Oklahoma Zoological Society honored as award finalist
The Oklahoma Zoological Society (OZS) has earned the distinguished honor of being recognized as a 2023 finalist for The Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence (ONE) Awards in the category of community. A total of 22 Oklahoma nonprofits were selected as finalists based on their contributions to enriching Oklahomans’ lives by changing the landscape of human services and community assistance across the state. Awardees will be announced at a dinner on April 22, 2023.
Established in 1954, OZS is the nonprofit partner of the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden providing opportunities for the community to express their support and passion for the OKC Zoo and its mission to connect people to wildlife and wild places. OZS works to accomplish these objectives through philanthropy, fundraising efforts and capital campaigns for many of the Zoo’s strategic expansions such as the Joan Kirkpatrick Animal Hospital, Predator Pass and currently Expedition Africa, the Zoo’s largest development in its history that will provide enhanced habitats for animals native to the African continent and immersive wildlife experiences for guests, slated to open this summer. OZS hosts Ostrich Egg Breakfast, OKC Zoo Gala and ZOO-brew, all community favorite events attended by thousands annually, that successfully support the OKC Zoo. A dedicated and passionate group of community volunteers lead OZS as members of the board of directors.
“We are proud to be recognized as a finalist for this year’s ONE Awards,” said Mandy Heaps, Oklahoma Zoological Society’s executive director. “I am thrilled to celebrate OZS’s mission of connecting the community through philanthropy to Oklahoma City Zoo programs and initiatives. It’s the perfect time to acknowledge how far we have come as an organization and the exciting future that lies ahead as we near the final stages of fundraising for Expedition Africa.”
“It comes as no surprise that OZS is being honored for this distinction considering the outstanding work they do in support of the Zoo,” said Dwight Lawson, Oklahoma City Zoo’s executive director/CEO. “Our partnership with OZS, continues to successfully foster community awareness for the Zoo’s mission and provide funding for us to further our mission to connect people to wildlife and wild places through major projects like the highly anticipated Expedition Africa opening this summer.”
The Oklahoma City Zoo is in its winter hours and open Thursday through Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the last entry at 4 p.m., and closed to the public on Tuesdays and Wednesdays through February 8, 2023. Located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, the OKC Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, Oklahoma City’s Adventure District and an Adventure Road partner. To learn more about Zoo happenings, call (405) 424-3344 or visit okczoo.org.
ABOUT THE ONE AWARDS
The Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence (ONE) Awards were established in 2008 by the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits with guidance from late Chapman Foundation trustee J. Jerry Dickman and Tulsa businessman Joe Moran to draw attention to those nonprofit organizations that employ the tenets of excellence in their operations every day. Since its beginning, the program has awarded cash grants between $5,000 and $10,000 to exceptional Oklahoma Nonprofits. As of 2021, the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits has given more than $2 million to more than 200 Oklahoma nonprofits through the ONE Awards.