Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California, dedicated to protecting endangered wildlife by supporting conservationists worldwide. Founded in 2002, WCN operates as a global network that works with conservation partners on every continent to ensure wildlife and people can coexist and thrive.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$65.5M
+4.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$7.3M
+238.5% YoY
Grant Count
12
+9.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$611K
+210.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: WCN protects endangered wildlife by supporting conservationists who ensure wildlife and people coexist and thrive.
WCN's primary focus areas include:
Wildlife Programs – Direct support to field-based conservation partners with long-term commitment to endangered flagship species across over 40 countries. Support includes grants for reducing human-wildlife conflict, improving wildlife-friendly livestock and land management, developing alternative livelihood programs, wildlife monitoring, anti-poaching efforts, building capacity in protected areas, and community education.
Public Education and Outreach – Informing the public about wildlife conservation challenges and community-based solutions through annual Wildlife Conservation events (including the Wildlife Conservation Expo), newsletters, and website content.
Rising Wildlife Leaders – Programs that empower local conservationists by providing funding, training, and mentorship to strengthen the future of conservation.
Wildlife Funds – Strategic funding mechanisms that pool donations to deliver flexible support across species ranges.
Grantmaking
WCN operates a 100% donation model, passing on 100% of designated funds directly to the field. The organization provides both short-term and long-term grants to conservation partners and associates.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
WCN supports conservation work across over 40 countries on every continent, with documented focus regions including:
- Africa
- Asia
- Latin America
- Multi-continent initiatives
- North America
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Fiscal Year (2024):
- Total Revenues: $56,733,972
- Total Expenses: $49,289,995
- Total Assets: $65,489,047
- Number of Employees: 34
Prior Year (2023):
- Revenue: $52.5 million
- Expenses: $43.8 million
- Total Assets: $62.7 million
- Total Liabilities: $14.1 million
WCN maintains a four-star rating from independent charity evaluators, with a 100% overall score reflecting strong accountability, finance management, leadership, and community engagement.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $65,489,047 | $62,726,043 | $50,010,820 |
| Revenue | $56,733,972 | $52,477,979 | $45,968,706 |
| Expenses | $49,289,995 | $43,826,527 | $40,939,313 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $2,429,629 | $1,457,807 | $243,382 |
| 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
65 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Wildlife Conservation Network Inc
Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders (EWCL) Grant
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION NETWORK INC
Amount
Unspecified amount in in-kind support
Deadline
Rolling / Open
The Rising Wildlife Leaders - Amazonia Program Grant
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION NETWORK INC
Amount
Up to US $7,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
WCN Scholarship Program
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION NETWORK INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- President: Charles Knowles
- Chief Executive Officer: Jean-Gael Collomb
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHARLES KNOWLES | CHAIRMAN/PRESIDENT | 40 | — |
| BILL UNGER | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| REBECCA PATTON | VICE PRESIDENT | 15 | — |
| MARGARET MCCARTHY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DAVID BERGER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ROSAMIRA GUILLEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHRISTINE HEMRICK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PETER LALAMPAA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JEAN-GAEL EMPTAZ-COLLOMB | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 40 | $243,000 |
| ALICE JONES | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $183,043 |
| ANNE TRELA | CHIEF GROWTH OFFICER | 40 | $222,961 |
| STEPHANIE CARNOW | SENIOR DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS | 40 | $139,289 |
| PAUL THOMSON | SENIOR DIRECTOR OF CONSERVATION PROGRAMS | 40 | $139,151 |
| KELLY WILSON | VP OF CONSERVATION ENGAGEMENT | 40 | $137,197 |
| MELISSA MURRAY NEE FENTON | HEAD OF CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS | 40 | $128,453 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
WCN has announced recent grant distributions through its specialized wildlife funds, including:
Latest ECF Grants Powering Elephant Protection in Africa \u2022 Wildlife\Latest grants powering elephant protection initiatives across Africa through the Elephant Crisis Fund
Latest ECF Grants Powering Elephant Protection in Africa \u2022 Wildlife\Updates to the Rhino Recovery Fund, Pangolin Crisis Fund, Painted Dog Fund, and Lion Recovery Fund
Addition of three new conservation partners to the WCN network
WCN Adds Three New Conservation Partners \u2022 Wildlife Conservation NetworkThe organization publishes regular impact reports and fund updates, with 2025 reports available for multiple wildlife initiatives including the Rhino Recovery Fund, Pangolin Crisis Fund, Painted Dog Fund, Lion Recovery Fund, and Elephant Crisis Fund.
Latest ECF Grants Powering Elephant Protection in Africa \u2022 Wildlife\Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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