Safari West changes business operations to become nonprofit

"Safari West, a 400-acre wildlife preserve in Santa Rosa, has announced it is transitioning from more than 35 years under private ownership to nonprofit stewardship through the newly formed Safari West Zoological Society. Safari West is home to hundreds of animals representing species from around the world. The newly formed entity will be a California nonprofit public benefit corporation designed to steward Safari West's mission of research, education and conservation, with animal care at its core, according to the Feb. 19 announcement."

"The decision ensures Safari West's long-term sustainability beyond individual leadership, according to founders and owners Peter and Nancy Lang. They anticipate completing the process over the coming months. That includes federal IRS determination of 501(c)(3) status and the formal transfer of charitable assets. If approved as a 501(c)(3) public charity, the Safari West Zoological Society will be allowed to accept tax-deductible donations and charitable grants upon IRS approval, according to Safari West's legal counsel."

"There will be no disruption to daily operations, visitors' experience, or animal care during the transition process, and Safari West's name won't change. "Safari West has always been about more than visiting animals," said Nancy Lang. "It is about caring for them, learning from them and protecting the natural world we share. By moving forward under nonprofit stewardship, we are strengthening the foundation that will allow Safari West to serve wildlife and our community for generations to come.""

Safari West is moving from more than 35 years of private ownership into nonprofit stewardship as the Safari West Zoological Society, a California nonprofit public benefit corporation. The organization will steward research, education and conservation with animal care at its core. Founders Peter and Nancy Lang expect to complete IRS 501(c)(3) determination and formal transfer of charitable assets in coming months, which would allow acceptance of tax-deductible donations and grants. Daily operations, visitor experiences and animal care will continue without disruption and the Safari West name will remain. The preserve spans 400 acres and houses hundreds of animals from around the world. The property is now in its 33rd year of operation.

Read at The Mercury News