Painted Wolf Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £570,591
• Annual Giving: ~$350,000+ (distributed since early 2023)
• Grant Range: $8,350 - $223,451
• Decision Time: Grants disbursed within 2 weeks of signed MoU
• Geographic Focus: Africa-wide (painted wolf range states)
• Application Method: Invitation/proactive identification

Contact Details

Website: www.paintedwolf.org

Email: info@paintedwolf.org

Phone: +44 7712 527700

Address: 2 St Andrews Pl, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1UP, United Kingdom

Overview

The Painted Wolf Foundation is a UK-registered charity (1176674) founded in 2018 by Peter Blinston (Executive Director of Painted Dog Conservation), Nicholas Dyer (award-winning wildlife photographer and entrepreneur), and the late Diane Skinner (megafauna specialist and pioneering community conservationist). With an annual income of £570,591, the foundation's mission is the advancement of the conservation of species of wildlife in danger of extinction, particularly the painted wolf (Lycaon pictus), also known as the African wild dog. Since early 2023, PWF has distributed over $350,000 in grants to organizations and initiatives across Africa. In October 2024, they launched the Painted Dog Fund in partnership with Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN), aiming to raise $4 million over three years with the ambitious goal of doubling painted wolf numbers by 2055. The foundation operates with a rigorous granting process managed by a joint PWF/WCN Granting Committee and emphasizes 100% of donations going directly to field conservation work.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Painted Dog Fund (launched October 2024)

• Partnership with Wildlife Conservation Network
• Target: $4 million over 3 years
• 100% of donations go directly to field conservation (zero overhead)
• Managed by joint PWF/WCN Granting Committee

Recent grants have ranged from $8,350 to $223,451, with most falling in the $25,000-$70,000 range.

Priority Areas

The foundation invests in five strategic priority areas:

1. Range-wide conservation: Supporting painted wolf populations across their natural habitat
2. Under-resourced populations: Bringing conservation interventions to unprotected painted wolf populations
3. Crisis interventions: Addressing urgent threats to painted wolf survival
4. Reintroduction projects: Supporting reestablishment of painted wolves in suitable habitats
5. Knowledge gaps: Funding research to fill critical information needs

The foundation seeks organizations with:

• Proven track records, strong management, and clear landscape vision
• Fledgling organizations showing potential and energy to make a difference
• Capacity to deliver transformational change for the species
• Alignment with best conservation practices

What They Don't Fund

• Projects outside painted wolf conservation
• Organizations without clear conservation outcomes
• Projects without potential for transformational impact on painted wolf populations

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (8 trustees total)

Nicholas Dyer, CEO

Raised in Kenya, former fund manager and investment marketing business owner who returned to Africa in 2012 to focus on photography and conservation. Spent seven years studying painted wolves in Zimbabwe and co-authored "Painted Wolves: A Wild Dog's Life." Gives talks globally about painted wolves.

Peter Blinston, Founder

Executive Director of Painted Dog Conservation (PDC) and founder of the Painted Wolf Foundation. Joined WCN in 2017 as Conservation Initiatives Director and is Director of the Lion Recovery Fund.

Wendy Furness, Trustee

Veterinary surgeon bringing significant business leadership, entrepreneurial expertise, and board-level governance experience to the foundation.

Staff Team

Ruth Kabwe, Grants Manager

BSc in Ecology, studying Executive MBA. Manages grants through the Painted Dog Fund. “Conservation can only succeed when people feel empowered to protect the natural world.”

Will Donald, Conservation Biologist

Based in Zambia, specializes in large carnivore ecology. Leading capacity-building and leadership program for painted wolf conservation.

Alison Serfontein, Communications

Background in corporate and wildlife communication, with experience in project management and strategic relationship building.

Advisory Group

Includes conservation experts Dr. Matthew Becker, Cole du Plessis, and Dr. Harriet Davies-Mostert, each bringing specialized knowledge in wildlife conservation and ecosystem management. WCN representatives make up half of the Granting Committee, ensuring independent expertise in painted wolf grants.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Painted Wolf Foundation does not have a traditional open application process. Instead, they proactively identify and invite organizations to apply through a rigorous research and vetting process.

Investment Identification Process:

1. Research & Analysis: PWF conducts consultation with painted wolf experts, desktop research, and draws on multi-source information to identify investment opportunities
2. Initial Contact: Zoom discussions with potential grantees to assess fit
3. Site Visits: PWF often visits conservation areas to understand challenges and evaluate potential partners
4. Invitation to Apply: Organizations meeting criteria are requested to submit a focused proposal and detailed budget

Who They Look For:

• Organizations with proven track records, strong management, and clear vision for their landscape
• Fledgling organizations showing potential and energy to make a difference
• Fully vetted implementing partners with clear mandate to operate
• Projects where funding will make transformational difference for painted wolves

Organizations interested in potential partnership should contact the foundation directly at info@paintedwolf.org expressing interest in being considered for future grant opportunities.

Getting on Their Radar

Build Conservation Credibility:

• Demonstrate track record in large carnivore conservation or painted wolf-specific work
• Publish research or reports that contribute to painted wolf conservation knowledge
• Engage with painted wolf conservation networks and Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) programs

Demonstrate Strategic Alignment:

• Work in painted wolf range states, particularly under-resourced or crisis areas
• Show collaboration with local communities and government authorities
• Adopt best conservation practices in your work

Network Strategically:

• Connect with PWF's existing partner organizations (African Wildlife Conservation Fund, Painted Dog Conservation, Tsavo Trust, Kenya Wildlife Trust)
• Attend painted wolf conservation conferences and forums where PWF advisors and trustees may be present
• Engage professionally with PWF's social media content and conservation updates

Decision Timeline

Review Process:

1. Proposal is carefully analyzed with two-way discussion to refine and consider strategic input from PWF advisors
2. Finalized proposal sent to Granting Committee with report and recommendation from the Director
3. Granting Committee discusses and votes on decision: accept, reject, or request further clarifications/refinements

Award Timeline:

• For successful applicants, MoUs (Memorandums of Understanding) are sent out
• Grants disbursed within 2 weeks of signed MoUs being received

Ongoing Monitoring:

• PWF remains in close contact with partners, providing training and expert support
• Grantees submit six-month interim reports
• Grantees submit annual reports to measure investment impact
• Foundation recognizes that transformation requires sustained, multi-year investment

Reapplication Policy

The foundation emphasizes long-term partnerships and multi-year investments for transformational change, suggesting that successful grantees can expect ongoing support. Information about unsuccessful applicants reapplying is not publicly documented.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented approach and funded projects, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Clear Conservation Outcomes

• Must demonstrate how funding makes progress toward doubling painted wolf numbers
• Define both short and long-term measurable outcomes
• Show potential for transformational change rather than incremental improvements

2. Organizational Strength

• Proven track record (for established organizations) OR clear potential and energy (for fledgling organizations)
• Strong management structures
• Clear mandate to operate in target landscape
• Collaboration agreements with local authorities and communities

3. Strategic Alignment

• Work in one of five priority areas: range-wide conservation, under-resourced populations, crisis intervention, reintroduction, or knowledge gaps
• Address unprotected painted wolf populations
• Adopt best conservation practices
• Fill critical gaps in current conservation coverage

4. Detailed Proposal Quality

• Describe ambitions, challenges, and expected outcomes clearly
• Provide detailed, realistic budgets
• Show understanding of landscape-specific challenges
• Demonstrate community engagement approach

5. Partnership Potential

• Willingness to engage in ongoing reporting and monitoring
• Openness to PWF technical support and advisory input
• Commitment to collaborative approach
• Long-term vision aligned with species recovery

Examples of Funded Projects:

• Conservation Leadership Programme in Zambia ($223,451 over 2 years) for building continent-wide network of African painted wolf conservation leaders
• Tsavo Trust in Kenya ($70,000 for 1 year) to establish first dedicated painted wolf conservation program in Tsavo East National Park
• ZSL's Project Lycaon in West Africa ($25,000 in 2022) to save West Africa's last painted wolves
• African Wildlife Conservation Fund in Zimbabwe ($8,350 for 3 months) for community disease prevention
• Frankfurt Zoological Society in Tanzania ($8,600 for 3 months) for GPS collaring to maintain pack tracking

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Proactive identification model: Don't wait for an open call—build your conservation credibility and reach out directly to express interest in partnership
• Transformational focus: Small incremental projects are less competitive; demonstrate how your work will create significant, measurable impact toward doubling painted wolf numbers
• Geographic priorities: Under-resourced and unprotected populations are priority targets; if you work in areas without current painted wolf conservation capacity, you're well-positioned
• Partnership mindset: The foundation seeks long-term collaborative relationships, not one-off grants; emphasize your openness to ongoing support, monitoring, and capacity-building
• 100% field investment: With zero overhead deducted, your entire grant goes to conservation work—ensure budgets reflect direct field activities and outcomes
• Committee scrutiny: Expect rigorous independent assessment from conservation experts; proposals must withstand detailed analysis and potential refinement requests
• Quick disbursement: Once approved, funding arrives within 2 weeks of signed MoUs—be prepared to move quickly when opportunity arises

References

1. Painted Wolf Foundation official website. “About.”. https://paintedwolf.org/about/
2. Painted Wolf Foundation. “The Painted Dog Fund.”. https://paintedwolf.org/the-painted-dog-fund/
3. Painted Wolf Foundation. “Our Investment Process.”. https://paintedwolf.org/strategy/investment-process/
4. Painted Wolf Foundation. "Investing in the Painted Wolf's Future.". https://paintedwolf.org/investments/
5. Painted Wolf Foundation. “Team.”. https://paintedwolf.org/about/team/
6. UK Charity Commission. “Painted Wolf Foundation - Charity Details.” Charity Number 1176674.. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/
7. Painted Wolf Foundation. "Saving West Africa's Last Painted Wolves.". https://paintedwolf.org/saving-west-africas-last-painted-wolves/
8. Painted Wolf Foundation. “The Latest News from Kenya.”. https://paintedwolf.org/the-latest-news-from-kenya/
9. Painted Wolf Foundation. “New Project to Assess Painted Wolves in the Mara.”. https://paintedwolf.org/new-project-to-assess-painted-wolves-in-the-mara/
10. Africa Geographic. "New Hope for Tsavo's Wild Dogs.". https://africageographic.com/stories/new-hope-for-tsavos-wild-dogs/