We will constantly update this post with more potential sources of funding for zoos. As potentially zoos and botanic gardens from all around the world may access ( and contribute to…?)this forum, we will try and reference funders with a relevance to different parts of the world.
Obviously “zoo projects” can mean lots of different things ( capital on site projects, educational programmes, in situ conservation projects, etc), and the following funders all fund different kinds of needs. So this is quite a rag-bag of opportunities, and it is up to you to sort through it.
For some of the large international funders, I really think it is also worth considering the virtues of inter-zoo collaborations for many of these sources of finance, as well as looking for highly innovative (even risky?) approaches amenable to eventual replication. The whole idea of changing the zoo paradigm through international co-operation could be very appealing to funders.
Naturally we are not responsible if our references to their funding remit is out of date …or just plain wrong. It should also go without saying that any would be applicant needs to look very carefully at the funder’s own details before proceeding.
Here are the potential funders ( latest added at the top)
The Turner Foundation
The Foundation supports environmental projects:
“to protect the atmosphere and other natural resourses by promoting energy efficency, renewable energy and improved transportation policies and practices
to protect rivers, lakes, wetlands, aquifers, oceans and other water systems from contamination, degradion and other abuses
to defend biodiversity by protecting natural habitats”.
The Foundation does not fund buildings, acquisition, endowments or start-up funds, films, books, magazines or media projects, indivduals.
To receive a copy of the Foundations guidelines contact:
Turner Foundation
One CNN Center Suite 1090 – South Tower
Attn: Program Department
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Telephone 404 681 9900
Email turnerfi@mindspring.com
website – www.turnerfoundation.org
The Wallace Genetic Foundation
The Foundation has international funding interests around: sustainable agriculture, protection of farmland near cities, plant genetic research, biodiversity protection and environmental education.
To receive a copy of the Foundation’s guidelines contact:
The Wallace Genetic Foundation
4900 Massachusetts Avenue, MW, Suite 220
Washington, DC 20016
Telephone 202 9662932
Fax 202 362 1510
Email WGFDN@aol.com
The Weeden Foundation
The Foundation supports programmes that “address the adverse impact of growing human populations and overuse of natural resources on the biological fabric of the planet”.
Information is available on the website, www.weedenfdn.org
The Leverhulme Trust, UK can fund
http://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/grants_awards/grants/international_networks/
Organisations working in developing countries and with projects where conservation elides with human economic development and agriculture might look at USAID. Normally does not support unsolicited proposals, but worth making a link with their in country office. See: http://www.usaid.gov/about_usaid/
A nationally specific fund is the Namibian Nature Foundation, whose main objective is to contribute toward sustainable environmental development in Namibia. Make grants of up to 50,000 namibian dollars. http://www.nnf.org.na/index.php
The Ford Foundation, under its overall theme of “Asset Building & Community Development” has an Environment and Development programme that “helps people and groups acquire, protect, improve and manage land, water, forests, wildlife and other natural assets in ways that help reduce poverty and injustice”. The Ford Foundation has no connection these days to the Ford Motor Company by the way. See: http://www.fordfound.org/
Alcoa is one of the world’s biggest providers of aluminum and aluminum based products, and operates a large international grant maling foundation, supporting conservation. If your zoo or botanical garden is near an Alcoa site ( …and the company has hundreds of sites in dozens of countries), you may be eligible for funding . See: http://www.alcoa.com/global/en/community/info_page/Foundation.asp
The Australia France Foundation supports bilateral cooperations between the two nations in “the broadest possible range of activities”. Potentially this could apply to zoo interests ( and I bet no zoo has ever approached them)http://www.france.embassy.gov.au/pari/Affintro.html
The Aga Khan Foundation supports amongst other areas, rural development and income generation to alleviate poverty in Africa and Asia. A properly articulated in situ zoo project with human poverty alleviation might well qualify. The allied Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan Fund for the Environment specifically supports biodiversity. http://www.akdn.org/agency/akf.html
The American Himalyan Foundation funds environmental projects in the Himalyan region http://www.himalayan-foundation.org/live/home/home
The William Cadbury Trust has certainly made grants to zoo run projects in the past and lists environment as an aim (both in the UK and internationally) http://www.wa-cadbury.org.uk/page.asp?id=8
Rufford Small Grants for Nature Conservation (RSGs) are aimed at small conservation programmes and pilot projects: http://www.rufford.org/rsg/
The Nando Peretti Foundation, based in Italy makes grants to international conservation projects. Currently closed to new applications, but likely to open again soon: http://www.nandoperettifound.org/
Biffaward is a multi-million pound fund which awards grants to community and environmental projects across the UK. The fund’s money comes from landfill tax credits donated by Biffa Waste Services. Biffaward is managed by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts on Biffa’s behalf. http://www.biffaward.org/index.php/contact The Darwin Initiative is a small grants programme for biodiversity and conservation projects around the world. It tends to favour projects with a strong scientific rationale: http://www.darwin.gov.uk/The Lubee Foundation, based in Florida, is dedicated to the conservation of old world fruit bats. It provides small grants and partnership initiatives within this area: http://www.lubee.org/default.aspxThe International Herpetological Symposium makes (very) small grants to individuals working in relevant fields. No restriction to the USA is specified on theur website: http://www.kingsnake.com/ihs/grant.html
12 Comments
December 11, 2007 at 9:29 pm
New Development Assistant at Utah’s Hogle Zoo…enjoying your informative site.
thank you,
Elizabeth
December 13, 2007 at 5:49 pm
Dear Elizabeth,
Thanks and good to hear from you.
Please don’t hesitate to tell your fellow zoo professionals in the USA about the site.
Also I am happy to try and address any simple questions ( or indeed challenges to any of the posts)
Good luck with your career. You have an exciting time ahead of you!
John
February 21, 2008 at 2:51 pm
I CALLED CHE GILBERT FROM CAMEROON I WE HAVE A SMAL ORGANIZATION THAT IS BASED ON CONSERVATION AND WE WISH TO APLY FOR GRANT
May 1, 2008 at 11:13 am
Conservation watch, a fortnightly newsletter, is an initiation to inform and aware Nepalese people and related organizations, individuals across the globe about situation of flora, fauna of Nepal, problems to be addressed, activities being undertaken and so forth. We want to bolster conservation issues of Nepal more significantly through this newsletter. We know it’s a challenging job, but we believe success is there where we face and overcome the challenges.
We will heartily welcome response, suggestion and support for this newsletter.
Please visit our site http://www.onehornedrhino.org
Best Regards
Deepak Acharya
Media Consultancy Nepal
October 17, 2008 at 7:26 pm
we are an organization based in Rwanda, Africa.
it is called RUCCB (Rwanda University Club for Conservation of Biodiversity) and it is an organization of students in Biology & conservation department at National University of Rwanda.
We would like a help that is from your organization and we want to if we are eligible and how we can apply for a small grant.
our mission here in the University is: working together to conserve our wildlife.
thanks.
MVUNABANDI Dominique
National University of Rwanda
Faculty of Sciences
Department of Biology&Conservation
Option of Zoology&Conservation
p.o.box:117 Butare-Rwanda
Phone number:(+25008222891)
e_mail:stud0515918@nur.ac.rw
fergie1984@gmail.com
mvunabandid@yahoo.fr
December 22, 2008 at 9:22 pm
I am looking for information on grants for Canadian Zoos, would any of these apply and if not, do you know of any? Your reply would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Tricialynn
January 14, 2009 at 9:02 am
Dear Tricia Lynn,
It depends which grants you are referring to.
In the main organisations in Canada would not, to the best of my knowledge, be eligible for funding from the European Commission. There is one possible exception in that the EC and Canada joint fund training exchange programmes. In Brussels this is administered by DG Education and Culture.
Canadian Zoos could get funding from US Foundations through a 501(c)3.
In principle, Canadian Zoos could perhaps receive support from a foundation based in Europe ( these are all different) but this woudl require a very specific project.
Which zoo do you represent?
Best, John
March 20, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Sir /Madam,
Greetings from Cameroon . We are non profit making group of individuals with a common ideas to promote Endanger Wildlife (monkeys, cane rats,e.t.c ) conservation and protection activities in North-west province Cameroon (Baba 11).We have thousand varieties of Monkeys species, with lot of poaching in the vicinity by hunters and villagers, Is with honour we write to invite your organization while appealing for your funding assistance(others forms of assistance are highly welcome). We run a sanctuary where we conserve and protect endangered variety monkeys, and others endangered species. We as well carry out Sensitization programs, educate hunters, natives and the public on the importance of conserving and protecting this prestigious species for the future , we conserve for various useful purposes but not for (sale) on like research center, creating employment e.t.c.
We hereby appeal for assistance to further sensitized, sustained, conserve and protect more of this endangered species, so that our next generation can see these animals in future and can also benefit from this species. We here by attach a propose project proposal we await your considerable response.
Dr. John Cho
Project Coordinator
Bamenda Wildlife Protection and Conservation Center
May 25, 2009 at 12:07 pm
I am a holder of a First class BA Honours Degree and an Upper class Diploma in Education and a prospective Mphil in Development Studies graduate student but with strong passion in nature and biodiversity conservation.
I feel that on obtaining this Degree I should write a project proposal concerning sensitisation and education of the populace neighbouring conservation sites on the rationale of conservation.
Would this idea attract funding
Thank you.
May 25, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Dear Santo,
Without being able to narrow it down to a specific funding sourse or sources, your approach would seem eminently fundable.
Certainly the idea of assisting local populations to become more aware of and take responsibility for the conservation of their own biodiversity is very much in favour with the donor community.
John
August 17, 2009 at 7:31 am
Hi
we have an organization in kogelo KENYA dealing with conservation and seeking for small grant fr botanic
August 17, 2009 at 7:38 am
And we are wishing to harve a botanic farm, where by we are owing 10hecters of land