How businesses are backing the zoo's future plans

Megan Raposa -

This is a paid piece from the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium.

Simplified: The Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium is planning for a future where the campus includes an aquarium, butterfly house and more education space, and it's a plan that has full endorsement from the Greater Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. Here is what you need to know about the ongoing Community Appeals campaign.

Why it matters

  • A Community Appeals campaign is a way for a nonprofit organization to share its story with businesses throughout the community in the hopes of raising funds to support their work. The Sioux Falls chamber only selects a couple of projects each year for these fundraising efforts.
  • The Great Plains Zoo and the Butterfly House and Aquarium merged into one organization two years ago, and the goal is to get both organizations onto the zoo's campus in the coming years. The Community Appeals campaign is one of the first steps in fundraising, and all funds raised by the zoo will be matched up to $25 million by philanthropist Denny Sanford.
  • Since the Community Appeals campaign started in November, it has already raised $800,000 toward its $1.3 million goal (and $2 million stretch goal), Development Director Kate Johansen said. It's all funding that'll ultimately bring more money to the community through tourism and other economic impacts, she added.
"Not only is it going to be this impressive and wonderful new place for families to continue making lifelong memories, but it's going to have all these tangible impacts to the community," Johansen said.

Tell me more about the long-term vision

The zoo and aquarium released a master plan last spring, and over the summer, Denny Sanford announced a matching donation of up to $25 million, with potential for another $10 million once that initial goal is reached.

The first phase of fundraising is for a remodel of the current Delbridge Museum space.

Renovations will include:

  • An aquarium, including space for a shark exhibit,
  • a new indoor penguin habitat, which will also include adjacent play space where kids can play in the sand and interact through the glass with the penguins.
  • A new butterfly house,
  • Larger education space for camps and other programming – much needed, as the zoo served 70,000 people in education programs in 2024, Johansen noted.

What happens next?

The Community Appeals campaign will run through the end of March. You can learn more, find frequently asked questions, and make donations on the zoo's website.

  • You'll also find links to a booklet explaining the campaign and a pledge card. Plus, find details on naming opportunities and corporate sponsorship opportunities.

Once the chamber campaign ends, the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium will launch a community-wide fundraising effort.

The ultimate goal is to have the two campuses merged and the new facility opened by 2028.