What We Do

Since our creation by Congress in 1984, NFWF has grown to become the nation’s largest private conservation foundation. We work with both the public and private sectors to protect and restore our nation’s fish, wildlife, plants and habitats for current and future generations.

NFWF supports conservation efforts across all 50 states and U.S. territories. Since our founding, we've funded over 22,100 rigorously evaluated projects, awarded to both large environmental organizations and small local initiatives. We do not fund advocacy or litigation, and do not conduct membership campaigns. Instead, we focus on achieving results and building a better future for our world.

How We Work

NFWF specializes in bringing all parties to the table - including individuals, government agencies, nonprofits and corporations. Together, we protect and restore imperiled species, promote healthy oceans and estuaries, improve working landscapes for wildlife, advance sustainable fisheries and conserve water for wildlife and people.

This collaborative strategy has led to financial commitments exceeding $10 billion for our conservation mission. We currently partner with 15 federal agencies and more than 53 corporate and foundation entities.

The Foundation’s IDEA (Impact-Directed Environmental Accounts) department manages a nationwide portfolio of accounts arising from legal and regulatory actions involving natural resources and the environment. The portfolio consists of several hundred distinct accounts reflecting underlying proceedings at the federal, state and local levels. Most IDEA accounts are established to manage funds arising from the settlement of enforcement actions involving natural resources and the environment or funds arising in connection with permit-required mitigation for environmental impacts.

NFWF is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We are governed by a 30-member Board of Directors approved by the Secretary of the Interior.