El Paso Zoo Secures Funding Partnership with Paso del Norte Community Foundation

City Council in El Paso, Texas, recently approved an agreement between the El Paso Zoo and the Paso del Norte Community Foundation (PdNCF) that will provide crucial funding support for the zoo.

Prior to this agreement, fundraising efforts were overseen by the El Paso Zoological Society. However, after the City chose not to renew their licensing agreement with the society, a new partnership was formed with PdNCF.

Joe Montisano, the director of the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens, emphasized that this new collaboration will broaden the zoo's donor base, making it easier to secure donations from the community.

Unlike the previous arrangement with the Zoo Society, PdNCF's sole responsibility will be fundraising. This differs from the previous management structure, as the Society also handled the zoo's membership program.

Montisano expressed confidence that this shift will lead to an increase in donations, particularly from individuals hesitant to donate directly to the City.

“There are some people that just won't write a check to the city because they think the city waste money. I don't know why. I can't explain that. But I have run into that in the past six months. They just will not write a check to the city and so they can write a check now to the foundation. And we still get the money for their intended purposes,” said Montisano.

Notably, Representative Brian Kennedy and Josh Acevedo opposed the agreement during the City Council vote.

What do you think?

• Do you believe the partnership with PdNCF will benefit the El Paso Zoo in the long run?
• Should fundraising for public institutions like zoos be managed by independent organizations rather than the City?
• Is it concerning that some individuals are hesitant to donate directly to the City?
• Should City Council decisions on partnerships like this be subject to more public input?