The Wildcat Foundation
The Wildcat Foundation is a private foundation based in Fort Worth, Texas. Its 2024 filing reports grants for wildlife law enforcement and conservation projects, including work in Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Namibia.
The Wildcat Foundation at a glance
In short: The Wildcat Foundation gave $10.1M across 22 grants in 2024 (avg $457K), top state New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $10,050,128
- -19.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 22
- -18.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $456,824
- -1.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $452,568
- Total assets
- $6,080,529
- -48.8% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (39% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Wildcat Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 301 Commerce Street Suite 3150, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Phone: (817) 871-4063
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Wildcat Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Empowers Africa ($3.6M across 12 grants). Together the top 9 received $10.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
176 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 55 grants of 176 (31%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grants went to recipients in New York (39% of grant dollars), California (23%), Washington, DC (19%), Virginia (11%), and New Jersey (4%). Grant purposes described projects in Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Namibia, as well as investigations and law enforcement activities across the African continent.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 22 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Wildcat Foundation gives
- Giving fell 43% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $10.1M (2024) to $17.6M (2021). In 2024 it made 22 grants totaling $10.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pams Foundation Inc Eureka, CA | To support the wildlife law enforcement activities of the special intelligence program of the PAMS foundation in Tanzania. | $1,175,075 |
| Pams Foundation Inc Eureka, CA | (1) DESCRIPTION: 23,200 SHARES OF TPG, INC. SECURITIES (2) BOOK VALUE: $810,260 (3) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE BOOK VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE RECEIVED BY THE FOUNDATION. (4) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE FAIR MARKET VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE DONATED. (5) DATE OF THE GIFT: 08/30/2024 (6) PURPOSE: To support the wildlife law enforcement activities of the special intelligence program of the PAMS foundation in Tanzania. | $1,161,972 |
| Eagle - US Alexandria, VA | To conduct investigations and related law enforcement activities across the african continent. | $1,000,000 |
| Empowers Africa New York, NY | To support efforts to combat illegal wildlife activity throughout Zimbabwe and regionally where government mandate is in place. | $822,720 |
| Frankfurt Zoological Society - US Washington, DC | (1) DESCRIPTION: 14,000 SHARES OF TPG INC. SECURITIES (2) BOOK VALUE: $488,950 (3) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE BOOK VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE RECEIVED BY THE FOUNDATION. (4) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE FAIR MARKET VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE DONATED. (5) DATE OF THE GIFT: 08/28/2024 (6) PURPOSE: To support the protection efforts of Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe, with an emphasis on security for iconic populations of elephant, rhino, and lion. | $704,900 |
| Frankfurt Zoological Society - US Washington, DC | to support the protection efforts of North Luangwa National Park, Zambia, with an emphasis on security for iconic populations of elephant, black rhino, and lion. | $678,000 |
| Save the Rhino International Inc New York, NY | To support the wildlife law enforcement activities of the north luangwa conservation project in zambia. | $527,160 |
| Empowers Africa New York, NY | To support the ongoing counter illegal wildlife trafficking efforts in Malawi. | $520,000 |
| Center for Advanced Defense Studies Washington, DC | (1) description: 5,920 shares of costar group, inc. Securities (2) book value: $510,452 (3) method used to determine book value: average of the high/low on the date the securities were received by the foundation. (4) method used to determine fair market value: average of the high/low on the date the securities were donated. (5) date of the gift: 04/22/2024 (6) purpose: to support the ongoing efforts of iwt wildcat grantees for the wildlife crimes program: strengthening the network. | $501,513 |
| Empowers Africa New York, NY | (1) description: 5,705 shares of costar group inc. Securities (2) book value: $409,287 (3) method used to determine book value: average of the high/low on the date the securities were received by the foundation. (4) method used to determine fair market value: average of the high/low on the date the securities were donated. (5) date of the gift: 04/18/2024 (6) purpose: to support forgetten parks in its efforts to protect and restore the integrity of upemba national park, democratic republic of congo. | $485,838 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $6,080,529 | $11,305,894 | $10,491,922 | $10,050,128 | 22 | $10,334,872 | $7,117,418 | $277,409 |
| 2023 | $11,866,782 | $21,378,096 | $13,101,191 | $12,501,677 | 27 | $12,997,645 | $11,249,302 | $42,896 |
| 2022 | $2,003,185 | $19,422,720 | $17,303,778 | $16,718,532 | 37 | $17,300,054 | $579,034 | $74,662 |
| 2021 | $836,895 | $18,132,970 | $18,009,732 | $17,558,088 | 46 | $18,006,232 | — | $78,028 |
| 2020 | $982,370 | $16,841,484 | $16,978,454 | $16,576,003 | 44 | — | $349,870 | $192,406 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Wildcat Foundation reported a distributable amount of $277K 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 2024 filing lists grants supporting wildlife law enforcement, anti-illegal-wildlife activity, and protection of national parks and wildlife populations. Grantees’ own descriptions provide further context: PAMS Foundation says it supports qualifying nonprofit organizations in Africa, with a focus on Tanzanian charities working in conservation and environmental education. Frankfurt Zoological Society–US says its main purpose is conserving wilderness and biodiversity worldwide. Save the Rhino International says it collaborates with partners to support endangered rhinos in Africa and Asia.
Grantmaking
The foundation reported 22 grants totaling $10,050,128 in 2024. The median grant was $452,568; individual grants ranged from $14,077 to $1,175,075.
Among the largest reported grants were $1,175,075 and $1,161,972 to PAMS Foundation for wildlife law enforcement activities in Tanzania; $1,000,000 to EAGLE–US for investigations and related law enforcement activities across Africa; and $822,720 to Empowers Africa for efforts to combat illegal wildlife activity in Zimbabwe and regionally. Other large grants included $704,900 to Frankfurt Zoological Society–US for protection efforts in Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe, and $678,000 to the same organization for protection efforts in North Luangwa National Park, Zambia.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists David Bonderman as director and Sherri Conn as CFO. Cale Bonderman and Django Bonderman are listed as trustees. The filing also lists Samantha B. Holloway, Richard Schifter, Kelvin L. Davis, Maria Eitel, and Nicole Mollo as trustees until April 2024.
The Wildcat Foundation's 2024 filing lists 9 officers; 1 of 9 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Nicole Mollo
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$259K (2024)
David Bonderman
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Cale Bonderman
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Django Bonderman
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Kelvin L Davis
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Maria Eitel
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Richard Schifter
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Samantha B Holloway
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Sherri Conn
CFO
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
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 $259K, to Nicole Mollo (Trustee until 04/2024).
Frequently asked questions about The Wildcat Foundation
How much does The Wildcat Foundation give each year?
The Wildcat Foundation gave $10.1M across 22 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $12.5M across 27 grants.
What is The Wildcat Foundation's typical grant size?
The Wildcat Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $452,568, and its average grant was $456,824, across 22 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Wildcat Foundation give grants?
The Wildcat Foundation's top state is New York, with 39% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (23%) and District of Columbia (19%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (13 grants), Washington, DC (3 grants) and Eureka, CA (2 grants).
Does The Wildcat Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 22 grants with a stated purpose on The Wildcat Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Wildcat Foundation's largest grantees?
The Wildcat Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Empowers Africa ($3,586,262 across 12 grants), Pams Foundation Inc ($2,337,047 across 2 grants) and Frankfurt Zoological Society - US ($1,382,900 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 73% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Wildcat Foundation?
The Wildcat Foundation reported $6.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $10.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $277K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Wildcat Foundation fund?
The 2024 filing lists grants supporting wildlife law enforcement, anti-illegal-wildlife activity, and protection of national parks and wildlife populations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Wildcat Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Wildcat Foundation's EIN?
The Wildcat Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-6518655. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Wildcat Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Wildcat Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-wildcat-foundation-morg_a7345e69a37c44308e35991d7dffd167
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_456518655_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Wildcat Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-wildcat-foundation-morg_a7345e69a37c44308e35991d7dffd167},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 The Wildcat Foundation'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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