Rounding out the Little Birds! Tax Relief Initiative
STEWARDSHIP DONATIONS
Stewardship Donations support the in-kind Little Birds Incentives.
Your financial stewardship will create a ZLI Little Birds Donor Advisory Fund just for you, to support local and targeted 'charities of choice' as you see fit!
ZLI's Save a Billion Birds! Campaign: Charities of Choice
75% of Stewardship Donations to be Earmarked for Targeted Distribution!
The Zoological Lighting Institute recognizes that the sciences of light and life are valuable for many different reasons. For that reason, we distribute funding to other charities in line with our scientific ethos and mandate to include and engage all, providing access in a diversity of contexts.
The Sciences
ZLI's purpose is to fund scientific research at all levels. ZLI Little Birds participants can designate how their stewardship fee might fund scholarships, grants, post-docs, and even laboratories, subject only to board review to address any conflict of interest concerns. Full attribution and celebration will be returned, as well as tax benefits.
The Arts
People of all walks of life can improve question making in the sciences, and we view this as the primary purpose of the arts. ZLI Little Birds participants can designate funding to source media, events, educational programming, publishing, and similar engaging efforts to help all understand better how and why birds (and light!) are so important!
Animal Welfare
ZLI Little Birds participants can direct funding to support additional bird-friendly projects, say at a school, zoo, aquarium, or other charitable/public institution. Many people want to do the right thing, but simply can't afford it or don't know what to do. You can help them to save birds.
Wildlife Conservation
ZLI Little Birds Participants can designate that we spend funding on targeted conservation initiatives, supporting associated field work or nature conservation projects.
Contact Us
Have a question or want to get in touch? We'd love to hear from you. Contact us today and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. admin@zoolighting.org
Steps to Establish a ZLI Little Birds DAF
Step 1: Are you Eligible?
Step 3: Make an Initial Contribution
Step 2: Submit an Application
• All individuals, families, businesses, or foundations interested in protecting birds and promoting ornithology can establish a
ZLI Little Birds DAF
• $5,000 minimum initial contribution required
• All Little Birds Stewardship Donations will be placed into customized ZLI Little Birds DAFs
Step 2: Submit an Application
Step 3: Make an Initial Contribution
Step 2: Submit an Application
Contact ZLI to express interest.
• Submit a DAF Application Form, which includes:
- Donor information (name, contact details, etc.).
- Fund name (optional; e.g., “Smith Family Little Birds Fund”).
- Successor advisor (if desired).
Step 3: Make an Initial Contribution
Step 3: Make an Initial Contribution
Step 4: Receive Tax Benefits & Acknowledgment
Upon ZLI Approval:
• Donors can contribute through:
- Cash (check, wire transfer, or credit card).
- Publicly traded securities (stocks, bonds, mutual funds).
- Other assets (subject to approval).
Step 4: Receive Tax Benefits & Acknowledgment
Step 4: Receive Tax Benefits & Acknowledgment
Step 4: Receive Tax Benefits & Acknowledgment
• Contributions become the irrevocable property of the ZLI Little Birds DAF program.
• Donors receive an immediate tax deduction for the contributed amount.
• A formal acknowledgment letter is provided for tax reporting purposes.
Step 5: Fund Management
Step 4: Receive Tax Benefits & Acknowledgment
Step 6: Recommend Grants
• ZLI manages all DAF contributions, ensuring at least 25% of funds remain in cash reserves to ensure best practices.
• The remaining balance may be invested to grow the fund in accordance with ZLI’s financial and mission related policies.
Step 6: Recommend Grants
Step 4: Receive Tax Benefits & Acknowledgment
Step 6: Recommend Grants
• Donors can recommend grants from their DAF to support:
- ZLI Endowments (Research Grants and Scholarships)
- AWASH (Cruelty Free Design)
- ZALA (Animal Welfare Monitoring)
- PhotoDiversity Media
(ZLI SBB Campaign Engagement - i.e DEI Nature Access)
• Grant requests must be submitted in writing and are subject to ZLI’s review and approval.
Step 7: Monitor & Receive Updates
Step 7: Monitor & Receive Updates
Step 7: Monitor & Receive Updates
• Donors receive annual reports summarizing:
- DAF balance
- Grant distributions
- Impact of contributions
• Regular updates on supported programs and ZLI’s activities are also provided.
Step 8: Fund Transfer or Closure
Step 7: Monitor & Receive Updates
Step 7: Monitor & Receive Updates
• Donors can designate a successor advisor to manage the DAF in the future, to children or a managing company for example.
• If the DAF remains inactive for five (5) years, ZLI may allocate the funds to priority internal or external initiatives according to the mission guidelines as related above.
Key Features:
Step 7: Monitor & Receive Updates
Key Features:
✔ Tax Benefits:
Immediate deduction upon contribution, distributions made over time at donor discretion
✔ Donor Advisory Privileges:
Grant recommendations encouraged,
subject to approval
✔ Eligible Grants:
ZLI Endowments, AWASH, ZALA, PhotoDiversity Media
✔ Cash Reserve Requirement:
25% of funds retained in cash
✔ Minimum Contribution:
$5,000
For more details or to begin the process, contact ZLI today!
🌍 Website: www.zoolighting.org
📧 Email: admin@zoolighting.org
📞 Phone: [01.212-317-2927]
By setting up a DAF with ZLI, donors can make a lasting impact for science, the arts, animal welfare, and wildlife conservation around the globe!