Community Partnerships

We rely on our corporate sponsors to help keep our Zoo a vital and integral part of our community, and a source of great pride for the entire Midwest region. These contributions help assist us in providing educational support for a variety of youth programming, supporting conservation of animals and their habitats, and enhancing the community we serve.

Supporting Partners

Sanford Health

In 2009, the Great Plains Zoo launched the nationally recognized ZooTV as part of an innovative partnership with Sanford Health.

This relationship allows the Zoo to conduct its mission of connecting kids with animals in even bigger and better ways – through ZooTV and ZooExpress. These programs reflect a $571,000 gift by Sanford to the Zoo over five years. When most people think of the Zoo, they think about taking the kids to see amazing animals. The Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History in Sioux Falls, SD is constantly thinking of how it can bring the Zoo to kids.

Hy-Vee

In 2009, the Great Plains Zoo received a $250,000 gift from Hy-Vee to transform the former Children’s Zoo into the colorful and engaging Hy-Vee Face-to-Face Farm. This dynamic area now features five times the number of animals, goat bridges, camel rides, fun signage, and 15-foot themed 3-D archways. In 2014, Hy-Vee extended their sponsorship of the Hy-Vee Face-to-Face Farm another four years. The $100,000 gift will move forward enhancements to the Farm, including a new roof for the Barn.

Walmart & Sam's Club

Like Walmart, the Great Plains Zoo is committed to making lives – and our community – better.

In 2010, the Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History was awarded a $100,000 grant from Walmart and Sam’s Club. The contribution supports the Zoo’s Flamingo exhibit, part of its Monkeys, Magic and More project. The enhancements planned in the Monkeys, Magic and More project will enhance the guest experience, which contributes to a greater quality of life for our community.

Sammons Financial Group

In 2015, a $100,000 gift from Sammons Financial Group expanded the Zoo’s educational footprint across eastern South Dakota. Thanks to funding from Sammons, the ZooMobile will reach 96 poverty-level schools in 42 school districts over three school years. As part of the partnership, the Zoo also unveiled a colorful ZooMobile vehicle that will travel across the state as part of the program.

ZooMobile programs are 45-minute educational encounters led by a Zoo Educator and several animal ambassadors. Students learn about animals and their habitats, and have the opportunity to meet and get up close to learn about the Zoo’s education animals. All ZooMobile programs meet state and national science standards.