Empowering People. Saving Wildlife. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium connects people and wildlife through animal care, conservation, and education.
Columbus Zoological Park Association’s recent grantmaking centers on animal conservation, with the largest grants going to the International Center for the Preservation of Wild Animals in Cumberland, Ohio. That relationship appears repeatedly in the record, alongside multi-year support for other conservation organizations working on species recovery and habitat protection. The association’s funding also reaches beyond Ohio, including grants to Rewild in Austin, Texas, and Turtle Survival Alliance in North Charleston, South Carolina. Across the recent grants list, the foundation supports conservation work tied to gorillas and great apes, turtles, manatees, elephants, cheetahs, bonobos, and native species recovery. Several awards are large enough to signal sustained program support rather than one-time microgrants. The foundation also uses its grantmaking to back institutions that combine field conservation, rescue and rehabilitation, and scientific monitoring. Its named active programs reinforce that pattern: the Columbus Zoo Conservation Fund and Partners In Conservation both support projects in the field, while the Learning is Wild Scholarship and other education scholarships connect conservation with school and youth learning. The overall profile is one of a zoo-affiliated funder that gives to wildlife-focused nonprofits, conservation alliances, and research-oriented institutions.
A clear theme in the recent grants is primate and great ape conservation. Columbus Zoological Park Association awarded multiple grants to Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International in Atlanta, including $40,000 in 2023 and two additional $25,000 grants in 2024 and 2025. It also funded Friends of Bonobos in Durham, North Carolina, with $25,000 in 2025. Marine and freshwater species are another major thread. The association gave $152,465 in 2025 to Turtle Survival Alliance in North Charleston, South Carolina, and also supported Save the Manatee Club Inc in Maitland, Florida, with $20,000 in 2023 and 2024 and $20,000 again in 2025 to its Longwood office. For wider wildlife work, it granted $25,001 to the International Elephant Foundation in Azle, Texas, in 2024 and $20,000 to Cheetah Conservation Fund in Alexandria, Virginia, in 2023, followed by another $20,000 in 2024.
Typical grants cluster at $10,000, with a p25 of $10,000, a median of $10,000, and a p75 of $24,648. The recent record also includes much larger awards, indicating a tiered pattern that mixes standard support with major project funding. Several grantees appear in multiple years, including the International Center for the Preservation of Wild Animals, Rewild, Mgvp Inc, Turtle Survival Alliance, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, International Elephant Foundation, Cheetah Conservation Fund, and Save the Manatee Club Inc. The foundation does not fund individuals. Its active programs show a mix of unsolicited scholarship support and invite-only conservation funding, with programs such as the Columbus Zoo Conservation Fund and Partners In Conservation listed as not accepting unsolicited proposals.
$6.3M
$314.1M
$88.8M
$79.4M
Most grants fall between $10K and $25K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$25K
About 13% of grants go to recipients in NC.
ANGEL MUMMA
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Grant recipients are entirely in the United States. Ohio recipients account for 13% of grants, but giving is spread nationally. The strongest state-level pattern is North Carolina, the top state by grant count, reflecting multiple awards in Durham. Other frequently appearing locations include Cumberland, Ohio; Austin, Texas; Davis, California; Atlanta, Georgia; and Maitland and Longwood, Florida. The recent list also includes grants to North Charleston, South Carolina, New York, New York, and Bronx, New York.
The distribution centers on modest awards: the 25th percentile is $10,000, the median is $10,000, and the 75th percentile is $24,648. The recent record also shows much larger conservation grants above $1 million and a fixed $50,000 Commitment to Conservation Award.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including the International Center for the Preservation of Wild Animals, Rewild, Mgvp Inc, Turtle Survival Alliance, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, International Elephant Foundation, Cheetah Conservation Fund, and Save the Manatee Club Inc.
The foundation supports animal conservation across several species and program areas: gorilla and great ape conservation, marine turtle conservation, manatee rescue and rehabilitation, freshwater mussel and native species recovery, elephant conservation, and conservation education through scholarships and field-trip support.
Its grants are national, with recipients in the United States only. North Carolina is the top state by grant count, while 13% of grants go to recipients in Ohio. Recent recipient cities include Cumberland, Austin, Davis, Atlanta, Maitland, Longwood, North Charleston, and New York.
Some active programs do, and some do not. The Learning is Wild Scholarship, Melvin B. Dodge Scholarship Fund, and Columbus Zoo Education Scholarship Fund accept unsolicited applications, while the Columbus Zoo Conservation Fund, Partners In Conservation, and Commitment to Conservation Award are listed as not accepting unsolicited proposals.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR THE PRESERVATION OF WILD ANIMALS INC | CUMBERLAND, OH | $218,100 | 2025 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE | NORTH CHARLESTON, SC | $152,465 | 2025 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| MGVP INC | DAVIS, CA | $110,869 | 2025 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM RESEARCH | CLEARWATER, FL | $106,000 | 2025 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| REWILD | AUSTIN, TX | $45,000 | 2025 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM FOUNDATION | MONTEREY, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| DIAN FOSSEY GORILLA FUND INTERNATIONAL | ATLANTA, GA | $25,000 | 2025 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| INTERNATIONAL ELEPHANT FOUNDATION | AZLE, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| FRIENDS OF BONOBOS | DURHAM, NC | $25,000 | 2025 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| SAVE THE MANATEE CLUB INC | LONGWOOD, FL | $20,000 | 2025 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| WIDECAST | GODFREY, IL | $10,010 | 2025 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| NEW NATURE FOUNDATION | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| INTERNATIONAL RHINO FOUNDATION | FORT WORTH, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| SECORE INTERNATIONAL | HILLIARD, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| CHEETAH CONSERVATION FUND | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| PEOPLE AND CARNIVORES | BOZEMAN, MT | $10,000 | 2025 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| OHIO WILDLIFE CENTER | POWELL, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| GRACE CENTER INC | NIWOT, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| WILD NATURE INSTITUTE | WEAVERVILLE, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY | BRONX, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| WOODLAND PARK ZOO | SEATTLE, WA | $5,100 | 2025 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR THE PRESERVATION OF WILD ANIMALS | CUMBERLAND, OH | $1,650,500 | 2024 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| REWILD | AUSTIN, TX | $1,009,600 | 2024 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| MGVP INC | DAVIS, CA | $298,983 | 2024 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE | CHARLESTON, SC | $78,600 | 2024 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR THE CITY | NEW YORK, NY | $73,760 | 2024 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| INTERNATIONAL ELEPHANT FOUNDATION | AZLE, TX | $25,001 | 2024 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| DIAN FOSSEY GORILLA FUND INTERNATIONAL | ATLANTA, GA | $25,000 | 2024 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | EVANSTON, IL | $20,640 | 2024 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| CHEETAH CONSERVATION FUND | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $20,000 | 2024 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| SAVE THE MANATEE CLUB INC | MAITLAND, FL | $20,000 | 2024 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY GLOBAL RESOURCES | BRONX, NY | $15,000 | 2024 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| LOLA YA BONOBO SANCTUARY | DURHAM, NC | $11,440 | 2024 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| GIRAFFE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION | ORLANDO, FL | $10,000 | 2024 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| FRIENDS OF BONOBOS | DURHAM, NC | $10,000 | 2024 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| WILD NATURE INSTITUTE | WEAVERVILLE, NC | $10,000 | 2024 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| PEOPLE AND CARNIVORES | BOZEMAN, MT | $10,000 | 2024 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| OHIO WILDLIFE CENTER | POWELL, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM FOUNDATION | MONTEREY, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| MARINE MAMMAL CENTER | SAUSALITO, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| NEW NATURE FOUNDATION | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $10,000 | 2024 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| SECORE INTERNATIONAL | HILLIARD, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| ARCAS | CHICAGO, IL | $9,700 | 2024 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| ACTION FOR CHEETAS IN KENYA | HUDSONVILLE, MI | $9,271 | 2024 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| POLAR BEARS INTERNATIONAL | BOZEMAN, MT | $8,050 | 2024 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR THE PRESERVATION OF WILD ANIMALS | CUMBERLAND, OH | $1,851,000 | 2023 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION/GENERAL OPERATIONS/CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS |
| MGVP INC | DAVIS, CA | $45,201 | 2023 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| DIAN FOSSEY GORILLA FUND INTERNATIONAL | ATLANTA, GA | $40,000 | 2023 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| PEOPLE AND CARNIVORES | BOZEMAN, MT | $24,296 | 2023 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
| CHEETAH CONSERVATION FUND | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $20,000 | 2023 | ANIMAL CONSERVATION |
INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR THE PRESERVATION OF WILD ANIMALS INC
$218,100ANIMAL CONSERVATION
TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE
$152,465ANIMAL CONSERVATION
MGVP INC
$110,869ANIMAL CONSERVATION
CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM RESEARCH
$106,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
REWILD
$45,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM FOUNDATION
$30,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
DIAN FOSSEY GORILLA FUND INTERNATIONAL
$25,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
INTERNATIONAL ELEPHANT FOUNDATION
$25,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
FRIENDS OF BONOBOS
$25,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
SAVE THE MANATEE CLUB INC
$20,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
WIDECAST
$10,010ANIMAL CONSERVATION
NEW NATURE FOUNDATION
$10,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
INTERNATIONAL RHINO FOUNDATION
$10,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
SECORE INTERNATIONAL
$10,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
CHEETAH CONSERVATION FUND
$10,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
PEOPLE AND CARNIVORES
$10,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
OHIO WILDLIFE CENTER
$10,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
GRACE CENTER INC
$10,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
WILD NATURE INSTITUTE
$10,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY
$10,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
WOODLAND PARK ZOO
$5,100ANIMAL CONSERVATION
INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR THE PRESERVATION OF WILD ANIMALS
$1,650,500ANIMAL CONSERVATION
REWILD
$1,009,600ANIMAL CONSERVATION
MGVP INC
$298,983ANIMAL CONSERVATION
TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE
$78,600ANIMAL CONSERVATION
RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR THE CITY
$73,760ANIMAL CONSERVATION
INTERNATIONAL ELEPHANT FOUNDATION
$25,001ANIMAL CONSERVATION
DIAN FOSSEY GORILLA FUND INTERNATIONAL
$25,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
$20,640ANIMAL CONSERVATION
CHEETAH CONSERVATION FUND
$20,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
SAVE THE MANATEE CLUB INC
$20,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY GLOBAL RESOURCES
$15,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
LOLA YA BONOBO SANCTUARY
$11,440ANIMAL CONSERVATION
GIRAFFE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
$10,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
FRIENDS OF BONOBOS
$10,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
WILD NATURE INSTITUTE
$10,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
PEOPLE AND CARNIVORES
$10,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
OHIO WILDLIFE CENTER
$10,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM FOUNDATION
$10,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
MARINE MAMMAL CENTER
$10,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
NEW NATURE FOUNDATION
$10,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
SECORE INTERNATIONAL
$10,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
ARCAS
$9,700ANIMAL CONSERVATION
ACTION FOR CHEETAS IN KENYA
$9,271ANIMAL CONSERVATION
POLAR BEARS INTERNATIONAL
$8,050ANIMAL CONSERVATION
INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR THE PRESERVATION OF WILD ANIMALS
$1,851,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION/GENERAL OPERATIONS/CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
MGVP INC
$45,201ANIMAL CONSERVATION
DIAN FOSSEY GORILLA FUND INTERNATIONAL
$40,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION
PEOPLE AND CARNIVORES
$24,296ANIMAL CONSERVATION
CHEETAH CONSERVATION FUND
$20,000ANIMAL CONSERVATION