By 1808Delaware
A relationship that helped change the Columbus Zoo’s gorilla habitat nearly half a century ago is helping shape its next chapter. The Worthington Companies Foundation and The McConnell Foundation are committing $10 million to support the upcoming John F. Wolfe Aquarium, The Wilds, and the Columbus Zoo’s conservation programs. It is the second-largest philanthropic commitment in the Zoo’s history, extending a connection that spans three generations of the McConnell family.
For visitors, the investment will help bring new opportunities to encounter and learn about wildlife. For the organizations receiving it, the gift supports work encompassing animal wellbeing, education, and conservation in Ohio and beyond.
Supporting the Next Chapter
The commitment brings together The Worthington Companies Foundation, which includes Worthington Enterprises and Worthington Steel, and The McConnell Foundation in support of three connected priorities: the John F. Wolfe Aquarium, The Wilds, and the Columbus Zoo’s conservation programs.
“Their generosity will help bring the John F. Wolfe Aquarium to life, support The Wilds and advance our conservation programs here in Ohio and around the world,” said Tom Schmid, president and CEO of the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds. “Together, we are providing our community with unique and amazing ways to experience and learn about wildlife, while inspiring future generations to help protect these species.”
The companies behind the foundation have more than 1,800 employees across manufacturing and office locations in Central Ohio. Sonya Higginbotham, president of The Worthington Companies Foundation, credited those employees with making the investment possible.
“We share deep roots in Central Ohio and a commitment to strengthening the communities where our employees live and work,” Higginbotham said. “We are proud to continue this tradition through an investment that will make a difference in our region for years to come.”
A Connection That Began With Gorillas
The relationship reaches back to 1979, when support from John H. McConnell and the former Worthington Industries helped create a new outdoor space for the Zoo’s gorillas. That project marked an important moment in the Zoo’s history and contributed to an evolution in how modern animal habitats were designed. McConnell had founded the Worthington Steel Company in 1955. It later became Worthington Industries before separating into two publicly traded companies, Worthington Enterprises and Worthington Steel, in 2023.
The family’s involvement continued through his son, John P. McConnell, and now his grandson, John H. McConnell II, who serves as vice chairperson of the Zoo’s Board of Directors and as a board director for both companies.
“My grandfather believed deeply in giving back to the community, and his early support of the Zoo reflected that belief,” McConnell said. “My father, John P. McConnell, carried that relationship forward, and I’m proud to continue it today alongside the hardworking employees of Worthington Enterprises and Worthington Steel.”
