Find Grants for Raptor Rescues

The Complete Guide to Finding and Winning Grants for Raptor Rescue Nonprofits

If you're running or volunteering with a raptor rescue organization, you already know how specialized your work is. Whether you're rehabilitating injured hawks, caring for orphaned owls, or educating the public about birds of prey conservation, your mission is vital—but finding funding that truly fits can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Most grant databases lump wildlife organizations together, making it hard to filter for raptor-specific needs. You might spend hours scrolling through grants meant for marine conservation or domestic animal shelters, only to find one or two that actually match your work. Add in strict eligibility requirements (like needing a wildlife rehabilitation license or specific facility standards), and the process becomes even more frustrating. You're not alone in this—many raptor rescue leaders report spending 10+ hours a week on grant research, often with little to show for it.

Quick Stats About Grants for Raptor Rescues

Wildlife rehabilitation and raptor conservation represent a small but growing segment of environmental philanthropy. According to recent data from the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, there are approximately 300–400 licensed raptor rehabilitation facilities in the U.S., many operating as small nonprofits with budgets under $250,000.

Funding for raptor-specific work typically comes from a mix of wildlife conservation foundations, environmental grant programs, and state fish and wildlife agencies. Competition is significant: specialized raptor grants may receive 50–100+ applications for a single award. However, funders increasingly recognize the educational and ecological value of raptor rescue work, particularly programs that combine rehabilitation with public education and habitat conservation.

How to Find Grants for Raptor Rescues

Finding the right grants doesn't have to consume all your time. Here's a practical approach:

Start with Zeffy's Grant Finder Tool – It's completely free and lets you filter by cause area, location, and eligibility requirements. Unlike generic search engines, it's built specifically for nonprofits and includes grants you won't easily find through Google. You can search for wildlife conservation grants and filter by your state and organization size.

Compare free vs. paid databases strategically – Free resources like Grants.gov are essential for federal and some state opportunities, but they can be overwhelming. Paid platforms like Candid (Foundation Directory) or GrantStation offer more refined searches but cost $50–$150/month. If you're just starting out or have limited capacity, begin with free tools and only upgrade if you're consistently finding relevant opportunities you can realistically pursue.

Use smart filters to narrow your search:

• Eligibility first: Filter by your IRS status (501(c)(3)), geographic service area, and any special licenses (like wildlife rehabilitation permits)
• Mission alignment: Look for keywords like "wildlife rehabilitation," "raptor conservation," "environmental education," or "native species protection"
• Deadlines: Focus on grants with at least 4–6 weeks until the deadline—you'll need time to gather documentation and write a strong application
• Geographic fit: Many wildlife grants are state-specific or regional. Don't waste time on grants that only fund organizations outside your area

Check who previously received the grant – This is one of the most valuable time-savers. If past recipients are all large zoos or university research programs, and you're a small volunteer-run rescue, it's probably not the right fit. Look for grantees similar to your organization in size and scope.

Tips to Win More Grants as a Raptor Rescue Nonprofit

1. Lead with measurable impact, not just stories Funders want to know: How many raptors did you rehabilitate last year? What was your release rate? How many students attended your educational programs? Track these numbers consistently. Instead of writing "we help many injured birds," say "we successfully rehabilitated and released 47 raptors in 2024, including 12 red-tailed hawks and 8 great horned owls, achieving a 73% release rate."

2. Emphasize your educational and conservation value Many funders care as much about public education and habitat protection as they do about individual animal care. Highlight school programs, public presentations, habitat restoration work, or partnerships with wildlife agencies. If you're teaching 500 kids a year about raptor ecology, that's a compelling story.

3. Document your facility standards and licensing Raptor rehabilitation requires specialized permits and facility standards. Make sure your application clearly states your USFWS rehabilitation permit number, state wildlife licenses, and any facility accreditations. Keep photos of your flight cages, treatment areas, and safety protocols ready to include. This builds immediate credibility.

4. Build relationships with state wildlife agencies Many state fish and wildlife departments offer small grants or can connect you with conservation funding. They're also excellent references. If your state wildlife veterinarian or regional biologist knows your work, ask if they'd be willing to provide a letter of support for grant applications.

5. Show your volunteer leverage Most raptor rescues run on volunteer power. Funders love to see this—it means their dollars go further. If you have 15 active volunteers contributing 1,200 hours annually, calculate the in-kind value (typically $25–$30/hour) and include it. This demonstrates community support and efficient use of resources.

6. Address the "what happens after the grant" question Small grants often fund specific projects (like building a new flight cage or buying medical equipment). Be clear about how you'll maintain or sustain the project after grant funds are spent. Will volunteer labor handle maintenance? Do you have other revenue streams? Funders want to know their investment will have lasting impact.

7. Keep a "wins and stats" document updated Create a simple document with your most impressive numbers, recent successes, media coverage, and testimonials. Update it quarterly. When a grant application asks "describe your organization's impact," you'll have current data ready to copy and paste instead of scrambling to remember details.

How to Tell If a Grant Is a Good Fit

Before investing hours in an application, run through this checklist:

• ✅ Do you meet the basic eligibility requirements? (IRS status, location, organization type, required licenses)
• ✅ Does the grant align with your specific programs? (rehabilitation, education, conservation—not just "wildlife" in general)
• ✅ Are the funding amounts realistic for your capacity? (A $100,000 grant with complex reporting may not be worth it if you're a $50,000/year organization)
• ✅ Can you use the funds for your actual needs? (Some grants only fund equipment or education, not animal care or operating costs)
• ✅ Are the reporting requirements manageable? (Quarterly reports, site visits, detailed financial tracking—can your team handle this?)
• ✅ Is the deadline realistic given your current workload? (If you're in peak baby season and the application is due in 3 weeks, it might not be the right time)
• ✅ Do past grant recipients look like your organization? (Similar size, mission, and structure—not just the same cause area)
• ✅ Is the funder reputable and stable? (Established foundations and government programs are safer bets than brand-new private funds)

Grant-Related Keywords & Search Tags

When searching grant databases like Zeffy, Grants.gov, or Candid's Foundation Directory, use these specific search terms to find relevant opportunities:

Primary keywords:

• "raptor rehabilitation grants"
• "birds of prey conservation funding"
• "wildlife rehabilitation grants"
• "native species conservation"
• "environmental education grants"

Secondary keywords:

• "migratory bird conservation"
• "wildlife rescue funding"
• "habitat restoration grants"
• "conservation education programs"
• "endangered species grants" (if you work with threatened raptor species)

Location-specific searches:

• "[Your state] wildlife grants"
• "[Your state] conservation funding"
• "regional environmental grants [your region, e.g., Pacific Northwest, Great Lakes]"

Program-specific tags:

• "animal care facility grants" (for equipment/facility needs)
• "youth environmental education" (if you run school programs)
• "volunteer program funding" (for volunteer training and support)

---

Ready to start your search? Try Zeffy's Grant Finder Tool—it's free, built specifically for nonprofits like yours, and lets you filter by cause, location, and eligibility so you can spend less time searching and more time caring for raptors.