The SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund was established in 2003 to raise support for grassroots conservation projects that are truly making a difference. Since its creation, the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund has awarded over $11 million in conservation grants to over 800 organizations. Currently, the Fund provides over $1 million each year to conservation programs, and thanks to SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment's administrative support, 100% of the funding raised goes toward these conservation projects. The Fund has 4 major areas of focus: species research, habitat protection, conservation education, and animal rescue and rehabilitation. Each year the Fund has specific conservation priorities it supports. The Fund's mission is to work with purpose and passion on behalf of wildlife and habitats worldwide, encouraging sustainable solutions through support of species research, animal rescue and rehabilitation and conservation education.
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WWF Professional Development Grant
The World Wildlife Fund's Professional Development Grants (PDGs) provide support for mid-career conservationists to pursue short-term, non-degree training to upgrade their knowledge and skills. These trainings can include short courses, certificate trainings or conferences among other training opportunities.
Whitley Fund for Nature
The Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) is a UK registered charity offering ongoing support to outstanding nature conservationists around the developing world. They aim to:
UNDP GEF Small Grants Program
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) provides financial and technical support to projects that conserve and restore the environment while enhancing people's well-being and livelihoods.The programme is rooted in the belief that global environmental problems can best be addressed if local people are involved and there are direct community benefits and ownership.
The principle objectives of SGP are to:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Critically Endangered Animals Conservation Fund
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service created the Critically Endangered Animals Conservation Fund (CEACF) to provide funding for projects that work to protect critically endangered species in Africa, Asia, South America and Oceania.
Tropical Biology Association Small Grants Scheme
The Tropical Biology Association supports conservation projects that strengthen the proficiency of their alumni and alumni groups in natural resource management and research. The projects must be designed to solve a specific conservation or research problem in Africa and show impact.
Three types of grants are offered each year:
Rufford Small Grants
The Rufford Small Grant offers grants to individuals or small groups for nature conservation projects in non-first world countries that focus on nature/biodiversity issues in non-first world countries, create pragmatic, measurable and long-lasting impact and are a minimum of 12 months duration. The grant must make up a significant part of the total budget and funds must be used predominantly for field-based activities. Applications can be made at any time of the year and these are reviewed once all references have been received.
National Geographic Grants Programs
The National Geographic Society awards grants for research, conservation, education, and storytelling through its Committee for Research and Exploration. All proposed projects must be novel and exploratory and be of broad interest.
African Union Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Award
The African Union Commission launched the prestigious African Union Scientific Award Programme in 2008 with the support of its Development Partners. Under this programme prizes are awarded to top African scientists in (a) Life and Earth Science and (b) Basic Science, Technology and Innovation. The objective is to recognize, award and honor outstanding excelling African Scientists for their scientific achievements, discoveries and innovations.
Conservation Leadership Programme Grants
The Conservation Leadership Programme provides conservation awards on an annual basis to support the work of early career conservationists. There are three grant levels to allow teams to scale up their initial projects: Starting with a Future Conservationist Award, teams are supported to undertake small-scale research and awareness-raising projects.