Oriental Bird Club

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £30,000-40,000 (conservation grants)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 2-4 months
• Grant Range: £500 - £3,000 (typically £1,000-£2,000)
• Geographic Focus: Oriental region (Asia from Pakistan to Indonesia and Japan)

Contact Details

• Website: http://www.orientalbirdclub.org
• Email: mail@orientalbirdclub.org
• Phone: 776823599
• Conservation Fund Contact: conservationgrants@orientalbirdclub.org or conservation@orientalbirdclub.org

Overview

Since its inception in 1984, the Oriental Bird Club (OBC) is a UK-registered charity dedicated to encouraging interest in wild birds of the Oriental region and their conservation. The charity operates entirely with volunteers and focuses on supporting bird conservation projects across Asia through its Conservation Fund, which has awarded over £600,000 in grants since inception, supporting over 250 projects primarily run by local people. The OBC takes a strategic approach to funding by prioritising threatened species, capacity building for local conservationists, and projects that combine research with practical conservation outcomes. The organisation maintains strong partnerships with BirdLife International partners across Asia and has increased its focus on supporting early-career conservationists from the region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

• Small Conservation Grants: £500 - £3,000 (typically £1,000-£2,000, supporting field projects, research, education, and capacity building)
• Application via email submission to conservation@orientalbirdquest.org
• Twice-yearly deadlines: 1st March and 1st September
• Focus on threatened bird species and Important Bird Areas
• Emergency funding available at other times in exceptional circumstances

• Bertram Smythies Fund: Supporting larger conservation projects that fall outside the aims or budget of the Conservation Fund
• For projects requiring funding beyond the small grants programme
• Contact the OBC for application details

Priority Areas

• Conservation of globally threatened bird species in Asia, particularly Critically Endangered and Endangered species
• Protection and management of Important Bird Areas
• Capacity building for Asian conservationists
• Community-based conservation initiatives
• Research that directly informs conservation action
• Environmental education and awareness programmes
• Public engagement in appreciating wild birds and nature, especially in urban areas
• Support for early-career conservationists from the region
• Projects led by or substantially involving nationals from the country where the project takes place

What They Don't Fund

• Projects outside the Oriental region
• Pure academic research without conservation applications
• Infrastructure or capital equipment over £1,000
• Ongoing organisational running costs
• Projects focused solely on captive breeding

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Governance and Leadership

The OBC is governed by a Council of trustees with expertise in Asian ornithology and conservation, all serving on a voluntary basis with no remuneration. The Conservation Committee, comprising experts with extensive field experience across Asia, reviews all grant applications. The committee particularly values applications that demonstrate collaboration with local communities and conservation organisations.

How to Apply to Oriental Bird Club

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted via email to conservation@orientalbirdclub.org (also referenced as conservationgrants@orientalbirdclub.org). The OBC offers small grants twice a year with application deadlines of 1st March and 1st September. Applicants must submit:

• Completed application form (available from website)
• Detailed budget breakdown
• CV of principal investigator
• Letters of support from local partners
• Total budget and any matched funding details

Decision Timeline

• Application deadlines: 1st March and 1st September
• Review process: Typically 2-4 months from deadline
• Projects would usually be expected to be completed within 12 months of receipt of funding

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not published, but the OBC typically funds 15-25 projects annually from their conservation fund.

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent funding rounds. Previous grant recipients must complete final reports before applying for new funding. The OBC encourages applicants to seek feedback on unsuccessful applications to improve future submissions.

Application Success Factors

Based on previously funded projects and OBC priorities:

• Projects targeting species listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List (particularly Critically Endangered and Endangered) receive priority
• Strong partnerships with local communities and conservation organisations are essential
• Clear conservation outcomes and measurable objectives strengthen applications
• Projects led by or substantially involving nationals from the country where work takes place are particularly welcomed
• Combining research with practical conservation action and community engagement
• Realistic budgets with matched funding from other sources demonstrate good planning
• Previous OBC grant recipients with successful project completion have higher success rates
• Grant requests typically between £1,000-£2,000 have best success chances

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Focus applications on globally threatened Asian bird species (especially Critically Endangered and Endangered) for highest priority consideration
• Demonstrate strong local partnerships and community involvement
• Keep grant requests between £1,000-£2,000 for best success chances
• Plan applications around the twice-yearly deadlines (1st March and 1st September)
• Include clear conservation outcomes, not just research objectives
• Highlight capacity building elements for local conservationists
• Emphasise local leadership and involvement in project delivery
• Consider applying for smaller initial grants to establish relationship with OBC

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The World Pheasant Association
• People's Trust For Endangered Species
• The World Parrot Trust
• Wwf-uk
• Synchronicity Earth
• The Rufford Foundation
• Botanic Gardens Conservation International
• The Whitley Fund For Nature
• Olsen Animal Trust
• The Cumber Family Charitable Trust

References

• Oriental Bird Club Official Website (http://www.orientalbirdclub.org)
• OBC Conservation Fund Guidelines and Application Information - Website conservation section
• OBC Project Reports and Conservation Grant Awards listings
• BirdLife International Partnership information
• Charity Commission UK Registry (Charity Number: 297242)