Helping People.
Saving Gorillas.
The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is the world’s largest and longest-running organization fully dedicated to the conservation of gorillas. We have helped bring gorillas back from the brink of extinction. But we need your help to do more. As a non profit, 100% of our support comes from donors like you. Thank you for considering an investment in some of our greatest needs.
Your support will save gorillas.
Our Greatest Needs
for the future of gorillas.
Below are a few of our greatest needs – things that we know will increase our capacity to help people and save gorillas.
Educating Local Communities
$10,000
Conservation education is key to conservation success. The Fossey Fund engages with people of all ages – from primary school students to community leaders – to increase their understanding of the importance of conserving gorillas and the environment. Programs include school nature clubs, conservation debates, conservation camps, community meetings, citizen science activities and field trips to our Ellen Campus. In total, our education programs engage more than 10,000 people per year.
Investing in the Next Generation of Conservationists
$20,000
The Fossey Fund is committed to training the next generation of conservationists in Africa and beyond with the skill sets needed to face the conservation challenges of the future. Training sessions at our new Ellen Campus are taught by national and international specialists. Participants live on campus during the trainings, and all expenses (food, lodging, travel) are covered by the Fossey Fund.
Enhancing Food Security and Livelihood Initiatives
$30,000
Our mission is “Helping People and Saving Gorillas” because we know for gorillas to thrive, people must thrive as well. Each year, we work with hundreds of people living adjacent to Volcanoes National Park through programs aimed at increasing food security and livelihood opportunities – from establishing kitchen gardens and tree nurseries, to developing small-enterprise programs, such as mushroom cultivation, and distributing livestock.
Supporting Our Gorilla Protection Teams
$50,000
Saving gorillas is an investment. The Fossey Fund’s more than 150 field staff in Rwanda and eastern Congo are in the forest 365 days a year protecting gorillas, removing snares and collecting critical data for the management and conservation of the forests. We know from our research that this extreme conservation is key to the success of the mountain gorilla recovery from near extinction just a few decades ago. Keeping teams in the field requires an investment in key items for our team, like field gear, equipment such as GPS units and data collection devices, food, transport, tents and sleeping bags.
Creating a Legacy
$1,000,000+
Fifty-five years ago Dian Fossey was tasked with protecting gorillas and their habitat and it is our mission at the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to carry on that legacy. Join us in ensuring our global future through expanded conservation efforts that will continue beyond our lifetimes. Together we will develop the most impactful and meaningful ways that fulfill your vision and ours – a gift that supports our critical work helping people, saving gorillas and ultimately our planet.
Examples include:
- Naming opportunity for future capital projects at our Ellen DeGeneres Campus
- Endowment funding to enable our work of Saving Gorillas and Helping People so we can continue for another 55 years
- Scholarship opportunities to build the next generation of African Scientists
- Investing in the people living near the gorillas to improve their lives and reduce their dependence on the gorillas’ forest home
Donations up to $25k can be made through our online portal or you can contact us at [email protected] for other giving options.
Other Ways To Give
Contributions can be made in many ways. Explore all the options below.
Adopt a Gorilla
Symbolically adopt a gorilla that we protect and you will receive updates on your newest family member.
Planned Giving
Support the work of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund during your lifetime and beyond with wills, gifts of stock, IRAs, and more.
Workplace Donations
Many employers match their employees’ tax-deductible gifts to organizations they care about! Make your donation go even further by checking to see if your employer has a matching gift program.
Give Monthly
Join our Conservation Crew – our dedicated group of monthly donors – who ensure that our teams have regular ongoing support for their boots-on-the-ground protection efforts.
Become a Member of Our Digit Society
The Digit Society is a group of donors whose support of the Fossey Fund embodies the spirit of Dian Fossey’s favorite gorilla – Digit. Digit Society members ensure the survival of gorillas through annual gifts of $10,000 and more.
