Scovill Zoo Endowment Designated Fund

For generations, Scovill Zoo has been one of Decatur’s most cherished community treasures—a place where curiosity is sparked, learning comes alive, and people of all ages experience the wonder of animals from around the world. Nestled in Scovill Park overlooking Lake Decatur, the Zoo is both a neighborhood gathering place and a window to the natural world.

The Scovill Zoo Endowment Fund ensures this jewel remains rooted in our community forever.

By contributing to the endowment, donors help provide a permanent source of support that strengthens the Zoo’s long-term sustainability—protecting it from economic uncertainty while preserving affordable, accessible experiences for families, children, educators, and visitors of every age. Endowment support helps ensure that Scovill Zoo remains community-owned in spirit and purpose, not dependent on short-term funding alone.

Home to nearly 500 animals representing six continents—including cheetahs, penguins, zebras, meerkats, and reptiles—the Zoo offers an experience that is both intimate and world-class. Its manageable size makes it welcoming and approachable, while its Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accreditation reflects the highest standards of animal care, conservation, and education.

The Zoo’s family-friendly features—like the Endangered Species Carousel, the Z.O. & O. Express Train, and a community-built playground—create memories that span generations. Its educational programs, mobile classrooms, summer camps, conservation initiatives, and hands-on animal encounters inspire stewardship, empathy, and lifelong learning.

An investment in the Scovill Zoo Endowment Fund is an investment in access—to animals, to education, and to shared community experiences. It ensures that this beloved institution continues to thrive as a place where children encounter wildlife up close, families gather year after year, and our community proudly passes along one of its most enduring assets.

Your gift today helps ensure Scovill Zoo remains a vibrant, accessible, and inspiring community treasure—now and for generations to come.

Click here to donate to this fund...and gifts by Illinois residents to this fund qualify for the Illinois Gives Tax Program.