Vibrant Carnaval Under the Canopy Raises Nearly $1 Million for Animal, Conservation & Education Programs
With a colorful, vibrant atmosphere that matched its festive theme, ZooFest 2026: Carnaval Under the Canopy, was a resounding success. San Francisco Zoo & Gardens’ annual fundraising gala raised nearly $1 million to support vital animal, conservation and education programs.
“A big thank you to our sponsors, donors, attendees, staff and volunteers for making this a sensational night for supporting the Zoo,” said Cassandra Costello, CEO and Executive Director. “Guests got to meet some of our ambassador animals and bid on silent auction items during the cocktail reception, head to the Big Tent for dining and special remarks, and engage in an exciting live auction before heading to the dance floor.”
ZooFest is SF Zoo’s largest annual fundraising event. This year’s gala honored Connie & Bob Lurie, long-time philanthropists and champions of the Zoo. As a long-time Zoological Society Board Member (and now member emeritus), Connie Lurie founded ZOO II—a young professionals’ philanthropic group—and recognized the critical need for a new education facility. The 11,000-square-foot Connie & Bob Lurie Education Center opened in 2001 and serves thousands of school-aged children, teen and adult volunteers, special events, and lectures each year.
As a much-anticipated event, 100 percent of the ZooFest proceeds directly benefit animal care and welfare, conservation initiatives, and education programs, and overall support of the Zoo. Highlights of this year’s live auction included naming opportunities for four Chilean flamingo chicks hatched this summer, and the Zoo’s newest residents, a pair of six-month-old capybara siblings. Destination packages, dining experiences, and an enthusiastic response to the Zoo’s Fund-a-Need auction—which raised funds for animal enrichment and care—rounded out the successful night.
ZooFest 2026 event sponsors: TPG, Deloitte, McKinsey & Company, Ropes & Gray, Dodge & Cox, Mango African Safaris, Travel & Leisure, Hakluyt and Likha.