David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1.3 million (charitable expenditure)
• Total Grants Distributed: Over £14 million since 1984
• Success Rate: Not published (selective, invitation/relationship-based partnerships)
• Decision Time: Not specified (long-term partnership model)
• Grant Range: Varies by project (specific amounts not publicly disclosed)
• Geographic Focus: Africa and Asia
• Application Process: No public application - carefully selected long-term field partners

Contact Details

Main Office:

• Address: 7 Kings Road, Shalford, Guildford, Surrey, GU4 8JU
• Phone: 01483 272323
• Email: dswf@davidshepherd.org
• Website: https://davidshepherd.org/

Trusts & Foundations Inquiries:

• Contact: Tom Hicks
• Email: tom.hicks@davidshepherd.org
• Phone: 01483 272323

Corporate Partnerships:

• Email: partnerships@davidshepherd.org

Overview

Founded in 1984 by renowned wildlife artist David Shepherd CBE, the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) is a UK-registered charity (No. 1106893) dedicated to ending wildlife crime and protecting critically endangered mammals across Africa and Asia. With total annual expenditure of approximately £1.77 million and over £14 million distributed in grants since inception, DSWF operates through three strategic pillars: Fight, Protect, and Engage. The Foundation works with carefully selected ground-based field partners whilst pursuing the highest levels of legal change on the international political stage. Led by CEO Georgina Lamb (David Shepherd's granddaughter), DSWF maintains long-term partnerships - many stretching back decades - with dedicated conservation organizations. The charity's Wildlife Artist of the Year program has alone generated almost £2 million for conservation, with the 2023 competition raising £106,000.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

DSWF does not operate traditional grant programs with open applications. Instead, they provide ongoing funding support to carefully selected long-term field partners. Their funding model emphasizes:

• Long-term Partnerships: Multi-decade relationships with established conservation organizations
• Direct Project Support: Funding for specific conservation activities including ranger support, anti-poaching operations, education programs, and wildlife crime investigations
• Flexible Funding: Grants tailored to partner needs and project requirements

Priority Areas

Species Focus:

• Tigers
• Elephants
• Rhinos (particularly black rhinos)
• Pangolins (positioned as a leading pangolin charity in the UK)
• Snow leopards
• Painted dogs (African wild dogs)
• Other critically endangered mammals

Conservation Activities:

• Anti-poaching and ranger support
• Wildlife law enforcement and undercover investigations
• Community education programs (over 10,000 children educated in Zimbabwe)
• Wildlife crime investigation and intelligence gathering
• International policy advocacy (CITES and ivory trade bans)
• Human-wildlife conflict mitigation

Geographic Focus:

• Africa: Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Guinea
• Asia: India (particularly Assam), Thailand, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, DSWF's model indicates they:

• Do not accept unsolicited grant applications
• Do not fund organizations outside their existing field partner network
• Do not support short-term or one-off projects
• Focus exclusively on wildlife conservation (not broader environmental work)
• Concentrate on field-based conservation rather than pure research

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Melanie Shepherd - Chair of Trustees

• Daughter of founder David Shepherd
• Became trustee in December 2012, appointed Chair in September 2014
• Previously served 24 years as Chief Executive of DSWF
• Uses intimate understanding of the work to drive strategic growth

Nigel Colne CBE

• Longest-serving trustee of DSWF

Fiona (surname not disclosed)

• Appointed September 2014
• Director of Lloyds of London Franchise Board
• Held various senior executive positions in global insurance and reinsurance

Zoë (surname not disclosed)

• Appointed April 2019
• Career predominantly in voluntary sector fundraising

Additional Trustees:

• Mark Carwardine (wildlife expert and author)
• David Gower OBE (former England cricket captain)
• Mandy Shepherd (family member)

Note: No trustees receive remuneration from the charity.

Senior Leadership

Georgina Lamb - Chief Executive Officer

• Granddaughter of founder David Shepherd
• Previously led Programmes and Policy team
• Instrumental in positioning DSWF as leading UK pangolin charity
• Active in international conferences fighting wildlife crime

Key Quote from Georgina Lamb:

“The world is at a tipping point and it is within our grasp to drive forward transformative change to ensure that environmental action and impact are at the forefront of everything we do.”

On rangers: “I am proud to represent the brave men and women on the front line of conservation in our joint fight to end wildlife crime.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: This funder does not have a public application process.

DSWF operates through carefully selected, long-term field partnerships rather than accepting open grant applications. According to their website, they “choose their partners very carefully” and believe “long-term projects are the answer to truly turning the tide on extinction, with many of their partnerships stretching back decades or more.”

Existing field partners include organizations that have worked with DSWF for 25+ years, indicating a highly selective, relationship-based funding model built on mutual respect and sustained commitment.

Getting on Their Radar

Direct Contact for Partnership Inquiries:

Organizations genuinely interested in exploring partnership possibilities should contact:

• Tom Hicks (Trusts & Foundations): tom.hicks@davidshepherd.org or 01483 272323
• General inquiries: dswf@davidshepherd.org

What DSWF Looks for in Partners:

Based on their existing partnerships, DSWF seeks:

• Ground-based field operations: Dedicated and professional organizations with deep understanding of the landscapes where they operate
• Proven track record: Established organizations with demonstrated conservation success
• Geographic alignment: Projects in Africa and Asia focused on critically endangered mammals
• Long-term commitment: Organizations prepared for multi-decade partnerships
• Community engagement: Projects incorporating education and community involvement
• Multiple conservation approaches: Combining field protection, enforcement, education, and policy work
• Projects where limited funding makes real difference: Focus on areas where even modest grants have significant impact

International Policy Engagement:

DSWF actively participates in CITES conferences and international wildlife policy forums. Organizations that intersect with DSWF at these venues may have opportunities to build relationships.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - DSWF does not operate on an application cycle. Partnerships are developed through relationship-building over time.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no open application process. Partnership selection is highly selective based on strategic fit and long-term potential.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no formal application process.

Application Success Factors

Key Success Factors for Potential Partners

1. Long-term Commitment and Proven Track Record

DSWF explicitly states: “We choose our partners very carefully and believe that long-term projects are the answer to truly turning the tide on extinction, with many of our partnerships stretching back decades or more.” Organizations must demonstrate sustained commitment and established success, not be start-ups or project-based.

2. Ground-based Field Operations with Local Knowledge

Partners must be “dedicated and professional organisations with a deep understanding of the landscapes in which they operate.” Theoretical or research-only organizations unlikely to fit the model.

3. Multi-faceted Conservation Approach

Successful partners combine multiple elements:

• Direct protection (ranger patrols, anti-poaching)
• Law enforcement and intelligence
• Community education and engagement
• Long-term habitat protection

4. Strategic Geographic Focus

Priority regions: Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Guinea in Africa; India (Assam), Thailand, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan in Asia. Projects must focus on critically endangered mammals - particularly elephants, rhinos, tigers, pangolins, snow leopards, painted dogs.

5. Community-Centered Conservation

CEO Georgina Lamb emphasizes “people are at the heart of conservation and that education is one of the most powerful tools on offer.” Partners must demonstrate community engagement, not fortress conservation.

6. Alignment with Anti-Wildlife Crime Mission

Strong emphasis on fighting illegal wildlife trade. Organizations working on wildlife law enforcement, anti-trafficking investigations, and ranger support align well with DSWF's “Fight” pillar.

7. Efficiency and Impact

DSWF “concentrates its focus on field projects where even limited funding makes a real difference to the survival of wildlife and their habitat.” Partners must demonstrate significant conservation impact relative to funding received.

8. Policy Engagement Capacity

While not essential, organizations that can contribute to international policy advocacy (CITES, national legislation) align with DSWF's approach of combining field work with “highest levels of legal change and protection on the international political stage.”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: DSWF operates exclusively through invitation-only, long-term field partnerships developed through relationship-building, not grant applications
• Decades-long partnerships: Many relationships span 25+ years - this is not a funder for organizations seeking one-off project grants or short-term funding
• Highly selective: With only 8-10 major field partners across two continents, new partnerships are rare and strategic
• Contact strategically: Direct inquiries to Tom Hicks (tom.hicks@davidshepherd.org) only if you represent an established conservation organization with proven field operations in DSWF's priority countries
• Geographic specificity matters: Focus exclusively on Africa (especially Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia) and Asia (especially India, Thailand, Mongolia) - no work in other regions
• Species focus is narrow: Primarily large endangered mammals (elephants, rhinos, tigers, pangolins, snow leopards, painted dogs) - not broader biodiversity work
• Build relationships over time: Engagement at international conferences (CITES, conservation forums) where DSWF team is active may create networking opportunities, but expect years of relationship-building before funding discussions

References

1. Charity Commission for England and Wales - Charity Details for The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (1106893). Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=1106893

1. David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation website - About Us. Available at: https://davidshepherd.org/about/

1. David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation - Conservation Partners. Available at: https://davidshepherd.org/conservation/partners/

1. David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation - Our Trustees. Available at: https://davidshepherd.org/about/trustees/

1. David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation - DSWF appoints new CEO, Georgina Lamb. Available at: https://davidshepherd.org/news-events-insights/news/dswf-appoints-new-ceo/

1. David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation - Wildlife Rangers. Available at: https://davidshepherd.org/conservation/fighting-wildlife-crime/wildlife-rangers/

1. David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation - Contact Us. Available at: https://davidshepherd.org/contact-us/

1. David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation - Information on The Ivory Trade. Available at: https://davidshepherd.org/our-impact/fighting-wildlife-crime/wildlife-trade-and-policy/wildlife-trade-statements/ivory-trade/

1. Devex - David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) Organization Profile. Available at: https://www.devex.com/organizations/david-shepherd-wildlife-foundation-dswf-149253

1. David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation - Annual Statements. Available at: https://davidshepherd.org/news-events-insights/insights/annual-statements/