San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is committed to saving species worldwide by uniting our expertise in wildlife care and conservation science with our dedication to inspiring passion for nature.
A $602,392 grant to Audubon Nature Institute for SSP wildlife care stands out in the Zoological Society of San Diego’s recent grantmaking, because it shows how the funder supports managed-care species programs as well as field conservation. The Zoological Society of San Diego gives through San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s conservation, education, habitat, and wildlife health programs, with active funding channels for conservation projects, habitats, education programs, foundation and corporate support, and wildlife health. Recent grants also show sustained backing for black rhino conservation through The Nature Conservancy, including a $500,000 award for black rhino translocation in 2025. Other large awards support plant conservation, pathology research, and species-focused work for rhinos, elephants, okapi, sea otters, and vultures. The foundation’s portfolio reaches across research, recovery, and care for threatened taxa, alongside capacity-building support for fellowships, endowments, and conservation networks. Its giving pattern includes both large project grants and smaller programmatic awards, with recipients ranging from zoos and universities to conservation alliances and specialist nonprofits. The result is a grantmaker that combines species recovery, veterinary and pathology support, and conservation education within one program structure.
Wildlife recovery is central to the Zoological Society of San Diego’s grantmaking. The Nature Conservancy received $500,000 in 2025 for black rhino translocation, following earlier $500,000 and $500,000 awards for black rhino conservation. Plant conservation is another clear area: Center for Plant Conservation Inc. received $367,841 in 2025 for salaries for plant conservation activities, and earlier grants supported plant conservation work in Escondido. Research and wildlife health also appear repeatedly. The Regents of the University of California at San Diego received $161,794 for rhinoceros conservation, while UC Davis received $155,820 for pathology resident research tied to wildlife disease investigations and mountain lions. The foundation also funds coalition work and species networks, including support for IUCN SSC through Rewild.
Typical grants cluster around a median of $18,000, with a lower quartile of $10,000 and an upper quartile of $56,229. That spread suggests a mix of smaller operating support and larger project grants. The recent record shows repeat funding to the same organizations across multiple years, including The Nature Conservancy, Center for Plant Conservation Inc., Audubon Nature Institute, Rewild, and Wildlife Conservation Network Inc., which points to ongoing relationships rather than one-off awards. Zoological Society of San Diego is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it funds organizations rather than individuals. Several active programs accept unsolicited proposals, including Conservation Projects, Habitats, Education Programs, Foundation and Corporate Support, and Wildlife Health.
$1.6M
$1B
$437.6M
$391.4M
Most grants fall between $10K and $56K, with a median of $18K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$18K
75th Percentile
$56K
PAUL BARIBAULT
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Giving is national, but it is weighted toward California recipients, which account for 35% of grants. In the recent grants list, San Diego-area and California grantees include La Jolla, Davis, Escondido, San Francisco, Sausalito, Monterey, and Oakland. Outside California, recurring destinations include Arlington, Virginia; Austin, Texas; and New Orleans, Louisiana. All listed recipient grants are in the United States, with no non-U.S. countries appearing in the recent data.
Its active programs support conservation projects, habitat capital projects, education programs, foundation and corporate support, and wildlife health. Recent grants show emphasis on black rhino translocation, plant conservation, pathology resident research, wildlife disease investigations, and support for species networks such as IUCN SSC.
Typical awards are modest to mid-sized: the 25th percentile is $10,000, the median is $18,000, and the 75th percentile is $56,229. Recent grants include both smaller awards in this range and much larger project grants, such as $500,000 and $602,392.
Yes. The recent grant record includes repeat awards to The Nature Conservancy, Center for Plant Conservation Inc., Audubon Nature Institute, Rewild, Wildlife Conservation Network Inc., and Association of Zoos & Aquariums across multiple years, indicating ongoing relationships with several grantees.
Zoological Society of San Diego is a regular funder and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. It gives through named programs such as Conservation Projects, Habitats, Education Programs, Foundation and Corporate Support, and Wildlife Health, and several of those programs accept unsolicited proposals.
Giving is national, with 35% of grants going to recipients in California. The top state by grant count is Florida, while recent recipients are concentrated in California cities such as La Jolla, Davis, Escondido, San Francisco, Sausalito, Monterey, and Oakland.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Zoological Society of San Diego that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Grant-making corporations and private foundations, including family foundations, are invited to inquire about supporting the Zoological Society of San Diego, doing business as San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, a 501(c)(3) organization.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $500,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR BLACK RHINO TRANSLOCATION |
| CENTER FOR PLANT CONSERVATION INC | ESCONDIDO, CA | $367,841 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR SALARIES FOR PLANT CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS | DAVIS, CA | $155,820 | 2025 | CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR PATHOLOGY RESIDENTS FOR RESEARCH SUCH AS WILDLIFE DISEASE INVESTIGATIONS AND CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR MOUNTAIN LIONS |
| AUSTIN, TX |
| $110,000 |
| 2025 |
| CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR IUCN SSC |
| WILDLIFE CONSERVATION NETWORK INC | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $104,104 | 2025 | CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR ELEPHANTS |
| NATURAL STATE LTD | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR MONITORING BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES |
| THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA | OAKLAND, CA | $60,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR POSTDOCTORAL AND GRADUATE RESEARCH FOR NORTHERN WHITE RHINOCERES |
| AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOOLOGICAL PARKS AND AQUARIUMS INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING ALLIANCE TO END ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE |
| MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM FOUNDATION | MONTEREY, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR SEA OTTERS |
| INTERNATIONAL ELEPHANT FOUNDATION | AZLE, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR ELEPHANTS |
| THE PEREGRINE FUND INC | BOISE, ID | $20,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR VULTURES |
| SPECIES360 | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $20,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR SPECIES CONSERVATION TOOLKIT INITIATIVE |
| COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY | WILLIAMSBURG, VA | $19,549 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR THE INTEGRATIVE CONSERVATION CLINIC |
| GLOBAL CONSERVATION NETWORK | APPLY VALLEY, MN | $15,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR IUCN CPSG |
| ARIZONA CENTER FOR NATURE CONSERVATION | PHOENIX, AZ | $10,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR CHACOAN PECCARY |
| MONARCH JOINT VENTURE | ST PAUL, MN | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR AZA SAFE MONARCH PROGRAM |
| THE XERCES SOCIETY FOR INVERTEBRATE CONSERVATION | SEATTLE, WA | $10,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR MIGRATORY MONARCH POPULATIONS |
| RED PANDA NETWORK | EUGENE, OR | $10,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR RED PANDA |
| TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE | FORT WORTH, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR TORTOISES |
| THE UC DAVIS FOUNDATION | DAVIS, CA | $8,700 | 2025 | CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR WILDLIFE PATHOGEN DISCOVERY |
| CARNIVORES LIVELIHOODS AND LANDSCAPES | HUDSONVILLE, MI | $8,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR CHEETAHS |
| INTERNATIONAL SNOW LEOPARD TRUST | SEATTLE, WA | $7,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR SNOW LEOPARDS |
| ASSOCIATION OF FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONALS SAN DIEGO CHAPTER | SAN DIEGO, CA | $6,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONALS FOR NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY |
| WILD ORCA | FRIDAY HARBOR, WA | $5,310 | 2025 | CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR ORCAS |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $500,000 | 2024 | CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR BLACK RHINO |
| CENTER FOR PLANT CS INC | ESCONDIDO, CA | $357,121 | 2024 | CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR PLANTS |
| REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT SAN DIEGO | LA JOLLA, CA | $161,794 | 2024 | CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR RHINOCERES |
| REGENTS UC UNIV OF CA DAVIS - VMTH VMTH FINANCIAL SVC | DAVIS, CA | $94,055 | 2024 | CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR PATHOLOGY RESIDENT RESEARCH FOR WILDLIFE DISEASE INVESTIGATIONS SUCH AS CALIFORNIA SEA LIONS |
| AUDUBON NATURE INSTITUTE | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $88,643 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR SSP WILDLIFE CARE |
| WILDLIFE CONSERVATION NETWORK INC | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $87,041 | 2024 | CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR OKAPI AND ELEPHANTS |
| REVIVE & RESTORE | SAUSALITO, CA | $48,500 | 2024 | EDUCATION SUPPORT FOR STEM CELL TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE |
| REWILD | AUSTIN, TX | $35,000 | 2024 | CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR IUCN SSC |
| POLAR BEARS INTERNATIONAL | BOZEMAN, MT | $32,500 | 2024 | CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR POLAR BEARS DISEASE RESEARCH |
| INTERNATIONAL ELEPHANT FOUNDATION | AZLE, TX | $26,000 | 2024 | CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR ELEPHANTS |
| ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS & AQUARIUMS | BALTIMORE, MD | $25,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING |
| REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS | DAVIS, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR MOUNTAIN LIONS |
| TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE | FORT WORTH, TX | $20,000 | 2024 | CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR TURTLES |
| SAHARA CONSERVATION FUND | MARANA, AZ | $15,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR SAHARA CONSERVATION EFFORTS |
| SANFORD BURNHAM PREBYS MEDICAL DISCOVERY INSTITUTE | LA JOLLA, CA | $15,000 | 2024 | FUNDS TO SUPPORT SANFORD BURNHAM PREBYS' GALA |
| GLOBAL CONSERVATION NETWORK | APPLY VALLEY, MN | $12,500 | 2024 | CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR IUCN, CPSG, AND SSC |
| THE PEREGRINE FUND INC | BOISE, ID | $10,000 | 2024 | CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR VULTURES |
| FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INC | MIAMI, FL | $10,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY'S PROJECT MECISTOPS |
| THE ALLEN INSTITUTE FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE | SEATTLE, WA | $10,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE |
| THE XERCES SOCIETY FOR INVERTEBRATE CONSERVATION | SEATTLE, WA | $10,000 | 2024 | CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR MIGRATORY MONARCH POPULATIONS |
| FIELD PROJECTS INTERNATIONAL | ESCONDIDO, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT TOXICOLOGY AND MOLECULAR RESEARCH |
| SPECIES360 | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $10,000 | 2024 | FUNDS TO SUPPORT SPECIES CONSERVATION TOOLKIT INITIATIVE |
| THE ACADEMY OF OUR LADY OF PEACE | SAN DIEGO, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | FUNDS TO SUPPORT OLP'S 2023 HACKATHON |
| GREATER LOS ANGELES ZOO ASSOCIATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR PENINSULAR PRONGHORN CONSERVATION |
| GLADYS PORTER ZOO | BROWNSVILLE, TX | $8,729 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR INDIAN GHARIAL CONSERVATION WORK |
| STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION | KAILUAKONA, HI | $8,000 | 2024 | EDUCATION SUPPORT FOR 'ALALA REINTRODUCTION |
SUPPORT FOR SALARIES FOR PLANT CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS
$155,820CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR PATHOLOGY RESIDENTS FOR RESEARCH SUCH AS WILDLIFE DISEASE INVESTIGATIONS AND CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR MOUNTAIN LIONS
NATURAL STATE LTD
$100,000SUPPORT FOR MONITORING BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
$60,000CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR POSTDOCTORAL AND GRADUATE RESEARCH FOR NORTHERN WHITE RHINOCERES
SUPPORT FOR WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING ALLIANCE TO END ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE
INTERNATIONAL ELEPHANT FOUNDATION
$25,000CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR ELEPHANTS
SPECIES360
$20,000SUPPORT FOR SPECIES CONSERVATION TOOLKIT INITIATIVE
COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY
$19,549SUPPORT FOR THE INTEGRATIVE CONSERVATION CLINIC
CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR CHACOAN PECCARY
CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR MIGRATORY MONARCH POPULATIONS
RED PANDA NETWORK
$10,000CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR RED PANDA
CARNIVORES LIVELIHOODS AND LANDSCAPES
$8,000CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR CHEETAHS
ASSOCIATION OF FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONALS SAN DIEGO CHAPTER
$6,500SUPPORT FOR FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONALS FOR NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY
WILD ORCA
$5,310CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR ORCAS
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT SAN DIEGO
$161,794CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR RHINOCERES
REGENTS UC UNIV OF CA DAVIS - VMTH VMTH FINANCIAL SVC
$94,055CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR PATHOLOGY RESIDENT RESEARCH FOR WILDLIFE DISEASE INVESTIGATIONS SUCH AS CALIFORNIA SEA LIONS
CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR OKAPI AND ELEPHANTS
CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR POLAR BEARS DISEASE RESEARCH
INTERNATIONAL ELEPHANT FOUNDATION
$26,000CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR ELEPHANTS
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS
$25,000CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR MOUNTAIN LIONS
SAHARA CONSERVATION FUND
$15,000SUPPORT FOR SAHARA CONSERVATION EFFORTS
SANFORD BURNHAM PREBYS MEDICAL DISCOVERY INSTITUTE
$15,000FUNDS TO SUPPORT SANFORD BURNHAM PREBYS' GALA
SUPPORT FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY'S PROJECT MECISTOPS
THE ALLEN INSTITUTE FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
$10,000SUPPORT FOR CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE
CONSERVATION SUPPORT FOR MIGRATORY MONARCH POPULATIONS
FIELD PROJECTS INTERNATIONAL
$10,000SUPPORT TOXICOLOGY AND MOLECULAR RESEARCH
SPECIES360
$10,000FUNDS TO SUPPORT SPECIES CONSERVATION TOOLKIT INITIATIVE
THE ACADEMY OF OUR LADY OF PEACE
$10,000FUNDS TO SUPPORT OLP'S 2023 HACKATHON
SUPPORT FOR PENINSULAR PRONGHORN CONSERVATION
GLADYS PORTER ZOO
$8,729SUPPORT FOR INDIAN GHARIAL CONSERVATION WORK
STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
$8,000EDUCATION SUPPORT FOR 'ALALA REINTRODUCTION
