Ready When Challenges Arise
Rapid Relief for Moments of Crisis
WCN’s Emergency Relief Fund is designed to provide rapid support to conservation organizations experiencing an unexpected crisis. Pandemics, wildfires, insecurity, and natural disasters have reminded us how conservationists across the world are so often faced with unexpected challenges that increase threats to wildlife, disrupt fundraising, and destabilize the well-being of local communities.
WCN’s Emergency Relief Fund funds provides a lifeline, replying to grant proposals within just two weeks time. You can help conservationists bridge sudden funding gaps and continue protecting our planet’s most vulnerable wildlife species. 100% of any designated donation to the Emergency Relief Fund are regranted directly to those in need.
Support Those Impacted by U.S. Foreign Aid Suspension
The U.S. Department of State’s 2025 stop-work order for U.S. foreign assistance resulted in immediate funding loss for many conservation organizations that relied on these resources to maintain their critical work. For many organizations, this represents a true economic emergency.
We are extremely thankful to our community, who, in response to this critical situation, have thus far raised $1.4 million to help conservationists bridge this sudden funding gap. Our Emergency Relief Fund continues to distribute ongoing funding, and our Wildlife Funds have granted over $1 million to affected organizations.
These funds have provided a lifeline, but the funding crisis is ongoing and significant gaps remain. You can help us protect our planet’s most vulnerable species.
Projects Supported
Learn more about some recent grantees below that have been supported by WCN’s Emergency Relief Fund.
Cheetah Conservation Botswana
$29,992 USD | December 2025
Cheetah Conservation Botswana (CCB) aims to preserve Botswana’s cheetah population through scientific research, community outreach and environmental education, working with rural communities to promote coexistence with the nation’s rich diversity of carnivore species. WCN’s Emergency Relief Fund supported CCB with a grant to alleviate the impacts of unanticipated federal funding freezes from the U.S. Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation and sustain traditional environmental knowledge.
HUTAN
$9,110 USD | March 2025
HUTAN is a grassroot non-profit organization dedicated to conserve the orangutan, elephant and other wildlife species in the forests of Lower Kinabatangan and across Sabah, Malaysia. WCN’s Emergency Relief Fund supported Hutan with a grant to alleviate the impacts of severe flooding on Hutan’s tree nursery, office, and equipment, allowing them to relocate to a more stable and flood-free location.
Hirola Conservation Program
$30,000 USD | May 2025
Hirola Conservation Program (HCP) works to protect and increase the numbers and distribution of hirola, one of the world’s most endangered antelopes, through participatory conservation, education, community involvement and international support. WCN’s Emergency Relief Fund supported HCP with a grant to alleviate the impacts of unanticipated federal funding freezes from USAID and sustain the hirola breeding sanctuary.
MarAlliance
$15,000 USD | May 2025
MarAlliance explores, enables, and inspires conservation action for threatened marine wildlife and their critical habitats, working with dependent human communities. WCN’s Emergency Relief Fund supported MarAlliance with a grant to alleviate the impacts of unanticipated federal funding freezes from the U.S. Embassy and continue fisheries management initiatives in Panama’s Coiba National Park.
Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association
$29,448 USD | March 2025
Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association (RWCA) applies home-grown solutions to protect and restore threatened wildlife and wild places. WCN’s Emergency Relief Fund supported RWCA with a grant to alleviate the impacts of unanticipated federal funding freezes from the U.S. Forest Service and continue its habitat restoration and environmental education work.
Saiga Conservation Alliance
$28,938 USD | May 2025
Saiga Conservation Alliance (SCA) is committed to restoring the saiga antelope to its position as the flagship species of the Central Asian and pre-Caspian steppes, reflecting the species’ cultural and economic value to local people and its fundamental role in the steppe ecosystem. WCN’s Emergency Relief Fund supported SCA with a grant to alleviate the impacts of unanticipated federal funding freezes from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and continue to promote the conservation of the saiga and its habitat.
Application for support from WCN’s Emergency Relief Fund is by invitation only.
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Emergency Relief Fund
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