The Friends’ Mission: To support and enhance the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo

The Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo (Friends) works to support and enhance the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo (JMZ), a beloved Palo Alto institution whose mission is to engage a child’s curiosity in science and nature.

The JMZ reopened in November 2021 after more than a decade of planning, fundraising, and construction. The new and enhanced facility offers richer experiences for visitors and greater accessibility for children of all abilities.

The Friends is very grateful to all of our donors and supporters for helping us raise more than $25 million to reimagine and rebuild the JMZ. These donations, along with funding support from the City of Palo Alto, helped make possible a museum and zoo that will offer a truly unique experience to children and families for generations to come.

As we look to the future, the Friends’ top priority is to ensure that the JMZ remains accessible to everyone, regardless of physical or cognitive abilities or their ability to pay admission. The Friends continues to fundraise for access and inclusion programs, including the Science Outreach Program for the Ravenswood City School District (established in 1999) and Super Family Sundays (established in 2010) for families with children with disabilities. Details about these programs and how you can support them can be found on our Access & Inclusion page.

Our financials, including recent tax returns, are available upon request.