Zoos SA leverage Future Fund to secure future of vital animal conservation projects

Foundation SA offers people and organisations opportunities to create lasting legacies, but it doesn’t stop there. Our unique model also opens the door for non-profits to secure their long-term impact by establishing a Future Fund.

A Future Fund enables any organisation with DGR1 status to ethically invest funds, from $20,000 or more, access fundraising and donation infrastructure and build a long-term endowment to secure the future of their organisation and impact.

Zoos SA (Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park) recently established their Future Fund with Foundation SA with the aim of attracting bequests and major gifts that can be invested for long-term growth.

Sarah Brown, Zoos SA Director Community Engagement, says that a Future Fund is a key way to secure the future of Zoos SA and Monarto Safari Park and vital animal conservation programs and experiences in South Australia.

“As a conservation charity, we rely heavily on donors and supporters to help us continue our valuable breeding and conservation programs both in Australia and internationally.

“In particular, major gifts and bequests can be used to support our long-term strategic goals and by leveraging the benefits of a Foundation SA Future Fund, we hope to attract more donors to create a lasting legacy.”

Since the 1880s, six generations of South Australians have passed through the gates at Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park.

“It is vital that we attract and invest gifts wisely to protect endangered species from extinction, connect people with nature and provide valuable learning experiences for generations to come,” Sarah adds.

Zoos SA has recently witnessed the power of giving with a successful call to arms to help establish a herd of elephants in South Australia.

Establishing an elephant herd in South Australia

With the future always in mind, Sarah shares that Zoos SA has been presented with the exciting opportunity to bring three Asian Elephants to Monarto Safari Park.

Currently located at Perth and Auckland Zoos, these elephants will soon be on their way to South Australia’s iconic Monarto Safari Park thanks to more than 4,000 donations — including one significant gift from a generous donor.

“This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for South Australia as it has been more than 30 years since elephants have called South Australia home, but it does come at a significant cost,” says Sarah.

“The total construction cost for the elephant habitat and the transfer of the animals to South Australia will be around $6.5 million.

“While we have raised our goal of $2.025 million, there will be ongoing costs to ensure the long term conservation program for these elephants is a success, and this includes maintenance and food costs.”

With initial funds raised to ensure the elephants’ new home at Monarto Safari Park, Zoos SA is calling on South Australians to help build on this legacy and secure the future for this program and the elephants over the long term.

How you can help

Sarah says that many people mistakenly believe that Zoos SA is government run and funded.

“We are a private conservation charity and to guarantee the future of our animal conservation programs and to leverage such unique opportunities, Zoos SA needs to unlock every fundraising avenue to ensure that the community can throw their support behind these grand elephants.

“People and organisations can donate to Zoos SA to ensure that we can continue to invest in animal conservation, accommodate the complex social and structural needs of our animals, and of course, open our gates to many more generations of South Australians to observe these majestic animals in a natural habitat.”

To learn more about how you can help Zoos SA to home elephants in South Australia, please visit elephants.monartosafari.com.au

For more information about establishing an endowment for non-profits, read about Foundation SA Future Funds here.