Elephant Cooperation
Elephant Cooperation is a public charity based in San Clemente, California, formed in 2016. It supports elephant and wildlife conservation alongside community initiatives, including education, food and water assistance, and sustainable livelihoods.
Elephant Cooperation at a glance
In short: Elephant Cooperation gave $760K across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $76K), mostly in California. 40% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $760,111
- +113.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 10
- +42.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $76,011
- +49.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $24,000
- Total assets
- $751,296
- +30.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 40% first-time grantees (4 of 10, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (68% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Elephant Cooperation
- Contact
Mailing address: 110 East Avenida Palizada 301, San Clemente, CA 92672
Phone: (949) 369-8035
Website: https://elephantcooperation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Elephant Cooperation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Wildlife Works Elephant Protection Trust ($308K). Together the top 10 received $760K.
Grant Size Distribution
52 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 35 grants of 52 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in California (68%), New York (19%), Massachusetts (7%), Texas (3%), and Washington, DC (3%). Grant purposes also identify projects in Kenya, Indonesia, and Namibia. The organization’s website describes elephant-fencing partnerships in Gabon and Kenya and other work in Africa.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Elephant Cooperation open to new grantees?
40%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 10 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $97K; repeat grants $62K. How we count
Medians: $35K first-time, $24K repeat.
- 40% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−7%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $192K (2020) to $821K (2021). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $760K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wildlife Works Elephant Protection Trust Mill Valley, CA | The $300,000 is to be used towards supporting various projects: kitting out any existing borehole with solar power/pump on the kcrp footprint or in community areas, dam scooping for improved capacity for wildlife on the kcrp footprint or in community areas, community wood lot projects, to reduce pressures on elephant habitat, human elephant conflict projects, such as beehive fences, training on non- palatable crops, provision of co-existence equipment, targeting community farms, funding land use plans to assist With county-approval for large-scale conservation areas, scouts salaries for conservancies (3-6 months).$7500 - support for the boys youth soccer team. | $307,500 |
| Wildlife Conservation Network San Francisco, CA | For Collaring and Monitoring Elephants in Tsavo, Kenya | $150,000 |
| Space for Giants New York, NY | Anti-Poaching and Community Outreach | $145,000 |
| International Fund for Animal Welfare Yarmouth Port, MA | To enhance and optimize ranger communications and operations in taita taveta. | $50,000 |
| Generation Awakening Huntington Beach, CA | Anti-Poaching and Community Outreach | $28,000 |
| Wildlife Conservation International Austin, TX | Support way kambas river patrol unit (WKRPU) to work in close cooperation with the established elephant response units (ERU) in the southern and northwestern border of the way kambas national park(WKNP). The primary focus of the WKRPU will be habitat protection and anti-poaching patrols in the border areas of the WKNP. | $20,000 |
| African Wildlife Foundation Washington, DC | Anti-Poaching and Community Outreach | $20,000 |
| Love Tribe Project Corona Del Mar, CA | Funds are to be used in the construction of electric fencing around elephant and human watering holesi n llanyangusi, and amboseli lewis in kenya. | $18,611 |
| Kensap Inc Montclair, NJ | Support the organization and its mission to help high-achieving, low-income kenyan high school graduates gain admission to the most electives colleges and universities in North America all with full financial aid. | $11,000 |
| Utopia Scientific San Diego, CA | Funding the field season for the elephant acoustics and conservation mitigation program. The experiments will take place at mushara waterhole in the northeast region of etosha national park, namibia. | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Elephant Cooperation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $751,296 | $2,399,711 | $2,285,863 | $760,111 | 10 | $1,219 |
| 2023 | $574,781 | $1,470,254 | $1,698,432 | $356,262 | 7 | $38 |
| 2022 | $1,067,599 | $2,641,407 | $2,624,625 | $706,000 | 10 | $47 |
| 2021 | $895,883 | $2,483,157 | $2,405,738 | $820,717 | 14 | $80 |
| 2020 | $525,653 | $1,184,347 | $1,219,988 | $192,271 | 11 | $148 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Elephant Cooperation’s mission, as stated on its 2024 filing, is to save elephants and wildlife while feeding and educating children, by protecting habitats and supporting healthy communities where people and animals live in harmony. The filing describes work that includes securing elephant habitat and corridors, training in local development, organizing volunteer missions to Africa, and assisting selected African nongovernmental organizations.
The organization’s website describes support for elephant rescue and rehabilitation, frontline defenders, childhood education and wildlife awareness, community commerce and sustainability, women’s empowerment, and habitat conservation. It also describes funding elephant fencing and translocation projects, elephant surveys, and community-based work to reduce human-elephant conflict.
In 2024, grantees included conservation, education, and community organizations. Wildlife Conservation Network describes its mission as connecting conservationists and supporters and deploying resources and tools to the field. Generation Awakening describes its mission as educational awareness and environmental and wildlife conservation projects. African Wildlife Foundation says its mission is to help wildlife and wild lands thrive in modern Africa, using strategies that bridge science, field programs, education, and public policy. Love Tribe Project describes work to improve access to clean water for women and families in Kenyan villages and support entrepreneurial programs. KenSAP describes its mission as preparing high-achieving, low-income Kenyan students for college.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Elephant Cooperation reported 10 grants totaling $760,111. Grants ranged from $10,000 to $307,500, with a median of $24,000.
The largest grants included $307,500 to Wildlife Works Elephant Protection Trust for projects including water infrastructure, habitat protection, community wood lots, human-elephant conflict mitigation, and conservancy support; $150,000 to Wildlife Conservation Network for collaring and monitoring elephants in Tsavo, Kenya; and $145,000 to Space for Giants for anti-poaching and community outreach. Other grants included $50,000 to International Fund for Animal Welfare for ranger communications and operations in Taita Taveta; $28,000 to Generation Awakening for anti-poaching and community outreach; and $20,000 to Wildlife Conservation International for support to the Way Kambas River Patrol Unit in Indonesia. Elephant Cooperation also gave $20,000 to African Wildlife Foundation for anti-poaching and community outreach, $18,611 to Love Tribe Project for electric fencing around water holes in Kenya, $11,000 to KenSAP, and $10,000 to Utopia Scientific for an elephant acoustics and conservation field season in Namibia.
The 2024 filing says grants are made to organizations with missions consistent with Elephant Cooperation’s mission. It reports that management discusses intended grant use with recipients before funding. For grants and other assistance outside the United States, the organization says it uses grant agreements specifying project details and charitable purposes, requires progress and financial reports, maintains regular communication, and conducts outcome evaluations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Scott Struthers as president, Shawn Sugarman as vice president, Steve Gregg as treasurer, Christine Crain as secretary, and Patty Morton as director.
Elephant Cooperation is led by Scott Struthers, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Scott Struthers
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patty Morton
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shawn Sugarman
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Gregg
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christine Crain
Secretary
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Char Salazar (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Scott Riedl (2020–2021) — Executive Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Elephant Cooperation
How much does Elephant Cooperation give each year?
Elephant Cooperation gave $760K across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $356K across 7 grants.
What is Elephant Cooperation's typical grant size?
Elephant Cooperation's median grant in 2024 was $24,000, and its average grant was $76,011, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Elephant Cooperation that year got $97K on average.
Where does Elephant Cooperation give grants?
Elephant Cooperation gives mostly in California: 68% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (19%) and Massachusetts (7%).
Does Elephant Cooperation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on Elephant Cooperation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Anti-Poaching and Community Outreach" (3 grants).
Who are Elephant Cooperation's largest grantees?
Elephant Cooperation's largest 2024 grantees include Wildlife Works Elephant Protection Trust ($307,500), Wildlife Conservation Network ($150,000) and Space for Giants ($145,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 79% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Elephant Cooperation?
Elephant Cooperation reported $751K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.4M.
What does Elephant Cooperation fund?
Elephant Cooperation’s mission, as stated on its 2024 filing, is to save elephants and wildlife while feeding and educating children, by protecting habitats and supporting healthy communities where people and animals live in harmony. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Elephant Cooperation?
Elephant Cooperation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check elephantcooperation.com for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Elephant Cooperation's EIN?
Elephant Cooperation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-3209656. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 4, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Elephant Cooperation funds
Human Services Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Elephant Cooperation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in California
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Community Foundation supports nonprofits through discretionary and donor-directed grants, with discretionary priorities including education, health, housing and immigration, alongside other areas such as arts, civic engagement and economic opportunity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, and its work is focused on Los Angeles County; prospective discretionary applicants are asked to contact the relevant program officer before submitting a letter of intent.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
Menlo Park, CA
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funds education, climate and conservation, the arts, democracy, gender equity, racial justice, and efforts to strengthen nonprofits and philanthropy, with work spanning the San Francisco Bay Area, the U.S. West, and locations including East and West Africa and Mexico. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $150,000, though amounts varied widely. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, but sometimes invites proposals through open processes.
Assets
$14.2B
Grants
2,001
Total Given
$625.0M
Marin Community Foundation
Novato, CA
Marin Community Foundation funds work in affordable housing and homelessness, community resilience and power, as well as social services, education, arts and conservation, with a focus on marginalized Marin County residents and some broader U.S. and international grantmaking. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,573
Total Given
$186.1M
Direct Relief
Santa Barbara, CA
Direct Relief supports healthcare providers serving people affected by poverty or emergencies, including community health centers, clinics, and grassroots organizations, with medicines, supplies, and funding for health access and equity. In 2025, its grants had a median award of about $65,000, and its work spans all 50 U.S. states and countries around the world; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,367
Total Given
$337.4M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Elephant Cooperation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/elephant-cooperation-morg_97d50ec6004449c9850aac772ce04940
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_813209656_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Elephant Cooperation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/elephant-cooperation-morg_97d50ec6004449c9850aac772ce04940},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Elephant Cooperation'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.
Elephant Cooperation down — hundreds of funders to go?