About Nashville Zoo
Nashville Zoo Inc directs the bulk of its philanthropy to species- and habitat-focused conservation, supporting both global field programs (rhinos, giraffes, cheetahs, turtles, red pandas, bats) and peer zoological institutions. Grants also fund zoo infrastructure and local public assets (e.g., a large parking garage project for the Metro Nashville government). The foundation favors conservation science and species survival work run by specialist NGOs and AZA-member zoos, while occasionally supporting local social services.
Focus Areas
Global threatened species programs (rhino, giraffe, cheetah, red panda, turtles)Support for AZA-member zoos and zoo-based conservation initiatives (technical assistance, species programs)Field conservation partnerships in biodiversity hotspots (Neotropics, Africa, Asia)Local capital and infrastructure investments for Nashville park/zoo operations
Who They Fund
rhinocerosescheetahsclouded leopardstigersgolden eagles
About Nashville Zoo
Nashville Zoo Inc’s giving is shaped by species recovery work: rhinos, giraffes, cheetahs, red pandas, turtles, bats, and other wildlife conservation priorities appear throughout its recent grants. The foundation pairs that animal-focused portfolio with support for zoological institutions and conservation networks, including the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and Zoo Miami. That mix suggests a funder that backs both field programs and the institutional infrastructure that supports them. Its grants also reach beyond species work when a project aligns with zoo operations or public assets. One of the largest awards in the recent list went to the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County for parking garage construction, showing that the foundation’s philanthropy is not limited to wildlife projects. Other awards connect directly to conservation programs, such as support for rhinos through the International Rhino Foundation and for giraffes through Save Giraffes Now. The recent record shows a funder comfortable with project-based support across conservation, education, habitat protection, and sustainability, while remaining tied to specialist organizations and zoo partners. The pattern is broad in topic but specific in purpose.
What Nashville Zoo Funds
Rhino conservation is a clear throughline. Nashville Zoo Inc gave $59,075 in 2023 and $50,000 in both 2024 and 2025 to the International Rhino Foundation, with the stated purpose moving from “to support rhinos” to “conservation.” Giraffe work is another recurring area. The foundation supported Save Giraffes Now with $55,654 in 2025 and $32,965 in 2024, both for conservation. Cheetah conservation also appears in the recent grants list, including $26,883 to Cheetah Conservation Fund in 2023 “to support cheetahs.” The foundation also funds less common species programs. It granted $15,000 and then $10,000 to Red Panda Network, plus $10,000 to Point Defiance Zoo Society “to support clouded leopards.” Separate awards went to Turtle Survival Alliance and to groups working on bats and golden eagles, indicating a species-specific conservation portfolio rather than one narrow taxonomic focus.
How Nashville Zoo Gives
Nashville Zoo Inc’s recent grants cluster around a median of $25,000, with a lower quartile of $10,000 and an upper quartile of $41,482. That spread shows a mix of mid-sized program grants and a smaller number of larger awards. The recent record also shows repeat support over multiple years. The same recipients appear again for the International Rhino Foundation, Save Giraffes Now, Minnesota Zoo Foundation, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Red Panda Network, and Turtle Survival Alliance, which points to ongoing project relationships rather than isolated one-time gifts. The foundation operates its own in-house conservation grant funding program and does not accept unsolicited applications. Its giving includes conservation, species recovery, research, environmental education, and sustainability, alongside occasional capital support.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$257K
Total Assets
$182.7M
Total Revenue
$35.9M
Total Expenses
$31.9M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $10K and $41K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$41K
Geographic Reach
National13 states funded
About 4% of grants go to recipients in TX.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
RICK SCHWARTZ
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