95 Lavinia Ave., PO Box 109
Toronto, ON M6S 3H9

info@highparkzoo.ca

Friends of High Park Zoo is Seeking Qualified Board of Directors 

• Applications from Eligible Candidates are due Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. ET

• Seeking experience in Communications and Media, Fundraising, Google Sites, Google Adwords and Grant Writing, Event Planning

• Up to Two Directors to be Elected on Two-Year Terms

Friends of High Park Zoo (FHPZ)

We are seeking inspired and motivated volunteer board members to oversee the activities of our organization for a two-year time frame from the Boards AGM in June. As we continue to implement our Master Plan to enhance and sustain High Park Zoo, we require directors to steward the undertaking of these much-needed improvements. FHPZ broke ground on Phase 1 Master Plan projects in 2021 with the City of Toronto scheduled to begin construction on Phase 2 in late 2026. For more details, visit https://www.highparkzoo.ca/masterplan/

FHPZ is moving forward with the Master Plan Zoo renovations and in 2021 was awarded $2.6M in capital funding from the Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) to complete major infrastructure improvements. With other exciting projects on the horizon in greening the Zoo, public art, education, community outreach, partnerships and fundraising and charitable status, the Board is busier than ever!

In 2026, FHPZ will have up to two openings on the Board of Directors, each on two-year terms. Only qualified candidates will be contacted to arrange for an interview.

Priority areas for 2026

Each year, the Board of FHPZ completes an evaluation of its directors’ skills and experience and identifies its future needs. In light of FHPZ’s strategic plan and organizational performance, the Board prioritizes the skills and abilities most important to fulfilling its governance function over the coming years.

In 2026, we are seeking candidates with experience in the areas of Communications and Media (we currently use Word Press, Linktree and Buffer), Fundraising and Grant Writing, Event Planning, Google Site Maintenance and Google Adwords Setup and Maintenance to help realise FHPZ’s Master Plan, Fundraising and Community Outreach goals.The Board will make its recommendations based on the extent to which each candidate exhibits experience in the priority areas and other attributes. Priority areas are explained in greater detail in the Experience section, below.

Next Steps

If you are eligible and believe you align with the Vision, Mission and Values of FHPZ and have the passion and experience to be an effective Board member, please apply by submitting your resume and a cover letter by Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time. References may be requested. See Eligibility below.

All applications must be submitted electronically to: info@highparkzoo.ca

If you have any questions regarding this process please contact info@highparkzoo.ca

Overview of FHPZ Board

FHPZ is a registered charity governed by an elected volunteer Board of Directors. At this time, the Board of Directors is composed of ten (10) directors serving either one or two-year terms. Officer positions include: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.

Eligibility

To be eligible, a FHPZ Board candidate must be a Member in good standing, at least eighteen (18) years of age and legally capable of serving as a director of a not-for-profit corporation in Ontario (see details below).

To be eligible as a Member in good standing of FHPZ, a donation of $20 during 2025 or by Sunday, May 31, 2026 must have been made to FHPZ. (Visit https://www.highparkzoo.ca/participate for more information). 

Experience

FHPZ is a registered charity created expressly to generate support for High Park Zoo. Board members are individuals with experience in one or more of the following areas of expertise:

• Charitable or Not-for-Profit Organization Experience: Board or executive level experience in one or more charities or not-for-profit corporations.

• Legal and Governance Experience: Recent board experience with one or more organizations (for-profit or not-for-profit); an understanding of legal and governance obligations of not-for-profit organizations.

• Organizational Leadership: Experience and direct responsibility with employees and/or volunteers.

• Financial Acumen: Experience and responsibility in the preparation, interpretation and dissemination of financial reports, budgets and statements and coordinating with the organization’s auditors.

• Fundraising and Grant Writing: Experience in leading diverse fundraising activities and targeting, writing and applying for operating and capital grants.

• Development and Project Management (Construction): Experience in the development and management of capital projects.

• Sustainability/Corporate Social Responsibility: Knowledge and experience with sustainable business practices and corporate social responsibility, including an understanding of key trends and developments.

• Communications and Media: Experience in communications and media strategy (creating, disseminating, etc.).

• Event Planning: Experience in planning and promoting fundraising events, including public relations and community outreach.

• Graphic Design: Experience designing materials (print and digital) that will support and promote the organization’s priorities and events.

• Google Site Maintenance: Experience with maintaining a Google sites website.

• Google Adwords: Experience Google Adwords - setting up campaigns & ads, monitoring activity, leveraging analytics, etc.

About High Park Zoo

Established in 1893 for deer, the Zoo’s animal paddocks have always been a popular attraction. Today, 133 years later, the Zoo’s eleven paddocks are home to a variety of animal species from around the world including bison, llamas, peacocks, reindeer, highland cattle, emus, capybaras and sheep. 

The Zoo is free to the public and attracted over 600,000 visitors each year prior to covid. The Zoo is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm during the winter months and 9:00am to 7:00pm during the summer.. The Llama Pen is normally open weekends and statutory holidays allowing visitors to feed and pet the llamas from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm beginning in May until the end of October. 

About Friends of High Park Zoo (FHPZ) – highparkzoo.ca

FHPZ was formed as a non-profit in 2012 to raise the necessary funds to ensure that the Zoo remained open in the wake of City budget cuts for the 2012 and 2013 operating years. With the City restoring operating funding in 2014, FHPZ now looks to raise sustainable funding from individuals, corporations and local businesses to enhance and sustain the Zoo. Since 2015, FHPZ has embarked on a Master Plan to enhance and sustain the Zoo for the next 133 years.

FHPZ is a registered charity created expressly to generate support for High Park Zoo. FHPZ accepts donations and issues receipts directly through its website.

VISION: A vibrant High Park Zoo, which is always free, accessible and welcoming for generations to come.

MISSION: To sustain and elevate High Park Zoo by enriching the visitor experience, enhancing animal habitat, engaging the community, and raising its awareness.

VALUES:

• Accountable. We act with transparency and responsibility in service to our community and stakeholders. 

• Professional. We conduct ourselves with integrity and respect as stewards of the zoo. 

• Collaborative. We actively seek out and collaborate with stakeholders to achieve our shared goals. 

• Community Oriented. We foster connections through fun initiatives and educational programs for the benefit of the Zoo and the community. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF DIRECTORS:

Communication and Preparation

• Prepare for meetings by reading material distributed in advance, and by gathering whatever information may be required or requested by agreed on deadlines;

• Be reasonably accessible and responsive, both by phone and by e-mail, to other Board members and key volunteers and stakeholders, as needed;

• Attend and participate in all board meetings, except where absence is unavoidable. Listen and be respectful of other board members’ opinions; and

• Be reasonably familiar with all by-law provisions, especially those defining the roles of Directors and Officers and setting out requirements for the removal and replacement of same

Time Commitment

• Be prepared to contribute at least 8 hours per month on average working for FHPZ (typically 1-2 hours for board or committee meeting; 4-5 hours volunteer / fundraising / initiatives / operations management time; 1-2 hours background and preparation).

• Maintain current knowledge of programs and major issues related to the FHPZ and to the Zoo itself

• Be on at least one committee.

• Volunteer for at least one of FHPZ’s fundraising events per year.

• Volunteer for at least one session at the llama pen activities per season.

Set Appropriate Direction

• (i) Provide expertise, guidance, and collaboration to board members (and staff, if any) regarding initiatives that align with the organization’s goals and initiatives and its strategic plan or business plan.
  (ii) Assume responsibility for at least one primary area of expertise relevant to the Board’s activities and/or the strategic or business plan, and make sure that the appropriate goals and deliverables are met, and that progress and changes are regularly communicated.

• Work with other Board members to identify and respond to key opportunities in a timely fashion

Resources and Risk Management

• Work with other Board members to ensure that key risks are identified and mitigated

• Ensure that appropriate financial controls are in place and maintained

• Assist in fundraising, for instance by soliciting the financial support of others; and

• Set an example by making a significant personal contribution in time and/or money to the organization.

General

• Serve as an advocate of FHPZ for the public and build relationships within the community and amongst stakeholders.

• Act with loyalty to FHPZ, its Vision, Mission and Values. Immediately disclose any real or potential conflict of interest, as required by the by-laws.

• Maintain and protect the confidentiality of confidential information given to the board.

• Ensure effective operations, succession planning and continuity by identifying potential volunteers as well as candidates for the board or its committees.

Required Legal Qualifications of a Director Under Ontario’s Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010 (ONCA) A director must be:

• An individual;

• Eighteen years of age or older;

• A person who has not been found incapable of managing property under the Substitute Decisions Act, 1992 or the Mental Health Act;

• A person who has not been found incapable by any court in Canada or elsewhere;

• Not bankrupt.

• The by-laws may have additional qualifications. Refer to section 23 of ONCA.