Olsen Animal Trust

Charity Number: 1169982

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Data not publicly available
  • Success Rate: Not disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not specified (partnership-based approach)
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
  • Geographic Focus: International (Africa, Asia, UK)

Contact Details

Website: www.olsenanimaltrust.org

Phone: 01483 202861

Email: [email protected]

Registered Address: Ridgmount, Lawbrook Lane, Peaslake, Surrey, GU5 9QW

Overview

The Olsen Animal Trust was founded in 2015 by Sue Olsen, inspired by her involvement in rescuing Simba, a lion from a French circus, during a 2012 trip to Malawi with the Born Free Foundation. Registered as charity number 1169982, OAT is a family trust operated by Sue Olsen (founder), her husband Jon Olsen, and her brother Dave Higgs. The trust's mission is to end animal cruelty and exploitation by supporting organizations and initiatives focused on animal welfare and conservation. Rather than operating through open grant applications, OAT takes a partnership-based approach, seeking out organizations aligned with their vision that are achieving positive outcomes on the ground. The trust supports projects across multiple continents, including Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, South Africa, Vietnam, China, Afghanistan, the Maldives, Borneo, Iran, and the UK.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

OAT does not operate through traditional grant programs with fixed deadlines or open application periods. Instead, the trust identifies and develops partnerships with organizations whose work aligns with their objectives. Grant amounts are not publicly disclosed.

Application Method: Partnership-based approach rather than open applications

Priority Areas

Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation

  • Wildlife rescue units and emergency response
  • Rehabilitation centers for exploited and injured animals
  • Elephant orphanages and rehabilitation projects
  • Bear rescue sanctuaries
  • Emergency animal welfare projects in conflict zones (e.g., Ukraine)

Wildlife Conservation

  • Conservation of wildlife in natural habitats
  • Protection of endangered species
  • Habitat preservation initiatives

Education and Advocacy

  • Educating people about the negative impact of animal exploitation
  • Promoting humane behavior towards animals

Ending Animal Exploitation

  • Campaigns to close dog meat farms
  • Rescue of animals from circuses, zoos, and captive facilities
  • Mechanization projects to replace working animals

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the trust focuses exclusively on animal welfare and conservation. Based on their charitable objectives, they would not fund:

  • Projects unrelated to animal welfare or conservation
  • General environmental work without direct animal welfare component
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

  • Sue Olsen (Founder): Founded OAT in 2015 following her transformative experience rescuing Simba the circus lion. Her vision drives the trust's partnership-based approach to ending animal exploitation.
  • Jon Olsen: Sue's husband, actively involved in trust operations
  • Dave Higgs: Sue's brother, actively involved in trust operations

The trust operates as a family charity with all three trustees closely engaged in identifying and supporting partner organizations. The trustees have personally visited many of the projects they support, including bear sanctuaries in Asia and wildlife rescue centers in Africa.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Olsen Animal Trust does not advertise a formal open application process. The trust takes a proactive approach to identifying potential partners:

  • Organizations should contact the trust directly via email at [email protected]
  • The trust seeks partners and projects aligned with their vision
  • Emphasis on organizations achieving demonstrable positive outcomes
  • The trust appears to develop relationships directly with organizations rather than through competitive applications

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. The partnership development process appears to be relationship-based rather than following fixed timelines.

Success Rates

Not available. The trust operates through selective partnerships rather than competitive grant rounds.

Reapplication Policy

Not specified, though the trust maintains ongoing partnerships with multiple organizations over extended periods.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Trust Vision

  • Clear focus on ending animal exploitation or wildlife conservation
  • Demonstrable track record of positive outcomes on the ground
  • Work that resonates with the trust's founding story of rescuing exploited animals

Types of Organizations Funded

Based on their partnership portfolio, successful partners include:

  • International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW): Multi-project partnership on elephant rescue and rehabilitation in Africa
  • Lilongwe Wildlife Trust: Support for Wildlife Emergency Rescue Unit (WERU) and expansion of rescue facilities
  • Animals Asia: Bear rescue sanctuary support and fundraising partnerships
  • Save the Dogs: Emergency projects in Ukraine
  • Born Free Foundation: Wildlife conservation projects
  • Humane Society International: Dog meat farm closures in South Korea
  • PETA: Mechanization projects in India
  • International Animal Protection and Welfare Association (IAPWA): Core funding for domestic animal welfare work in Borneo
  • JACK Sanctuary (DRC): Primate enclosure construction
  • Save Vietnam's Wildlife: Conservation work
  • Uganda Conservation Foundation: Wildlife protection initiatives

Strategic Approach

  • The trust values organizations willing to collaborate with multiple funders (e.g., co-funding with IFAW and Born Free Foundation)
  • Preference for hands-on, direct intervention projects (rescue, rehabilitation, sanctuary development)
  • Support for both capital projects (facility construction) and ongoing operational needs (core funding)
  • International scope welcomed, particularly in Africa and Asia

Relationship Building

  • The trustees personally visit projects and build relationships with partner organizations
  • Long-term partnerships appear valued over one-off grants
  • The trust has hosted fundraising events for partners (e.g., raising £36,000 for Animals Asia in 2016)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Proactive outreach required: Don't wait for a call for applications—contact the trust directly if your work aligns with their mission
  • Demonstrate impact: Focus on concrete, measurable outcomes in your communications with the trust
  • International work welcomed: The trust actively supports projects across multiple continents, particularly in Africa and Asia
  • Multiple funding types: Be prepared to discuss both capital projects and ongoing operational support needs
  • Partnership mindset: Position your organization as a potential long-term partner rather than one-time grant recipient
  • Personal connection matters: The trustees are hands-on and personally engaged with the work they fund
  • Alignment with founding story: Projects involving rescue of exploited animals from circuses, zoos, or other captive situations may particularly resonate given the trust's origin story

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