Donor Focus: Macy’s Makes an Impact

Member POV: Pamela and Glenn Cooper
April 1, 2018
For Safer Passage: Helping Migratory Birds
April 1, 2018

A few of the hundreds of students who are able to visit the Zoo thanks to Macy’s.

A visit to the zoo is the ultimate field trip for a child—a place for adventure and excitement, outdoor education and fun. But with tight education budgets, many schools are unable to make the trip. That’s where partners like Macy’s step in.

Through a special grant-funded program at the L.A. Zoo called ZooPals, qualified schools and groups are provided free admission and transportation to the Zoo for the day. Macy’s has been a partner of this important program since 2014 when the company’s local contributions committee, part of the My Macy’s District Grants program, voted to support the effort.

“It is important for corporations to reinvest back into the communities where we work and live,” says Daniel Walters, Coordinator of Corporate Giving at Macy’s. With this company-wide sentiment, the My Macy’s District Grants program awarded grants across the country totaling nearly $1.7 million in 2017 to causes ranging from nutrition programs to emergency shelters. In addition to these locally distributed grants, philanthropic gifts from Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s regularly top $17 million annually.


Through ZooPals, the L.A. Zoo is educating the kids about animals and conservation by providing an entertaining way to learn.


“The L.A. Districts Grants Committee feels it is important to assist in the support of transportation for students who do not have a chance to visit the Zoo,” says Walters. “The Zoo offers incredible learning opportunities; while having a fun day exploring, kids develop valuable skills and obtain priceless knowledge. Through ZooPals, the L.A. Zoo is educating the kids about animals and conservation by providing an entertaining way to learn. The L.A. Districts Grants Committee feels that the support of the ZooPals program is relevant, a natural link, and an important program to the community.”

Macy’s support has enabled hundreds of students to visit the Zoo and connect with the natural world through a variety of fun and educational programs; these experiences help to inspire and engage the next generation, creating stewards of wildlife and the environment for years to come.