IDEA WILD: Small Equipment Grants

IDEA WILD: Small Equipment Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: IDEA WILD
Amount: Up to US $1,500 in in-kind support
Last Updated: October 01, 2025

Summary

IDEA WILD offers small equipment grants to empower conservation professionals worldwide, enhancing their ability to conduct essential biological research and conservation education. With over $300,000 in equipment distributed annually, the program prioritizes projects that demonstrate strong conservation impacts. It focuses on supporting professionals in developing countries, where a grant can significantly impact conservation efforts. Since 1991, IDEA WILD has supported over 4,500 projects in 100 countries, fostering biodiversity and sustainability through innovative management practices.

Overview

Background Biodiversity is the variety of species on Earth (including all plants, animals, fungi, and micro-organisms) and is the very foundation of human existence. Biodiversity has provided humankind with healthy ecosystems, food, fiber, pharmaceuticals, pollination, and peace of mind for thousands of years. IDEA WILD seeks to minimize the loss of biodiversity by empowering people on the front lines of conservation by awarding small equipment grants to conservation professionals around the world. These equipment grants advance biological research, conservation education, community outreach, conservation management, field training, and professional development in areas where it is needed most. By empowering both aspiring and veteran conservation professionals, IDEA WILD has been instrumental in establishing new protected areas, reversing the decline of species through innovative management plans, restoring damaged and critical habitat, and improving how local communities support and sustain their immediate natural resources. Each year, IDEA WILD distributes over $300,000 worth of equipment – including digital cameras, spotting scopes, mist nets, tents, binoculars, and GPS units – to over 400 conservation projects worldwide. IDEA WILD receives equipment requests daily and prioritizes these requests based on conservation impact, recipient need, and project location. Additional consideration is given to projects in areas identified as critical biodiversity hotspots. IDEA WILD focuses its support on professionals working in developing countries where other sources of support are limited or nonexistent, and where a $750 equipment grant is often equivalent to several months’ salary. In over twenty years, IDEA WILD has developed a unique and effective model for empowering conservation and has successfully implemented it in areas of the world where it will have the most impact. IDEA WILD originally initiated equipment grants for conservation relief efforts in Mexico, Central America, Colombia, and Venezuela. Subsequently, IDEA WILD expanded its scope to include the Caribbean, Madagascar, Southeast Asia and numerous countries throughout Africa and South America. Since its inception in 1991, IDEA WILD has successfully supported over 4,500 conservation projects in over 100 countries. Because recipients pass on their equipment to at least two other conservation efforts, it is estimated that IDEA WILD has effectively served over 13,500 conservation projects around the globe.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. IDEA WILD accepts proposals from ALL countries.You must have a valid US contact who can receive your equipment (lower 48 states preferred).The total cost of your equipment must be below $1500.

Ineligibility

We do not provide money for scholarships and travel to conferences.