Deadline: 16-Oct-20
The Walt Disney Company has launched the Disney Conservation Fund Inspiring Action: Annual Conservation Grants Program.
The Disney Conservation Fund awards grants to nonprofit organizations leading comprehensive community conservation efforts and initiatives that protect species and habitats, and inspire kids and families to take action for wildlife and the planet.
The Disney Conservation Fund is focused on saving wildlife for future generations through grants to leading conservation organizations working together to stabilize and increase the populations of at-risk animals including apes, butterflies, coral reefs, cranes, elephants, monkeys, rhinos, sea turtles, sharks & rays, and tigers. A Disney conservationist works with each organization to identify where Disney expertise can also play a role in reversing the decline of these animals and their habitats.
The Disney Conservation Fund gives priority consideration to holistic programs that address a significant and urgent conservation need (or projects that are part of a program) which reflect all of the following:
- Contribution to the conservation of endangered, threatened or vulnerable species and their habitats in the wild
- Applied scientific field studies on species and habitats that demonstrate scientific rigor, directly inform/advance conservation strategies, and evaluate impact.
- The Disney Conservation Fund does not fund ex-situ projects/project components.
- Although the fund recognizes that basic science is a critical first step in conservation initiatives, preference is given to projects that include specific conservation action components.
- Engagement of relevant communities/stakeholders through community-based education programs or support of sustainable community development projects directly connected to protecting species and habitats, including measurement of impact on attitudes and behaviors (see below for additional information on expectations for education components).
- Proposal of feasible activities to advance conservation outcomes for wildlife/habitats over the next two years, including evidence of adequate support through cooperative efforts with relevant partners (other nonprofit organizations, government agencies, communities, etc), additional funding sources, relevant permits, etc.
- Expansion of previous work including an established commitment to a conservation program OR demonstration that the proposed project is well suited to become or contribute to a long-term conservation program.
- Consideration for the welfare of the animals involved in the study. Specifically, the principal investigator affirms:
- Capture/restraint techniques minimize stress and the potential for physical injury or psychological harm
- Immobilization/anesthesia is done under the direct supervision of a veterinarian or other trained professional
- Exposure to noxious stimuli and presumptive negative effects are minimized with the administration of anesthetic and/or analgesic agents where appropriate.
Funding Information
- The DCF will consider requests for a maximum of $50,000 to be provided over a grant period of two years. Overall budget may be larger and incorporate several financial partners. The budget may be allocated in whatever way makes the most sense for your program; i.e. $30,000 in the first year, $20,000 in the second year, etc.
- The Disney Conservation Fund will not award funds at less than 80 percent of the amount requested. For example, if the requested amount is $50,000, the awarded amount would be no less than $40,000. Most grants are able to be funded at the full amount requested.
Priority Regions
The Disney Conservation Fund supports programs and projects around the world, with programs in 120 different countries receiving support thus far. The fund also seeks to support projects taking place in areas where Disney has a significant business focus, including the regions below:
- Africa: Angola, Botswana, Congo, DRC, Egypt, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
- Asia: Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, The Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam
- Central/South America: Antigua, Argentina, Barbados, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Castaway Cay, Cayman Islands, Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Galapagos Islands, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, The Bahamas, Uruguay, Venezuela
- Europe/Middle East/Australia: Albania, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Kingdom of Bahrain, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanese Republic, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Poland, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Russia & CIS, Serbia, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sultanate of Oman, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom
- Marine: Alaska, Antigua, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, California, Castaway Cay, Cayman Islands, China, Eastern Gulf of Mexico (especially in/near Florida), Hawaii, Indo-Pacific, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, The Bahamas, and Western Atlantic; will also consider marine projects occurring near other priority areas listed
- North America: Canada: Alberta, British Columbia (Vancouver), New Brunswick, Nova Scotia; Mexico; USA: Alaska, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Washington.
Eligibility Criteria
- DCF encourages scientists, students, and institutions to work with nonprofit organizations to apply. Only charitable organizations may apply.
- The Disney Conservation Fund does not accept applications directly from government agencies and will not fund any budget items that support government officials, staff, agencies, etc. that may be working with your organization on a conservation project. Colleges and universities may have to apply either through or in conjunction with their school’s foundation or in partnership with another non-profit organization. They accept applications from Ph.D. level faculty focused on long term conservation programs. Graduate students can be involved in the project but cannot be the primary investigator.
- Graduate students can not directly apply but can be included in a Ph.D. level faculty project that is part of an established program or a new initiative that establishes objectives for a long term conservation impact. Tuition is not funded.
- Non-US charity organizations without US 501(c)(3) nonprofit status may apply directly for Disney Conservation Fund support and are no longer required to identify a US 501(c)3 nonprofit intermediary. To be considered eligible, non-US charity organizations without US 501(c)(3) status must be considered a nonprofit/charity organization in their own country.
For more information, visit https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/disney-conservation/