The Indianapolis Prize is an initiative undertaken by the Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc. to share the importance of animal conservation by recognizing individual conservationists who are saving animal species from extinction. What initially began as a simple quest, a mission driven idea more than a decade ago, the Prize is now internationally renowned and recognized as the world’s largest award for animal conservation. With your support we are enabled to continue the important work that can reverse the path to extinction for thousands of species in the next decade. The generosity of our partners, sponsors and the Indianapolis community is the driving force behind the success of this award. With your sponsorship we strive to offer a unique opportunity to focus the public’s attention on the conservation of animals and their natural environments. By sponsoring the Indianapolis Prize you and your organization are supporting the global cause, and mission of the Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc., to advance animal conservation. If you are interested in learning more about how you can help support the Indianapolis Prize, please call 317-630-2004 or contact us.
The Indianapolis Prize team appreciates your consideration of sponsorship as we continue to bring national and international recognition to the scientific research, community collaboration and awareness that has impacted animals threatened with extinction. We are happy to work with you and your organization to customize a sponsorship for your needs.
Support from community-based organizations and individuals has guided the Indianapolis Prize to bring great attention and awareness to animal conservation.
Making a gift to the Indianapolis Prize as a Gold Sponsor is a significant way to share your organization’s commitment to the planet and build relationships with an influential and environmentally minded audience.
Benefits and Recognition:
Indianapolis Prize Gala Gold Sponsors are those who donate gifts of $10,000.
Click here to sponsor.
Support from community-based organizations and individuals has guided the Indianapolis Prize to bring great attention and awareness to animal conservation.
Making a gift the Indianapolis Prize as a Silver Sponsor is a powerful way to share your organization’s commitment to the planet and gain attention with an influential and environmentally minded audience.
Benefits and Recognition:
Indianapolis Prize Gala Silver Sponsors are those who donate gifts of $6,000.
Click here to sponsor.
The VIP Reception presented by Polly H. Hix is an exclusive, invitation only, reception held for the Indianapolis Prize Winner, Finalists, Emerging Conservationist and Winner of the Jane Alexander Global Wildlife Ambassador Award. This event provides VIP guests with the opportunity to personally meet these world leading conservationists and celebrity ambassadors. Guests will also be provided with special experiences and photo opportunities.
Benefits and Recognition:
The Indianapolis Prize Gala VIP Reception Sponsorship is a $25,000 commitment.
Download our Pledge Form or email anakanishi@indianapolisprize.org.
The Indianapolis Prize Welcome Reception presented by PNC Bank is a gathering held for all 1,200 guests of the Indianapolis Prize Gala presented by Cummins Inc. Upon arrival, guests are personally welcomed by an event Volunteer and invited to enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres before the evening’s festivities commence.
The Welcome Reception is scheduled to begin at 6pm on Saturday, September 30, 2023 on the third floor of the JW Marriott. Immediately following the reception guests will be invited into the JW Grand Ballroom for the Indianapolis Prize Gala.
Benefits and Recognition:
The Indianapolis Prize Welcome Reception Sponsorship is a $15,000 commitment.
Download our Pledge Form or email anakanishi@indianapolisprize.org.
Volunteering empowers individuals, fosters active citizenship and helps build flourishing communities. There may be many benefits for the individuals who volunteer, but what they contribute to a person, organization or cause cannot be measured.
It takes nearly one hundred talented, passionate and dedicated Volunteers to host the Indianapolis Prize Gala presented by Cummins Inc. Through their advocacy, Indianapolis Prize Volunteers fulfill a critical role in the set-up, execution and overall experience of the event.
Devoted to the cause, Indianapolis Prize Volunteers advance the global conservation goals of the Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc., give back to something that matters all while having a true and direct impact on our guests. The Indianapolis Prize Planning Team is grateful for their advocacy to make the Indianapolis Prize initiative and Gala a success.
Benefits and Recognition:
The Indianapolis Prize Volunteer Sponsorship is a $15,000 commitment.
Download our Pledge Form or email anakanishi@indianapolisprize.org.
While you may not often find them in a suit, the Winners of the Indianapolis Prize share the same leadership qualities needed for success in the boardroom. Whether it’s motivating others, problem-solving, managing deal negotiations or facing a group of armed poachers, these men and women are succeeding in demonstrable ways that blaze a path for others to follow.
The Leadership Event provides business professionals and emerging leaders with the unique opportunity to hear how the Prize Winner successfully implemented leadership in an uncommon and challenging environment.
Participants of this program will hear firsthand, how mission-driven, collaborative leadership can shape businesses, politics, policy and communities on a local and international scale. No matter the situation or environment, great leaders see change before it happens.
Benefits and Recognition:
The Michael I. Crowther Indianapolis Prize Leadership Forum Sponsor is at $15,000 commitment and includes Gold Sponsorship to the Indianapolis Prize Gala.
Download our Pledge Form or email anakanishi@indianapolisprize.org.
Following the Zoo’s mission to inspire conservation in the local Indianapolis community, Meet a Hero is a special event where Zoo visitors have the opportunity to meet the Prize heroes, who traveled from across the globe, to discover their amazing and inspiring stories.
At the event children and adults can interact with world-renowned scientists and researchers who are helping save wild things and wild places. Designed for families and the young at heart, guests can also participate in fun activities created to teach the importance of protecting endangered species that everyone can help save. As part of the experience the first 2,000 guests will receive a pack of limited-edition conservation collector cards featuring the Prize Winner, Finalists and celebrities in attendance.
Benefits and Recognition:
The Indianapolis Prize Meet a Hero Sponsor is at $15,000 commitment and includes Gold Sponsorship to the Indianapolis Prize Gala.
Download our Pledge Form or email anakanishi@indianapolisprize.org.
To empower more people locally to advance animal conservation, the Prize initiative offers active and compelling ways to instill your organization’s commitment to conservation. Girls in Science is a unique way to interact with young girls in the community by directly connecting them with female, world-renowned conservationists.
The Indianapolis Prize Girls in Science Workshop Series is an educational, out-of-school program that targets the next generation of female scientists, girls ages 10-14 years, to motivate and encourage them to take an early interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Beginning in 2014, the Indianapolis Prize team piloted the first workshop as part of the Girls in Science movement. Since its start, and due to its popularity, three more workshops have been hosted with Dr. Patricia Wright, the first female scientist to receive the Indianapolis Prize in 2014, two-time Prize Finalists Dr. Laurie Marker and Dr. P. Dee Boersma, 2016 Prize Finalist Dr. Amanda Vincent and 2018 Prize Finalist Dr. Sylvia Earle. Each of these women are inspiring role models who demonstrate that a career in science can be successful and rewarding.
During the workshop the girls will hear real-life experiences from a leading female conservationist who uses science to investigate why animals are facing certain challenges in the wild, participate in a hands-on program about animals, go on a behind the scenes tour at the Indianapolis Zoo and learn how Zoo Keepers use science every day.
Benefits and Recognition:
Recognition spans over one, two-year Indianapolis Prize cycle with 2-3 workshops hosted per year.
The Indianapolis Prize Girls in Science Sponsor is at $15,000 commitment and includes Gold Sponsorship to the Indianapolis Prize Gala presented by Cummins Inc.
Download our Pledge Form or email anakanishi@indianapolisprize.org.
The Indianapolis Prize Winner is someone who has found hope and success in the face of seemingly overwhelming obstacles such as poachers, poverty and issues that come with a growing population.
Each Prize cycle the Winner of the Indianapolis Prize takes part in a Lecture Series that is held at several colleges located throughout Central Indiana. The Lecture Series provides an inspirational and educational platform for young inquisitive minds, the public and professionals in our community to help them understand the work and determination it takes to save a species. Participants will learn what inspired the Winner of the Indianapolis Prize and the Emerging Conservationist to become a scientist and bring awareness to the impact animal species have on our planet.
The Prize Winner and Emerging Conservationist are people who has found hope and success in the face of seemingly overwhelming obstacles. The Lecture Series gives them the opportunity to share their story and answer questions about the challenges, struggles and successes they have faced.
Benefits and Recognition:
Sponsorship covers recognition at local Indianapolis Prize lectures.
The Indianapolis Prize Lecture Series is at $15,000 commitment and includes Gold Sponsorship to the Indianapolis Prize Gala presented by Cummins Inc.
Download our Pledge Form or email anakanishi@indianapolisprize.org.
To assist in meeting your philanthropic goals, the Indianapolis Prize team will work with you to create a custom sponsorship.
Email anakanishi@indianapolisprize.org to get started.