New document available on links between EU policy and the deliver of zoos and aquaria

eu-and-europes-zoos

On behalf of a grouping of 19 leading zoos and aquaria throughout the EU, we recently completed this study which draws out the close alignment between the EU’s principles and policues and what good zoos and allied sites are all about.

It comes complete with an introduction from the former Deputy Prime Minister of the UK, John Prescott, and we would welcome the help of any one reading this site in winning some future wording from other senior EU politicians for a future edition.

This document is not a signpost to where zoos can find funding ( contact me on this) but rather an advocacy and lobbying document to be used in advance and alongside any applications you may care to make.

 

John Regan  (00 44 161 434 1681)

 

Save The Rhino International’s application to the EU’s ENTRP programme

Renaud Fulconis.

 

 

 

We recently assisted Save The Rhino International to complete an initial Concept Note to the European Union’s  “enviromental and sustainable management of natural resources, including energy” This is for the protection of the Great One Horned Rhino in Nepal’s Terai grasslands.  The overall project looks to cost  2.5 million €, and we hope to win 1.87 milion € from the EU. We will know at the end of April whether we are invited to proceed to full bid.

Cathy Head, CEO of Save The Rhino International said: “We immensely enjoyed working with John Regan on the Concept Note stage - and hopefully round 2 in due course - for a major bid to the EU. John’s experience of working on EU proposals, his insight into the kind of things they look for in grant applications, and his focus and direction on getting a good job done on time were both welcome and necessary”.

EU LIFE+ Information and Communication funds undersubcribed!

This source of funds, introduced for the first time ever in September 07, seems to have been badly undersubscribed. In the UK only 3 applications were made.

Whilst this financing cannot support major infrastructure, it can fund signage, information points and possibly walkways. Restricted to EU environmental issues, it seems especially well suited to collaborative projects involving more than one zoo or botanic garden or similar organisation.

This programme could double the finance available to a given grouping or single organisation on a theme such as endangered amphibian species native to Europe. or European carnivores.   A collaborative, project seen to be funded by the EU would also have the benefit of elevating the zoo community’s identity in the public arena. 

The remit  of the Inf & Com component (unlike the rather tight other LIFE+ components) is wide to the point of complete vagueness.  Furthermore, various lobbying missions on my part to DG Environment before LIFE+ was finally formulated stressed the huge public awareness raising potential inherent in zoos, and seems to have met with some results. So a funding programme in part specifically designed to address zoo potential  risk now being ignored by them.

Partnerships to access EU funding.

Currently membership for the EU Interreg zoo and botanic garden funding partnership lead by Bristol Zoo Gardens is closed. 

We are likely to bid together for a sum in the region of  5 million €.  The ‘in principle’ membership for this project is: Emmen Zoo, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, Munster Zoo and the Eden Project, UK.
However if any  zoo, botanic garden or similar organisation is interested in drawing funds down through a partnership bid with other such institutions, please contact us without delay.

The Interreg Fund has not been hugely used for the benefit of zoos, aquaria and botanic gardens to date, but as bids are made, the novely aspect will decline.  As it takes a lot of time to discuss , form partnerships and prepare matters, it is important to start discussions early.

John@johnreganassociates.com

Former post (January 0

The EU’s Interreg programme can, in the right circumstances, release fairly substantial funds for projects on zoo,  similar sites or institutions allied to zoos, such as universities.  

 

In each case,  a number of partners needs to come together to bid collectively for the funding. There are a number of different Interreg programmes that apply to different kinds of partnerships in different parts of Europe (  - and some non EU states as well,  such as Switzerland).

This particular post however is a specific invitation to European zoos, nature sites, botanic gardens,  public sector organisations that take an interest in such sites, or other organisations who might want to be involved, to join an existing ‘in principle’ partnership within North West Europe to bid for funding.   The current ‘in principle’ partners are: Bristol Zoo Gardens,  the Eden Project, Fota Wildlife Park, Ireland, Emmen Zoo, Netherlands, and Nordens Ark, Sweden.  Only organisations in certain parts of Europe are eligible in this specific instance.  This map shows the eligible areas: northwesteurope.pdf.  This Q & A  document explains what is involved in the project:  q-a-for-partners.docq-a-for-partners.docq-a-for-partners.doc

There is probably only room for a further organisations so please contact us very quickly if you are interested. The overall project budget might be in the region of €10 million

If you are not within the eligible area, but are still curious as to how the overall Interreg programme might benefit you, please also contact us, and we will inform you on the potential available to you.

Question from Martin Rule re funding for Varna Zoo, Bulgaria

Thanks for your website.

I have just visited a Zoo in Bulgaria, Varna. This Zoo suffers from stereotypical underfunding and is in dire need of all the support, advice and change that the EU accession treaty intended.
I am working with a young activist who is currently designing the Zoo’s website. He has recently appeared in negotiations with the Zoo Director on Bulgaria’s national news television and and a discussion programme for local Varna TV and radio. Some of the conditions are dire there for the stressed animals, particularly the wild cats and bears. Bulgaria has shown some positive intent on animal wefare, so we are working with this intention on spawning the connection between civic democracy ,animal welfare and developing succesful post communist economic models based on progressive policy and strategy. There is virtually zero debate at this level, and even less responsibility.
The potential for developing these issues into successful outcomes is a large as the curent paucity of attention given to them.We want to reverse the situation by starting with whats necessary, attending to the possible and then letting beneficial chaos theory take over!

WE and I would appreciate any and all advice you can offer on EU funding streams for Zoos to develop our ideas and civic outreach intentions.

Thank you
Martyn Rule

johnregan
March 22, 2008 at 11:16 am

Dear Martyn,

Thanks for your email. I have visited Bulgaria myself with EAZA and know only too well of the distressing condition of some animals in certain zoos there. I believe matters are even worse in some Romanian collections. I admire your work in trying to better the situation.

Whilst EU legislation exists (the EU Directive on Zoos) exists to mandate higher welfare standards within the enlarged EU, I am afraid that sadly, amongst the very many EU financial instruments, there exists none that directly and specifically supports improved accommodation for zoo animals as such.

However there are plural opportunities to secure major funding for
1. economic development involving zoos
2. wildlife conservation and public awareness of environmental matters

These all require political will on the part the authorities that operate the zoo (in this case, I would guess, the municipal authorities of Varna??) I can imagine that these will not be putting animal welfare at the top of their list, but the great trick is to get them to see that tens of millions of euros are potentially available to transform their site ( in keeping with the EU Zoo Directive) from an embarrassing old fashioned menagerie with dwindling audiences, disseminating a negative, retrograde image internationally for Varna and Bulgaria as whole, into a 21st Century environmental and natural heritage awareness centre, generating jobs, tourism, small businesses, positive image for Varna and perhaps promoting Bulgaria’s native wildlife heritage. This would be especially appropriate in Varna as a major tourism city. Such a metamorphosis will naturally also embrace dramatically improved welfare conditions. Varna zoo is almost certainly sitting on a high and growing value land bank, and EU legislation (and popular international opinion such as your own) will eventually force closure of the site or change anyway. So the zoo authorities look to lose everything unless they embark early on an imaginative and inspirational paradigm shift.

JRA Ltd occasionally visits zoo sites across Europe to run a short workshop matching the realities and aspirations of an organisation with a strategy to secure transformational EU funding (I don’t claim it is straightforward to bid successfully for these large funds). This is how I pay my bills of course (!), so the fee is realistic, but as the exercise only takes a few days, not exorbitant.

Anyway the animals in Varna Zoo could potentially benefit in different ways from:

• Bulgaria’s EU Structural Funds in the zoo’s identity as means for regional economic development and positive identity
• EU Cohesion fund – as above but with extra emphasis on the environment
• LIFE+ could part fund a public campaign around Bulgarian biodiversity with knock on effects for the individual treatment of animals in captivity, as well as wild based conservation
• Interreg could establish a pan-EU partnership to upgrade Varna zoo
• TAIEX could pay for exchange of expertise between a high welfare standard zoo elsewhere in EU and Varna

Further details are available scattered around the Zoo Funding blog, and upon further investigation there may be other funding possibilities (EU and otherwise)

Good luck, keep in touch and let me know if the Varna authorities would wish to work with JRA on a professional basis.

Updated LIFE+: LIFE+ when to start thinking about your project

The EU’s LIFE+ application process finally opened on the 28 September 2007. A total amount of €187 million  was available for this first call for proposals, and it will be slightly more this year., 2008  The ‘closing date’ ( by when proposals have to be submitted to the national authorities) for 2008 is likely to be the 21/11/08,  and applications open 15 July( but you can and should prepare your project well in advance).    

The Commission will then spend much of 2009 assessing the projects submitted in this round. Successful applicants will not be able to actually begin their projects until  1/1/2010 at the earliest.

It is also worth pointing out that conceiving, testing and then fully articulating your project according to the application requirements of LIFE+ takes a good deal of time. 

So zoos and allied organisations wishing to consider a LIFE+ project - to begin in 2010 - would be wise to start the process soon.

I would remind you that there are 3 components to LIFE+ as follows, all of which are potentially of interest to our community

• LIFE+ Nature & Biodiversity
• LIFE+ Environment Policy & Governance
• LIFE+ Information & Communication

In the case of the latter, co-operative, multi-site projects ( national or trans-national) would seem to be the most likely to be successful

If you want further information, please post a comment below, rather than email me direct

Thanks

 John

ENRTP Funding from EU for conservation throughout the developing world

We have just completed and submitted two ‘concept notes’ for this EU funding programme ( “environment and sustainable management of natural resources, including energy” ENRTP:

One on behalf of EAZA and Bird Life International for a project in Madagascar, and another on behalf of Save the Rhino and ZSL for work in Nepal.

This opportunity is now closed, but will likely open again towards the end of 2008.  It offers up to 80% funding and projects can range from EU contributions of €800,000 to €3,500,000.

Although the initial  4 page Concept Form looks relatively straightforward (if these are successul, the applicant is invited to proceed to a full bid), a strong and appropriate concept is needed, as well as the partnership to go with this. All of which takes a lot of time to develop. So organisations thinking of bidding at the end of this year would absolutely have to start developing their project from now on.

ENRTP is one programme belonging to AIDCO. Occasionally other calls for bids may be of interest to conservation or zoological interests.

Here is the link:http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/cgi/frame12.pl

‘Fundraising’ versus ‘Development’…?

So what’s the difference? What route should a given organisation choose when first resourcing some kind of external funding programme and philosophy..?

To my mind, ‘fundraising’ is a function logically tucked inside a larger marketing or communications department, and probably not reporting directly to the CEO.  It concerns tactical activities to secure extra resource to fund those iniatives that the organisation would carry out as a matter of course. It is likely to embrace fundraising events (uggh!), legacy promotions ( hurray!), modest corporate partnerships, community or ‘grassroots’ fundraising. Properly resourced and managed,  it is an extremely valuable addition to a zoo or other organisation’s  other revenue streams ( …and in the case of legacies of course huge sums can be involved)

But ‘development’ is a fundamentally strategic activity. It is about engagement with the external decision making landscape so as to find resource opportunities that can profoundly transform one’s organisation (RDA funding, capital campaigns, VAT recoup, elective pound programmes, major sponsorship, high level major gifts, etc). It is about the patient, high level marketing of the zoo, its work and its ethical mission to the most senior decision makers possible. It is about the entire growth future of the organisation,  in so far as this is dependent on the external world (  -  which it probably is).

Development is a quasi-CEO activity. You may have of course to hire someone with the specific skills and an exclusive focus on the external world, but the Head of Development must report directlyto the CEO. The CEO will always have be personally very involved as well.

Which approach do I think is the more exciting..?  Guess..!

 Happy to hear dissenting views or experience

 John

http://www.johnreganassociates.com/

John@johnreganassociates.com

Zoos and regional/local identity

Are zoos and aquaria perceived by the outside world as sufficiently different to one another? 

If not, do we lose ‘out of area’ visitors and funding potential, because we are seen as having little to offer that is part of the particular authentic ‘flavour’ of that part of the world?

The fact is,  from within the zoo world, it is obvious that no two zoos are alike. However, the public and the media tend to speak of  ‘the city zoo’, as if the content  (”lions, tigers, elephants, etc…”) is interchangeable wherever you go in the the world.

I am sure that most organisations could do mucg more to project some kind of unique story or special ambiance ( around star animals, around human characters, some special piece of organisational heritage, distinctive architecture, some tie  in with charismatic native fauna…?) that would help drive traffic and allow the zoo to be seen as somehow essential to the distinctive  regional or local identity.  Jersey certainly did this in through the iconic personality of Gerald Durrell, and Bristol ( in a very different sense) through the semi-fictional Johnny Morris.  I confess I have never been to either the Biblical Zoo in Israel and the Nahavo Zoo in Arizona. but both of these must punch above their weight because of the ‘must see whilst in area’ packaging they have cleverly enveloped themselves in.

How many different ways could a given zoo, aquarium or similar organisation add to their mystique,  mythos, glamour?  How many different ways can they shine a searchlight into sky and say  ‘I am here, and in this sense I am unique in all the world’..?

Best

John

A handful of funders for zoos: grants for conservation; funding for widlife; funds for biodiversity education; zoos and capital investment

We will constantly update this post with more potential sources of funding for zoos.  As potentially zoos and botanic gardens from all around the world may access ( and contribute to…?) this forum, we will try and reference funders with a relevance to different parts of the world. 

Obviously “zoo projects” can mean lots of different things ( capital on site projects, educational programmes, in situ conservation projects, etc), and the following funders all fund different kinds of needs. So this is quite a rag-bag of opportunities, and it is up to you to sort through it.

For some of the large international funders, I really think it is also worth considering the virtues of inter-zoo collaborations for many of these sources of finance,  as well as looking for highly innovative  (even risky?) approaches amenable to eventual replication. The whole idea of changing the zoo paradigm through international co-operation could be very appealing to funders.

Naturally we are not responsible if our references to their funding remit is out of date …or just plain wrong.  It should also go without saying that any would be applicant needs to look very carefully at the funder’s own details before proceeding.

Here are the potential funders ( latest added at the top)

The Leverhulme Trust, UK can fund

http://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/grants_awards/grants/international_networks/

Organisations working in  developing countries and with projects where conservation elides with human economic development and agriculture might look at USAID.  Normally does not support unsolicited proposals, but worth making a link with their in country office. See: http://www.usaid.gov/about_usaid/

A nationally specific fund is the Namibian Nature Foundation, whose main objective is to contribute toward sustainable environmental development in Namibia. Make grants of up to 50,000 namibian dollars.  http://www.nnf.org.na/index.php

The Ford Foundation, under its overall theme of “Asset Building & Community Development” has an Environment and Development programme that “helps people and groups acquire, protect, improve and manage land, water, forests, wildlife and other natural assets in ways that help reduce poverty and injustice”.  The Ford Foundation has no connection these days to the Ford Motor Company by the way. See: http://www.fordfound.org/

Alcoa is one of the world’s biggest providers of aluminum and aluminum based products, and operates a large international grant maling foundation, supporting conservation.  If your zoo or botanical garden is near an Alcoa site ( …and the company has hundreds of sites in dozens of countries), you may be eligible for funding . See:  http://www.alcoa.com/global/en/community/info_page/Foundation.asp

The Australia France Foundation supports bilateral cooperations between the two nations in “the broadest possible range of activities”. Potentially this could apply to zoo interests ( and I bet no zoo has ever approached them)http://www.france.embassy.gov.au/pari/Affintro.html

The Aga Khan Foundation supports amongst other areas, rural development and income generation to alleviate poverty in Africa and Asia. A properly articulated in situ zoo project with human poverty alleviation might well qualify.  The allied Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan Fund for the Environment specifically supports biodiversity. http://www.akdn.org/agency/akf.html

The American Himalyan Foundation funds environmental projects in the Himalyan region  http://www.himalayan-foundation.org/live/home/home

The William Cadbury Trust has certainly made grants to zoo run projects in the past and lists environment as an aim (both in the UK and internationally) http://www.wa-cadbury.org.uk/page.asp?id=8

Rufford Small Grants for Nature Conservation (RSGs) are aimed at small conservation programmes and pilot projects: http://www.rufford.org/rsg/

The Nando Peretti Foundation, based in Italy makes grants to international conservation projects. Currently closed to new applications, but likely to open again soon: http://www.nandoperettifound.org/

Biffaward is a multi-million pound fund which awards grants to community and environmental projects across the UK. The fund’s money comes from landfill tax credits donated by Biffa Waste Services. Biffaward is managed by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts on Biffa’s behalf. http://www.biffaward.org/index.php/contact  The Darwin Initiative is a small grants programme for biodiversity and conservation projects around the world. It tends to favour projects with a strong scientific rationale: http://www.darwin.gov.uk/The Lubee Foundation, based in Florida, is dedicated to the conservation of old world fruit bats. It provides small grants and partnership initiatives within this area: http://www.lubee.org/default.aspxThe International Herpetological Symposium makes (very) small grants to individuals working in relevant fields. No restriction to the USA is specified on theur website: http://www.kingsnake.com/ihs/grant.html

Core funding for associations of conservation NGOs in the EU

This budget line will provide in theory up to 70%  ( in reality more like 50%) of the operating budget of a network of conservation organisations operating in at least 3 different EU States.

To qualify a network organisation would need to show that constitutionally its members are primarily active in the environmental field. It also needs to present 2 years of externally audited accounts.

Contact me for further information

Money from USA Foundations for zoo projects around the world

 A doubtless challenging but nonetheless huge source of finance for the right projects lies within grant making foundations based in the USA.  I attach below an article composed with the help of David Wickert of Chapel & York. Please contact David ( see blogroll) if you want further info, and tell him  you came through the blog.

 

 

 

 

A further musing is that an especially appealing project for USA Foundations ( and perhaps European ones) might just be an approach that somehow transformed or re-articulated the nature of the modern progressive zoo, or indeed evidenced a large number of zoos working together on some very worthwhile project ( an EAZA campaign ..?)

money-for-european-zoos-from-the-united-states.doc

Here are some other useful links: 

foundationcenter.org/

www.ccp.ca/ 

  John

john@johnreganassociates.com

What is the best way to recruit a Development or Fundraising person..?

Recruitment in this area seems to be very much a revolving door.  What is going wrong?

Well, first decide which of these two very distinct philosophies you wish to adopt ( see former post http://zoofunding.wordpress.com/2007/03/15/fundraising-versus-development/).  The instinctive response of a zoo decision maker when first wishing to explore external funding is simply to dip their toe in the water, and hire experimentally at a modest level.

I don’t think this works.

I think you have to put some long term commitment and serious resource into the matter. If not,  you simply won’t attract anyone serious. There is considerable churn within the fundraising world: you hear about the few successful individuals; but not about the majority who fail.

 Some other considerations:

·        there are a lot of very poor ‘fundraisers’ hiding out there ( especially inside big mainstream charities). It is easy to take credit for the general fundraising income of the charity. So if this is a first level post,  you may wish to look to new graduates or professionals from another field looking to swop careers and then offer some training, rather than someone with alledgely two years fundraising or external funding experience.  

·        although the salary you offer is perhaps not at the highest level, the combination  of working for a good cause and the fascinating world of zoos really can attract really high calibre people. In previous recruitment exercises, I have been able to short list people with Phds and Oxbridge first for pretty modest money

·        make sure the prospect for advancement and personal development is there

·        flag up the perks as well, …potentially some international travel, …work in pleasant surroundings with committed people, …perhaps in a very interesting or beautiful part of the country..?

·        but avoid anyone who really just wants to work in a zoo or with animals at any cost ·        anyone with funding experience in an ‘easy’ charity ( children, certain animal causes, high profile health or hunger charity brands) need to be tested very carefully to prove their individual delivery. Someone on the other hand who can prove having raised funds for a ‘difficult’ charity ( ex-offenders, drug rehabilitation, etc )  may be worth a second look·        arguably institution based charities  ( museums, arts,  etc) may offer more directly relevant experience 

Hope these few thoughts are helpful.  I will blog on this again if anyone requests this, or just pick up the phone {00 44 (0)161 434 1681}  if you want to chat

Funding for sustainability: presentation at EAZA Conference, Warsaw September 2007

This attachment is the presentation given at 2007 EAZA Conference.  Elements are similar to that put together for BIAZA in May, but there is more information on LIFE+, AIDCO, etc.  I shall also put more on this site gradually as to these individual funding opportunties.

EAZA Presentation

Capital funding for your site: the EU’s LIFE+ Environmental

I attach here with his kind permission an interview with Karl Hansen, Director of the Living Rainforest, Berkshire.

Under the former LIFE programme Karl drew down some €2 million to support development of a new form of tropical glass house exhibit.See: life-environment-eu-interest-group-interview-with-karl-hansen-final-jan07-2.doc

The new LIFE+ programme will open in September and close again by the end of November. In addition to the above, funding can be provided for appropriate native species and eco-systems and for environmental communication. Please get in contact for further information on these.

John Regan

Zoo finance and legacies

Those of us who are not very rich can only make one really substantial gift to a given organisation or cause. That is through our will.

But that’ s okay because we are all going to die!

To be serious, this is of course a sober, sensitive and sometimes difficult subject, but most zoos and aquaria across Europe really do not seem to place enough emphasis on pro-active legacy promotion.   Other mission led organisations ( note not only registered charities) however do so  and derive an enormous proportion of their income thereby.

In fact, let me let you into a secret. You know all those direct mail approaches from causes trying to get you to sign up to small regular giving through direct debit or similar systems? Well, they are not really most interested in  such immediate modest donations. They are actually after your house through an eventual ’residuary legacy’ and by starting a relationship with you now!  Most people don’t know the actual value of their house.

Here are some reasons why this a particularly appropriate funding technique for zoos:

• Lots of zoo sites were originally founded through the vision of specific individuals, who at some stage gifted the organisational assets to some form of ongoing body. Zoo history books often also reveal that major leaps forward were underpinned by the bequests of specific individuals. So we can legitimately say that the zoo that everyone enjoys today is intimately intertwined with legacy giving.
• Zoos, aquaria and natural history sites can often mean something quite profound to our millions of visitors, not only in terms of wildlife conservation or the zoo per se, but also the role it has played within their family history, perhaps over some decades. Many of our most devoted supporters are women, perhaps in their senior years, and perhaps without family, to whom the zoo and its animals has become an important part of their life.
• Our physical sites lend themselves to the (very carefully planned and controlled) memorialisation of those who have contributed to the zoo’s development
• We are already in communication on a daily basis with our hundreds of thousands of visitors

Okay, so what are some ways in which we might stimulate the thought to make a will and mention the zoo within it?

• We can constantly reference the opportunity in all our communications, not  as a separate matter, but in the context of the zoo’s growth and heritage.  The CEO or Chairman of the organisation should consider making or revising their will, adding a bequest  (this needn’t be very large - it is the example that matters) and talking about this quite openly and honestly in all the media available. We can research and present past instances of legacies that have given us today’s zoo.
• Together with a local solicitor, we can offer a free will clinic to take the mystery and emotion out of this perhaps off putting process ( this can at the same time be a free benefit to staff as well)
• Many supporters out there will have already made a bequest,  or have been thinking about it. But we don’t know who they are. We can create a modest ‘Legacy Pledge Club’ which ask people to just let us know they have referenced the zoo in a will, so we can thank them, and perhaps invite them to special events at the zoo once in while.

So, on surface of it , will making is not most the pleasent of areas to think about. But, actually,  once you get down to it, making your own will  ( as I finally did some 7 years ago) is quite liberating. Dying intestate of course means that more money will go to the Government than otherwise.

The money potentially available for the zoo’s projects can be very considerable indeed as new stories over the last few years have shown, even though clearly the process is hardly an exact science.

More emphasis ought to be placed on the opportunity. After all, none of us can take it with us.

How do you find a ‘chairman’ for your zoo fundraising campaign…?

This is definitely one of the critical success factors of this kind of exercise.

 The campaign chairman needs to be someone who:

• commands respect within the community from which you expect to raise the money
• understands and endorses the zoo’s mission and the rationale of this particular exercise
• can get things done in a no nononsense manner
• is willing to actually ask for big gifts
• is willing to make a gift himself that is seen to be generous within his or her ability to give
• is willing to stay the course

The right person is likely to be a very senior business figure. Ideally they will be remaining in their core business role for the campaign’s duration. If they are to ‘retire’, you must be sure that as an individual, as well as a business leader, they continue to have the relevant relationships.

I will blog on this again in more detail, if anyone asks me to

John

Australia, USA, Canada and NZ zoo partnerships with EU zoos

There is funding available for programmes to allow an exchange of skills ( zookeeping, zoo conservationists or scientists, or any discipline within the zoo field)

This would come from DG Education and Culture who are keen to fund less ‘academic’ and more ‘vocational’  partnerships than in the past. 80% is available to create a course, move people between continents and countries etc. The EU is keen to avoid  exclusively anglophone projects however.

Ask me for more info

How can zoo interests in Europe, North Africaand Western Asia benefit from the New Neighbourhood fund?

The EU has recently launched a new fund open to nearly all the states bordering the existing EU ( Central Asia and North Africa)

Physical development of a zoo site in these countries and potentially all kinds of in situ projects might well be eligible.  Organisations in country however often need the expertise of established zoos and similar organisations within the EU, and the programme specifically encourages partnerships between interests in the New Neighbourhood states and interests within the EU ( including NGOs running zoos).

The New Neighbourhood countries are : Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia and Ukraine. 

Contact me for further information

Science in Society: 100% funding from EU

This budget line lies with DG Research and is intended to help bring young people ( and those of all ages) to a greater interest in science and science careers. It also looks to enhance cooperation across the EU and look at issues of European interest

An exhibition or other similar activity coordinated on by 3 or more partners in different EU states would be eligible for 100% funding through this programme. This might for instance look at the scientific aspects of European native biodiversity. Here is the link:

http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/capacities/science-society_en.html

Intervening at strategy level - before the rules are made

All those funding programmes, and none of them quite fit your project, dammit!

Well, perhaps you can shoehorn whatever it is you want to do into somebody else’s funding instrument

Or perhaps you can go along and talk before the rules are made?  How much more effective and subtle to intervene at strategy level, rather than wait until all the parameters have solidified.

This certainly is a possibility at regional and  (sometimes) at EU level.  So go and network to become part of the decision making and influencing process in the first place, rather than wait to be a supplicant at the table later down the line.

Twycross Zoo wins £3 million grant from East Midlands Development Agency

Twycross Zoo- East Midland Zoological Society, UK has working with John Regan Associates Ltd secured £3 million towards its new entrance complex.

This is in view of the added value that the project provided in keeping with the Regional Economic Strategy. The building will embrace a number of ‘eco-flagship’ elements, a regional TIC,  a programme to support cross cultural understanding and to channel young peeople into work, training and volunteering in areas associated with the life sciences and environmental sciences

A hidden motive for giving money to a zoo or botanic garden..?

Dr Geoffrey Miller, writing in a professional psychology journal and reported here in The Economist,  suggested that giving to good causes (including your zoo) can be as much as about unconscious human mating rituals as true benevolence: http://www.economist.com/science/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9581656

Researching potential donors for the zoo

Researching and analysing prospective supporters for your zoo, botanic garden, aquarium or similar is clearly important. ‘People research’ , one to one discussions with your board members, networking, etc., is the place to start. Use of the internet and published sources must follow. Some questions to ask yourself:

• In general what kind of person is likely to support your project?
• What is the link of that person to your organisation or cause?
• How can you make a (better) link , if need be?
• What is their ability to give?
• What aspect of your work is likely to most appeal?
• What activity would help the individual to understand more about your project, the zoo and its people and to gradually feel part of the organisation and its mission?
• If an approach is ever to be made, when, what for and by whom?

Vanessa Hack’s book ‘International Prospect Research’ is a fascinating source of ideas on researching potential individual suppoters. See this link: http://www.fundraising.co.uk/books/browse/9

I will post again on this subject if asked

John

Big Gifts for zoos

Straightforward philantropic giving is an underused funding option for zoos.  Our organisations may often have come to present something deeply meaningful in the life of individuals, and some of these may be very affluent.  In addition,  the zoo, botanic site or other organisations will probably have several different mission led projects very worthy of support.

So what are some of the reasons that research shows leads rich individuals to make major donations to zoos?

• Because they actually believe in the cause
• Because someone they respect (or owe a favour to) asks them
• Because they want to become accepted as part of a social elite
• Because they want to demonstrate their ability to give
• Because they want to leave some kind of personal legacy after they die
• Because they want to memoralise someone they have lost and to express their love for that person
• Because they want to feel part of the organisation they are giving to
• Because someone actually bothered ( had the guts) to ask them

More on how to get big gifts for zoos if anyone asks…..

There is now a sister forum- http://whatcouldzoosbe.wordpress.com for more philosophical issues surrounding zoos

John@johnreganassociates.com

Some general principles for zoos looking for funding from the EU

• Get to understand the basic policies, principles and ethos of the EU first, rather than immediately plunge in with your funding need. If possible try to participate in policy making at the ground floor
• Your best opportunity may not lie in the most obvious area. Thus zoos should not only look to DG Environment, but take a wide strategic approach
• Understand where the decisions are being made - at national or EU level?
• Form partnerships and networks

I shall post more on this subject if you ask

Zoo fundraising: some principles for successful grant writing

Grant making trusts and foundations exist (in the USA and UK  at least- there are different models in other nations) purely to donate funds to appropriate causes.  They are perhaps underrated compared to commercial sponsorship as a funding source. Here are a few starter do’s and don’ts:

• First ask all of your relevant contacts if they or their friends have contact with grant makers.  Trusts give to people they know.
• Research the guidelines. Unless you have good reason to know otherwise, don’t make applications to organisations who don’t support your kind of work ( I know that is obvious, but you would be amazed..)
• Unless they specifically forbid it, ring them up to check that your project remains appropriate

Your eventual application should:

• be as short as possible while containing the neccessary details
• be focussed on the problem to be addressed, rather than how marvellous your organisation is
• contain a clear solution ( who, what, where, when, how - and how the outcome will be assessed)
• underline the credibility of your organisation as a vehicle to carry out this work, including its financial and administrative robustness
• be quite clear that you are actually asking for a grant

I can enlarge on the above, further to any specific requests

John Regan

Why is a zoo not a museum?

The boundary between our two types of institution seems very porous. However, in certain contexts at least, the museum seems to be a much more socially palatable concept than the zoo.  Museums are seen as inarguably a ‘good thing’, deserving of public and political support, and somehow part of a generally improving, ‘civilising’ process. There is no such thing as an anti-museum lobby, and museums tend to benefit from a variety of financial encouragements from their respective national authorities.

Emmen Zoo in the Netherlands, universally acknowledged as the premier education zoo, hosts what is clearly an excellent natural history museum, which has won several national prizes. Yet, to the best of my understaning,  it does not officially qualify as a museum under Netherlands law.

Yet good zoos and aquariums clearly fit most (all?) the criteria of good museums. They conserve a orecious heritage asset for the benefit of future generations.  This link provides a whole list of official definitions of the word museum. http://www.city.ac.uk/ictop/mus-def.html In the USA, Australia and on an international level, zoos are included, but not in the UK.

Is it time for a re-think?

What are the best options for transformational funding to develop a zoo site..?

In terms of external funding,  and leaving aside commercial borrowing, where should a zoo organisation prioritise its attention if it wants to radically raise its game, or even establish a  completely new operation?

A few quick thoughts and in very rough order of priority…

1. Those authorities responsible for the socio economic development of your nation, region, city or locality. How can your plan meet their aims?  Such agencies may well be willing to put major funds into organisations if they see economic benefits for the relevant area. See this document: zoos-and-economic-development5.doc

2. Public-private partnerships: is there a case whereby the radical development of your site will efffect the value of surrounding land?  In which case,  with the right commercial partners, it might be possible to effectively draw capital funding now against this future prospect. Without the central and thematic attraction, property prices will not of course develop in the first place. This approach can be linked to number 1

3. Major philantropic input from wealthy individuals. This is not an easy appoach, but it can work,  as proven in the instance of Home Depot billionaire Bernie Marcus whose massive generosity ($250 million) allowed the creation of the world’s biggest aquarium in Georgia. In the right circumstances this might be linked to number 2.

4. Senior commercial sponsorhip. Despite my own success with Jaguar Cars for Chester Zoo, very big sponsorship is difficult to achieve, although it can be a useful part of an overall funding mix. This article may be of interest: 10_steps1.pdf

5. Legacy giving. This is still overlooked as a major source of zoo funding, and of course, you cannot very well timescale the funing received.  There are however multiple instances of zoo sites being dramatically boosted by large bequests. These do not neccessarily have to be entirely down to pure luck! See earlier post http://zoofunding.wordpress.com/2007/04/09/zoo-finance-and-legacies/

Some sources of funding for sustainability projects at Zoos

I thought I had put these details on line a while ago, sorry. I will update this list periodically. It is taken from my presentation at the BIAZA Conference in May, the full Powerpoint version is also attached:BIAZA presentation-May 2007

•Potential funders are as follows. If you want more information, please just email me: John@johnreganassociates.com 

LIFE +

•DG Enterprise : eco-innovation

•Defra  Climate Change Challenge

•Defra Bio–Energy Capital Grant Scheme

•DTI – Local Carbon Building Trust

•Nesta – Climate Change

•RDAs and National Executives

•County and Local Authorities

•Banks Foundation

•E.ON Source Fund

•Grantscape

•Pilkington Energy Efficiency Trust

•Landfill Communities Fund

Networking for zoos: 3 degrees of separation

Development ( ‘posh’ for fundraising’)  is,  in some ways, as simple as identifying those people in a position to make a major difference to your organisation, project or cause, and placing yourself in their path ( …again… and again….  and again)

One straightforward way of doing this is to obsess on list making and advice taking.  Draw up an initial list of individuals who, in one way or another, might be of interest. Now contact that single well connected someone, who is most likely to give you a little of their time. Very importantly,  all you will ask for is their advice.  They will comment on your list and your project,  tell you who is likely to be interested, add to the list, indicate which of these people they know personally, and ideally allow you to use their name to effect an introduction. Now you have the end of the ball of string.  Each time you secure a meeting with a new individual, your network will ramify.  You have begun to create a consituency, interested in and informed on your project.

The 3 degrees of separation theory will  show itself especially true, when you come across just a few ‘nodal’ individuals who seem to have access to everyone.

Fundraising for zoos from affluent individuals: the Pareto principle

Finding ways to politely, patiently and appropriately ask high net value individuals to support relevant zoo projects is probably an underused avenue in zoos, especially in the UK and Europe.

Which is a shame, because RICH PEOPLE HAVE ALL THE MONEY!!!

Those charged with developing external funds for zoos have limited time and resources, so it makes sense to focus that time where the pay off is likely to be greatest.  Arguably it takes as much effort to raise $100 as it does a $1,000 or maybe even a $1,000,000.

The statistics on wealth distribution are staggering, and lead to pretty obvious conclusions 

A study by the World Institute for Development Economics Research at United Nations University reports that the richest 1% of adults alone owned 40% of global assets in the year 2000, and that the richest 10% of adults accounted for 85% of the world total.

If you believe passionately in the worth of your cause ( and if you don’t, just quit) then there is no point striving to be democratic in your fundraising. Identify where your greatest opportinity lies and focus exclusively on this

John

The Europa concept: a zoo opportunity?

When one seeks major funding, one needs somehow a big idea that keys into some macro-political agenda. How can your project help someone in authority tick a given box - perhaps in way that nobody else can…?

In terms of EU funding, it seems to me there is an important, fundamental idea that Europe’s zoos would be especially well  placed to deliver,  an available,  ’empty’  idea : the concept of a common European heritage or a shared European identity.

Before we go further, put away your feelings pro or con in respect of the European Union as an overall idea - we are being pragmatic here.

The idea of some inclusive European self is there at the core of the EU ideal, but there is a problem.  The original Common Market  (i.e. Western Europe) could perhaps claim a  common foundation on classical civilisation, the Roman empire and ( however divided) the western Christian tradition, plus the art, literature, values and languages that go along with this.

However,  successive waves of enlargement have diluted this badly with the ‘Cyrillic’  and Slavic states having lesser links to western heritage. Now there is the prospect of Turkey one day joining -  a predominantly  Muslim State ( surely a good thing in terms of the crucial, global issue of engaging with the Muslim world..?). There are also smaller Muslim States ( Albania and parts of the former Yugoslavia) already officially classifed as ‘Pre-Candidate States’.

But there is one subject that unites all of Europe, that  actually defies attempts at exclusive nationalistic or religious appropriation ?  Europe’s natural heritage, with all the , metaphor, iconography, myths, literature and cultural associations that flows from the European wild that has surrounded and accompanied the growth of our civilisations.

A common inclusive European identity that does not root in nationalistic hegemony or religious exclusion lies in the biodiversity and natural heritage of our continent.

Where is the  nspirational zoo blueprint to conserve and present this rich shared patrimony in an explicit European concept, and to so receive the political and financial support that might go with this agenda…?

We have one partial precedent in the zoos of the Island of Ireland (Dublin and Fota in the Republic) and Belfast in the North), where all 3 institutions have admirably worked together on the ’ancient biodiversity of Irelan’ in way that looks to transcend and help heal the historic divisions on that island.

It would be ifascinating to see something on a European level begin to be discussed.

 John

Zoo funding: what is a ‘Gift Schedule’ and how do you use it?

sample gift schedule

A gift schedule takes your overall zoo project funding target and breaks it down into manageable chunks.

It should allocate a high percentage of the donations required to a few big gifts, because all research shows that that is where most of your funding is going to come from.

It is there to concentrate the minds of all concerned that you really will need some serious contributions to make your goal. It militates against the dangerous contentions ‘every little helps’ ( …well, not much actually),  or ‘if everyone gave’ ( everyone won’t, so someone is going to have to give big).

The gift schedule looks to stretch the generosity of your supporters a little, but it is also there as a courtesy to allow them to situate themselves at a level that is generous within their means. Some people will also go for the middle rank; a few will want to be right at the top.

It also acts as a kind of score card, so the campaign team can see where things are headed.

I attach a sample based on a small project I did a while back,  with a relatively modest target, but caution that the arithmetic used will change according to the context 

John

Who goes to the zoo? Lack of research

When compiling the Manifesto for Zoos a while back ( which you can download for free from the JohnReganAssociates website),  I came to appreciate how little general data on who visits zoos either in the UK or ( to best of my knowledge) Europe or globally.

Individual zoos have carried out their visitor surveys of course - but largely for fairly short term marketing purposes, and it is quite difficult to make like for like comparisons to produce a solid national, European or world picture.

Then there is little information on who doesn’t go to zoos, or on general public attitudes to zoos and simialr organisations. 

This is the kind of information that is most valuable when seeking Government support

 I would love to get my teeth into a major exercise to draw together the data we need.

 Or can anyone out there show me some research I have missed…?

John

The revolving door: why do zoo fundraisers and development professionals not last longer..?

There are some (USA) statistics that seem to show that fundraisers tend to change jobs on average every 18 months.  Clearly this is not helpful in the zoo world,  which must look to long term projects and long term relationships.  So why do they jump ship so often?  The following thoughts are not intended to be especially negative ( I had generally supportive attitudes from former employers - although sometimes I had to shout for them), but rather to provoke thought and debate:

Because (a positive reason) they want to learn new skills and develop their careers…?

Because in the zoo world development people can feel isolated..?

Because there is no prospect of advancement inside the zoo..?

Because the zoo’s funding targets are too short term and so impossible to make..?

Because there is insufficient support from management..?

Because the development person has no access to the Board or other major external ambassadors…?

Because the fundraiser has no control over other variables or is given no support budget..?

Because the zoo recruited a ‘fundraiser’ and they should have recruited a ‘development manager’…?

Because the post holder really did not have the skills to do the job in the first place..?

…. and lots of others

John

“Get them into the kitchen”: zoo donors

I remember this expression from an American fundraising authority in my first years obsessing on the subject.

The idea was very simple: ‘the development process’ is all about  gradually turning outsiders into insiders, a process of inviting affluent, influential, talented and/ or well connected individuals to consider our organisation and our cause to be their own, and so perhaps support it accordingly. Americans call it ‘internalising the organisation’s mission’

But when we host such people at the zoo site, we have an understandable tendency to only want to show them the ‘glossy’ stuff. 

That’s not what you do with  your friends, or people who might become friends.  You allow them to see you as you really are. You relax with them. 

So I have always thought it important - when the time is right - to invite potential supporters to see the ‘real’ behind the scenes stuff at the zoo,  to see our problems as well as our victories. Having a coffee  with one of the keepers in their quarters is a more  memorable and authentic experience than ‘high tea’ with the President.

Chatting to potential supporter about the quirks, frustrations and small victories of life at the zoo is more important than drowning them in bland, glossy literature. We want our issues and enthusiasm to become theirs, and for the barrier between external and internal to dissolve.

So whether literally or metaphorically, you don’t restrict your friends to the ‘front parlour’ and the china tea cups, you invite them to put their feet up in the back kitchen.

What is landfill tax and how can UK zoos benefit financially?

This is to do with a levy the Government charges on companies who bury waste in landfill sites. This money is accumulated by the landfill operator and at the end of the year goes to the Treasury, unless…  the landfill operator chooses to donate  some of this to an environmental project.

A zoo or similar organisation has to first register as official ‘Environmental Body’, and the project itself has to fit certan criteria. A number of UK zoos have benefitted from the scheme.

Entrust is the official body that regulates the scheme and their website will tell you all you  have to know: http://www.entrust.org.uk/

What are the EU Structural Funds and how can my zoo can benefit?

The Structural and Cohesion Funds, over one third of the European Union budget, are used by the EU for social and economic restructuring across the EU, on the basis that some areas have special economic and social difficulties. They also serve the objective of generally bringing EU states together, especially in terms of transport and infrastructure

They can be used for activities such as  developing infrastructure and telecommunications, developing human resources and supporting research and development.  

However, these funds can in principle, and depending on national and regional priorities also be used to develop your zoo or aquarium, provided it is a designated area and you can make a case that you will generate jobs, prosperity, economic,  cultural self confidence, etc.

The accession of new states to the EU in 2004 and in 2007 meant that much of this funding has moved to the less priviliged areas of these countries ( but Structural Funds are still available in the ‘established states’)

Structural Funds , sometimes also known as ‘vertical funds’,  should not be confused with ‘horizontal’ funds such as LIFE or AIDCO funding, which are adminstered directly from Brussels and are often available to a partnership of interests across the EU. Structural Funds are administered by the Member States themselves.

You first port of call should be your city or regional government to find out whether you are technically eligible.  These authorities may not of course immediately fully appreciate the relevance of a zoo site to regional economic development, and you have to make a strong,  patient but persistent argument as to your case.

There will be no posts for  week or so, because we are closed for a short holiday

 John Regan

Good work of zoos and aquaria: new recognition by the European Union

I am very pleased that our work on behalf of the EU Interest Group of EAZA zoos (see page http://zoofunding.wordpress.com/contact-us/what-is-the-eu-interest-group/) has resulted in new significant references to the environmental capacity of zoos being inserted into the official  EU report on the Statement on Biodiversity ( excuse all the euro jargon!)

The text recognises our work in ‘in situ’ and ‘ex situ’ breeding ( para 1 and in environmental awarness raising (para 88).   This may the first time our  environmental status has ever been officially recognised in the EU’s policy, and these references can be used to  strengthen your bids to LIFE+ and other EU funding programmes.

The amendments were achieved through UK MEP Chris Davies and his assistant Poppy Kalesi. Many thanks to them both.

Zoos interested in EU funding might find this former post useful, but only as first  taster  http://zoofunding.wordpress.com/2007/04/06/portal-on-eu-funding-for-environmental-projects/

This is the report: 654623xm-3.doc

Zoo fundraising: what is a ‘challenge gift’?

A challenge gift is a fundraising technque widely used in the USA, but not so much in Europe. It is normally deployed within a given campaign, appeal or other distinct fundraising drive.

One major donor is asked to publicly make a large firm pledge towards your total target, which can only be redeemed if a matching amount emerges from other donors. So, for instance, you are targeting 2 million €, and Joe Bloggs or Jean Dupont agrees to a challenge gift of 500,000 €, but only if 5 other funders give 100,000 €  each.   This would catapult you towards half your overall target.

From the challenge giver’s perspective, this stretches his or her generosity. From the zoo’s point of view, this brings you a new way to approach donors ( who may be personal contacts of the challenge giver) . You can point out that whatever they give will be doubled.  There may of course be a private understanding with the challenge giver that some or all of their gift will still be forthcoming, even if the target is not actually made.

Challenge gifts are sometimes used to re-envigorate flagging campaigns. Certain USA foundations only ever give through this technique.

Zoo funding: surveying the overall ‘funding landscape’ before you make your long term plans

It is too tempting for a zoo organisation, perhaps under fresh management or other new impetus,  to move towards a full,  long term masterplan without any thought at all as to where major external funding might come from. Only later to start looking around for major funding partners and trying to shoehorn the site’s development into programmes not actually designed for it.

How much more subtle to get stuck right into whatever political, economic and social agenda currently excite and motivate decision makers at regional, national or even European levels - the people who can make your site develop in a way you cannot ever afford to do alone.

Now, I am not remotely suggesting that a conservation minded zoo betrays its mission and starts building housing estates or  something.  But the paths to that mission, and the ways in which people can engage with the animal and natural world are many and wonderful.

Looking creatively at what a zoo organisation can offer to Society at large, and conceiving the organisation’s future in an intelligent awareness of macro-issues ( whether economic or scientific or community or educational or whatever) has to be a good thing. In addition to securing extra resource for your institution to develop, the new concepts that emerge from this cross fertilisation will be richer and more imaginative.

And there’s another advantage. In becoming involved in issues beyond those of immediate and apparent relevance to the zoo and aquarium world (i.e. the environment and tourism/ leisure), zoo leaders will  start to become part of that decision making process itself. So new programmes and the funding that comes with them will start to take account of the strengths and possibilities of large audience nature sites in ways not previously possible

John

Books on zoos and allied subjects

books-on-zoos.doc 

Here is such a list  (rather thrown together due to time pressure). Some of these are guide books to zoos around the world, some look at the history of the zoo world, some at our general role in society. Certain of these latter of course , especially published a while back, take an equivocal lstance as to our community.

Considering