What we can achieve with your support
We are facing the first mass extinction of biodiversity since the age of the dinosaurs, and studies warn that within 30 years our oceans could contain more plastic than fish. The need for urgent action has never been greater.
At ZSL, our global conservation work is only possible thanks to the generosity of charitable trusts, foundations, and grant-making bodies worldwide. Your support enables us to deliver transformative impact — from restoring ecosystems and protecting species on the brink of extinction, to working hand-in-hand with communities so people and wildlife can thrive together.
Grants and unrestricted funding also sustain our two conservation zoos, the world-renowned Institute of Zoology, and our field programmes across more than 70 countries. Together, these initiatives form a powerful force for global biodiversity.
Our Institutional Fundraising Team is dedicated to building strong, lasting partnerships with funders. For example, ZSL is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Since 2018, players have raised an incredible £6,298,409 to support evidence-based solutions that really work – for wildlife and people.
We ensure every pound entrusted to us achieves maximum impact for wildlife and nature, and we provide our partners with regular updates, tailored reporting, and invitations to exclusive events.
For grant-makers based in the United States, support for ZSL can also be directed through our partner organisation, ZSL America, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit.
Impact made possible through the generosity of our trusts and foundations partners
Protecting Species
Hainan Gibbon Conservation
The Hainan gibbon is the world’s rarest ape, rarest primate, and possibly the rarest mammal species. ZSL is helping develop a more secure future for this Critically Endangered primate through developing new monitoring technologies for the surviving population and reconnecting the fragmented Chinese forest landscape to allow wider gibbon movement and dispersal. This work couldn’t take place without support from the Arcus Foundation.
Restoring Habitats
Wild Oysters
Across the UK, wild native oysters have declined by over 95%; however, healthy oyster beds are hugely productive and help a rich biodiversity of associated species to thrive, as well as cleaning pollutants from the water. With support from Players of People’s Postcode Lottery and the Dream Fund, the ‘Wild Oysters’ project recreated vital habitat for these “ocean superheroes” around the UK coast, helping recover native oyster populations, in turn lead to cleaner water, healthier fisheries and plentiful marine biodiversity in Britain. The is project was a major step forward towards achieving a self-sustaining population of native oysters and a legacy for oyster recovery in the UK.
Training conservationists
EDGE (Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered) Fellowships
One of the most powerful ways the EDGE of Existence programme protects the world’s most unique and threatened species is by investing in people. Through the EDGE Fellowship, we support, strengthen, and diversify global conservation leadership — placing resources directly in the hands of early-career conservationists working in regions around the world with exceptional biodiversity.
The Fellowship is a transformative capacity-sharing programme that equips emerging leaders with the skills, networks, and support they need to drive conservation action for EDGE species. Fellows become lifelong champions for biodiversity, leading efforts to protect nature and inspire change in their countries and beyond. Fondation Segré are one of many Foundations to have supported this programme over the years.
Creating change
Supported Volunteer Scheme at London Zoo
ZSL has a long-running volunteer programme at each of our conservation zoos, allowing individuals to volunteer on site and learn valuable skills to increase employability from meaningful work experience. John Lyon’s Charity is supporting the expansion of this programme with the Supported Volunteering Scheme – allowing greater support to young people and young adults with learning disabilities and/or Special Educational needs (SEND) who could not volunteer without additional support. This valuable work is promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities for a wider range of the local community.
Increasing Access to Nature
Nature is not a nice-to-have. The evidence is clear - children who spend time in natural spaces have better mental health, stronger immunity, improved attention, and deeper resilience. They’re calmer, healthier, and more connected to the world around them.
This is why The Steel Charitable Trust is supporting a three-year pilot project aiming to increase biodiversity in the grounds of three Luton schools, alongside building teachers’ capacity to teach in and about nature, benefiting over 1,800 students. This will enable students to gain a deeper understanding of and interest in biodiversity, sustainability and climate change, as well as foster green skills. Additionally, by increasing the understanding and confidence of school staff responsible for developing schools’ climate action plans, we will create impact that lasts beyond this project. Ultimately, ZSL aims for this project to produce a model that can then be replicated with other schools in the local area and across the UK.
Get in touch
We’d love to explore how we can work together to create a world where wildlife thrives. If you represent a trust or foundation and would like to learn more about our projects, impact, and opportunities to partner with ZSL, our team would be delighted to hear from you.
Email: institutional.fundraising@zsl.org
Phone: 02074996631
Together we can achieve our vision of a world where wildlife thrives.