As GLAZA prepares to observe the sixty-first anniversary of its founding, it is inspiring to take a brief walk through history to review the many invaluable contributions the trustees, donors, members, and staff of this organization have made for the betterment of the L.A. Zoo. The dedication and generosity of all of you made these contributions possible and we are extremely grateful!
On November 18, 1963, two hundred community leaders, including Cary Grant, filed the Articles of Incorporation to create GLAZA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, as “a means of assisting and aiding the City of Los Angeles in establishing, developing, operating, caring for, and maintaining the Los Angeles Zoo.” GLAZA raised funds for the creation of the new L.A. Zoo in its current location, acquired the Zoo’s original 1,200 animals, established a membership program to build community support for the new Zoo, and created the nation’s first zoo docent program in 1965, which was accredited by UCLA Extension’s Biology Department in 1975.
The “new” Los Angeles Zoo opened in its current location on November 28, 1966 (moving from the “old” Griffith Park Zoo). In addition to its fundraising, volunteer management, and membership functions, GLAZA operated Zoo concessions and retail (managed by GLAZA employees), produced donor and member events, and established a publications program for the Zoo.
GLAZA celebrates many landmark achievements over the past sixty-one years, including:
- First Gala: GLAZA held its first gala in 1971, the Primate Ball, co-chaired by Jimmy Stewart’s wife, Gloria. This event was later re-named the Beastly Ball.
- Offices Built: GLAZA funded and built its current office space and the Andrew Norman Education Center in 1980 and gifted them to the City.
- Zoo Capital Improvement Funding: During the 1990s, GLAZA developed and funded the public campaign for Proposition CC ($47.6M). This was the largest in a series of bond measures that funded capital improvements at the Zoo. Additionally, GLAZA raised over $30 million in private funds to supplement the bond funding for capital improvements.
- Zoo Master Plan Improvements: The bond and donor funds were used to complete numerous capital projects between 1998 and 2014, including Elephants of Asia, Campo Gorilla Reserve, the Gottlieb Animal Health and Conservation Center, Selig Plaza and Sea Life Cliffs, the Red Ape Rainforest, the Winnick Family Children’s Zoo, Chimpanzees of Mahale Mountains, the LAIR, and Rainforest of the Americas.
- During these years, GLAZA also helped finance and draft the written proposal in support of the ballot measure for the Proposition O Clean Water Bond, which provided $13.9 million for stormwater improvement through a Zoo parking lot renovation project.
- Planned Giving Program: GLAZA launched its premier planned giving program, the Selig Society, in 2001.
- Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel: GLAZA funded and built the Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel and gifted it to the City. The carousel opened in 2011.
- L.A. Zoo Lights: GLAZA designed and produced the first annual L.A. Zoo Lights in 2014, created to increase Zoo attendance and generate revenue for the Zoo. This event has become a beloved annual tradition for many Angelenos.
- Conservation Program: In 2017, the GLAZA Board of Trustees raised funds to support a full-time Zoo position focusing on conservation. To date, GLAZA has raised over $6 million for this international program.
These accomplishments were made possible thanks to your generosity and commitment. We extend our deepest gratitude to each of you—GLAZA’s donors, members, and supporters—for your unwavering dedication to and support of your Los Angeles Zoo.
