The Wildcat Foundation
The Wildcat Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation established by the late David Bonderman, co-founder of TPG Capital. Based in Fort Worth, Texas, the foundation received tax-exempt status in August 2014. The foundation's primary mission is to help save and provide for the long-term conservation of endangered wildlife and wild places in Africa, with a strategic focus on anti-poaching and wildlife conservation efforts, particularly combating ivory and rhino horn trafficking.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$10.1M
-19.6% YoY
Grant Count
22
-18.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$457K
-1.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Wildcat Foundation's mission centers on wildlife and wild places conservation in Africa. Primary funding priorities include:
- Wildlife conservation and anti-poaching efforts
- Combating ivory and rhino horn trafficking
- Wildlife law enforcement activities
- Conservation initiatives across African countries
The foundation has been a strategic partner of African Parks since 2014, investing in eight parks across seven countries.
Grantmaking
The foundation made 44 grants in 2024. Notable recent grants include:
Grant Range
s & Range:**
Average Grant
$451,900
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Wildcat Foundation funds conservation efforts across:
- 18 African countries (as of 2022)
- United States
- Vietnam
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024):
- Total Assets: $6,080,529
- Total Revenues: $11,305,894
- Total Expenses: $10,491,922
- Total Giving: $10,050,128
Historical Financial Data (2023):
- Total Assets: $11,900,000
- Total Revenues: $21,400,000
- Total Expenses: $13,100,000
Annual Giving:
- 2021: $17,000,000
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
176 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Pams Foundation Inc ($1,175,075), Pams Foundation Inc ($1,161,972), Eagle - Us ($1,000,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AFRICAN PARK NETWORK US NEW YORK, NY | TO SUPPORT THE PROTECTION EFFORTS IN KAFUE NATIONAL PARK, ZAMBIA. | $215,979 |
| EAGLE - US ALEXANDRIA, VA | TO CONDUCT INVESTIGATIONS AND RELATED LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES ACROSS THE AFRICAN CONTINENT. | $1,000,000 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 efforts to combat illegal wildlife activity throughout Zimbabwe and regionally where government mandate is in place. | $822,720 |
| HOUSTON ZOO INC HOUSTON, TX | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR NIASSA CARNIVORE PROJECT'S ANTI-POACHING WORK IN THE NIASSA NATIONAL RESERVE, MOZAMBIQUE. | $388,627 |
| EMPOWERS AFRICA New York, NY | TO SUPPORT THE WILDLIFE ANTI-TRAFFICKING ACTIVITIES OF THE LILONGWE WILDLIFE TRUST IN MALAWI. | $390,000 |
| ENV WILDFIRE CONSERVATION TRUST Warrentonm, VA | Strengthening efforts in Vietnam to target major criminal networks trafficking in ivory and rhino horn from Africa. | $110,640 |
| EMPOWERS AFRICA New York, NY | to support fund the purchase of a comprehensive ranger and scout training program in Mozambique with an added emphasis on human rights. | $34,791 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
David Bonderman - Founder and Director (1942-2024)
Following David Bonderman's death in December 2024, his legacy continues through the foundation's ongoing support for critical conservation efforts.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAVID BONDERMAN | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| SHERRI CONN | CFO | — | — |
| Cale Bonderman | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| Django Bonderman | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| Samantha B Holloway | Trustee until 04/2024 | — | — |
| Richard Schifter | Trustee until 04/2024 | — | — |
| Kelvin L Davis | Trustee until 04/2024 | — | — |
| Maria Eitel | Trustee until 04/2024 | — | — |
| Nicole Mollo | Trustee until 04/2024 | 40 | $258,718 |
Contact Information
Address: The Wildcat Foundation c/o Sherri Conn 301 Commerce Street, Suite 3150 Fort Worth, TX 76102
Phone: (817) 871-4063
Email: info@wildcatfoundation.net
Website: https://www.thewildcatfoundation.us/
EIN: 45-6518655
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Wildcat Foundation fund?
The Wildcat Foundation's mission centers on wildlife and wild places conservation in Africa. Primary funding priorities include: • Wildlife conservation and anti-poaching efforts • Combating ivory and rhino horn trafficking • Wildlife law enforcement activities • Conservation initiatives across African countries The foundation has been a strategic partner of African Parks since 2014, investing in eight parks across seven countries.
How do I apply for a grant from The Wildcat Foundation?
**Grant Sizes & Range:** • Typical grant awards range from $50,000 to $1,000,000 • Median grant size: $419,000 • Average grant size: $451,900 **Recent Grant Activity:** The foundation made 44 grants in 2024. Notable recent grants include: • $1,175,075 to PAMS Foundation for wildlife law enforcement activities and the Special Intelligence Program in Tanzania (2024) The foundation offers project grants to support conservation work across its focus areas.
Where does The Wildcat Foundation make grants?
The Wildcat Foundation funds conservation efforts across: • 18 African countries (as of 2022) • United States • Vietnam
What size grants does The Wildcat Foundation award?
In 2024, The Wildcat Foundation awarded 22 grants totaling $10.1M — an average of about $457K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Wildcat Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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