Case Study: Woodland Park Zoo achieves $1.9M hybrid fundraising success with Greater Giving

Woodland Park Zoo Moving from Virtual to Hybrid Event

Woodland Park Zoo, a century-old Seattle institution, faced a tough challenge when its largest annual fundraiser, the Jungle Party, had to adapt to shifting COVID restrictions. After pivoting to an online-only event in 2020, the zoo needed a safe, compliant way in 2021 to welcome guests who wanted to return in person as well as those still preferring to attend virtually — all while preserving the reception, dinner and live-auction experience and managing vendor commitments and safety protocols.

The team committed early to a hybrid format, capped in-person attendance at 400, and used Greater Giving’s Online Bidding plus experienced auctioneers and vendor partners to create a single, fair bidding platform for both audiences. They streamed the live program, offered delivered meals, displayed bids and a fundraising thermometer in real time, and prioritized engagement for remote viewers. The result: a high-energy hybrid event that raised $1.9 million (matching pre-pandemic levels), increased participation and engagement, lowered some event costs, and positioned hybrid events as a strong option for the future.

Woodland Park Zoo

Cate Tambeaux

Donor Relations Manager