Botanic Gardens Conservation International

Charity Number: 1098834

Annual Expenditure: £3.7M
Richmond Upon Thames, Argentina, Brazil, China, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Georgia, Kenya, Uganda, Armenia ... [34 more]

Contact Info

Website: www.bgci.org

Phone: 020 8175 5105

Email: info@bgci.org

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £239,241 (USD) in grants distributed in 2023
  • Total Income: £3,131,824 (2024)
  • Success Rate: 54% (2023: 66 grants awarded from 122 applications)
  • Decision Time: 4-6 weeks
  • Grant Range: £800 - £8,000 (USD $1,000 - $10,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Global, with priority for biodiversity hotspots and developing countries

Contact Details

Website: www.bgci.org

Email: info@bgci.org

Phone: 020 8175 5105

Grant Enquiries: grants@bgci.org (via SheepApp platform)

Membership Enquiries: membership@bgci.org

Overview

Founded in 1987, Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) is the world's largest plant conservation network, linking over 650 botanic garden institutions across 100 countries. Registered as charity 1098834 in England and Wales, BGCI works to achieve plant conservation through advocacy, innovative strategic projects, capacity building, and direct funding. With annual income of £3.1 million (2024), BGCI distributes 30-40 grants annually through its Global Botanic Garden Fund, which has disbursed 180 grants totalling $631,000 to date. In 2023, BGCI distributed 66 grants worth $239,241 to 60 institutions across 32 countries. The organization prioritizes supporting under-resourced gardens in high biodiversity areas and developing countries, working toward the targets of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

BGCI Member Grants (up to $2,500)

  • Supports improvements in one of the 10 vital areas identified in BGCI's Botanic Garden Accreditation
  • Covers conservation, education, facility development, or training
  • Annual call for applications

GGI-Gardens Awards Program (up to $6,500)

  • Promotes partnerships to preserve Earth's genomic biodiversity of plants
  • Supports collecting and preserving plant samples for genetic analysis
  • Requires genomic sample deposition

BGCI/ArbNet Partnership Programme (up to $5,000)

  • International partnership building between two institutions
  • Focus on tree conservation
  • One partner must be an ArbNet-accredited arboretum
  • Project completion within one year

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (MLA) Grants (up to $1,000)

  • Aids gardens having difficulty carrying out their mission
  • Preference for small botanic gardens in developing countries and biodiversity hotspots
  • Covers operations, conservation, education, or research

Global Conservation Consortia Grants (up to $6,000)

  • Focused on specific taxonomic groups (e.g., Conifers)
  • Supports priority conservation action by Species Stewards
  • Partnership with specialized institutions

Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve Grants (up to $4,500)

  • For Caribbean and Central American institutions only
  • Supports plant conservation and capacity building
  • Regional focus on native plant preservation

Global Seed Conservation Grants (up to $4,000)

  • Supports seed banking and conservation activities
  • Requires duplicating seeds in Baekdudaegan Global Seed Vault (Korea)
  • One-year project duration

Priority Areas

  • Ex situ and in situ conservation of rare and threatened plant species
  • Seed banking and germplasm conservation for long-term preservation
  • Capacity building for botanical institutions in developing regions
  • Biodiversity hotspot protection targeting high-priority conservation areas
  • International partnerships for knowledge and resource exchange
  • Collection development aligned with conservation priorities
  • Professional development for botanical garden staff
  • Educational initiatives linking conservation with public engagement
  • Climate change research related to plant conservation
  • Habitat restoration and species recovery programs

What They Don't Fund

While BGCI does not publish explicit exclusions, their focus is strictly on:

  • Botanical gardens, arboreta, and seed banks (membership required)
  • Projects directly related to plant conservation
  • One-year duration projects with clear conservation outcomes
  • Projects requiring final reporting and evaluation

Governance and Leadership

Secretary General: Dr. Paul Smith (since March 2015)

  • Former Head of Kew's Millennium Seed Bank for nine years
  • Over 30 years of experience in plant conservation, particularly in Africa
  • Author focusing on tree conservation and plant biodiversity

Board of Directors: 13 members providing strategic guidance, fundraising, finance, investment, and legal advice

Notable Board Members:

  • Peter Wyse Jackson, Emeritus President, Missouri Botanical Garden
  • Jennifer Bernstein, CEO & President, New York Botanical Garden
  • Jill Koski, President, The Morton Arboretum

International Advisory Council: Provides independent advice to the Board

Key Quote from Leadership:

Paul Smith on botanical garden leadership: “Botanic gardens are complex organizations, and their leaders need to acquire a wide range of skills, with directors describing themselves as combinations of salesperson, retailer, caterer, scientist, gardener and business leader.”

Staff: 31 employees with 3 earning over £60,000 annually

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  • Platform: Applications managed through SheepApp online portal
  • Frequency: One call for applications per year per grant type
  • Application Window: 8-10 weeks (typically opens early in calendar year)
  • Eligibility Check: BGCI membership required (non-members can include membership fee in budget)
  • Pre-Application Support: Free online introductory course for members on best practices for applying

Decision Timeline

  • Application Window: 8-10 weeks
  • Decision Notification: 30-45 days after closing date
  • Notification Method: Through SheepApp platform with status updates and feedback
  • Project Duration: Must be completed within one year
  • Reporting: Final report required upon project completion

Success Rates

2023 Performance:

  • 122 applications received for Global Botanic Garden Fund
  • 66 grants awarded (54% success rate)
  • 60 institutions funded across 32 countries
  • Total distributed: $239,241

Overall Performance:

  • Average 30-40 grants distributed annually
  • 180 grants totalling $631,000 disbursed to date
  • Grant amounts: $1,000-$10,000 depending on program

Reapplication Policy

  • Annual application cycle allows reapplication each year
  • Unsuccessful applicants receive feedback through SheepApp platform
  • No explicit waiting period mentioned for reapplication
  • Previous applicants encouraged to address feedback in future submissions

Application Success Factors

Key Success Factors

Clear SMART Objectives: Applications must demonstrate specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals that align with BGCI's conservation priorities.

Geographic Priority: Strong preference for projects in biodiversity hotspots and developing countries where botanical garden capacity is under-resourced.

Conservation Impact: Projects must clearly work toward Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) targets with demonstrable outcomes.

Capacity Building Element: Applications showing how the project will build long-term institutional capacity are viewed favorably.

Partnership Approach: Projects demonstrating international collaboration or knowledge exchange score highly, particularly for ArbNet Partnership grants.

Budget Clarity: Detailed, comprehensive budgets that demonstrate value for money and realistic costings are essential.

Integration Model: Projects following BGCI's Integrated Plant Conservation model (combining ex situ, in situ, and education elements) are preferred.

Recent Funded Projects (Examples)

  • Salvaging epiphytes in Belize
  • Digitized tree labeling systems in Nigeria
  • In vitro propagation of endangered orchids in Mexico
  • Seed banking of endangered tree species
  • Protection of critically endangered plant species
  • Collection management system improvements
  • Education program development linking conservation outcomes

Standing Out Tips

  1. Take the Training: Complete BGCI's free online course on grant application best practices before applying
  2. Align with Accreditation: Frame projects around the 10 vital areas of BGCI's Botanic Garden Accreditation scheme
  3. Show Long-Term Vision: Demonstrate how the grant will create lasting capacity beyond the one-year project period
  4. Quantify Conservation Impact: Use specific numbers (species conserved, seeds banked, partnerships formed)
  5. Address Biodiversity Crisis: Connect your work to global biodiversity targets and the extinction crisis
  6. Leverage Membership: Active BGCI members with established track records have advantage
  7. Plan Reporting: Include clear evaluation framework and metrics for success measurement

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Membership is mandatory: Budget for BGCI membership fee if not already a member before applying
  • Competition is moderate: With 54% success rate, applications are competitive but achievable with strong alignment
  • Geographic targeting matters: Projects in biodiversity hotspots and developing countries receive priority consideration
  • Quick turnaround: 30-45 day decision time means rapid feedback and ability to plan project starts
  • Small grants, big impact: Grants are modest ($1,000-$10,000) but designed for under-resourced institutions where funding goes furthest
  • One-year completion required: Projects must be deliverable within 12 months with clear milestones and evaluation
  • Training provides edge: Take advantage of BGCI's free online course to understand their priorities and expectations before applying

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References