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Gift from The Worthington Companies Foundation and The McConnell Foundation will support the John F. Wolfe Aquarium, The Wilds, and Columbus Zoo’s conservation programs.

September 2, 2026 – The Worthington Companies Foundation, which includes Worthington Enterprises and Worthington Steel, and The McConnell Foundation are making a historic $10 million philanthropic investment to support the upcoming John F. Wolfe Aquarium, The Wilds, and the Columbus Zoo’s conservation programs, furthering work in animal wellbeing, education, conservation, and connecting people with wildlife. The gift is the second-largest philanthropic commitment in Columbus Zoo’s history and reflects a longstanding relationship with Worthington Enterprises, Worthington Steel and the McConnell family.

“We are so grateful to the employees of Worthington Enterprises and Worthington Steel, as well as The McConnell Foundation, for this extraordinary gift,” said Tom Schmid, president and CEO of the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds. “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. 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.”

Sonya Higginbotham, president of The Worthington Companies Foundation, said, “The employees of Worthington Enterprises and Worthington Steel are at the heart of our ability to give back, and their work makes investments like this possible. We share deep roots in Central Ohio and a commitment to strengthening the communities where our employees live and work. We are proud to continue this tradition through an investment that will make a difference in our region for years to come.”

Worthington Enterprises and Worthington Steel have more than 1,800 employees in the central Ohio region across multiple manufacturing and office locations.

John H. McConnell founded the Worthington Steel Company in 1955, which became Worthington Industries before separating into two publicly traded companies in 2023. In 1979, support from John H. McConnell and the former Worthington Industries helped transform the Zoo’s gorilla habitat through the creation of a new outdoor space, an important milestone in the Zoo’s history that reflected and helped advance a broader evolution in modern habitat design.

The McConnell family’s connection to the Zoo has also continued across generations. John H. McConnell II, grandson of John H. McConnell and vice chairperson of the Columbus Zoo’s Board of Directors, continues the family’s involvement today. John H. McConnell II is a board director for both Worthington Enterprises and Worthington Steel.

“My grandfather believed deeply in giving back to the community, and his early support of the Zoo reflected that belief,” said McConnell. “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.”

About the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Home to more than 600 animal species from around the world, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium leads by making a positive impact on people, wildlife, and wild places. The Zoo complex is a recreational and education destination that includes the 23-acre Zoombezi Bay waterpark and 18-hole Safari Golf Club. The Columbus Zoo also manages The Wilds, a nearly 10,000-acre conservation center and safari park located in southeastern Ohio. The Zoo is a wildlife conservation organization with regional, national, and global impact, annually supporting conservation and research projects locally and worldwide. For more information, please visit ColumbusZoo.org.

About The Worthington Companies Foundation

The Worthington Companies Foundation, formerly known as the Worthington Industries Foundation, exists to support worthwhile community causes. In fiscal year 2026, the Foundation contributed $3.8 million to 74 organizations in its focus areas of Health, Human Services, Youth & Education and Civic Causes. Funded by Worthington Enterprises and Worthington Steel, the Foundation's community efforts have the power of two companies behind them.