Donor Stories

Donor Stories:
Cathy Breen

“The zoo has literally become my family, and it just keeps getting larger,” says Cathy Breen, a beloved zoo docent whose contagious smile is felt across Woodland Park Zoo. She adds:

“Without philanthropy, the zoo literally wouldn’t be where it is today.”

Cathy offers a rare and intimate perspective of the zoo’s history, its treasured place in our community, and its future – a perspective that has only grown richer and more colorful over time. A lifelong member who first visited the zoo “as a child who could barely walk,” she has watched the zoo evolve as a pioneer in immersive, naturalistic exhibitry and conservation action, thanks to community support. After a career in the financial industry during which she traveled across the U.S., she returned home to Seattle and the zoo, where she began volunteering in 2003.

Today, Cathy shapes zoo experiences in every way: infusing her work as a docent with deep passion for our animals; feeding the inquisitive minds of our youngest visitors; and feeling palpable joy in watching how the latest medical equipment, funded by her annual gifts, helps the zoo maintain the highest standards of animal care. By designating the zoo as the primary beneficiary of her estate, she gives our entire community the promise of a stronger zoo in the years to come.

Woodland Park Zoo touches lives in many different ways. For Cathy, giving of time, talent and treasure not only changed her life, but also opened the door to a newfound sense of purpose that will continue long into the future as one of her life’s legacies. “I love the animals,” she says. “I love volunteering here. I wish I could give more. I want the zoo to continue as long as it can.” While Cathy is inspired each day by the zoo, we remain humbled by her actions, her philanthropy, and her love for our zoo community. As she inspires more members of our community to give, in turn, just imagine how all of us will thrive.

Wills, trusts, insurance and retirement beneficiary designations, are all examples of ways that you can leave a planned gift, or legacy gift, to help ensure that Woodland Park Zoo serves generations of those young and young at heart for years to come. When you add the zoo to your will or estate plans and make your intentions known to us, you become a member of a very special donor group, the LionHearts Society.

Most donors allow the zoo to determine the best use of their legacy gift by making it an unrestricted gift, the majority of which are added to our endowment. For donors who would like to restrict their legacy gift to a specific use, we encourage you to contact the zoo to ensure that we can meet your wishes properly.

If you would like to speak with us about how you can leave your legacy at Woodland Park Zoo or inform us of your plans, we invite you to contact us! Anne S. Knapp, CFP, Director of Philanthropy at 206-548-2443 or anne.knapp@zoo.org, or Sarah Valentine, Major Gifts Officer at 206-548-2624 or sarah.valentine@zoo.org.