Conservation Society of California
The Conservation Society of California is a public charity based in Oakland, California. It manages Oakland Zoo, whose work includes animal care and welfare, education, wildlife rescue, and conservation locally and globally. The organization’s stated mission is to deepen connections with animals, save wildlife, and inspire champions for the natural world.
Conservation Society of California at a glance
In short: Conservation Society of California gave $355K across 14 grants in 2025 (avg $25K), top state California. 14% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $355,010
- -23.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 14
- -6.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $25,358
- -18.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $22,500
- Total assets
- $92,877,800
- -1.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 14% first-time grantees (2 of 14, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (27% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Conservation Society of California
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 5238, Oakland, CA 94605
Phone: (510) 632-9525
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Conservation Society of California funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Amboseli Trust for Elephants ($71K). Together the top 10 received $319K.
Grant Size Distribution
68 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 60 grants of 68 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in California (27%), Massachusetts (20%), Illinois (14%), Colorado (14%), and Washington (8%), among other states. The organization’s conservation work includes projects in Oakland and elsewhere in California, as well as work around the globe.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Conservation Society of California open to new grantees?
14%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 2 of 14 grantees (14%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $13K; repeat grants $28K. How we count
Medians: $13K first-time, $26K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $95K (2019) to $464K (2024). In 2025 it made 14 grants totaling $355K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Amboseli Trust for Elephants Newburyport, MA | Conservation Projects Annual Giving | $70,800 |
| Arcas Chicago, IL | Conservation Projects Annual Giving | $50,000 |
| Working Circle Indian Hills, CO | Conservation Projects Annual Giving | $40,000 |
| Big Life Foundtion Ridgefield, WA | Conservation Projects Annual Giving | $30,000 |
| Elephant Crisis Fund (Wildlife Conservation Network) San Francisco, CA | Conservation Projects Annual Giving | $30,000 |
| David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Laguna Hills, CA | Conservation Projects Annual Giving | $27,400 |
| New Nature Foundation Philadelpha, PA | Conservation Projects Annual Giving | $25,000 |
| Elephant Voices Washington DC, DC | Conservation Projects Annual Giving | $20,000 |
| Wild Welfare Houston, TX | Conservation Projects Annual Giving | $15,000 |
| Kaminando Habitat Connecivity Initiative Oakland, CA | Conservation Projects Annual Giving | $11,169 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $92,877,800 | $35,008,424 | $36,079,027 | $355,010 | 14 | $629,044 |
| 2024 | $94,596,300 | $31,502,981 | $35,476,027 | $463,809 | 15 | $663,792 |
| 2023 | $98,922,908 | $30,880,796 | $31,683,363 | $304,500 | 12 | $386,103 |
| 2022 | $99,127,027 | $35,355,250 | $30,159,043 | $175,500 | 8 | $250 |
| 2021 | $98,080,937 | $22,540,665 | $23,893,513 | $337,300 | 19 | $247 |
| 2020 | $96,733,164 | $22,058,172 | $23,143,557 | $225,450 | 14 | $293 |
| 2019 | $96,145,548 | $23,716,679 | $25,690,813 | $95,450 | 10 | $402 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to deepen connections with animals, save wildlife, and inspire champions for the natural world. Its 2025 filing describes conservation work focused on ten species, including African elephants, chimpanzees, bison, African lions, and California condors, as well as local wildlife rescue and education. Its conservation plan identifies species and habitat protection, wildlife trade mitigation, and human-wildlife coexistence as its three pillars.
In 2025, the organization’s grants included support for organizations whose own missions include researching and preserving African elephants (Amboseli Trust for Elephants), preventing animal cruelty and reducing illegal wildlife trafficking (ARCAS), and connecting and supporting conservationists (Wildlife Conservation Network). Other grantees described work to protect wildlife and habitat with local communities (Big Life Foundation USA), improve captive wild animal welfare (Wild Welfare US), and conserve native wildlife, including bald eagles and California condors (Ventana Wildlife Society).
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 14 grants totaling $355,010. Grant amounts ranged from $5,641 to $70,800, with a median of $22,500. The listed grants use the purpose “Conservation projects annual giving.”
The largest 2025 awards included $70,800 to Amboseli Trust for Elephants, $50,000 to ARCAS, $40,000 to Working Circle, and $30,000 each to Big Life Foundation and the Elephant Crisis Fund (Wildlife Conservation Network). Other listed awards included $27,400 to David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, $25,000 to New Nature Foundation, $20,000 to Elephant Voices, and $15,000 to Wild Welfare.
The organization says grantees are asked to provide progress updates by email and video during the grant cycle. Zoo staff also meet with many grantees and conduct site visits. Its conservation team maintains a matrix of wildlife-preservation priorities to assess requests and grant decisions.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Cynthia Stoddard, Elogeanne O Matson Grossman, and Cathy Langridge as co-chairs; Patrick Sherwood as vice chair; Marv Friedman as secretary; and Steven McCann as treasurer. Trustees listed are Fiona Tang, Lizanne Ludwig, Jeffrey R. Marshall, and Amy Tharpe Peterson.
Conservation Society of California is led by Nikhil Dehejia, CEO since 2021 (on filings since 2020); 7 of 27 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Nikhil Dehejia
CEO
CFO → CEO, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$170K (2020) → $340K (2025)
Biruk Weldhana
Director of Finance
Controller → Director of Finance, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$113K (2020) → $189K (2025)
Michael Bruck
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Hughes
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Fiona Tang
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer E. Delaney
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter Ross
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Aarti Sabhlok
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Tharpe Peterson
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shana Simmons
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey R. Marshall
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Denise Ramsey
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jim Cavalieri
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lizanne Ludwig
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Boland
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mittie Grigsby
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alexandria Herman
Vice President Veterinary Services
Vice President Veterinary → Vice President Veterinary Services, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$134K (2021) → $165K (2025)
Kristin Bronowicki
Senior Vice President Impact & Revenue
Vice President Development → Senior Vice President Impact & Revenue, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$125K (2021) → $191K (2025)
Adam Miller
Cfao
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$86K (2023) → $200K (2025)
Erin Dogan
Vice President Marketing
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$177K (2023) → $141K (2025)
Michelle Myers
Vice President People & Culture
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$160K (2023) → $169K (2025)
Cynthia Stoddard
Co-Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2021
Vice Chair → Co-Chair, 2022
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elogeanne O. Matson Grossman
Co-Chair
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Co-Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cathy Langridge
Co-Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Co-Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marv Friedman
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Sherwood
Vice Chair
Treasurer → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steven McCann
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (29)
- Former: Dennis Dedomenico (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Nancy Clark (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Liz Ludwig (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Kevin Rodriguez (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Jan Stevens (2023–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Mark Stuart (2022–2023) — Vice President Operations
- Former: Jennifer Fall (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Jessica Huard (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Lea Bolster Van Ness (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Erin Harrison (2020–2022) — Vice President Marketing
- Former: Jeff Marshall (2019–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Joel Parrott (2019–2021) — CEO · Filing note: Thru 4221
- Former: Magnus Jonsson (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Randy Kyle (2020–2021) — Vice President Human Resources
- Former: Chris Westover (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Jeff McKinnon (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Justin Steele (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Kathryn Lancaster (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Kim Burdick (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Pamela Schock Mintzer (2019–2020) — Chair
- Former: Rahul Merani (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Beverly Becker (2020) — Development
- Former: Karen Emanuelson (2020) — Veterinary
- Former: Friedman Marvin (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Joshua Hill (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Ludwig Liz (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Michael O'Neil (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Nikhil Deheija (2019) — CFO
- Former: Secil Watson (2019) — Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $340K, to Nikhil Dehejia (CEO). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Conservation Society of California
How much does Conservation Society of California give each year?
Conservation Society of California gave $355K across 14 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $464K across 15 grants.
What is Conservation Society of California's typical grant size?
Conservation Society of California's median grant in 2025 was $22,500, and its average grant was $25,358, across 14 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Conservation Society of California that year got $13K on average.
Where does Conservation Society of California give grants?
Conservation Society of California's top state is California, with 27% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Massachusetts (20%) and Illinois (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (2 grants).
Does Conservation Society of California give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on Conservation Society of California's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Conservation Projects Annual Giving" (14 grants).
Who are Conservation Society of California's largest grantees?
Conservation Society of California's largest 2025 grantees include Amboseli Trust for Elephants ($70,800), Arcas ($50,000) and Working Circle ($40,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 45% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Conservation Society of California?
Conservation Society of California reported $92.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $35.0M.
What does Conservation Society of California fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to deepen connections with animals, save wildlife, and inspire champions for the natural world. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Conservation Society of California?
Conservation Society of California has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Conservation Society of California's EIN?
Conservation Society of California's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-1687847. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 16, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 2, 2024)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 17, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 6, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Conservation Society of California funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/conservation-society-of-california-morg_2a2259c27d784935ae66ca2cd275b1ee
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_941687847_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Conservation Society of California funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/conservation-society-of-california-morg_2a2259c27d784935ae66ca2cd275b1ee},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Conservation Society of California's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Conservation Society of California down — hundreds of funders to go?