Fort Wayne Zoological Society, Inc. (operating as Fort Wayne Zoo)
Connecting kids and animals, strengthening families, and inspiring people to care.
About Fort Wayne Zoological Society, Inc. (operating as Fort Wayne Zoo)
Fort Wayne Zoological Society, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates the Fort Wayne Zoo (formerly known as Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo). The organization cares for a large collection of species, provides formal and informal education programs, and supports local and global conservation initiatives.
In recent years the Zoo completed a strategic planning process, renewed its AZA accreditation (October 1, 2024), and announced an operating name change to Fort Wayne Zoo effective January 1, 2025 to better reflect its broader audience and conservation leadership.
The organization is self-supporting (operated primarily through admissions, membership, program fees, and donations), serves hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, and continues to expand exhibits, education offerings, and field conservation partnerships.
Notable achievements
AZA accreditation (2024)
The Zoo was approved by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Accreditation Commission on October 1, 2024, reaffirming its standards in animal care, education, safety, and governance.
Rebranding to Fort Wayne Zoo (effective 2025)
Following a 2023 strategic planning process and a Board vote, the organization announced a name update effective January 1, 2025 to reflect a broader mission and audience while retaining its core mission.
Large-scale conservation & education impact
The organization reports substantial annual conservation giving and programmatic outputs (hundreds of thousands of dollars in conservation support, participation in dozens of Species Survival Plans, and tens of thousands of education program participants in recent years).
At a glance
- EIN
- 35-6068234
- Website
- fwzoo.com
- On Mahalo since
- November 2025
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