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Minnesota Zoo received $2.7 million in corporate gifts in past year

By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune

Last update: May 13, 2008 - 11:54 PM

The Minnesota Zoo's quest to become one of the top 10 zoos in America got a major boost over the past year in the form of $2.7 million in gifts and pledges from several local corporations and firms, the Apple Valley zoo said today.

Leading the list of donations are two $1 million gifts from the Cargill Foundation and the Medtronic Foundation to help with future improvements and expansion of current facilities and programs.

Cargill's gift will be dedicated to a new Environmental Learning Center, which is planned as part of a new zoo entry and visitor center.

Medtronic's gift will support the recently renovated and updated Minnesota Trail, which celebrates the state's animals and their environment. The Medtronic Foundation also gave $150,000 to be used over the next three years to support zoo education programs, including the Zoomobile, the zoo's mentor program and the Science Education Scholarship Fund.

Other significant gifts have come from Ecolab, Faegre & Benson LLP, KPMG LLP, the Toro Company, Piper Jaffray and TCF Bank, the zoo said.

"These corporate investments in the Minnesota Zoo underscore the importance of the Minnesota Zoo as a state, national and international leader in environmental education and conservation," said the Zoo Director and CEO Lee Ehmke. "Their gifts also affirm our community's commitment to build and sustain one of Minnesota's leading cultural institutions. We are deeply grateful for their support as we strive to become one of America's top 10 zoos."

In 2005, the zoo began a strategic plan to become one of the top 10 zoos in the nation.