Wildlife Conservation Network
Networking opportunities and other in-kind assistance for organizations engaged in wildlife conservation
Principal Office: USA
The Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) is dedicated to protecting endangered species and preserving their natural habitats around the world.
WCN collaborates with independent conservationists who live and work in developing countries, and who are exploring new ways to resolve the conflicts between people and wildlife. These conservation entrepreneurs are WCN’s associates and partners.
Grant Programs for Agriculture, Energy, Environment, Natural Resources
WCN supports conservation associates and partners with in-kind contributions to help them with networking and capacity building.
1 — Exhibitors. Exhibitors are organizations that receive a free space to exhibit at the Wildlife Conservation Expo. WCS gives exhibitor status to qualified nonprofit organizations active in wildlife conservation and/or animal welfare.
APPLICATION: Applicants submit applications to request free exhibition space at the WCN Expo.
About WCN Exhibitors, and how to apply
2 — Partners. Partnerships are organized around threatened and endangered wildlife species and species groups. WCN assists partners with networking, media promotion, coaching in fundraising and donor development, and technical and computer assistance.
WCN’s partners are registered nonprofit organizations, usually with an organizational budget below US$250 thousand.
WCN favors programs which have recently progressed beyond the start-up phase, and where the principal conservationist and budget expenditures are highly focused in the range states.
Partners receive assistance with fundraising to achieve a minimum goal of US$20 thousand per year.
APPLICATION: WCN presents its criteria for applicants to qualify as partner organizations. Applicants who believe they meet the basic criteria submit a letter of inquiry (LOI), cover letter, and CV according to WCN’s guidelines and format.
Based on these submissions, WCN invites full proposals from a limited number of applicants.
The WCN considers applications for new partnerships on an annual cycle. Each year, WCN posts a timeline for receipt of LOIs and proposals.
3 — Scholarships. The WCN Scholarship Program funds graduate education and applied training for community-based conservationists. The scholarship provides tuition and living expenses. Scholarship awards range from US$5 thousand to US$ 45 thousand.
APPLICATION: Scholarships are made through a call for proposals. Students from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America are welcome to apply.
About the WCN Scholarship Program
4 — Crisis and Recovery Funds. Crisis and Recovery Funds invest in projects aimed at protecting a threatened species beyond a singular country and across its entire habitat. The Fund consists of four main programs: the Elephant Crisis Fund, the Lion Recovery Fund, the Pangolin Crisis Fund, and the Rhino Recovery Fund.
The Elephant Crisis fund supports projects that focus on anti-poaching, anti-trafficking and demand reduction. The Lion Recovery Fund supports ideas and initiatives to recover lions and restore their landscapes. The Pangolin Crisis Fund invests in projects to stop the poaching of pangolins and the trade and demand for pangolin products. The Rhino Recovery Fund supports projects that are designed to stop rhino poaching and end the trafficking and demand for rhino horn.
More about the Elephant Crisis Fund
More about the Lion Recovery Fund
More about the Pangolin Crisis Fund
More about the Rhino Recovery Fund
APPLICATION: Each crisis and recovery fund has its own website. Generally, the funds do not accept unsolicited proposals. However, project summaries and information about current conservation work can be submitted via email.
Geographical Distribution of Grant Activities in Developing Countries
Worldwide
Applicants to WCN should review Wildlife Programs for an overview of the network’s interests and current partnerships.
The Lion Recovery Fund (LRF) is an initiative of the Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) and the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation.
Contact information is provided.
January 2021