceeds from Zoofari are earmarked for a designated project. Zoofari is always held the first Friday & Saturday in October. Make plans to join us for both nights. The Premier evening (Friday) is the gala event with a live auction and catered dinner. Zoofari evening (Saturday) includes a casual bar-b-que, silent auction, blackboard auction, live music and dancing.