The Zoo

The presentation today in class about the Sunset Zoo made me think a lot about city-funded agencies and their limitations. I learned that because the zoo is owned by the city they cannot accept certain donations, but rather must have the Friends of the Zoo accept on their behald. What’s going on? Why is this?

Honestly, before this presentation I had not considered the differences among agencies, who runs them, who technically owns them, and how this might affect their fund raising abilities. Similarly, I learned that the Boys and Girls Club must adhere to blackout dates determined by the United Way during which they cannot both fund raise. This makes sense so that the United Way will be more sucessful in their campaign, but September through December seemed like a very long blackout period and a very key time when fund raising is easier (i.e., the holiday season).

In the end I do not see these issues as problems, but rather wanted to say that I am a victim of “the more you know, the more you don’t know.” Today is my last day of undergraduate school and suddenly a world of fund raising issues has opened up to me that I’m curious to know more about. Yet, I move away this afternoon.