Effective date: July 7, 2026 · Last updated: July 7, 2026

Please read these terms carefully before making a donation to the Henry Vilas Zoo Foundation. By donating, you agree to be bound by the terms set forth below.

1. Tax-exempt status and deductibility

The Henry Vilas Zoo Foundation is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to the Foundation are tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law. A written acknowledgment of your donation will be provided for gifts of $250 or more as required by the IRS. Please retain this acknowledgment for your tax records.

A financial statement of the charitable organization disclosing assets, liabilities, fund balances, revenue, and expenses will be provided to any person upon request.

2. How donations are used

Gifts to the Henry Vilas Zoo Foundation support the Zoo's mission through programs, projects, and initiatives identified by the Foundation's board of directors in consultation with Zoo leadership. Unless a donor designates a gift to a specific fund or project, all donations are received as general charitable contributions and allocated at the Foundation's discretion in furtherance of its mission.

The Foundation makes every effort to honor donor designations. However, if a designated project is completed, discontinued, or cannot be completed as anticipated, the Foundation reserves the right to redirect funds to a purpose as closely aligned as possible with the donor's original intent.

3. Payment processing

Online donations are processed through a secure third-party payment platform. The Foundation does not store credit card or banking information on its own servers. By submitting a donation, you authorize the Foundation to charge the amount specified using the payment method provided.

4. Recurring donations

If you set up a recurring donation, you authorize the Foundation to charge your payment method on the schedule you select until you cancel. You may cancel a recurring donation at any time by contacting us at least five (5) business days before your next scheduled charge. Cancellations received after that window may result in one additional charge, which will be refunded upon request.

5. Refund policy

The Foundation is committed to responsible stewardship of charitable gifts. Refund requests are considered on a case-by-case basis under the following guidelines:

• Duplicate or erroneous charges: If you were charged more than once for the same intended donation, or if a technical error resulted in an unintended charge, we will issue a full refund promptly upon verification.
• Requests within 30 days: Donors who contact us within 30 days of a gift with a documented, substantive reason for requesting a refund will generally receive a full refund. We ask that you reach out to us directly so we can understand your situation.
• Requests after 30 days: Refunds for gifts made more than 30 days prior are evaluated at the Foundation's discretion. Because donations are often committed to programs or projects shortly after receipt, we cannot guarantee refunds after this period.
• Pledges: Pledges are commitments to give and are not binding legal obligations. If your circumstances change, please contact us to discuss your pledge.

To request a refund, please contact us at info@HVZFoundation.org with your name, the date of your donation, the amount, and a brief explanation. We will respond within five (5) business days.

6. Non-cash and planned gifts

The Foundation may accept non-cash gifts — including securities, real property, or planned/estate gifts — at the discretion of the board. Donors interested in non-cash or planned giving are encouraged to contact us directly to discuss the appropriate process and any applicable conditions.

7. Contact for donation questions

For questions about your donation, a receipt, or this policy, please contact us:
info@HVZFoundation.org