Disney Conservation Fund

Charity Number: CUSTOM_8BD10F11

Annual Expenditure: £3.0M

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Quick Stats

Annual Giving: Approximately $3-5 million USD annually (varies by year)
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
Decision Time: 5-6 months (inquiry deadline April, notification September)
Grant Range: $5,000 - $100,000 USD (over two years)
Geographic Focus: Global, with priority to regions where Disney has business operations

Contact Details

Website: https://impact.disney.com/environment/conservation/

Application Portal: Online submission through Disney's grant management system

Note: The fund does not provide individual feedback at the inquiry phase due to high volume

Overview

Established in 1995, the Disney Conservation Fund has directed more than $132 million to support over 600 nonprofit organizations working to protect more than 1,000 species across half the countries in the world. The fund focuses on science-based and community-inclusive strategies to protect wildlife and wild places, with recent emphasis on protecting, restoring, and rewilding wildlife corridors and migratory pathways. The fund operates through The Walt Disney Company's corporate social responsibility programs and celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2025. Critical for UK organizations: Eligibility is restricted to organizations with US 501(c)(3) nonprofit status; UK charities must apply through a US fiscal sponsor or intermediary partner.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Annual Conservation Grants: $50,000 - $100,000 USD over two years (by invitation only following inquiry phase)
Application: Rolling deadlines (typically April for inquiry phase)
Focus: Community-based conservation efforts for wildlife corridors and migratory pathways

Rapid Response Grants: $5,000 - $10,000 USD
Application: Throughout the year for emergency conservation needs
Focus: Conservation crises or urgent conservation opportunities

Conservation Heroes Awards: $1,500 USD
Recognition program for individual conservationists

Priority Areas

The fund actively supports:

Protection, restoration, and rewilding of wildlife corridors and migratory pathways (both terrestrial and marine)
Conservation of endangered or threatened species including butterflies, coral reefs, cranes, elephants, gorillas, monkeys, sea turtles, and penguins
Community-based conservation programs that engage local communities through education
Science-based conservation approaches with demonstrated impact
Programs in regions where Disney has business operations (including UK, France, China, Hong Kong, and USA)
Long-term conservation programs or projects well-suited to become sustainable programs
Youth engagement and outdoor conservation action experiences

What They Don't Fund

Organizations without US 501(c)(3) status (unless applying through a US fiscal sponsor)
Organizations with annual income below $50,000 USD
Organizations established less than one year ago
Direct continuation funding for the same project during consecutive grant cycles
Grant awards below 80% of requested amount (e.g., if requesting $50,000, award will be minimum $40,000 or declined)
Projects without clear contribution to wild species conservation
Individual researchers (must apply through a nonprofit organization)

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Governance and Leadership

The Disney Conservation Fund operates as part of The Walt Disney Company's environmental sustainability and social impact programs. Roy E. Disney co-founded the fund, stating that "Leadership is not about being in charge, it's about taking care of those in your charge" - a philosophy reflected in the fund's community-based conservation approach.

The fund works closely with partners including the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), National Geographic Society, and Conservation International to advance its conservation mission globally.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Two-Stage Process:

Organizations describe their proposed project and requested funding amount
No detailed budget required at this stage
Formal application by invitation only

Detailed project proposal with comprehensive two-year budget
Typically due 2-3 months after LOI deadline

Critical Requirement: UK organizations must secure a US 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor before applying. The fiscal sponsor must be willing to receive and manage the grant funds on behalf of the UK organization.

Decision Timeline

April: Letter of Inquiry deadline (e.g., April 20, 11:59pm ET)
July: Full proposal deadline if invited (11:59pm ET)
September or later: All applicants notified simultaneously
Note: Applicants should not contact Disney before September regarding application status

Success Rates

While specific acceptance rates are not published, the fund receives a high volume of inquiries and can only invite a portion to submit full proposals. The fund notes that “funding rate is 80 to 100%” of the requested amount when grants are awarded (i.e., they don't significantly reduce requested budgets).

Recent example: The fund awarded more than $500,000 to multiple organizations in one round, and in another year awarded nearly $3 million benefiting 104 projects across five continents.

Reapplication Policy

Strict limitations apply:

Inquiries and full applications are not reconsidered after review is completed
Organizations with active grants cannot reapply for the same project until grant completion
Organizations that received funding for a project in one cycle cannot apply for the same project in the immediately following cycle
Projects become eligible to reapply in the second year of their two-year grant period
Organizations with funded projects CAN apply for a completely different project in the next cycle
Unsuccessful applicants can reapply in future cycles for the same or different projects

Application Success Factors

Key Strategies from the Fund's Guidance:

Demonstrate Community Engagement: “The fund supports programs focused on science-based and community-inclusive strategies” - applications must clearly show how local communities are engaged in conservation efforts

Show Long-term Commitment: Proposals should “build on previous work including an established commitment to a conservation program or be well suited to become or contribute to a long-term conservation program”

Geographic Alignment: Priority given to regions where Disney operates, including the UK - highlight this connection if applicable

Clear Conservation Outcomes: Must “clearly contribute to the conservation of endangered or threatened species in the wild, their habitats”

Wildlife Corridors Focus: Recent priorities emphasize protecting, restoring, or rewilding wildlife corridors and migratory pathways - frame projects in this context where relevant

Recently Funded Project Examples:

Global Penguin Society: Engaging people in penguin conservation across Argentina, Chile, and New Zealand
Conservation International: Youth engagement experiences in the Galápagos
Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation: $1 million award for landscape conservation
Association of Zoos and Aquariums: Family-friendly volunteer and conservation action opportunities
International Fund for Animal Welfare (UK): Multi-year partnership (demonstrates UK organizations CAN receive funding through proper channels)

Application Tips:

Consult the Frequently Asked Questions document thoroughly before applying
Request the appropriate amount (remember 80% minimum funding rule)
Scientists and students should partner with eligible nonprofit organizations
Use clear language about community benefits and science-based approaches
The DCF team provides feedback on full proposals with grant notifications when possible, but cannot provide feedback at the inquiry stage

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

US Partner Essential: UK charities must secure a US 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor before applying - this is non-negotiable and should be arranged well in advance of deadlines

Two-Year Vision: All grants are structured as two-year programs; applications must demonstrate sustainable, long-term conservation impact rather than short-term projects

Community-Centered: Emphasize community engagement, education, and local participation alongside scientific rigor - both elements are essential

Wildlife Corridors Priority: Frame projects around wildlife corridors, migratory pathways, or habitat connectivity to align with current strategic priorities

All-or-Nothing Funding: The fund awards 80-100% of requested amounts, so request what you actually need - they won't partially fund if the reduced amount wouldn't achieve project goals

Be Patient: The timeline from inquiry to notification is approximately 5-6 months; plan project timelines accordingly

Geographic Advantage: UK-based projects may have priority given Disney's significant UK operations (Disneyland Paris proximity and UK business presence)