Local expertise is the most powerful conservation tool. Let's back it.
HCF funds conservation work that traditional philanthropy often overlooks. Work rooted in local expertise, community knowledge, and the people closest to the problem.
We connect it with people like you and help it move forward.
Most funders want a finished pitch. We help from the beginning and stay invested.
HCF exists for the moment before all that becomes necessary.
When you know what needs to happen and have the expertise to lead it but the financial backing hasn't arrived yet.
If you're doing real conservation work in a place you know, you shouldn't have to:
Wait for years until your idea is "polished enough."
Compete with established organizations for traditional funding.
Translate your local knowledge into funder language.
Pretend you have resources you don't have.
Simple, direct, and built around conversation.
Reach out
Tell us who you are, what you're working on, and what you need. No formal application required to start. An email, text, or a call works.
We connect
If there's alignment, we'll set up a conversation. We want to understand your work directly, from the people doing it.
We decide together
If we're a fit, we'll discuss what support looks like: funding amount, timeline, and what we can offer beyond the grant.
We get to work
Funding moves fast. We stay in the picture as a partner, a sounding board, and a connector as the project grows.
These are the kinds of projects we partner with.
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Blue Ocean Society
HCF supported Blue Ocean Society's work from 2021 to 2025, turning microplastics research into action through participatory science tools, education, and public engagement.
Georgia Conservancy
HCF is supporting Georgia Conservancy's Tender Giants Initiative, helping launch a National Geographic Explorer-led effort to bring people closer to North Atlantic right whales and build public support for their recovery.
Global Coralition
HCF is co-funding Global Coralition's Indonesia expansion alongside Ma Earth and other partners, supporting a locally led effort to restore coral reefs through science, community partnerships, and innovative restoration strategies.
Does this sound like what you're looking for?
We'd love to hear about your work. No pitch deck required. Just tell us what you're doing and what you're facing.
Your work doesn't depend on us. But we're here if we can help. And whether we end up partners or not, keep going, our planet is better cared for because of what you're doing.
Common questions from grantees.
No. We believe in conversations first. An email or a call works. If there's alignment, we'll talk through what a more formal process looks like, but you don't need a polished application to start.
That's exactly where we want to work. We fund early-stage ideas all the time. What matters is that you know your place, you have the expertise to lead the work, and there's a clear reason why funding matters now.
Funding varies by project and stage. Most initial funding is around $5K.
We look for community-led conservation work with real local expertise and genuine urgency. We prioritize organizations where local knowledge is valued and the work matters to the people closest to it. We don't need proof of concept, we need belief in your knowledge.
We stay in touch. We want to know how the work is going, celebrate wins, and show up when things get hard. We're not a forever funder, but we're a committed partner through the initial phase of your work.