PHILANTHROPY
I am a firm believer in being a part of the community and giving back whenever you are able. That is why philanthropy is the cornerstone of Brian Zinke Photography. Each year, I will donate 15% of the proceeds from that year to a designated non-profit or charity. The organization(s) selected will promote conservation, scientific research, outdoor education, or a combination thereof. If you think your organization meets that criteria and you would like it to be considered, please write me and provide some information about your efforts. I am always looking for good people doing great work.
Please feel free to browse the stories of my charitable endeavors below and, if so inclined, consider supporting these wonderful organizations yourself.
Total Giving
2019: Center for Whale Research
I am excited to be supporting the Center for Whale Research as my non-profit for 2019! The CWR is based in Friday Harbor, Washington and it has been the leading organization studying the southern resident killer whales in the Salish Sea since 1976. They conduct high-quality scientific research and perform public outreach to educate citizens and other organizations about whales in the Pacific Northwest while providing opportunities for collaboration. I'm proud to be supporting an organization that contributes to all three of my charitable pillars of conservation, research, and outdoor education!
2018: National Park Foundation
My 2018 non-profit for the year was the National Park Foundation!
From the National Park Foundation website:
"The National Park Foundation carries on that tradition as the only national charitable nonprofit whose mission is to directly support the National Park Service.
The National Park Service's mission is to 'conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and wildlife therein, and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.'"
I wholeheartedly believe in the idea of national parks and the role they play in conservation, education, and public enjoyment. As per my tradition, 15% of my 2018 proceeds were donated to the National Park Foundation.
2017: Bighorn Restoration Group
2016: City Kids Wilderness Project
City Kids Wilderness Project was my chosen non-profit for the year! A Washington, D.C.-based non-profit, City Kids works at "providing enriching life experiences for underserved D.C. children [that] can enhance their lives, the lives of their families and the greater community." One of those opportunities is bringing kids to a ranch near Jackson, Wyoming and letting them experience the wilderness and outdoor adventure, all while building important life skills. I am honored I was able to partner with them and support the amazing work they do. In 2016, 15% of all of my proceeds were donated to City Kids Wilderness Project.
2016: American Society of Mammalogists
The American Society of Mammalogists is a national, scientific organization that promotes research and encourages students to study mammals, conduct research, and present their results at an annual meeting. This year I am donating two of my signed prints for their silent auction which supports student scholarships. In the interest of full disclosure, I am a proud member of this society.
2016: Make-A-Wish Wyoming
I teamed up with Make-A-Wish for the second year in a row for their Tour de Wish Lander cycling event! Proceeds from the event go to support Wyoming wish kids, and proceeds from any of my photos of the event sold will be donated to Make-A-Wish.
2015: Make-A-Wish Wyoming
In my inaugural summer, I partnered with Make-A-Wish Wyoming and the Lander Valley High School in a fundraiser for Wyoming wish kids. The high school organized the bike ride in Lander while I provided photography for the event and donated one of my 20" x 30" framed and matted prints of a local Wyoming landscape. I partnered with The Middle Fork Restaurant in Lander, where they displayed the work and helped to sell raffle tickets for the print. The bike ride was a success and we sold 224 raffle tickets, of which 100% of the proceeds were donated to Make-A-Wish Wyoming.
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