About Indianapolis Zoological Society
The Indianapolis Zoological Society funds biodiversity conservation domestically and internationally, prioritizing species-focused protection, habitat and land-conservation partners, and capacity-building for conservation organizations. Grants skew toward established zoological societies and conservation nonprofits (both local Indiana groups and global species programs), indicating a mix of institutional support and targeted species/habitat interventions. Their giving reflects practical conservation outcomes—species recovery, protected lands, and professional development—rather than general education or research grants.
Focus Areas
Support for zoological societies and zoo-led conservation programs (e.g., Lincoln Park, Oklahoma Zoo)Species-specific conservation (marine turtles, parrots, cheetahs, sturgeon/paddlefish)Regional land and habitat conservation in Indiana and the Midwest (Sycamore Land Trust, IN Natural Resources Foundation, The Nature Conservancy in Indiana)Global field conservation partnerships and rapid-response species protection (WIDECAST, RE WILD, Global Wildlife Conservation)Conservation capacity and leadership development (Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders, training/support grants)
Who They Fund
About Indianapolis Zoological Society
Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc channels its grantmaking into biodiversity conservation, with a clear preference for species-focused protection and conservation capacity. Its largest recent awards went to Lincoln Park Zoological Society, which received $80,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025 for conservation work, showing a repeated commitment to an established zoological partner. The same pattern appears in other zoo-linked and conservation organizations, including WIDECAST at $50,000 and Re:wild at $45,000, both in 2024. The foundation’s portfolio also reaches into targeted species work and habitat protection. Recent grants supported World Parrot Trust at $35,000, North American Sturgeon and Paddlefish Society at $20,000, and Turtle Survival Alliance at $18,000. Alongside those species programs, the foundation backs land and ecosystem conservation through groups such as Sycamore Land Trust and The Nature Conservancy in Indiana. Its grantmaking includes both domestic and international conservation efforts, but the recurring thread is practical support for organizations working on species recovery, habitat protection, and conservation leadership.
What Indianapolis Zoological Society Funds
Species conservation is a major theme in the foundation’s giving. It awarded $35,000 to World Parrot Trust for conservation, $20,000 to North American Sturgeon and Paddlefish Society for conservation, and $18,000 to Turtle Survival Alliance for support. Those grants point to a preference for organizations working directly with priority wildlife groups. The foundation also supports land and habitat protection. It gave $23,000 to Sycamore Land Trust and $10,000 to The Nature Conservancy in Indiana, both for conservation, along with $15,087 and $11,587 to Indiana Natural Resources Foundation in separate years. Capacity-building appears as another thread: Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders received $10,000 in 2025 for conservation, indicating support for professional development in the field. Zoo-linked institutions are another consistent part of the portfolio. Oklahoma Zoological Society received $15,000 for conservation, while Lincoln Park Zoological Society received repeated $80,000 awards.
How Indianapolis Zoological Society Gives
Typical grants cluster in the mid-five-figure range: the 25th percentile is $11,587, the median is $15,000, and the 75th percentile is $35,000. The recent record shows repeat support to the same grantees across multiple years, including Lincoln Park Zoological Society and Indiana Natural Resources Foundation, which suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-off awards. The foundation’s active programs include the Indianapolis Prize and Indianapolis Zoo Field Conservation Project Support Grants. Both are listed as accepting unsolicited submissions.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$153K
Total Assets
$245.4M
Total Revenue
$57.7M
Total Expenses
$44.4M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $12K and $35K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$12K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$35K
Geographic Reach
National15 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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