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Home > Visit The Zoo > Whats New > Philadelphia Zoo Receives Challenge Grant From Kresge Foundation
Philadelphia Zoo Receives Challenge Grant From Kresge Foundation
3/11/2008 12:00:00 AM
The Philadelphia Zoo is soaring to new heights, thanks to a challenge grant awarded by the prestigious Kresge Foundation. This grant of $1 million will allow us to transform our historic 1916 Bird House into the state-of-the-art McNeil Avian Center. 

The highly competitive Kresge Challenge grant is designed to challenge other potential donors to support the Philadelphia Zoo’s capital campaign. Known for its rigorous standards, the $3 billion Kresge Foundation, established by Sebastian S. Kresge of Kmart, is one of the premier foundations in the U.S.  Its grant programs are intended to strengthen nonprofit organizations by catalyzing their growth, connecting them to stakeholders, and challenging a greater level of support.  As one of only 82 grants announced last September, the Zoo’s award of the $1 million Challenge Grant from the Kresge Foundation is an impressive achievement.

The Kresge Foundation has chosen the challenge grant approach to grant-making in order to help institutions enhance their fundraising capabilities.  Every new gift and pledge, however small or large, from an individual, family, corporation or foundation will count toward the Kresge Challenge.   To meet our challenge, the Zoo must successfully raise the balance of its $16.7 million budget to build the McNeil Avian Center by March 2009. We are now well within $1.4 million of our goal.

The Kresge Challenge Grant is a remarkable opportunity for friends and supporters of the Philadelphia Zoo.  Your help and loyalty are needed.  Click here to learn more about how you can help us meet the Challenge and be a part of our transformation, or call Moira Mulroney, Director of Grants, at (215) 243-5376.