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Grant will expand the Hoffman Coexistence Impact Fellowship Program 

CINCINNATI, OH (October 15, 2025) – Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is proud to share that it has been awarded a prestigious 2025 National Leadership Grant – Museum Award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). This $652,260 grant will support the Hoffman Coexistence Impact Fellowship Program, a program designed to inspire and develop the next generation of wildlife conservation leaders. 

Photos | Video | 2025 Fellows 

 “We’re very excited for this national recognition that will enable the growth of our impactful wildlife conservation program,” said Lily Maynard, Ph.D., director of global conservation. “This work is so important because the Cincinnati Zoo is committed to facilitating coexistence between wildlife and people, helping both to thrive with innovative interventions, assessing impact to reveal best practices, and creating a network of conservationists around the world supporting each other.” 

The Hoffman Coexistence Impact Fellowship Program is a dynamic initiative that contributes to wildlife conservation, supports emerging conservationists, prioritizes local voices in conservation decision-making, and uplifts the Zoo’s connection to its global conservation efforts and local communities. Through this program, the Zoo provides resources, salaries, and professional development opportunities that empower conservationists embedded in their own communities to engage in projects and research that help both people and wildlife to thrive. 

“The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is an incredible asset for the entire region and a premium attraction in our state,” said U.S. Senator Jon Husted (R-Ohio). “It is great to see them receive this well-deserved recognition for something Ohioans already know: The Cincinnati Zoo is a world leader in conservation efforts, and they are intentional about workforce development and training to support this focus. Their work with this grant award will only further these efforts across the globe.” 

 Grant Details 

Activating Conservation Missions: The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s Global Coexistence Impact Fellowship Program 

Cincinnati Zoo’s three-year project will evaluate and expand the Hoffman Coexistence Impact Fellowship program. This initiative addresses a critical need to build capacity for conservation leaders rooted in their local communities alongside activating zoo staff around the organization’s mission. First, Fellows will develop technical abilities and clearer pathways to achieving conservation impact in their regions, ultimately leading to greater ecological stability and community resilience. Second, this model for proactive collaboration and resource-sharing will benefit other zoos, aquariums, and museums to better achieve their missions with activated staff and partnerships. The program’s findings will be shared broadly through publications and conference presentations. The Fellowship model provides a tested and scalable framework that can be adopted across the sector.