Society for Conservation Biology
The Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) is a Washington, DC-based Form 990 (a public charity), formed in 1987. It is an international membership society dedicated to advancing the science and practice of conserving biological diversity. Its giving includes support for applied conservation biology projects at universities and other organizations, as well as awards and fellowships for conservation researchers.
Society for Conservation Biology at a glance
In short: Society for Conservation Biology gave $1.2M across 15 grants in 2025 (avg $81K), top state California. 60% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,216,568
- +14.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 15
- +50.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $81,105
- -23.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $111,185
- Total assets
- $4,067,773
- +10.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 60% first-time grantees (9 of 15, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (19% 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 Society for Conservation Biology
- Next open deadline
- January 31, 2027 (SCB Graduate Student Research Fellowship Awards)
- Contact
Mailing address: 1133 15Th Street Nw 300, Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 234-4133
Website: https://conbio.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Society for Conservation Biology
David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellowship Grant
Society for Conservation Biology
Amount
US $142,100
Deadline
Deadline not published
Marine Conservation Research Small Grants
Society for Conservation Biology
Amount
US $750 - US $1,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
SCB Graduate Student Research Fellowship Awards
Society for Conservation Biology
Amount
$1,000 per award (10 awards annually)
Deadline
Expected ~January
Based on past cycles
Who Society for Conservation Biology funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Michigan State University ($118K). Together the top 10 received $1.0M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($111,714), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
57 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 37 grants of 57 (65%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
SCB describes its membership and community as worldwide. Its graduate student research awards are listed as global across all SCB regions. In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state went to California (19%), Florida (11%), Michigan (10%), Washington, DC (10%), and Indiana (9%). The 2025 itemized grants also included recipients in other states.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Society for Conservation Biology open to new grantees?
60%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 9 of 15 grantees (60%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $72K; repeat grants $95K. How we count
Medians: $110K first-time, $111K repeat.
- 40% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+18%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $994K (2020) to $1.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 15 grants totaling $1.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan State University East Lansing, MI | To Support Applied Conservation Biology | $117,528 |
| Georgetown University Washington, DC | To Support Applied Conservation Biology | $116,329 |
| Purdue University-Sponsored Program Services West Lafayette, IN | To Support Applied Conservation Biology | $114,226 |
| Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FL | To Support Applied Conservation Biology | $113,426 |
| Oregon State University Corvallis, OR | To Support Applied Conservation Biology | $112,140 |
| The University of Chicago Chicago, IL | To Support Applied Conservation Biology | $112,067 |
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $111,714 |
| Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD | To Support Applied Conservation Biology | $111,185 |
| Tulane University New Orleans, LA | To Support Applied Conservation Biology | $110,229 |
| The Regents of the University of California Berkeley, CA | To Support Applied Conservation Biology | $105,305 |
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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 | $4,067,773 | $4,182,998 | $3,676,090 | $1,216,568 | 15 | $228,529 |
| 2024 | $3,689,391 | $3,779,100 | $3,565,447 | $1,060,753 | 10 | $122,160 |
| 2023 | $3,346,962 | $3,843,970 | $3,603,657 | $1,048,814 | 11 | $155,292 |
| 2022 | $3,226,794 | $1,304,879 | $2,782,874 | $1,034,416 | 10 | $18,316 |
| 2021 | $5,000,575 | $1,713,138 | $2,426,201 | $1,007,920 | 11 | $164,982 |
| 2020 | $5,699,715 | $1,597,681 | $2,481,948 | $994,381 | 10 | $126,041 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
SCB’s mission is “to advance the science and practice of conserving Earth’s biological diversity.” Its stated values include excellence, diversity, cooperation, and partnership. Its policy priorities include climate change, scientific integrity, treaties, biological security, and green investing.
The organization’s 2025 filing describes support for applied conservation biology. Its program description also identifies the International Congress for Conservation Biology, three scientific journals, and membership activities intended to strengthen the collective voice of conservation science and inform policy-makers.
SCB’s 2025 grantees included universities and other organizations. For example, Wisdom Good Works describes its mission as sharing scientific expertise to restore ecological balance around the world; Society for Conservation Biology North America describes its mission as connecting students and professionals to advance conservation knowledge and conservation science and practice.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, SCB reported 15 grants totaling $1,216,568. The smallest itemized grant was $12,000, the largest was $117,528, and the median was $111,185. The listed purposes for the largest grants were to support applied conservation biology.
Notable 2025 grantees included Michigan State University ($117,528), Georgetown University ($116,329), Purdue University–Sponsored Program Services ($114,226), Nova Southeastern University ($113,426), Oregon State University ($112,140), and the University of Chicago ($112,067). SCB also reported a $30,674 grant to Wisdom Good Works and a $12,000 grant to Society for Conservation Biology North America.
SCB’s graduate student research awards provide ten annual $1,000 awards to graduate student members for field-research expenses such as travel, materials, and equipment. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and propose research that contributes to SCB’s mission. The organization evaluates applications on merit and considers geography, topic, gender, and other aspects of conservation diversity. The program page states that the 2026 call closes October 15, 2026; a separate program listing gives a January 31, 2027 deadline.
The David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellowship supports two years of applied postdoctoral research, training, networking, and field learning for early-career conservation scientists. The program listing specifies an award amount of $142,100 and describes its focus as global scientists at U.S. institutions working on pressing conservation issues and collaborating with practitioners. SCB’s 2025 filing says applications are reviewed by expertise area, with eight applicants invited to interviews and four awards available. Fellows and sponsoring institutions are required to provide annual reports, including budgets and detailed grant-fund expenses. SCB’s filing also says grants require annual financial and narrative program reports.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Vanessa Adams as president through June 30, 2025, and Mwezi Mugerwa as president beginning July 1, 2025. It also lists Matthew Selinske as president elect; Jennifer Thornhill as treasurer; Jane Vinesky as secretary; Robyn James as DEIJ officer; and Shaili Johri, John Cigliano, and Courtney Melton as directors. Koustubh Sharma is listed as a director through June 30, 2025.
Society for Conservation Biology is led by Vanessa Adams, President since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 3 of 15 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Vanessa Adams
President
Director → President Elect, 2021
President Elect → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mwezi Mugerwa
President
President Elect → President, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Warren Sander
Managing Director
Chief Financial Officer → Managing Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$155K (2021) → $193K (2025)
Nicole Crane
Smith Fellows Program Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$162K (2023) → $158K (2025)
Karla Pelz Serrano
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Cigliano
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Koustubh Sharma
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shaili Johri
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Courtney Melton
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anderson Tate
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nathan Spillman
Deputy Director
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$113K (2024) → $123K (2025)
Jennifer Thornhill
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jane Vinesky
Secretary
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Selinske
President Elect
Director → President Elect, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robyn James
Deij Officer
Director → Deij Officer, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (22)
- Former: Micha Jackson (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Nate Spillman (2023) — Deputy Director
- Former: Shonda Foster (2023) — Smith Fellows Program Director
- Former: Adina Merenlender (2020–2022) — Past President
- Former: Antony Lynam (2020–2022) — President
- Former: Eduardo Gallo Cajiao (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Israel Borokini (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Melissa Price (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Nicola Nelson (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Edward Hind-Oazn (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Erin Poor (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: John Piccolo (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Justin Vaz (2021–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Rebecca McCaffery (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Tsitsi McPherson (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Karen Root (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Kevin Njabo (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Vivek Menon (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Bengt Gunnar Jonnson (2020) — Director
- Former: Edward Hind-Ozan (2020) — Director
- Former: Ellen Hines (2020) — Director
- Former: Lionel Yamb (2020) — Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $193K, to Warren Sander (Managing Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Society for Conservation Biology
How much does Society for Conservation Biology give each year?
Society for Conservation Biology gave $1.2M across 15 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.1M across 10 grants.
What is Society for Conservation Biology's typical grant size?
Society for Conservation Biology's median grant in 2025 was $111,185, and its average grant was $81,105, across 15 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Society for Conservation Biology that year got $72K on average.
Where does Society for Conservation Biology give grants?
Society for Conservation Biology's top state is California, with 19% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Florida (11%) and Michigan (10%).
Does Society for Conservation Biology give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 15 grants with a stated purpose on Society for Conservation Biology's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Support Applied Conservation Biology" (15 grants).
Who are Society for Conservation Biology's largest grantees?
Society for Conservation Biology's largest 2025 grantees include Michigan State University ($117,528), Georgetown University ($116,329) and Purdue University-Sponsored Program Services ($114,226), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($111,714), which are not listed by name. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Society for Conservation Biology?
Society for Conservation Biology reported $4.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.2M.
What does Society for Conservation Biology fund?
SCB’s mission is “to advance the science and practice of conserving Earth’s biological diversity.” Its stated values include excellence, diversity, cooperation, and partnership. Its policy priorities include climate change, scientific integrity, treaties, biological security, and green investing. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Society for Conservation Biology?
Society for Conservation Biology has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check conbio.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Society for Conservation Biology's EIN?
Society for Conservation Biology's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 33-0147824. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 27, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 3, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 18, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 3, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 17, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Society for Conservation Biology funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Society for Conservation Biology's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Society for Conservation Biology funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 29, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/society-for-conservation-biology-morg_00b43b55930c4715a54877979aefc7d4
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_330147824_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Society for Conservation Biology funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/society-for-conservation-biology-morg_00b43b55930c4715a54877979aefc7d4},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-29. 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 Society for Conservation Biology'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.
Society for Conservation Biology down — hundreds of funders to go?