What Do You Do?
We fund research, outreach, and conservation projects focusing on wildlife around the world (as well as organize some of our own). We fund workshops that help professionals learn about and communicate science. We direct one of the largest online-outreach campaigns focusing on wildlife and wildlife conservation. We collaborate with artists to communicate conservation messages. We recognize innovative science communicators with an annual award.
Eventually we want to grow large enough to start employing full-time scientists and science communicators as well as protect land that contributes to regional conservation goals.
What Makes You Different?
We are supported by a grassroots army of recurring small-donors and we focus on important issues and projects overlooked by the major conservation corporations/organizations.
How Can I Help?
- Become a recurring small donor either by signing up on Patreon or PayPal. Donations are tax-deductible and can be as little as one or two dollars a month!
- Designate us as your charity on Amazon Smile! When you shop through Amazon Smile, they will send us a small portion of their proceeds (here’s a tool that helps make sure you don’t forget to visit Amazon Smile instead of just Amazon.
- Raise money for us with a Facebook fundraiser on your birthday (or any day)!
- Tell a friend about us and why you value our work.
How Do I Apply For A Grant?
Please contact us and briefly (less than 250 words) tell us about your project and how it relates to either 1) collecting data (including basic natural history information) that can inform plans that allow people to live alongside wildlife, 2) communicating science to communities with the goal of reducing human/wildlife conflict, 3) implementing science-based strategies for living alongside wildlife populations and/or the 4) America’s Hidden Salamanders Initiative. Let us know how a grant (most are under $1,000) can help make your project a reality; if we feel your interests align with the mission of the foundation, we will provide a grant application.
What Do You Do With Donations?
Most of the money we have received has gone to supporting our grants program; by the end of 2019 we anticipate we will have awarded over $20,000 to conservation projects around the world. Moving forward, we will be working to establish long-term stability for the foundation by creating a reserve fund. Eventually we want to begin new conservation initiatives that are directed by the foundation, but our grants program and our support of other scientists and science communicators will always be an important part of what we do.
Maintaining a non-profit charity does come with some administrative costs, like stamps, envelopes, and website maintenance, but we are a small organization and do not require much. Personnel associated with the foundation currently donate their time and skills. However, we hope to eventually experience enough growth to allow for fair compensation; we feel this would be to the benefit of the foundation because it would result in more time and energy dedicated to advancing our mission.
