Memorial Bear Fund Grant

The Memorial Bear Fund Grant honors the legacy of biologists and a pilot who lost their lives during wildlife research in Wyoming. Administered by the Wyoming Community Foundation, it supports bear research, habitat protection, and education for all bear species. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving Wyoming, while ineligible applications include those with outstanding reports or requests for lobbying. The grant prioritizes impactful, well-prepared projects that ensure lasting benefits.

The Memorial Bear Fund (MBF) was set up in 1992 to honor the memory of biologists Kirk Inberg and Kevin Roy and pilot Ray Austin. All three were lost while conducting a grizzly bear flight in northwest Wyoming in 1991. Pilot Fred Reed was also lost in a plane crash in northwest Wyoming in 1995 and the MBF is intended to honor their memory.
The Memorial Bear Fund is administered by the Wyoming Wildlife Foundation and supports research, habitat protection, education, and other projects for all species of bears. Projects will be evaluated based on likelihood of success, project readiness, availability of matching funds, significance at local/state/regional level, duration of benefits and adequacy of monitoring.

Eligibility

Nonprofit organizations currently recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and in good standing with the IRS are eligible to apply for grants that benefit Wyoming.Additionally, the WYCF makes grants to other exempt organizations and public institutions as long as the purpose for which funds have been requested falls under the IRS definition of charitable.

Ineligibility

Applications from organizations with outstanding final reports from prior grants will not be considered.Grants cannot be made to individualsRequests for funds to support direct lobbying activities are ineligible for Community Foundation grants.