Leave a legacy of hope for future generations...


Hank’s Heroes recognizes those donors who have made a planned gift to the Chattanooga Zoo. Hank impacted thousands of lives… You can make an impact too.


Every once in a while, a magical connection is made between people and animals that transcends time. For the Chattanooga Zoo, this enchanted spark was ignited by charismatic Hank the Chimpanzee. After a difficult beginning, Hank’s life was transformed when he came to the Zoo in 1976 much to the delight of visitors. Through visits and special events such as “Hank’s Day” to celebrate his birthday, Hank inadvertently taught guests about the importance of conservation, particularly of his native African Rainforest. He was an exuberant ambassador and the foundation of the Zoo’s mission to create meaningful connections between people and animals. Hank passed away at age 42, but when you become one of Hank’s Heroes, you help continue his legacy of hope for future generations.


Support the Zoo’s longevity while achieving your financial, philanthropic and estate-planning goals. We can work with you and your professional advisor to create an appropriate gift plan that helps you leave your legacy.


You can also use FreeWill: an online estate planning service that makes it accessible and 100% free to write your will. It can easily include the necessary language in your plans to create a bequest to the Chattanooga Zoo and be one of Hank’s Heroes.


Additionally, if you have already included the Zoo in your will or would like more information, please email development@chattzoo.org so we can welcome you as one of Hank’s Heroes.


To download the legacy brochure, click here.

OUR MISSION

The mission of the Chattanooga Zoo is to engage and inspire our community to better understand and preserve wildlife by creating meaningful connections between people and animals. With our intimate, innovative exhibits, wide-ranging educational offerings and commitment to conservation, our vision is to be a top destination for residents and visitors alike and the pride of our community.

BECOME ONE OF HANK’S HEROES TO LEAVE A LEGACY OF HOPE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

For more information please contact development@chattzoo.org or 423.551.3911

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A Few Ways to Help

Recognize the Chattanooga Zoo in your long-range plans with such gifts as a bequest, trust arrangement or other estate-planning vehicles. Whether you contribute through a bequest, charitable gift annuity, or charitable trust, or other method, you are ensuring the Chattanooga Zoo’s tradition of education and conservation. Below are several popular options for Planned Giving.

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY

Consider a gift to the Chattanooga Zoo that will generate income for yourself or your family. These gifts allow a means for you to reduce the taxable portion of your estate, provide a source of income for you and your family, and create a current income tax deduction.

CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST

Unlike a gift annuity, a charitable remainder trust is not a contract with a single charity to make a guaranteed payment. A charitable remainder trust (CRT) is an irrevocable trust that generates a potential income stream for you or other beneficiaries, with the remainder of the donated assets going to your favorite charity or charities. The CRT is a good option if you want an immediate charitable deduction, but also have a need for an income stream to yourself or another person. It is also a good option if you want to establish one by will to provide for heirs, with the remainder going to one or more charities of your choosing.

DONOR-ADVISED FUND

A donor-advised fund is like a charitable investment account, for the sole purpose of supporting charitable organizations you care about. When you contribute cash, securities or other assets to a donor-advised fund at a public charity, like the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga you are generally eligible to take an immediate tax deduction. Then those funds can be invested for tax-free growth and you can recommend grants to virtually any IRS-qualified public charity.

GIFTS OF STOCK

A gift of stock directly to the Chattanooga Zoo gives the donor tax benefits and allows the organization access to the gift immediately.

Examples of specific language that may be incorporated into your estate planning documents:

BEQUEST OF A SPECIFIC DOLLAR AMOUNT OR PERCENTAGE OF AN ESTATE:

I give and bequeath the sum of $__or __% of my estate to the Chattanooga Zoo, a non-profit organization located at 301 N. Holtzclaw Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37404, Federal Tax ID #581661267, for Chattanooga Zoo’s general use and purpose.

GIFTS FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSE:

I give and bequeath the sum of $__or __% of my estate to the Chattanooga Zoo, a non-profit organization located at 301 N. Holtzclaw Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37404, Federal Tax ID #581661267, in support of (for example: conservation efforts, new exhibits, education).

The Chattanooga Zoo does not engage in legal or tax-advisory services. This information is provided as a general guide. For specifics, please consult with your financial advisor, attorney or tax specialist. If you need an attorney, we may be able to help you. Please contact development@chattzoo.org.