Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund
The SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund is a private foundation based in Orlando, Florida. Established in 2003, it supports conservation projects around the world, including grassroots efforts focused on wildlife and natural spaces.
Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund at a glance
In short: Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund gave $1.9M across 17 grants in 2024 (avg $114K), top state Florida. 41% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,937,730
- +71.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 17
- +30.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $113,984
- +31.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $2,382,065
- +8.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 41% first-time grantees (7 of 17, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Florida (26% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund
- How to Apply
-
The 2024 filing states that an application is available online, that applications are accepted online only, and that contribution guidelines are available online. It also states that the Fund does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
- Review Cycle
- None listed on the 2024 filing.
- Deadline
- None listed on the 2024 filing.
- Contact
Application contact: Hendrick Nollens
Mailing address: 6240 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32821
Phone: (407) 226-5181
Email: swbgfund@seaworld.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Hubbs Seaworld Research Institution ($500K). Together the top 10 received $1.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
89 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 60 grants of 89 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Fund says it supports conservation projects globally. Its 2024 grants included recipients in Florida, Utah, Washington, California, and Hawaii, as well as organizations whose locations were not specified in the filing data.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund open to new grantees?
41%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 7 of 17 grantees (41%) were first-time recipients. With only 17 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $135K; repeat grants $99K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $50K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF 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 $445K (2020) to $1.9M (2024). In 2024 it made 17 grants totaling $1.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hubbs Seaworld Research Institution Melbourne Beach, FL | General | $500,000 |
| Ocearch Park City, UT | General | $349,730 |
| World Vets Gig Harbor, WA | General | $300,000 |
| African Marine Mammel Conserevation | General | $180,000 |
| The Marine Mammel Center Sausalito, CA | General | $160,000 |
| Ampa Friends of the Manatee Associa | General | $75,000 |
| Asociation Panamericana Para La Con | General | $50,000 |
| Icas Wild Animal Consserevation Ins | General | $50,000 |
| Wilderness Foundation Africa | General | $50,000 |
| Uganda Conservation Foundation | General | $50,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,382,065 | $2,235,232 | $2,058,341 | $1,937,730 | 17 | $122,321 |
| 2023 | $2,205,244 | $1,382,199 | $1,256,529 | $1,130,000 | 13 | $110,912 |
| 2022 | $2,244,564 | $1,507,935 | $751,837 | $619,350 | 28 | $76,209 |
| 2021 | $1,323,496 | $1,265,856 | $813,651 | $687,884 | 20 | $50,464 |
| 2020 | $871,151 | $714,000 | $558,427 | $445,000 | 11 | $36,432 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund reported a distributable amount of $122K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Fund says it was created to support grassroots conservation projects. Its four stated focus areas are species research, habitat protection, conservation education, and animal rescue and rehabilitation.
Among its grantees, World Vets describes its mission as improving animal health and well-being through veterinary aid, response, training, research, and local capacity building worldwide. It says its work includes services for marine animals and wildlife rescue and conservation.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Fund reported 17 grants totaling $1,937,730. The median grant was $50,000; individual grants ranged from $10,000 to $500,000. The largest awards included $500,000 to Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, $349,730 to OCEARCH, and $300,000 to World Vets. The listed grants were for general purposes.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Christopher Dold as president, Rob Yordi as executive director, Martin Hammar as treasurer, and Corrine Brindley as secretary. Board members listed are Hendrik Nollens, Lisa Cradit, Cara Martel, and Patricia Dees. U.S. Bank Trust Department is listed as custodian.
Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund is led by Rob Yordi, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 9 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Rob Yordi
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Dold DR
President
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
U S Bank Trust Department
Custodian
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
$3K (2024)
Hendrik Nollens
Board Member
Director → Borad Member, 2021
Borad Member → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Martin Hammar
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Corrine Brindley
Secretary
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cara Martel
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Cradit
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patricia Dees
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Chris Dold Dr (2020–2023) — President
- Former: US Bank Trust Department (2020–2023) — Custodian
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $3K, to U S Bank Trust Department (Custodian).
Frequently asked questions about Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund
How much does Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund give each year?
Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund gave $1.9M across 17 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.1M across 13 grants.
What is Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund's typical grant size?
Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $113,984, across 17 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund that year got $135K on average.
Where does Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund give grants?
Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund's top state is Florida, with 26% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Utah (18%) and Washington (15%).
Does Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (17 of 17) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund's largest grantees?
Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund's largest 2024 grantees include Hubbs Seaworld Research Institution ($500,000), Ocearch ($349,730) and World Vets ($300,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 59% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund?
Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund reported $2.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $2.2M.
What does Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund fund?
The Fund says it was created to support grassroots conservation projects. Its four stated focus areas are species research, habitat protection, conservation education, and animal rescue and rehabilitation. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund?
The 2024 filing states that an application is available online, that applications are accepted online only, and that contribution guidelines are available online. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund reported a distributable amount of $122K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund's EIN?
Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 11-3692807. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/seaworld-and-busch-gardens-conservation-fund-morg_65b3e1d6ea4f454283eeba4c42eef301
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_113692807_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Seaworld \& Busch Gardens Conservation Fund funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/seaworld-and-busch-gardens-conservation-fund-morg_65b3e1d6ea4f454283eeba4c42eef301},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund'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.
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