Our Impact

What We Fund

The Friends is committed to partnering with the City of Palo Alto to make the JMZ accessible and welcoming to all. With the support of our generous donors, we fund programs that ensure that access to the JMZ is never limited by financial, physical, or cognitive barriers. We also work closely with JMZ leadership to enhance exhibits and contribute to the exceptional care for all JMZ animals. 

Science Education

  • JMZ Learning Labs: Science at School & After-School

    • The Friends partners with the JMZ to fund the delivery of their exceptional, hands-on science education program to schools districts, charter schools, and community organizations in East Palo Alto, Redwood City, and eastern Menlo Park. By working closely with the JMZ, the Friends ensures that children in under-resourced schools and after-school programs can engage in high-quality science education in familiar settings. 

  • JMZ STEM Enrichment

    • The JMZ offers on-site science education and the Friends support access to these programs in partnership with local nonprofits. These initiatives include fee-coverage for summer camp and science camp assistant roles, group field trips, and early childhood classes. We are proud to work with the JMZ to welcome children and families in new and impactful ways. 


Accessibility Efforts

  • Super Family Sundays

    • The Friends funds Super Family Sundays at the JMZ. These inclusive events offer families with children who have physical and learning disabilities the chance to enjoy the JMZ in a welcoming, reduced-sensory environment.

  • Affinity Events

    • In collaboration with local nonprofits serving children with physical or learning disabilities or from communities that have been underinvested in, the Friends hosts no-cost, after-hour events. Each event is customized and provides access to enriching experiences that inspire learning and curiosity.

Exhibits

  • The Friends raise funds for exhibit enhancements, including the Rainbow Tunnel, California Dinosaur Garden, and the new JMZ. These exhibits improve the JMZ for guests and the entire community.

Zoo Support

  • To support the exceptional care of all JMZ animals, the Friends contribute to the specialized diets, veterinary care, habitat maintenance, and enrichment activities that keep animals healthy and engaged.

The Friends Behind Our Impact

The Access & Inclusion (A&I) Committee is the driving force behind the Friends’ community engagement efforts. Composed of teachers, advocates, and community leaders, the A&I Committee brings community voices into our decision-making and governance processes and provides recommendations to improve our impact for children with physical or learning disabilities and from communities that have been underinvested in.

The A&I Committee operates under three pillars:

Community & Access - Ensure that the JMZ and its programming remains accessible to everyone, regardless of financial, physical, or cognitive barriers by engaging and connecting with neighboring communities.

Classrooms & Education - Support educational equity for children by providing early science education in under-resourced schools and communities as a foundation for future academic and career success.

Continuous Learning - Invest in continuous learning for the JMZ and the Friends to evolve with the communities we serve.