The American Bear Association/ Vince Shute Sanct.

Come for the Bears. Leave with a Better Understanding of Them.

A $10,000 matching challenge is on the table! A generous donor has committed to matching $10,000 in donations once we first raise $10,000. That means if we reach our initial goal, another $10,000 will be unlocked, bringing a total of $20,000 toward the mission of the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary. Your donation can help us get there!

There is something powerful about seeing a black bear up close.

At the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary, people don't just read about bears in a book or see them on a screen. They have the opportunity to watch them forage, climb, play, interact with one another, and simply be bears.

And sometimes, that experience changes the way a person sees wildlife forever.

The mission of the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary is to promote the understanding and well-being of American black bears through education, observation, and experience—and to promote peaceful coexistence between people and bears.

That mission is at the heart of everything we do.

A Place Where Bears Tell the Story

For generations, black bears have been misunderstood. They are often portrayed as dangerous, destructive, or unpredictable animals rather than the intelligent, adaptable, fascinating creatures they are.

We believe that spending time observing bears can change that perception.

At the Sanctuary, visitors can see behaviors that are rarely witnessed in the wild. They can watch bears interact with one another, discover how their diets change throughout the seasons, learn about their family lives and adaptations, and gain a better understanding of the important role bears play in our natural world.

The bears are the attraction—but understanding is the goal.

Every Visit Is an Opportunity to Learn

The Sanctuary welcomes thousands of visitors who come from near and far to experience black bears in a unique setting.

For some, it is their first time seeing a bear in person. For others, it becomes a tradition they return to year after year.

For children especially, these experiences can be the beginning of a lifelong connection with wildlife.

Behind every visit is a tremendous amount of work: caring for the Sanctuary grounds, maintaining viewing areas and facilities, preparing food, supporting educational programs, caring for the bears who visit, and making sure our guests have a safe and meaningful experience.

Your donation helps make all of that possible.

Help Us Continue the Experience

The Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary is a special place because it brings people and wildlife together in a way that inspires curiosity and respect.

Your GiveMN donation helps us continue providing a place where people can slow down, observe, ask questions, and discover what makes American black bears so remarkable.

And this year, your generosity has the opportunity to go twice as far!

Thanks to a generous matching donor, the first $10,000 we raise will unlock an additional $10,000 donation. Our goal is to raise that initial $10,000 so we can take full advantage of this incredible opportunity and bring $20,000 in support to the Sanctuary.

When you support the Sanctuary, you're not just supporting a place to see bears.

You're helping a child fall in love with wildlife.

You're helping a visitor replace fear with curiosity.

You're helping families learn how to share their communities with wildlife.

And you're helping ensure that the story of the American black bear continues to be told through education, observation, and experience.

Please consider making a donation to the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary through GiveMN this year. Help us reach our $10,000 goal and unlock the additional $10,000 match!

Every gift helps us care for this special place and continue our mission of helping people understand—and peacefully coexist with—American black bears.

Together, we can turn $10,000 in donations into $20,000 for the bears and the people who come to learn about them!