Greenville Zoo Eyes Bright Future with Governance Overhaul and Funding Boost Plans

Exciting Changes on the Horizon for Greenville Zoo

Greenville, a city known for its vibrant community and gorgeous parks, is buzzing with news about its beloved Greenville Zoo. Currently, the zoo’s organizational and operational structure is under the microscope as the city works to enhance its future success. The city of Greenville oversees all operations and revenue for the zoo, but there’s a new plan afoot that could shift how it operates.

A Comprehensive Governance Study

In spring of 2023, the city decided to hire Relevant Strategies and Solutions to conduct a thorough governance study of the zoo. This assessment was deemed necessary to assist in the city’s strategic planning efforts, which aim to secure a prosperous future for the zoo. Brandon Madden, the deputy city manager, emphasized the importance of this review, stating, “The findings and recommendations will be considered to ensure that the zoo is positioned for success in the future.”

The Greenville City Council’s Involvement

After the city council’s meeting on September 9, the council officially approved a resolution to accept the findings of the assessment report. With fresh eyes on the current operations, Relevant Strategies and Solutions has recommended a shift towards a public-private partnership with a nonprofit governing board. This transition is expected to promote a more balanced and effective management structure between the city and the Greenville Zoo Foundation.

What Does This Mean for the Zoo?

This proposed shift in governance is projected to take between three to five years. The first step in this transformation involves crafting a strategic plan that will provide a clear vision for the zoo’s future. Alongside this plan, a 10-year facility concept will be developed, focusing on potential projects to enhance the zoo, which can support future fundraising campaigns.

Madden mentioned, “Both the strategic plan and facility concept plan are currently in progress.” This means that exciting developments are on the horizon for all zoo lovers in the Greenville area!

Funding Needs and Solutions

One of the essential aspects highlighted by the report is the need for increased funding for the zoo. Presently, the report notes that public and private funding levels are “below a sustainable level,” which impacts the upkeep of the zoo’s facilities and its accreditation status with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Shockingly, public funding currently only covers about 5.5% of the zoo’s operating budget!

To address this funding gap, it is recommended that the city offers increased and consistent financial support to the zoo. Furthermore, before the governance change takes place, the Greenville Zoo Foundation will need to ramp up its private fundraising efforts. Currently, they manage to raise approximately $400,000 each year, but this will need to increase significantly to support operational and capital expenses.

Strategic Planning and Future Updates

To meet these challenges, the foundation has been tasked with launching a comprehensive fundraising campaign. This plan will target capital projects, endowments, zoo maintenance, and the annual fund to ensure the zoo can thrive.

As Madden stated, “The city will work with the community and our partners to implement action items outlined in the final report.” The community can expect ongoing updates as strategies unfold and evolve.

Aiming for Accreditation

Amid all these changes, the Greenville Zoo is also in the process of renewing its AZA accreditation, which it must do every five years. This rigorous process evaluates standards for animal welfare, veterinary care, conservation efforts, education initiatives, guest services, and much more. A thorough three-day inspection was conducted in June, and a formal hearing by the AZA commission is scheduled for this fall.

With all these exciting developments underway, the Greenville Zoo is truly embarking on a transformative journey. The community’s dedication to improving the zoo is evident, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for this cherished local attraction!