inspiring
GENEROSITY Como Friends 2016 Annual Report
Dear Como Friends supporters, Sparky the Sea Lion celebrated her 60th anniversary season at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in 2016, but the splashy diva was nearly upstaged by a charismatic upstart from the African plains. With the unveiling of the new Giraffe Feeding Station last summer, 17-foot Skeeter became Como Zoo’s new break-out star, getting up close and personal with more than 14,000 visitors who had a chance to feed him by hand or snap a close-up. Photogenic as he is, he’s still no match for Kemala the baby orangutan, whose aping antics nearly broke the Internet in November during a “cuteoff” contest on Twitter. Putting names to the faces of the fascinating animals in Como Whether she’s Zoo’s care isn’t just fun — it’s also one of the first ways zoo visitors charming visitors start connecting with nature. Seeing the splash zone a 1,000-pound or going viral polar bear makes diving for fish, or hearing the thud of a 500-pound on social media, Como Zoo’s gorilla beating his chest makes a big impression on the nearly 1 Kemala connects million school-age visitors who come to Como every year with their visitors to nature. families and field trip groups. What’s more, it drives home a deep appreciation of the value of conservation that inspires visitors to make smart choices long after they’ve enjoyed a day at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. All across Minnesota, there are kids who’ve learned how to cut their carbon footprint to help preserve the sea ice polar bears depend on, parents who look for pollinator-friendly lawn products to promote the high-fliers of Blooming Butterflies, and grandparents who check the labels for sustainable palm oil products to protect orangutans like Kemala.
Personalizing nature inspires us to protect it.
Your support for Como Friends helped bring back Blooming Butterflies, providing an extra burst of color to summer. To fill the interpretive garden with moths and butterflies, more than 7,000 pupae came to life at Como throughout the spring and summer.
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COMO FRIENDS 2016 ANNUAL REPORT
Thanks to the hundreds of generous individuals, businesses, and foundations listed in this annual report, that conservation message came through loud and clear at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in 2016. From the Blooming Butterflies habitat that delighted nearly 93,000 guests this summer, to the new Second Grade Field Trip program you’ll read about in these pages, your generosity allows Como to grow, thrive and innovate. Best of all, your support for Como Friends protects the open-door policy that makes it possible to welcome 1.9 million visitors, free of charge.
Thank you for all you do for Como!
Jackie Sticha
Susan Roeder
PRESIDENT
BOARD CHAIR with friends, we thrive
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with friends, we thrive
$ 2,619,109 Total 2016 donation
Como Zoo......................................................................... $1,041,359 Seals and Sea Lions Habitat...................................................... $890,000 Zoo Keeper Positions & Annual Operations................................ $91,173 Cat Building Interior Remodel.................................................... $54,000 Zoo keeper Training Scholarships..................................................$4,186 Animal Enrichment........................................................................ $2,000 Marjorie McNeely Conservatory........................................$999,254 Contribution to The Charlotte Partridge Ordway Japanese Garden Endowment Fund..................................... $668,867 Gardener Positions, Training & Operations...............................$290,737 Japanese Garden Maintenance & Technical Training................. $30,000 St. Francis Sculpture Restoration.................................................. $3,500 Orchid Collection Acquisition........................................................$6,150 Capital Improvements for Gorilla Forest, Polar Bear Odyssey & The Ordway Gardens.................. $171,406 Como Campus.....................................................................$142,205 Advocacy..................................................................................... $70,205 Como Through Time Exhibit....................................................... $55,000 Sculpture for New Minnesota Garden........................................ $12,000 Campus Projects........................................................................... $5,000 Education............................................................................ $106,967 Education Positions & Annual Operations.................................. $71,200 St. Paul Schools Second Grade Field Trip Scholarships............. $30,000 School Group Transportation Scholarships...................................$2,769 Cheney Family Camp Scholarships................................................$2,998 Marketing..............................................................................$86,918 Como Park Zoo & Conservatory Brand Strategy....................... $40,000 In-Kind Services Promoting Como............................................... $39,418 Como Park Zoo & Conservatory Website......................................$7,500 Conservation........................................................................ $40,000 Youth Engagement Program (YEP!)............................................ $20,000 Conservation Champions Initiatives........................................... $20,000
THRIVE ON: From the Travelers Sunset Affair gala to ZooBoo, one of the state’s longest-running nonprofit fundraisers, all of Como Friends’ special events help provide Como the extra care and feeding it needs to thrive. In 2016, your support made it possible to provide more than $2.6 million to Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, protecting free admission, launching new field trip programs, and providing the forward vision for continuing improvements.
“By becoming a Como Friends member, I have been invited to behindthe-scenes events that make me appreciate how well our Community Gem is operated and aware of how much the staff cares about their responsibilities to the inhabitants of the Zoo.” — John W. Harris, Roseville Como Friends member
Volunteer Services................................................................$31,000 Staff Positions & Annual Operations.......................................... $31,000
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COMO FRIENDS 2016 ANNUAL REPORT
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inspiring
GENEROSITY
From high-flying Blooming Butterflies to free bus transportation for schools, a giving community helps Como Friends connect more than 1.9 million visitors to the wonders of nature. 6
COMO FRIENDS 2016 ANNUAL REPORT
be a big hurdle for teachers who want to bring their students to Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. That’s why Como’s Education Department worked a solution right into the design of its popular new Residency Program, providing free round-trip transportation to every classroom enrolled. Now, nearly every week of the school year, a colorful Como bus delivers a fresh crop of elementary school kids right to the Visitor Center. Diving deep into Como’s animal and plant collections, these young “citizen scientists” spend their days observing primate and polar bear behavior, making pictures and paintings of rainforest plants, and even calculating how to reduce the carbon footprint of their cafeteria waste. First launched with funding from the Minnesota Legacy Amendment and matched contributions from Como Friends, Como’s Residency Program has been a run-away success, offering a high-dosage, cross-disciplinary curriculum to nearly 1,000 students in the last 12 months, all with no cost to participating schools. But with growing demand from area classrooms, and not nearly enough weeks in the school year to serve them all, Como Friends supporters started brainstorming new ways that private dollars could do more. >>>>> THE HIGH COST OF TRANSPORTATION CAN
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BELOW: Designed in cooperation with
inspiring
GENEROSITY
sharing
Teachable Moments 540 St. Paul second graders served by Como’s new field trip program
984 Elementary school students who spent the school day at Como for a whole week in 2016 for the week-long Residency Program
3,182 Pre-school kids engaged
in Como’s Lil’ Explorers early childhood class
19,670 School-age youth who attended a School Group Program, Summer Camp, or other special program
374,401 Visitors who took part in
a value-added conservation program, from the Sparky the Sea Lion Show to polar bear and primate training sessions
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COMO FRIENDS 2016 ANNUAL REPORT
St. Paul Public Schools, the special school group program expands the “animal-centric” curriculum of the primary grades to include a wider focus on the life cycle of plants. “Como Friends’ support makes it possible to think big about what we can do to connect with classrooms,” says Michelle Furrer, Campus Manager of Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. By the end of the school year, more than 2,000 second graders will have hopped on the bus.
“COMO IS ALL ABOUT ma k i ng good u se of
resources, so in that spirit, we thought why not use that bus to collect kids from right in our own neighborhood, and give them a great first field trip experience,” says Susan Roeder, Como Friends’ board chair, and Director of Corporate and Community A ffairs for the Andersen Corporation. Working in partnership with the St. Paul Public Schools and a $30,000 grant from Como Friends, Como’s Education Department launched a brandnew initiative in September inviting every second grade classroom in the city to come to Como for a free school group program and a complimentary bus shuttle. Teachers say the program helps fill a need for hands-on science learning when second graders are at the “just right” age to appreciate the profound connections between plants, people, and animals. It also welcomes the school district’s diverse community of learners — who speak more than 100 languages and dialects at home — to discover a world-class resource right in their own backyard. “We’re hearing from teachers that this is the first time many of their students visited Como, so we’re thrilled this new program is inviting them to explore one of the Twin Cities’ true cultural treasures,” says Roeder. “To me this is just a perfect example of how our public/private partnership can help extend the reach of nearly everything that happens at Como.” with friends, we thrive
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inspiring
GENEROSITY
preserving our
Urban Oasis prog ra m is just the latest addition to a growing list of programs and improvements made possible by your support for Como Friends. Since 1999, the nonprofit fundraising force has helped to provide the “extra care and feeding” Como Park Zoo and Conservatory needs to thrive, from leveraging the private capital funding behind the award-winning Polar Bear Odyssey, to launching the new endowment fund that provides for the continued restoration of the historic Charlotte Partridge Ordway Japanese Garden. In 2016, your generous contributions helped to unveil the new Giraffe Feeding Station that allowed Como Zoo’s gentle giants to eat right out of the hands of more than 14,000 visitors. Your support also helped bring Blooming Butterflies back for a return flight, filling the interpretive garden with several thousand winged insects all summer long, and teaching more than 93,000 visitors about the powerful connections between pollinators, plants and people. All totaled, support for Como Friends infused $2.62 million into Como Park Zoo and Conservatory’s programs and historic operations, private support that helps protect Como’s commitment to remaining free to all visitors, every day of the year. “Keeping Como Park Zoo and Conservatory accessible to all brings our diverse community together in an urban oasis that makes us all proud,” says Kris Taylor, Vice President of Community Relations and Ecolab Foundation, which has supported Como Friends for over a decade. “Ecolab is pleased to partner with Como Friends in support of providing free admission to the millions of visitors to Como—a true gem in our community where the exciting, beautiful and natural offerings delight visitors of any age, from any region and of any background.” Como’s open door policy is increasingly important to visitors as well. In fact, a 2016 survey of nearly 2,000 Como guests found that 80 percent consider free admission to be an important value — up from 70 percent who told us it was critical in 2010. Since the 2008 recession, in fact, Como’s audience has increased by nearly 500,000 adults and kids each year. THE SECOND GR ADE FIELD TRIP
35 Percent of visitors who come to Como two to five times every year
96 Percent of Como visitors who rated their visit “excellent” or “above average”
1,948,997 Total estimated
attendance at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in 2016 14% Minneapolis
20% Greater Minnesota
15% U.S. outside Minnesota
18% St. Paul
32% suburban metro
1% international
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COMO FRIENDS 2016 ANNUAL REPORT
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inspiring
GENEROSITY
making the
Case for Como is one reason Como Friends returned to the Capitol in 2016, helping to make the case for public funding to support projects at Como Zoo and the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory. Since 2011, Como Friends’ advocacy efforts have helped to make Minnesota lawmakers aware of Como’s regional impact, both as the most visited cultural destination in the state, and as a major engine in the tourism economy, providing nearly a 15 to 1 return on every dollar invested at Como. “Having Como Friends by our side at the legislature over the last few years has been critical to our success,” says Como Campus Manager Michelle Furrer, who credits advocacy efforts for helping to double the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund contribution from $500,000 a year to $1 million a year for new education programs and projects like the Centennial Garden that opened during the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory’s 100th anniversary in 2015. “Being able to demonstrate that we have the support of a large community of individual donors, corporations, and foundations who contribute generously to Como Friends helps strengthen the case that investing in Como really does give Minnesota a great return.” In 2016, that message made a much bigger impression thanks to Como Friends’ growing social media presence, a responsive new website, and a calendar full of Como supporter events that showcased everything from behind-thescenes butterfly breeding to the horticultural planning that goes into the Sunken Garden’s rotating flower shows. GROWING COMMUNITY NEED
34
Percent increase in individual donors since 2012
79
Percent of Horace Cleveland Society donors who renewed their commitment to Como Friends in 2016
55,108
Visits to Como Friends’ responsive new website
242
Percent increase in Como Friends endowment funding since 2012
688,333
Impressions on Como Friends’ Twitter and Facebook posts in 2016
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COMO FRIENDS 2016 ANNUAL REPORT
ABOVE: Como Friends launched a responsive new website in 2016 that highlights the impact of private support for one of Minnesota’s favorite public institutions. Visit comofriends.org to learn more.
Como Zoo senior keeper Allison Jungheim and Chloe the sloth visit the Minnesota State Capitol, meeting with Representative Leon Lillie and other legislators to share Como’s critical role as a regional asset that 1.9 million visitors depend on.
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inspiring
GENEROSITY
counting on
Human Capital Minnesota’s favorite destination up close is clearly part of the attraction of Travelers Sunset Affair “Sundown on the Savanna,” Como Friends’ largest fundraising event of 2016. For the seventh year, the summer gala sold out months in advance to 560 ticketed guests, who helped to raise more than $180,000 to benefit Como Zoo and the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory with big silent auction bids and generous fund-a-need donations. “Contributions are critical, but Como’s fantastic corps of volunteers help that investment go even farther,” says Como Friends board member Steve Foss, Regional VP, Xcel Energy. “It says a lot about the value of Como that it can count on so much human capital every year.” This year alone, 1,510 individual Como volunteers contributed a total of 54,261 hours, providing the time and talent equivalent to more than 26 full-time employees. Their ranks include zoo interns who help prep Sparky and the other pinnipeds’ diet of frozen fish, corporate teams who help tend the Conservatory’s exterior gardens, a friendly corps of front-door greeters, and a trained team of more than 200 interpretive volunteers who answered questions and engaged with an astonishing 322,679 visitors—an audience large enough to fill the new U.S. Bank Stadium nearly five times over. “You see that commitment from volunteers year after year because Como does a wonderful job of making volunteers feel valued,” says Como Friends board member Lynette Palmgren, a longtime interpretive volunteer in Como Zoo’s large cat habitat and Polar Bear Odyssey. “With great training and so much support, it’s easy to be a good ambassador for what’s happening at Como, and share that excitement about these amazing animals and plants with the public.” GETTING A CHANCE TO SEE
47
Como Interns in 2016
379
Volunteers who dressed up in costumes to support Como Friends’ ZooBoo fundraiser
539
New volunteers at Como in 2016
54,261
Total volunteer hours
$1,278,389 Estimated dollar value of volunteer hours in 2016
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COMO FRIENDS 2016 ANNUAL REPORT
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inspiring
GENEROSITY
serving
Generation Z 5-10
people passionate about protecting those natural resources. Como’s newest generation of visitors—a cohort of young people demogAverage age of raphers call Gen Z—are deeply interested in environschool group visitor mental health, and consider zoos a trusted source on conservation. In fact, a recent study found that 70 percent of young Americans rank zoos among the best places to Percent of Gen Z’ers learn about animals and wildlife—higher than nature who want to do more centers (60 percent) and even the outdoors (48 percent). for the environment “The young people Como is serving today are part of the largest and most diverse generation in history, and their commitment to making the world a better place is really inspiring,” says Jackie Sticha, president of Como Friends, Percent of 12- to which helped to fund a new strategic plan for Como’s ed18-year-olds who report ucation department in 2016 aimed, in part, at serving the a strong interest in special needs and interests of Generation Z. “With nearly learning about wildlife a million school age visitors every year, Como is in an ideal position to teach the next generation about the power that individuals have when it comes to supporting conservation, and we want to do right by them.” Number of visitors LARGE CATS EXHIBIT To help, Como Friends provided the funding for the new who saw a Sparky ENLARGED PLAN Youth Engagement Program, YEP! for short, an innovative show during her pilot project that selected conservation-minded teens from 60th anniversary around the metro area for year-round skill-building expeEXHIBIT #1 EXHIBIT #2 EXHIBIT #3 EXHIBIT #4 riences aimed at helping them start and sustain community action projects in their own schools and neighborhoods. CONE OF Inspiring the next generation to be thoughtful environmenTV SOUND 3D ANIMAL CURIOSITY SEATING CUTOUT ROCKtal stewards is also the driving force behind two upcoming JEEP capital improvements with design plans funded by Como SEATING IMMERSIVE EDUCATIONAL Friends—a facelift for Como Zoo’s large cat habitat and a EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE ZONE ZONE major remodel of the Seals and Sea Lions habitat. INTERACTIVE WOOD MOLD MACHINE “There are nearly three generations now that have a SCREEN PLANKS VIEWING/ BINOCULARS shared connection to the Sparky the Sea Lion Show that PERCHING ROCK KEY started sixty years ago,” says Sticha. “We want to preGRAPHICS ABOVE: A new facelift for Como Zoo’s historic OUTDOOR PORTALS serve that personal connection, and move it forward with EXHIBIT Large Cat Habitat is one of the ways Como a more progressive habitat that will bring visitors right Friends’ contributions bring visitors closer to PAGE Como’s wild and precious animals and plants. up close to6all of Como Zoo’s pinnipeds all year long. Seeing how much our visitors have loved the new Giraffe Feeding Station this year just spurs us to do even more to build that connection between animals, plants and people. It’s what brings us all together at Como.” COMO VOLUNTEERS AREN’T THE ONLY
55 82
145,430
July 13, 2016
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COMO FRIENDS 2016 ANNUAL REPORT
Your contributions to Como Friends helped launch YEP!, a youth engagement program Como piloted in 2016. Going into the great outdoors and meeting other community partners committed to sustainability were all part of this innovative program designed to inspire Gen Z leaders toward community action in their own schools and neighborhoods.
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Statement of
Statements of
Activities
Financial Position As of December 31
2016 2015
Sources of Revenue
Assets CURRENT Cash and Cash Equivalents $759,259 $859,443 Cash and Investments-Board Funds 917,447 1,252,611 Certificates of Deposit 41,407 255,270 Contributions Receivable 246,919 338,732 Bequest Receivable-Board Funds - 450,000 Inventory 251,298 235,823 Prepaid Expenses 37,866 53,913 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
2,254,196
Individual Giving............................................$997,261
16% 9%
35%
10%
Corporate and Foundation Giving................ $289,822 Events............................................................$245,110
30%
3,445,792
OTHER Contributions Receivable Net of Current Portion 1,320,000 1,580,000 Property and Equipment-Net 139,932 32,684 Beneficial Interests in Assets Held by Others 7,206,144 6,436,793 TOTAL OTHER ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS
8,666,076
8,049,477
$10,920,272
$11,495,269
Investment and Other Income...................... $470,015
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
187,765
220,687
Program and Mission Support
13%
Liabilities and Net Assets
CURRENT Accounts Payable $24,299 $47,908 Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities 163,466 172,779
Gift Shop Revenue .......................................$863,054 (less cost of goods sold)
17%
70%
Program Support ...................................... $2,375,299 Mission Support-Management Expense........$584,170 Mission Support-Fundraising Expense......... $447,868
NET ASSETS UNRESTRICTED Board Reserve and Project Funds 917,447 1,702,611 Board Designated Endowment 131,499 131,499 Undesignated 881,611 648,951 TOTAL UNRESTRICTED
1,930,557
2,483,061
Temporarily Restricted Permanently Restricted
2,583,963 6,217,987
3,213,554 5,577,967
10,732,507
11,274,582
$10,920,272
$11,495,269
TOTAL NET ASSETS TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS
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COMO FRIENDS 2016 ANNUAL REPORT
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Thank you,
DONORS
$200,000 +
$5,000 - $9,999
Estate of Bruce Beltt The Donald McNeely Family The Saint Paul Foundation
Anonymous Ameriprise Financial Best Buy Co., Inc. Abigail and Nicholas Boetticher Boss Foundation Roger and Diane Brack Cheney Family CPMI David and Gretchen Crary Cub Foods Dellwood Foundation, Inc. Dolan Printing Scott and Lisa Dongoske Ellis Family Fund of the Minneapolis Foundation Litton Field, Jr. and Anne Field Mary Fowler Amy Hubbard and Geoff Kehoe Hubbard Broadcasting Foundation The John and Ruth Huss Fund of The Saint Paul Foundation Jefferson Lines Gloria A. (Salberg) Kloek Ann L. Kulenkamp and John Wilson Estate of Dorothy M. Leonard Laurel and Gregg Lien Debbie and Tom Lyman McCarthy Bjorklund Foundation Minnesota Corn Growers Minnesota Timberwolves Fastbreak Foundation Ginny Morris NTH Martha and Brock Nelson Old Home Foods, Inc. Helen and Ruth Peterson Fund of Como Friends Pioneer Press Pique Travel Design Kari Hubbard Rominski and Daniel M. Rominski The Kenneth C. Savage Family Foundation Securian Space Center, Inc. Taishoff Family Foundation Turnkey Events and Promotions Weck Charitable Trust
$100,000 - $199,999 Katherine B. Andersen Fund of The Saint Paul Foundation KSTP-TV 5 Eyewitness News
$50,000 - $99,999 E. M. Pearson Foundation Endowment Fund of Como Friends Xcel Energy
$15,000 - $49,999 Anonymous Andersen Corporation Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation Gordon and Margaret Bailey Foundation Bame Foundation Berger Transfer Best Buy Foundation Ecolab Foundation Deb and Mike Hogenson Horton Holding Huelsmann Foundation M Group Estate of Mary Anne Maurer McIntyre Family Estate of Marion K. Scott Travelers Foundation
$10,000 - $14,999 Anonymous APi Group, Inc. H.B. Fuller Company Foundation Lancer Catering Estate of Richard P. Mathern McGough Companies Merrick Family Fund of The Saint Paul Foundation The Nicholson Brothers Fund Bill and Anne Parker Toro Foundation U.S. Bancorp Foundation
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COMO FRIENDS 2016 ANNUAL REPORT
Wells Fargo Foundation Minnesota Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Richard and Debra Wicka Charitable Trust
$2,500 - $4,999 Felix Ankel and Lisa Holter-Ankel Baker Tilley Virchow Krause, LLP Base Management Company George and Karen Benz BMO Harris Bank Cargill, Incorporated Children’s Discovery Child Care & Learning Center, Inc. City Club Foundation CLR Design David and Margaret Cochrane Stephen Daas and Peggy Sauer Parker Eberwein and Elizabeth Switzer Margaret Ellingson Emerson Process Management Rosemount Inc. Peter and Kate Everett Sherry Anne Fonseth-Lais and Charles Lais General Mills Foundation Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare Grand Casino Hinckley Georgianna Herman Carla J. Heyl Larry and Patricia Hink Shannon and Corey Hoagland Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc. Stanley and Karen Hubbard John and Ruth Huss Shannon and David Keller Nancy and Todd Koch Matthew Kramer and Mary Rowles Constance Krmpotich Nick and Diane Lee John and Nancy Lindahl Ken Malvey Tom and Jean McGough Colleen McGough-Wood and Brad Wood Medtronic Foundation Shirley Miles Ronald and Marilyn Mitsch Nicky and Tim Nagle
Russell and Nancy Nelson Family Fund of the Minneapolis Foundation Russell and Nancy Nelson Orchid Society of Minnesota William Paddock Lynette and Robert Palmgren Bob and Melanie Parise Q3 Contracting, Inc. River Road Foundation Wendy and Steve Rubin Family Fund of The Saint Paul Foundation Liz and Ben Smith Stinson Leonard Street LLP Rupert and Jeanne Strobel Joe Tashjian and Kay Savik The Thayer Family Foundation of the Minnesota Community Foundation Paul and Janet Tolzmann Tylina Food Products US Bank Flex Perks Edwin van der Hoek and Jennifer Debrow The Donald Weesner Foundation Western Bank Frederick and Margaret L. Weyerhaeuser Foundation Wilkerson, Guthmann & Johnson Leadership Fund Lillian Wright & C. Emil Berglund Foundation
$1,000 - $2,499 Anonymous Agropur Inc. Division Natrel The Allegro Fund Diana Allen Ameriprise Financial Employee Matching Gift Program AmVets Post #1 Mendota Sarah Andersen and Christopher Hayner Karen Anderson Barbara Bachman Cheryl Lynn Bailey and Dan Humes Jo & Gordon Bailey Family Fund of the Catholic Community Foundation Ben and Phyllis Baltes Tracey Baubie and Debra Anderson John and Susan Bauer
Tony and Tabitha Benton Bolthouse Farms, Inc. Briggs and Morgan Foundation The Peter K. Brooks Fund at Schwab Charitable Hudie and Sarah Broughton Peter Butler City of Saint Paul Aquatics Bob and Diane Coderre Fund of The Saint Paul Foundation Commonwealth Properties John R. Cross Fund of The Saint Paul Foundation Robert and Sherry Cyza D’Amico Catering David’s Photography Frank and Sharon Dolejsi Florene Dougherty Carol Ducharme El Burrito Mercado Peter and Tamara Erickson Mary Ann and Robert Evander Federated Insurance Patrick Flahaven Patricia Freeburg Fridley Middle School Laura Fries and John Cox Dwight and Elizabeth Friesen Michelle Furrer and Kristopher Foland David and Kathleen Gabel Jane and Richard Gerber Jerry and Joyce Golden Julie Goodwin C. Granlund Family Fund at Schwab Charitable Eric Griffin and Laura Pang John Grinager and Nancy Jo Shaw Mike Hahm and Amy Brendmoen Susan and Thomas Handley Marion Handt Frank Hapke John W. Harris Thane and Blanche Hawkins The Head Foundation Elfrieda Hintze Tom and Nancy Hodnefield
Susan and Ernest Holburt Gayle and Robert Holmes Amy L. Hubbard and Geoffrey J. Kehoe Fund of Minnesota Community Foundation Barbara and Jim Joers Mark Johnson Jon Charles Salon Bill and Diane Kaphing Justin and Stephanie Kappel Adele Kaufman Scott Kindrick and Randi Lyders Steve and Margie Krause Trell Kulju and Victoria Heckman Peter and Cynthia Lee Laurence and Jean LeJeune Juanita and Richard Luis The Lumabel Charitable Fund Margaret Rivers Fund Edwin and Susan McCarthy Patrick and Angie McIntyre The Greg McNeely Fund at Schwab Charitable Nora McNeely Hurley and Michael Hurley Donor Advised Fund of Schwab Charitable Caroline and Scott Mehlhop Barbara Meier and Peter McSwiggen Jeremy and Janessa Meyer Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Minnesota Safety Council Larry Moody Anna and William Morrison Debbie Musolf and Arthur Wineman National Christian Foundation Indiana Ford and Catherine Nicholson Diane Nixa and Kurt Hochfeld Casandra Offersen Estate of Diane Ondrey Daniel Ordway Erik Ordway John and Marla Ordway Charitable Lead Trust John and Marla Ordway Periscope John and Debra Peterson
Pool and Yacht Club, Inc. Susan and Glenn Rasmussen Edward Reed Rival House David and Darla Roeker Jack and Mary Jean Sargent Tyler and Kari Schmidtz Tom Schubbe and Maggie Arzdorf-Schubbe Kathleen Schubert Dave and Karen Senger Arvind Sharma and Stephanie Radtke Signature Cafe & Catering Sleep Near The Mouse St. Paul - Ramsey County Environmental Health St. Paul Saints Greg and Gayle Steiner James and Tracy Steiner Kathryn Steiner Thomas Steiner Jackie Sticha and Chris Hautman Peter and Mary Jo Thrane Peter and Traci Torseth Charles and Barbara Trautmann The Stablish Foundation Leo and Molly Varley Tom and Judy Ware Warm Fuzzy Toys David and Ann Wasson White Pine Fund Burton and Patricia Witthuhn Jennifer Wolf Michele Yanko Estate of Steven Chris Yurk
$500 - $999 3M Foundation Gerald Adams Kate Aksadi Allina Health System The Mary Anne K. and William R. Anderson Jr. Foundation Anime Twin Cities, Inc. Chas and Nancy Arend John and Mary Bachhuber
Bailey Nurseries Inc. Jo and Gordie Bailey Chris and Marna Bame Thomas and Mary Beaumont William Beery Kimberlee Bell John and DeAnne Bennett Best Buy Employee Giving Carol Bierbrauer Bob and Joan Bierscheid Carolyn H. Bingham Lisa and Michael Bjorkman Janice Bobrowske Michael and Teresa Bondhus Tom and Liz Boyd Briggs and Morgan, P.A. Kathleen A. Briggs BrightWines Sheila and Bill Brown The Vanessa Brown-McGuire Family Charitable Fund of Vanguard Charitable Brian Buhl Cafesjian’s Carousel Kaye Campbell and Phil Hinson Capitol Beverage Sales Darcy and Gregg Cascaes Cook St. Paul Corban Manor Inn Sara and Ryan Cox Data Center Systems Rep. Matt and Dr. Laura Dean Dodge Nature Center Arthur and Carol Doten E.J. Houle Inc. Jessica Erickson Estee Lauder Caryn Evenmo Rumi Faizer Ralph and Susan Farnsworth Beverly A. B. Farraher Jim Fernholz Carol and Michael Fix Stephen and Liz Foss William Foussard Carol and Greg Friberg Karen Frisell
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Thank you, Judith Garcia Galiana Gentleman Forager Geoff Michael Group, Inc. Michael and Sarah Giga Jan Godeke Jewelie Grape Green Valley Greenhouse, Inc. Greystone Foundation Kelly Griffitts and Margaret Skelton Joe and Barb Groebner Travis Hansen Stephen Hanson and Susan Cary-Hanson Pegi and Thom Harkness Michelle and Peter Harris John Hedenstrom Sharon and David Heitzman Dee Hemgren and Walt Hemgren John and Dinah Heneman Richard Hjelm William and Linda Holley Lynne K. Holt Bettina and Dennis Hoye Nell Hurley Independent Parts & Service, Inc. Independent School District No. 197 Jean Iwen J.W. Hulme Co. Juliane Janey Mary Jensen and Jeff Sell Fredrik and Sharon Johnson James Johnson and Lucy Jones Michelle Johnson Steve and Barb Judd Charles and Mary Jungmann Arthur and Martha Kaemmer Brian and Sandy Kamin Macushla Kelly Mike and Deb Kelly Robert Kriel and Linda Krach Diane and William Krueger
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DONORS Katie Krumwiede and John Myers Greg and Darla Landmark Anne and William Langford Colleen and Rob Langford Don and Carole Larson Nora Lee Andrew Leonard Rob and Ilene Leonard Dick and Peggy Lidstad Rebecca and Scott Lien William Lipschultz Daniel and Mary Beth Liska Little Brown Jug Off Sale Liquors William Lohman and Ann Dillon Beth Lunn Ellen Maas-Pratt and Len Pratt Jeff and Cindy Mains Mark and Sandy Mansee Thomas and Kathleen Martin Matt and Julie McBride Mary Bigelow McMillan McNeely Foundation Nora McNeely Hurley and Michael Hurley Mead Witter Foundation, Inc. Microsoft Corporation Scott Milburn Bryan Murphy James B. and Melissa A. Murphy Family Fund Richard and Joan Newmark Fund at Schwab Charitable Fund Nicholson Family Foundation Northwoods Axe and Leather Debora L. Nugent Cheri and Edward O’Brien Jacqueline O’Connell and Patrick O’Connell Alan and Joy O’Donnell Robert Ohlsen Vicki and Dave Okerstrom
COMO FRIENDS 2016 ANNUAL REPORT
Park Tavern Paula Patineau Sally and Tom Patterson Pearson’s Candy Rick and Diane Peck Lisa and Henry Perez Kathleen Perkins Michael and Claire Pfoser Pioneer Foundation Piper Classic Disc Golf Tournament Joel Poeschl and Jeanne Pemble Judith Quinn Roberta Reilly Megan and Roger Remark Richard and Elisabeth Revoir Jodi and Mark Richard James and Suzanne Riesterer Todd and Anne Ringgenberg Valerie and Alan Rivers Eileen Roberts and Chuck Hoyum Susan Roeder and Michael Wilhelmi Wendy and Steve Rubin David Rudolph and Susan Sochacki Ryan Family Donor Advised Fund of Morgan Stanley G.I.F.T. Sage Hospitality The William and Susan Sands Fund of The Saint Paul Foundation James Sautter Beth Schafer Kent and Shaneen Schmidt The Beatrice Schneider and Doug Smith Family Charitable Fund Karen Scott Susan and Peter Sentieri Michelle and Steven Shaller Sheets Family Giving Account Susan and Brian Smith Anthony and Teresa Snider
Clifford C. & Virginia G. Sorensen Charitable Trust of The Saint Paul Foundation Michael Stedman Foundation Erica Stein William and Elizabeth Storm Stout’s Pub Monika Strom Randall and Michelle Suter Debbie Swan Kristen and William Swanson Julie Switzer and Matt Layman Lawrence Syverud T-Mobile/Metro PCS Tankenoff Families Foundation Betsy Tarnowski Jon and Lea Theobald Aaron and Teresa Thomas Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Lisa Tienter Elsie G. Trapp Wayne Varner Alice and Fred Wall Family Foundation The Walt Disney Company Wendy Ward Warners’ Stellian Appliance Co., Inc. Kathryn Weese and Helen Bond Erin Weslander Jean M. West Dr. Deborah L. Wexler and Mr. Michael L. Mann Keith and Colleen Wietecki Janet and Jeremy Wight Gregory and Susan Wolf Chuck and Beth Wright Arno and Anna Wuenschmann Tanya Yerich Stacy and Michael York Robert and Monica Zarembski Peter Zeller Debra Zimmer
COMO FRIENDS STAFF Kate Aksadi Individual Giving Associate
Bethany Campbell Temporary Executive Assistant Amanda Golden Events Manager Kaitlyn Huntington Development Associate Mary Jensen Director of Finance Laurel Lundberg Director of Individual Giving Caroline Mehlhop Director of Events and Sponsorships Terri Scheunemann Garden Safari Gifts Manager Megan Shackle Database Manager
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Diana Allen Realtor, MN Home Ventures
Martha Nelson Community Volunteer
Sheila Brown VP and Asst Treasurer, Travelers
Nancy Nelson Community Volunteer
Matt Wehner Graphic Design and Brand Manager
Arta Cheney Community Volunteer
Sheila Wewers Garden Safari Gifts Assistant Manager
Scott Dongoske President, Winthrop & Weinstine
Erik Ordway Brokerage Services, Cushman & Wakefield/NorthMarq
Hannah Smith Executive Assistant Jackie Sticha President
GARDEN SAFARI GIFTS STAFF Harmony Angellar Katie Baisch Karina Bigit Donnelle Burlingame Michelle Cerame Karli Cunningham Beth Driscoll Scottie Eide Jana Erickson Jim Etten Ashley Heck Michaela Hodgson Chris Jenkins Katie Lee Melissa Lind Rose Masanz Rochelle Muus Gail Olson Maria Olson Niki Paton Christy Peterson Gregory Phillips Mark Reynolds Krista Riedel Mary Rosen Benjamin Stansbury-O’Donnell Madison Taylor Cassie Temple Gao Na Thao Siant Thao Pa Vang Maddie Willi Xue Yang
Anne Hazelroth Field Anne Field Communications Consulting Sherry Fonseth-Lais Community Volunteer
Lynette Palmgren Community Volunteer P.W. (Bill) Parker EVP & Chief Risk Officer, U.S. Bancorp
Stephen Foss Regional VP, Xcel Energy
Susan M. Roeder (Chair) Director of Corporate and Community Affairs, Andersen Corporation
Laura Fries Managing Dir & EVP, Baker Tilly
Wendy Rubin CEO, Wendy Rubin Ltd.
Patrick Harris SVP, Govt Banking, BMO Harris Bank
Arvind Sharma Manager, Enterprise Procurement, Ameriprise Financial
Tom Hodnefield (Treasurer) Partner, Tautges Redpath, Ltd. Robert Hoke Vice President, Relationship Management Manager, Wells Fargo
Liz Smith Community Volunteer Peter Thrane Attorney, Stinson Leonard Street
Bill Kaphing Retired Vice President, Xcel Energy
Edwin van der Hoek Specialty Seeds and Oils, Cargill
Matt Kramer (Vice Chair) Vice President, University & Government Relations, University of Minnesota
Jennifer Wolf Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, Advantus Capital
Patrick McIntyre Vice President, Growth, Innovation and Strategy, Best Buy
EX OFFICIO
Greg McNeely Community Volunteer Nicky Nagle Community Volunteer Joe Nayquonabe Commissioner of Corporate Affairs, Mille Lacs Band
Michelle Furrer Como Campus Manager Mike Hahm Director, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Jackie Sticha (Secretary) President, Como Friends
with friends, we thrive
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O U R MISSI O N:
We inspire community generosity to advance Como Park Zoo and Conservatory as a destination where people from all walks of life can gather, learn and enjoy the natural world.
COMO FRIENDS 1225 Estabrook Drive, Saint Paul, MN 55103
651.487.8229
FAX: 651.487.8245
www.comofriends.org
ComoMembership@comofriends.org