For some time I have wondered if we get the maximum benefit of the naming of individual exhibits and animal accomodations at our zoos and aquariums.
Coming from a marketing background, I cannot help but see each exhibit as (amongst many other things) a product offered to the consumer in competition with others. From this perspective [...]
John Regan Associates Blog
Naming of zoo exhibits
June 29th, 2007What are the best options for transformational funding to develop a zoo site..?
June 26th, 2007In 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 [...]
Some sources of funding for sustainability projects at Zoos
June 21st, 2007I 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 [...]
Totem animals and zoos
June 21st, 2007The idea of a link between a specific species and a specific place or particular human culture is hardly new. In the UK alone we have the ravens of the Tower of London, the swans of Stratford Upon Avon. More generally both the sparrow and the feral pigeon are loosely associated with London. Then there are [...]
Networking for zoos: 3 degrees of separation
June 19th, 2007Development ( ‘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 [...]
Fundraising for zoos from affluent individuals: the Pareto principle
June 18th, 2007Finding 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 [...]
The Europa concept: a zoo opportunity?
June 15th, 2007When 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 [...]
Zoo funding: what is a ‘Gift Schedule’ and how do you use it?
June 9th, 2007sample 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 [...]
Who goes to the zoo? Lack of research
June 7th, 2007When 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 [...]
The revolving door: why do zoo fundraisers and development professionals not last longer..?
June 5th, 2007There 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 [...]
