Animals & Wildlife
Most Recent
Jim Greenbaum Takes on Factory Farming, Full Time
This multimillionaire donor has been giving to relieve human and animal suffering for years, but more recently shifted almost entirely to expanding veganism and ending factory farming. Here’s how he decided to go all in on the cause.
How Effective is Effective Altruism? A Deep Dive Into Two of Open Philanthropy’s EA-Inspired Programs
Effective altruism has had a rough year, but remains a major force within philanthropy. We take a closer look at two of this EA-driven outfit’s programs: farm animal welfare and biosecurity and pandemic preparedness.
The Arcus Foundation’s Dual Mission: Protecting LGBTQ People and Humans’ Nearest Relations
Founded by Jon Stryker, the Arcus Foundation funds in two seemingly disparate arenas: LGBTQ issues and the conservation of great apes and gibbons. As the foundation hones its strategy, social justice is a big theme.
What Are Conservation, Pollution and Ag Funders Looking For Right Now? Fundraisers Weigh In
Fundraisers in these fields see opportunity and uncertainty, and many organizations are hiring to take advantage. Here are some major shifts they’ve highlighted in the funding landscape.
Education and Endangered Wolves Are Top of Mind for This Wall Street Couple
Richard Handler and Martha Hunt Handler each bring their own interests to their family foundation’s grantmaking. For Richard, that’s education. For Martha, that’s wolves. We connected with Martha to find out more.
IP Briefing: What’s Going on with Philanthropy for Animals and Wildlife?
In IP’s weekly briefings, we provide an overview of what’s happening in a particular area of philanthropy, loaded with links to our past coverage and State of American Philanthropy research. This week: Animals and wildlife.
Funder Spotlight: How the Moore Foundation Works to Conserve the Natural World
One of the biggest grantmakers for environmental conservation, Moore favors going narrow but deep, backing major groups with huge gifts in pursuit of measurable goals. Here’s what you need to know about the program.
Get to Know the Organization that Helps Animal Grantmakers Connect and Learn
Animal Grantmakers, the affinity group for animal welfare funders, got started nearly three decades ago. Now 35 members strong, the group is a key hub for coordination and support in an often overlooked corner of philanthropy.
As Plastic Waste Spirals Out of Control, Foundations Struggle to Protect the World’s Oceans
Even as the pandemic briefly curtailed carbon emissions, it only accelerated the threat that plastic waste poses to the planet. Here’s how several philanthropic funders are confronting a global problem.
How Animal Welfare Fundraisers Pivoted to Meet the COVID-19 Moment
Interest in animal welfare causes remained high during the past year, fundraisers reported, though organizations had to pivot their messaging and outreach. Here’s how groups responded and how they’re moving forward.
“OK, Now What?” How a Former CEO Decided to Give Millions for Big Cats
Former IDEXX CEO Jon Ayers was involved in a life-altering bike accident a few years ago, setting him on a path toward environmental philanthropy. Ayers tells us about his work, including a big commitment to Panthera.
The Funders Behind a Push to Reimagine Animal Shelters
The pandemic and rising demands for racial justice have fueled a campaign to rethink how animal shelters can best serve humans and pets alike. Major funders in this space are backing the effort.
With Climate Impacts Hitting Home, a Tahoe-Area Community Foundation Backs Forest Health
The Tahoe-Truckee region of California is grappling with drought and the looming threat of wildfire. As a result, the area’s community foundation is working to cultivate healthy forests, with a focus on private partnerships.
Inside the Growing Effort to Bring Diversity to the “Very White” Animal Welfare Field
The animal welfare movement is sorely lacking in diversity, despite data showing interest across demographics. Organizations and consultants are working to change that, including a new group focusing on companion animal welfare.
Saving the Whales: A Crowdsourced Philanthropic Project Targets Fatal Collisions
The Benioff Ocean Initiative just launched a $1.5 million project that uses sensors and data analysis to prevent fatal collisions between whales and shipping vessels. It’s the product of a crowdsourced effort to identify funding priorities.
Could Philanthropy Prevent the Next Pandemic by Stopping Zoonotic Diseases?
COVID-19 is likely zoonotic in origin, meaning it “jumped” from other animals to humans. While such diseases present a dire threat, few funders are paying attention. We explore the key players and where philanthropy can have an impact.
More Domestic Violence Shelters Take Pets. Philanthropy Helped Make That Happen
Research has shown that nearly half of domestic violence victims delay leaving their abusers because they don’t want to leave a pet behind. Thanks to targeted work by funders and nonprofits, fewer people have to make this hard choice.
In the Latest Big Campus Environmental Gift, a Push to Cross Boundaries
Higher ed donors are stepping up support for programs focused on conservation, climate change and other green issues. A donation for a new interdisciplinary center at William & Mary shows how such gifts can play out.
The Pride of Chicago: A Big Gift for Big Cats
The owners of one of the largest general contractors in the Midwest are funding a new lion habitat at the Lincoln Park Zoo. The gift underscores growing support to position zoos as leaders in conservation.
A Billionaire Couple’s Gift Aims to Protect One of the World’s Most Critical Ecosystems
Congo’s rainforests host a vast array of species and have been called the world’s “second lung” because they absorb so much carbon dioxide. Anthony and Jeanne Pritzker are among the few donors giving to protect this embattled wilderness.
Another Big Gift for a Zoo—Again with a Focus on Conservation
Zoos, which are among some of the nation’s oldest nonprofits, are tapping into new veins of money with work on conservation science and environmental education. The latest example of this strategy comes from Indianapolis.
Silicon Valley Greens: Here Are the Top Environmental Givers From Tech
The environment is among the many areas where tech philanthropists have emerged as a greater force in recent years, bankrolling existing green groups, but also creating some new organizations. Who’s doing what?
To Protect a Critical Forest in Appalachia, a Foundation Goes Beyond Grantmaking
A rare opportunity to conserve a large swath of land led the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation to make a large and unusual program-related investment. But the sustainable forestry model behind this move is not without its critics.
Four Things to Know About the Ethel Frends Foundation in Southern California
The Ethel Frends Foundation is a surprisingly accessible foundation for animal-related organizations in Southern California. Here’s what local grantseekers should know before approaching this funder.
Inside Vulcan, a New Model for Solving Some of the World’s Biggest Problems
Before he died last fall, the billionaire Paul Allen built up a powerful in-house capacity at his company, Vulcan Inc., to tackle urgent issues like wildlife protection and climate change. IP editor David Callahan takes an inside look at its unique strategy for impact.
Retired Chimpanzees and Billionaire Donors: A Philanthropy Love Story
As biomedical testing on chimpanzees has phased out, nonprofits and donors have been working to give retired test subjects a good home. A campaign that has attracted some big gifts is helping house the remaining animals still in labs.
Youth and Conservation: The Holy Grails of a Young Billionaire Couple’s Giving
We’ve written about the exploding philanthropy of the billionaire cofounder of Vista Equity Partners, Robert Smith. The other founder, Brian Sheth, is also on the move with his giving.
Big Gifts Flow to These Legacy Nonprofits. What Are the Takeaways?
Zoos have wooed donors with more sophisticated programming and stronger arguments about how they benefit communities. But a string of big gifts to these institutions also underscores other key trends in philanthropy.
Never Mind Those Stingy Techies. These Funders Keep Giving for “Highbrow” Arts
While the Bay Area’s tech elite remain ambivalent about the arts, other funders in the region are a different story entirely. We dig into a historic brick-and-mortar gift out of San Francisco.
A Bipartisan Climate Campaign Lands Another Big Gift. But Will It Fly?
Audubon has scored big grants for its growing climate change work, appealing to funders hoping to engage the right on the issue. The latest $10 million comes from a unexpected source.
