My personal experience (2 family retired over age 60 folks) is that this foundation really RECOGNIZES their donors, caters to them and tries to give quality experiences to match their voluntary gifts .As we know there are many charities clamoring for our dollars The Oregon Zoo delivers value for dollar. The zoo has metro (govt) employees who work WELL with the donor foundation volunteers and donors - not always the case.

The Oregon Zoo Foundation is completely integrated with the Zoo Operation and puts its/your "money where the commitment is". They just recently completed and opened an African Exhibit that came in on budget and are working on a new ape exhibit. They use the money wisely and have great project management relative to other Zoo's I have donated and volunteered with such that YOUR donor money actually shows up in a completed project! They acknowledge their donors with special previews and use LOCAL merchants to provide the goodies (eats and drinks) at these events. I like that. I recommend involvement in the OREGON ZOO FOUNDATION. Also a plus - foundation members use email extensively, are available in great number at their donor events and I have found their backgrounds to be very deep in the field (they hire well).