Elephant Gin Foundation

Quick Stats

• Charity Number: 1198715
• Annual Income: £12,057 (year ending Sept 2025)
• Annual Expenditure: £14,162 (year ending Sept 2025)
• Grant Range: Up to €5,000; €5,000-€25,000; Over €25,000
• Decision Time: Up to 3 months
• Geographic Focus: Africa (elephant conservation)
• Total Raised: Over €1,500,000 (since inception to end of 2024)
• Application Status: Currently not accepting applications (until foreseeable future)

Contact Details

Address:

Elephant Gin Foundation

22 Mount Ephraim

Tunbridge Wells

Kent TN4 8AS

United Kingdom

Email: info@elephantginfoundation.org

Website: www.elephantginfoundation.org

Overview

The Elephant Gin Foundation (Charity Number 1198715) was established in August 2022 as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) by Robin and Tessa Gerlach, founders of Elephant Gin. The foundation's mission is to protect Africa's wildlife, with a particular focus on elephants and habitat conservation. Through its grant-making activities, the foundation raises funds and donates them to organisations working in conservation across Africa. From its inception until the end of 2024, the foundation managed over €1,500,000 in donations to conservation partners across five African countries. The foundation operates with five trustees who receive no remuneration, focusing on increasing public awareness, supporting conservation initiatives, and advancing education about elephant conservation. Tessa Gerlach serves as Chair of the board of trustees, providing strategic direction and operational oversight.

Important Note: The foundation is currently facing financial challenges. As of April 2025, founder Tessa Gerlach indicated the foundation may need to shut down due to lack of steady funding following changes in Elephant Gin's ownership. The Charity Commission register shows a regulatory alert regarding potential dissolution.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single grant program focused on elephant conservation projects in Africa. Grant applications are categorized by size:

• Small Grants: Up to €5,000
• Medium Grants: €5,000-€25,000
• Large Grants: Over €25,000

Current Status: The foundation explicitly states on their website: “We are no longer accepting or reviewing grant applications until the foreseeable future! All grants have been allocated for 2024 and 2025.”

Priority Areas

The foundation prioritizes funding across nine project categories addressing three main threats to elephants (poaching, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict):

1. Orphaned Elephants Support - Rescue and rehabilitation programs
2. Wildlife Warrior - Conservation workforce support
3. Anti-Poaching - Ranger programs and equipment
4. African Forest Elephants - Forest ecosystem conservation
5. Mataya Project - Community-based conservation
6. Education - Awareness and educational initiatives
7. Securing Wild Land - Habitat protection and acquisition
8. Research and Tracking - Scientific monitoring and data collection
9. Corridor Projects - Wildlife migration pathway protection

The foundation gives priority to the most impactful and measurable projects, primarily focused on in situ conservation work in the field, though some grants may support ex situ conservation efforts.

What They Don't Fund

• Core organizational administrative costs
• Projects outside Africa
• Projects without clear focus on elephant conservation or habitat protection
• Projects from organizations that cannot provide regular impact reporting
• Projects that don't allow EGF members to visit
• Organizations that are not registered charities

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (5 trustees total)

Chair: Tessa Gerlach - Co-founder of Elephant Gin and founder of the Elephant Gin Foundation. She sets the strategic direction for the foundation with a focus on African elephant conservation and provides executive leadership, brand alignment, and operational oversight.

Robin Gerlach - Co-founder of Elephant Gin. Together with Tessa, he was inspired by the African wilderness and elephants to create both the gin brand and subsequently the foundation.

Note: The foundation operates with five trustees in total, none of whom receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. Specific names of the other three trustees are not publicly disclosed in available sources.

As of April 2025, Robin and Tessa Gerlach have stepped down from Elephant Gin after more than 10 years, which has created funding challenges for the foundation.

Key Partnerships

The foundation has historically worked with and supported major conservation organizations including:

• Big Life Foundation (Kenya and Tanzania) - Over €620,000 donated to support 45 anti-poaching rangers
• Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (Kenya) - Currently fostering 25 orphaned elephants since December 2017
• Space for Elephants Foundation (South Africa)

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Current Status: Applications are currently CLOSED. The foundation states: “We are no longer accepting or reviewing grant applications until the foreseeable future! All grants have been allocated for 2024 and 2025.”

When applications are open, the process requires:

Application Method: Online application form through the foundation's website (elephantginfoundation.org/en/grant-application)

Application Requirements:

• Must be submitted in English
• Budgets must be submitted in Euros
• Text should be concise and clear
• Must include clearly stated quantitative goals, aims, and methods
• Comprehensive form covering: grant size, organizational details, mission, key personnel, institutional affiliations, project description, timeline, fund allocation, and post-project plans

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be a registered charity
• Have a clear mission consistent with EGF's objectives
• Support urgent elephant conservation projects
• Allow visits to projects by EGF members
• Keep EGF informed through regular impact reporting

Documentation Required:

• Governing documents
• Charity registration evidence (if applicable)
• Most recent organizational accounts

Funding Considerations:

• EGF will consider funding up to 100% of project costs
• Will also consider partial funding where costs are shared with other funders
• Priority given to most impactful and measurable projects

Decision Timeline

• Review Period: Up to 3 months from submission to decision
• Notification Method: Not specified in available sources
• Note: The foundation receives many more applications than grants can be provided

Success Rates

Specific success rates and application numbers are not publicly disclosed. The foundation notes that they receive many more applications for support than grants can be provided, suggesting competitive selection.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not specified in available sources. Given the foundation's current closure to new applications and potential dissolution, future reapplication opportunities are uncertain.

Application Success Factors

Foundation's Stated Priorities

The foundation explicitly states that funding decisions are made by the board of trustees, with priority given to:

• Most impactful projects - Clear, measurable outcomes
• Most measurable projects - Quantitative goals and milestones
• In situ conservation work - Field-based projects preferred

Key Success Factors

1. Clear Quantitative Goals: Applications must include specific, measurable objectives with defined milestones and success metrics

1. Elephant Conservation Focus: While the foundation supports broader African wildlife conservation, projects with particular focus on elephants are prioritized

1. Field-Based Impact: Primary interest in supporting conservation work on the ground in Africa rather than administrative or purely research-based activities

1. Transparency and Accessibility: Organizations must allow EGF members to visit projects and provide regular reporting on impact

1. Partnership Approach: The foundation works closely with leading conservationists and foundations across Africa, suggesting preference for established, credible organizations

1. Urgent Conservation Needs: Applications should demonstrate urgent elephant conservation challenges that require immediate support

Past Funding Examples

The foundation has supported major conservation initiatives including:

• Anti-poaching ranger programs (45 rangers funded through Big Life Foundation partnership)
• Orphaned elephant rescue and rehabilitation (25 elephants currently fostered through Sheldrick Wildlife Trust)
• Equipment provision for field rangers (tents, rucksacks, sleeping bags, mosquito nets)
• Long-term conservation partnerships across five African countries

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Applications Currently Closed: The foundation is not accepting applications until the foreseeable future and faces potential closure due to funding challenges
• Focus on Measurable Impact: Emphasize clear, quantitative outcomes and measurable conservation results in any future applications
• Elephant-Centric Projects: While broader wildlife conservation is supported, projects specifically focused on elephant conservation and habitat protection are prioritized
• Field Work Preferred: In situ conservation projects in Africa receive priority over ex situ or administrative activities
• Transparency Required: Be prepared to allow site visits and provide regular impact reporting
• Competitive Process: The foundation receives many more applications than it can fund, requiring strong, well-documented proposals
• Financial Uncertainty: Given the foundation's potential dissolution, organizations should monitor the foundation's status before investing time in future applications
• Partnership Approach: The foundation values working with established conservation organizations with proven track records

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Pelorus Foundation
• Wild Life Foundation
• The Sterry Family Foundation
• Ida Davis Family Foundation
• TUSK TRUST LIMITED
• The Anthony V Martin Charitable Foundation
• T. & J. Meyer Family Foundation Limited
• The Breadsticks Foundation
• Disney Conservation Fund
• The Horseferry Foundation

References

1. UK Charity Commission Register - ELEPHANT GIN FOUNDATION (Charity Number 1198715).. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5191420

1. Elephant Gin Foundation Official Website - Request Grant page.. https://www.elephantginfoundation.org/en/request-grant

1. Elephant Gin Foundation Official Website - Grant Application page.. https://www.elephantginfoundation.org/en/grant-application

1. Elephant Gin Foundation Official Website - Projects page.. https://www.elephantginfoundation.org/en/projects

1. Elephant Gin Foundation Official Website - Contact page.. https://www.elephantginfoundation.org/en/contact-us

1. Elephant Gin Foundation Official Website - Homepage.. https://www.elephantginfoundation.org

1. The Spirits Business. “Elephant Gin Foundation to help wildlife.” August 2022.. https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2022/08/elephant-gin-foundation-to-help-wildlife/

1. The Spirits Business. “Elephant Gin founders step down.” April 2025.. https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/04/elephant-gin-founders-step-down/

1. Big Life Foundation. “Elephant Gin Foundation Partnership.”. https://biglife.org/elephantginfoundation

1. LinkedIn Profile - Tessa Gerlach (Co-Founder at Elephant Gin; Chair Elephant Gin Foundation)..

1. Fundraiso - ELEPHANT GIN FOUNDATION profile.. https://www.fundraiso.com/en/organisations/elephant-gin-foundation