NFWF

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is a prominent non-profit organization established by Congress in 1984, dedicated to the conservation and restoration of fish, wildlife, and plant species across the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., NFWF operates by forging unique public-private partnerships, leveraging federal conservation dollars with matching contributions from corporations, foundations, and individuals to fund critical conservation projects.

NFWF's operational model is centered on grant-making rather than venture capital investment. The foundation receives funding from various sources, including federal agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA, and the USDA, as well as significant private sector contributions. These funds are then strategically deployed as grants to a diverse range of recipients, including non-profit organizations, government agencies, academic institutions, and tribal governments, all working on on-the-ground conservation efforts. Since its inception, NFWF has awarded more than $8.1 billion in conservation grants, which have successfully leveraged an additional $29.7 billion in matching contributions, demonstrating its substantial impact and reach in the conservation sector.

It is important to clarify that NFWF does not function as a venture capital firm or an equity investor. Its financial support is exclusively provided through grants for conservation projects, not through equity investments in startups or businesses. Therefore, the concepts of "first cheque" sizes, typical for venture capital analysis, do not apply to NFWF's funding activities, as it does not engage in traditional venture capital funding rounds or seek equity returns.