Columbus Zoo receives record $50M from Wolfe Foundation for new aquarium complex

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has announced a $50 million gift from The Robert F. Wolfe and Edgar T. Wolfe Foundation to support construction of the John F. Wolfe Aquarium in Powell, Ohio. The project is expected to cost $175 million, when completed in 2029. The award is the largest in the zoo’s history, and will fund a more than 100,000-square-foot aquatic destination featuring over 1 million gallons of habitats and more than 10,000 animals across 300 species. The new aquarium will expand conservation, education, and community engagement efforts while creating a major year-round attraction. The project will also strengthen wildlife preservation initiatives, tourism, and economic activity across Central Ohio.