Wild Life Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £111,586 (2024 expenditure)
• Success Rate: Not available (no public application process)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (invitation-only)
• Grant Range: £10,000 - £45,000 (based on known grants)
• Geographic Focus: International

Contact Details

• Website: www.ywpf.org (redirects to wildlife-foundation.org.uk)
• Email: cheryl.williams@ywpf.org
• Phone: 7788907706
• Address: Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Brockholes Lane, Branton, Doncaster DN3 3NH

Overview

The Wild Life Foundation, also known as Yorkshire Wildlife Park Foundation (YWPF), is a conservation charity established as charity number 1152642. Based at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster, the foundation leverages the park's unique expertise to develop conservation projects worldwide. With an annual income of £105,255 and expenditure of £111,586 (2024), the foundation operates on a modest scale but makes strategic grants to established conservation organizations. The foundation focuses specifically on exotic species conservation and welfare, supporting both direct conservation efforts and research that advances knowledge in this field.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation provides targeted grants to established conservation partners:

• Conservation Project Grants: £10,000 - £45,000 (supporting major conservation organizations)
• Research Support: Funding for projects advancing exotic species conservation knowledge
• Educational Initiatives: Support for public education about exotic species issues

Priority Areas

• Exotic species conservation and welfare
• Wildlife protection from climate change impacts
• Endangered species recovery programs (giant otters, rhinos, cheetahs, giraffes, Amur leopards and tigers)
• Research advancing conservation knowledge
• Public education on conservation issues

What They Don't Fund

• General animal welfare (domestic animals)
• Projects outside exotic species conservation
• Individual animal rescue cases not tied to broader conservation goals

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Governance and Leadership

The foundation is led by CEO Cheryl Williams, who also serves as a trustee. The charity has 7 trustees total, with no trustees receiving remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity. The governance structure emphasizes volunteer leadership with a strong connection to Yorkshire Wildlife Park's conservation expertise.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are made through trustee discretion to pre-selected conservation partners. The foundation initiates partnerships based on strategic alignment with their exotic species conservation priorities.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation works exclusively with established conservation organizations. They have ongoing partnerships with:

• Polar Bears International
• Cheetah Conservation Fund
• Save the Rhino
• Giraffe Conservation Foundation
• Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance (ALTA)

Organizations working in exotic species conservation may contact Cheryl Williams directly at cheryl.williams@ywpf.org to explore potential partnership opportunities.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - partners are selected through trustee discretion

Success Rates

Not available - no public application process

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - invitation-only funding

Application Success Factors

As this foundation operates through invitation-only funding, success factors focus on:

• Established track record in exotic species conservation
• International conservation credibility
• Direct impact on species survival
• Alignment with Yorkshire Wildlife Park's conservation priorities
• Ability to leverage Yorkshire Wildlife Park's expertise and visitor engagement

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process - funding by invitation only
• Focus exclusively on exotic species conservation and welfare
• Small foundation with limited resources but strategic partnerships
• Strong connection to Yorkshire Wildlife Park provides unique expertise access
• Best approach is building relationships through conservation networks
• Contact CEO Cheryl Williams directly for partnership exploration
• Typical grants range from £10,000 to £45,000 for multi-year projects

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund
• Elephant Gin Foundation
• WWF-UK
• The Anthony V Martin Charitable Foundation
• Pelorus Foundation
• Restore Our Planet
• Colchester Zoological Society
• TARA GETTY FOUNDATION
• Disney Conservation Fund
• Wyss Foundation

References

• Charity Commission Register (Charity Number 1152642) -
• Yorkshire Wildlife Park Foundation website (wildlife-foundation.org.uk) -
• Save the Rhino article on YWPF grants to rhino conservation - July 2018
• Yorkshire attractions report on YWPF fundraising activities
• Connect Yorkshire profile of Cheryl Williams as CEO/Trustee