Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund
The SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund is a 501(c)(3) private foundation established in 2003 and based in Orlando, Florida. The organization functions as a clearinghouse that aggregates and distributes funding to support wildlife conservation, research, and conservation education initiatives globally. The fund was created to enable guests of SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment to become involved with wildlife conservation efforts.
Key facts about Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund
- EIN
- 11-3692807
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,937,730
- Grants made (2024)
- 17
- Average grant
- $113,984
- Median grant
- $50,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 41% first-time grantees (7 of 17, 2024)
- Total assets
- $2,382,065
- Primary geography
- Florida (26% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund's 17 itemized 2024 grants were Florida (26%), Utah (18%) and Washington (15%). 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
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. First grants averaged $135K; repeat grants $99K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $50K repeat.
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund
- How to evaluate Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund with AI
AI grant writing that drafts from your organization’s own materials, in your voice.
- Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
A free Google Sheets or Excel template for deadlines, award terms, and reports due.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.4M
+8.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.9M
+71.5% YoY
Grant Count
17
+30.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$114K
+31.1% YoY
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports programs designed to promote:
- Species research
- Habitat protection
- Animal rescue and rehabilitation
- Conservation education
The fund addresses a wide range of subject areas including biodiversity, wildlife protection, aquatic wildlife protection, wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife sanctuaries, animal welfare, and environmental education. The organization emphasizes the urgency of conservation work, noting that vertebrate populations worldwide dropped by 52% between 1970 and 2010, and that over one-third of species assessed by the IUCN are either endangered or threatened.
Grantmaking
The fund has shifted its grantmaking approach in recent years. It currently employs a proactive funding strategy and is not accepting unsolicited applications for conservation projects at this time. However, the fund maintains an Animal Crisis Program that responds to immediate and evolving wildlife emergencies.
Grant Range
s & Activity:**
Grant Types
Ready to take the next step with Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grantmaking is global in scope. Within the United States, funding concentrates in locations where SeaWorld has parks, though this is not a strict requirement. The fund has supported projects in multiple states including Alaska, California, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. International funding has included projects in Namibia, South Africa, and the Galápagos Islands.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 17 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2023-2024):
- Total Assets: $2,382,065
- Total Annual Giving: $1,937,730
- Annual Revenue: $1,382,199
- Annual Expenses: $1,256,529
- Total Liabilities: $785
The organization maintains a healthy financial position with assets in the top 25% of foundations nationally.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,382,065 | $2,205,244 | $2,244,564 |
| Revenue | $2,235,232 | $1,382,199 | $1,507,935 |
| Expenses | $2,058,341 | $1,256,529 | $751,837 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | $122,321 | $110,912 | $76,209 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
89 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Hubbs Seaworld Research Institution ($500,000), Ocearch ($349,730), World Vets ($300,000).
| 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 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key Personnel:
- Christopher Dold – President
- Rob Yordi – Executive Director
- Martin Hammar – Treasurer
- Corrine Brindley – Secretary
- Board Members: Hendrik Nollens, Lisa Cradit, Cara Martel, Patricia Dees
- Custodian: U.S. Bank Trust Department
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| U S Bank Trust Department | Custodian | 5 | $2,800 |
| Martin Hammar | Treasurer | 5 | — |
| Rob Yordi | Executive Director | 5 | — |
| Hendrik Nollens | Board Member | 5 | — |
| Corrine Brindley | Secretary | 2 | — |
| Christopher Dold DR | President | 5 | — |
| Lisa Cradit | Board Member | 3 | — |
| Cara Martel | Board Member | 3 | — |
| Patricia Dees | Board Member | 3 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The fund has announced several significant conservation initiatives:
**Cornerstone Investments:** Made million-dollar cornerstone investments focused on at-risk species including manatees and Guadalupe fur seals
SeaWorld Conservation Fund Makes Million Dollar Cornerstone Investments**Marine Animal Rescue:** Awarded multi-year grants to support marine animal rescue capacity building, including a grant to World Vets for the Galápagos Islands
SeaWorld Conservation Fund Makes Multi-Year Grant to World Vets to Help\**Emergency Response:** Made emergency grants to wildlife organizations impacted by Hurricane Ian and to support endangered African penguin chicks in South Africa following habitat destruction from heavy rains
Following Habitat Destruction from Heavy Rains, SeaWorld Conservation FundThe fund continues to evolve its development efforts to enhance its positioning for future funding and remains open to general inquiries about its work.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund fund?
The foundation supports programs designed to promote: • Species research • Habitat protection • Animal rescue and rehabilitation • Conservation education The fund addresses a wide range of subject areas including biodiversity, wildlife protection, aquatic wildlife protection, wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife sanctuaries, animal welfare, and environmental education. The organization emphasizes the urgency of conservation work, noting that vertebrate populations worldwide dropped by 52% between …
How do I apply for a grant from Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund?
**Grant Sizes & Activity:** • Typical award range: $4,650–$500,000 • Median grant amount: $50,000 • Recent grant activity documented with 17 grants identified in recent filings **Application Approach:** The fund has shifted its grantmaking approach in recent years. It currently employs a proactive funding strategy and is not accepting unsolicited applications for conservation projects at this time. However, the fund maintains an Animal Crisis Program that responds to immediate and evolving wild…
Where does Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund make grants?
Grantmaking is global in scope. Within the United States, funding concentrates in locations where SeaWorld has parks, though this is not a strict requirement. The fund has supported projects in multiple states including Alaska, California, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. International funding has included projects in Namibia, South Africa, and the Galápagos Islands.
What size grants does Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund award?
In 2024, Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund awarded 17 grants totaling $1.9M — an average of about $114K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Princeton, NJ
Assets
$13.4B
Grants
3,093
Total Given
$622.6M
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Washington, DC
Assets
$3.1B
Grants
1,165
Total Given
$432.4M
Publix Super Markets Charities Inc
Lakeland, FL
Assets
$233.8M
Grants
3,269
Total Given
$52.5M
The Community Foundation for
Jacksonville, FL
Assets
$708.7M
Grants
2,470
Total Given
$78.0M
The Miami Foundation Inc
Miami, FL
Assets
$525.0M
Grants
879
Total Given
$57.2M
Community Foundation of Tampa Bay Inc
Tampa, FL
Assets
$1.0B
Grants
698
Total Given
$54.3M
Gulf Coast Community Foundation Inc
Venice, FL
Assets
$533.7M
Grants
651
Total Given
$45.0M
Early Learning Coalition of Broward
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Assets
$15.9M
Grants
636
Total Given
$152.2M
Verizon Foundation
Basking Ridge, NJ
Assets
$23.8M
Grants
5,464
Total Given
$7.0M
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
Assets
—
Grants
9,499
Total Given
$73.1M
The Pfizer Foundation Inc
New York, NY
Assets
$255.3M
Grants
9,306
Total Given
$23.2M
Jpmorgan Chase Foundation
New York, NY
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
10,334
Total Given
$202.5M
More Funders in Florida
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.