International Elephant Foundation

Amazing Nonprofit!
All the money raised goes to help elephants!

Hi, I'm Dr. Naveen Pandey, an alumnus of the University of Edinburgh, currently serving as Deputy Director and Veterinary Advisor to The Corbett Foundation in northeast India. I have been involved in landscape epidemiology and human-wildlife conflict mitigation for two decades. I first submitted a proposal to the International Elephant Foundation (IEF) in 2019, proposing to tweak the traditional human-elephant conflict mitigation methods by the local community in the fringe villages of Kaziranga National Park in Assam, a northeastern Indian state. I found the proposal application format quite focussed and detailed that captured the essence of the thought process. At the same time, it was not complicated. Once my proposal was accepted, the signing of the MoU and transfer of the grant were very prompt, professional, and smooth. The communication has been very helpful, proactive, and engaging. The IEF has been very particular about the reports, both in terms of timeline and format. With pandemic adversely affecting our outreach, the IEF acted very wisely and accepted our request for an extension as covid-19 had curtailed our mobility. It has been a pleasure and good learning to be working with the IEF. The support provided by Debora Olson and Sarah Conley, the Executive Director and the Conservation Coordinator of the IEF respectively, has been constructive, supportive, and friendly. The IEF made the best efforts to understand the challenges of the project, the difficulties that the elephants and human beings face. I found the concern and passion for elephant conservation by the IEF team very inspiring. I recommend young researchers and social scientists to communicate with the IEF, submit their ideas in the form of grant applications, and engage in publications too.

IEF have been supporting Mount Kenya Trust's elephant conservation efforts on Mount Kenya for many years. Their support has been very valuable, allowing us to keep our Horse Patrol Team operational for many years. Most valuable of all they have been consistent and reach out to us regularly coming up with additional ideas for support and linking us to other individuals and potential donors. This is very unique in the donor world and its made the relationship one we cherish.

IEF has also organised forums for idea sharing and networking. We aware of many elephant conservation organisations in Africa and Asia that are supported by this incredible team of people who's work needs greater recognition.

As a conservation NGO in Zambia, we have been receiving funding from the International Elephant Foundation for wildlife conservation efforts in our areas of operation since 2014. Through their annual support to us, we have been able to continue to deploy teams in the field to help protect an iconic landscape that is inhabited by key threatened species, including the safeguarding of one of the last remaining stronghold populations of elephants. We are extremely grateful to have IEF as a donor and we are proud of the work we have accomplished through their support and of the relationship we have fostered with them.

Another great year for International Elephant Foundation...even in the midst of a pandemic! Without this organization, many of the boots-on-the-ground conservation efforts in Africa and Asia would have been without any funding support. Thank you, IEF for working hard every day to protect elephants and help the people who live with elephants!

International Elephant Foundation is a well-run organization staffed with a small team of professionals who are passionate about protecting elephants. Among other things, they fund anti-poaching efforts and educational programs. The money raised by IEF goes directly to the boots on the ground efforts in Africa and Asia that are saving these magnificent creatures. With International Elephant Foundation I know that my donations are going to actually help elephants and not fund inflated administrative overhead as with many organizations.

Longtime supporter and FAN of the International Elephant Foundation. No one is doing more for elephants than this organization! Keep up the great work!

A great organization that truly does help preserve elephants and their habitat. They have a small but responsive staff. Over 95% of the money they bring in goes directly to help make a difference for elephants around the world!

IEF has always been focused on funding sustainable work that makes a big impact in the lives of elephants around the world. During the pandemic, many charities were forced to cut programs to pay for bloated overhead to make ends meet, but since IEF intentionally puts 80-90% of all funds directly into the field, they were still out there helping elephants and maximizing their impact. When times are hard, this is the elephant conservation organization that I will keep supporting because I know their priorities are solid.

Every year I support IEF and every year I am amazed that the positive impact they have for elephants around the world. This is truly a worthy organization with dedicated people and impactful projects.

The International Elephant Foundation is leading the charge worldwide to help save elephants. Over 90% of every dollar donated goes directly to fund projects in the field that are truly making a difference. The projects that IEF support are carefully vetted. Donors can be assured that their donations are spent wisely.

A great conservation organization working to save elephants around the world. Clear and compelling projects in Africa and Asia delivering meaningful conservation results.

The International Elephant Foundation’s dedication to elephant conservation is reflected in the sheer number and diversity of projects they support around the world. For example, they are making profound contributions to wildlife conservation in Uganda, reducing poaching through the establishment of ranger stations and supporting crucial scientific research on elephants to reduce human-elephant conflict. Not only are they making a difference in the world, the IEF team are inspiring, decent and lovely people. You couldn’t ask for a better NGO to support.

The International Elephant Foundation is one of the pioneering non profit organization which solely working for the gentle giant’s conservation both in African and Asian continents. Their funding support helps to conserve the elephants through awareness, research, training, veterinary practices, wildlife crimes etc., We have a close association with IEF for the past 15 years and with their funding support did lots of Human Elephant Coexistence HECx awareness programmes in South India through teaching of trainers, school awareness and community awareness programmes. It would not have been possible without their support. We are very proud to be associated with them.

International Elephant Foundation is at the forefront of elephant conservation around the world in helping to save the last remaining populations of Elephants worldwide.
They fund (but not limited to) research, anti poaching, education and community outreach programs.
The staff at IEF care.

I am always amazed by the scope and impact that International Elephant Foundation has on the conservation of elephants in situ and have witnessed first-hand how they have aided the research and protection of elephants in multiple locations in Africa. A truly worthy organisation that unfalteringly delivers donor funds directly to field conservation projects to support conservation success.

The International Elephant Foundation is an extraordinary organization that puts the well being and conservation of elephants as their No 1. priority. They support quite a diversity of projects and are always professional and responsive. They are especially accomplished at bringing together many disciplines and perspectives in the elephant world to work towards common goals. Their conference is also well managed and impressive.

In my experience, the International Elephant Foundation is one of the most impactful groups for elephant conservation. No other group that I can think of combines decades of professional expertise with data-driven actions to affect positive change for elephants. Whenever anyone asks me what they can do to help elephants, I always direct them to IEF. I really can't say enough positive things about this group.

The International Elephant Foundation works diligently to advance elephant conservation, welfare, and research. The activities of the foundation and the projects supported by the foundation contribute to the continued existence of the largest land mammals on the planet Earth. Elephants continue to amaze us and inform us on everything from their apparent resistance to cancer to their fascinating modes of communication. As ecosystem engineers, elephants are important components of their wild systems, facilitating succession and enhancing biodiversity when given adequate space to live. Creating a sustainable, harmonious relationship between elephants and humans serves as a major goal of the International Elephant Foundation.

IEF is a long-standing nonprofit committed to the survival of all elephants, in situ and ex situ. They directly support and work within the community by providing financial support, educational materials and a bi-annual meeting that gathers stakeholders from around the world. They are an important voice for management of the species.

An excellent organization with committed goals of helping both elephants, and the people involved in their lives.

No one cares more about the betterment of the lives of elephants than IEF.

This is an organization that is helping both elephants and the humans who live in their proximity, to be able to live without conflict. They work on the real problems that wild elephants are facing and are making a difference. They are using intelligence and common sense to address elephant issues in the most effective ways. IEF supports people who are fighting poaching. This very important organization is fighting hard to keep elephants from extinction.

IEF funds almost all of its projects in range countries, with real "boots on the ground" types of projects that have a huge impact on the areas they serve, whether its to stop poaching, mitigate human elephant conflict, or add to our knowledge of elephants through valuable research. Funding projects all over the world, this organization is an excellent conduit for donations big and small, which will go a long way. Very small administrative overhead, sound management, and an engaged board.

IEF is a great organization full of people who care deeply about elephants and ensuring their continued presence in this world. It derives maximum benefit elephants from the limited resources it has available but also continually works to expand those resources. Very proud to be associated with it and the people involved.

The International Elephant Foundation has provided critical funding for the protection and care of elephants for over twenty years. In addition they have provided much needed advice to help others understand the needs of elephants both in free-ranging and in human care.

I have been volunteering with IEF for 10+ years. The work they are doing to help the African and Asian Elephant populations is amazing. They continue to fund research to assist with understanding EEHV and human/elephant conflict. Great folks!

International Elephant Foundation is the elephants best bet for a future. It is a great organization for raising awareness, conservation, education, research , protecting habitat, preventing poaching and curing diseases. I encourage everyone to support their cause.

This is an excellent non-profit. They work tirelessly to help elephants. This is one of the few that I will give money to. The money actually gets to where they say it goes.

The International Elephant Foundation is a great organization. It supports conservation, education, scientific research programs, and

community-based strategies to provide a future for elephants. Their projects protect both the endangered Asian elephant and the severely threatened African elephant by helping to reduce human-elephant conflict, protecting habitat, stopping poaching, and advancing knowledge to find cures for elephant diseases. I donate to this organization because I know my money will be well spent protecting elephants…..

The IEF supports an array of projects in elephant range states, enabling grassroots work to create the behavioral changes needed to conserve, project and improve the welfare of in-situ and ex-situ elephants.
The board is clearly dedicated to their mission and work tirelessly to ensure donations support projects with clear deliverables and impact. In addition, they are on hand to assist with advice and administrative assistance.

IEF is a wonderful organization helping out elephants projects for elephants in human care and their wild counterparts. I know many of the board members and they have always been willing to help when the need arises. If I ever have questions about elephabt conservation I know I can turn to IEF!

One of my favorite things about IEF is that so many of their board members and advisors have hands on elephant experience. These folks are out there like the rest of us doing the best they can to help save elephants. They are easy to talk to and learn from and attend many of the same conferences other animal caretakers do, which means they are dedicated to sharing their experience with others. You can be sure your donations are going to all the right places; their board carefully chooses projects that fit their mission.

The International Elephant Foundation does important work across a wide array of areas that impact endangered wildlife conservation. I especially like that I can choose what specific program I want my donation dollars to go towards. I will continue to support the IEF for the rest of my life.

I was looking for a non-profit organization to donate for animal conservation, specifically tigers. Such an organization I did not want to be political or for my donation dollars to pay for lobbying, fundraising or propaganda. I reached out to the International Elephant Foundation. Through their contacts in the field, a new, specific project was created to support our goals of tiger conservation. 100% of our donation dollars goes directly toward in-situ conservation. Every question or contact with the organization is very quickly replied and answered. It is very refreshing to have such a reputable, honest and responsible organization doing such great work.

They are an amazing organization that helps not only elephants but tons of animals in captivity and the wild!

Elephantastic foundation that really helps elephants. They are out there doing real work, research and give support where it's needed. Thank you

It seems like they have a great mission and they are doing good for the cause but they do have links to several circus entertainment companies and have been accused of animal cruelty in relation to these links. I don't know if this info is rumor or fact but it seems there is some validity to this information. And due to this fact I cannot knowingly and wholeheartedly recommend this charitable organization because this negative information goes against everything that a charitable organization should stand for

I care deeply about the elephants and was looking for a U.S. charity that was making a difference in the lives of elephants around the world. I found just that in the International Elephant Foundation. They not only deal with elephants hands on but are very involved in education and anti-poaching efforts.

I have yearned for a site that would keep me accurately informed on these issues. IEF is great. They are doing the lord's work, and I value them immensely. I have donated, and will again. Their administrative overhead should be a model for all nonprofits.

Our facility is very proud to have been donating to the International Elephant Foundation for over 10 years. During this time we have seen IEFs work grow and continue to work on projects that are making a real difference for the future of elephants. Their support of research projects, education and conservation is unparalleled. Especially during such a critical time for elephants work like IEF's is more important than ever. On a personal note, I tend to be hesitant donating to non-profits for fear that the funds are being used in ways that donors did not intend. Not so with IEF. Over 90% of their donations go directly to the projects that they support.

Great organization, supporting Elephants worldwide at a low administrative overhead. I feel like our contributions are getting to where they can really make a difference.

I first came into contact with this organization through one of their educational events. I felt like donating after hearing about all the great work they do on elephant veterinary research. I didn't appreciate the complexity of elephant physiology and as an engineer, the work they do to advance this area really hits home for me. I mean, isn't the most important aspect of elephant welfare, knowing how to help them reproduce? I felt like my donation really makes a difference.

What has truly impressed me about the IEF is their comprehensive approach to elephant preservation. It's not often that you see an organization that tries to help all aspects of a cause, in this case from research all the way to care and education. What made the difference for me in being a donor was the passion of the members and leaders for elephants. When I first met the people behind the scenes, I found educated professionals, who wanted to share and advance elephant knowledge vs many other organizations that only seem to speak and spread malice. This organization is truly doing right.

The International Elephant Foundation is globally recognized as perhaps the premier elephant conservation charity in the world. The work they do is literally saving elephants from extinction. Unlike phony animal charities that spend their monies on political stunts, etc, IEF spends nearly 90% of donations on conservationist programs that directly impact the survival of elephants. I cannot recommend them more highly.

It is hard to find a non profit that truly puts their money where their mouth is, but IEF does just that. They reach out to other organizations and join forces for the greater good of the elephants. Over 90% of the donations received actually goes to helping elephants. Their role in the research of EEHV is at the forefront of their agenda and is imperative to elephants 'survival. They take an active role in the field over many other organization.

IEF has devoped to a well known, international Organisation, which supports conservation, Research and education worldwide. Looking back it is amazing how many elephant -projects have been started, supported and orgánised! The work of IEF made a difference for the African and the Asian elephants. Different to most similar organisations is that IEF consists of a Team of real specialists with decades od experience and expertise in all of these Topics! And this makes IEF unique adn enables a huge Impact in practical conservation of elephants.

The International Elephant Foundation is a great charity. Well over 90% of the monies received goes directly to their projects, they do not line their pockets with it like so many other charities. The people involved with IEF truly have the best interest of elephants at heart. Other charities should look upon them as an example. They have created awareness in range countries that will help aid in the fight against extinction.

As a professional who works with elephants in human care I appreciate all that IEF does to promote good welfare, science and husbandry of these incredible animals. IEF funds research into many aspects of elephant health and physiology. They are for the good care of these animals no matter where they are. IEF promotes good husbandry and education of keepers to better care for the elephants they work with every day. Everything about elephants is big including the opinions and passion that people from all walks of life have about and for these animals. IEF promotes science and conscious care, not emotional anthropomorphic messages that don't serve the animals' long term interest in captivity. The problems facing elephants in the wild means that captive conservation will become more and more important with every passing year if we as humans want to have these incredible species with us on our planet in the future. Good job IEF for how you fund your research and the causes your organization supports. For the elephants and those that care for them you guys do a good job.

International Elephant Foundation has been key in linking range country conservation projects to supporters in their effort to help elephants all over the world. IEF also brings stakeholders together to develop strategies for assisting elephants. Major efforts inlcude workshops for elephant disease both in North America and in Asia. IEF is currently working to better forcus support to key conservation initiatives between donors and range country conservationists. No other organization has been as effective on so many different levels to help elephants.

IEF helps elephants through conservation and research projects in their native countries. They do outreach and educational programs in these countries to get local communities more involved in learning about these magnificent animals.

The International Elephant Foundation shares a common vision with committed individuals, professional elephant care experts and other professional elephant conservation organizations — a vision that includes elephants in the world’s future forever, both in human care and in the wild. I volunteer my time to the International Elephant Foundation because this organization is benefitting elephants around the world, both in situ and ex situ, through its conservation, research and education programs, to achieve this vision.

IEF has a tremendous record of effective use of funds with extremely low overhead costs.With one paid employee and a host of volunteers, over 90% of each dollar goes to help conserve elephnts arounfd the world.

This organization has contributed to over 2.6 million dollars to elephant conservation and research programs internationally - almost 90% of all funds raised go into these programs. IEF is supporting anti-poaching rangers in Kenya, Uganda, Zambia and Sumatra. Thousands of wildlife snares (which cruelly kill and maim) have been destroyed and human communities have been provided assistance to develop alternative sources of income to poaching and habitat destruction. IEF is well respected by their partners in elephant range countries and supporters around the world.

For those who care about elephants, here is a non profit organization that supports both African and Asian elephant projects benefiting wild populations, medical and field research, and educational opportunities in elephant range countries. Their total effort is toward elephants: today and their future tomorrow and I can see exactly where and how my support is used. Check out their website for yourself!

I feel people need to realize that elephants are one of our most intelligent animals and treat them as such. The people that I know that take care of these marvelous creatures do so with love and care and try and educate people about them. Please support this anyway you can. Spreading the word is a great way!

We donate to IEF because we are able to specify what elephant project our donation will be used for and are confident that our wishes will be honored and fulfilled.

Over 95% of the monies received by the International Elephant Foundation goes directly to fund elephant conservation projects. About half goes to help African elephant and half to help Asian elephants. The African elephant is facing increased poaching for Ivory and many countries are struggling to maintain their numbers of elephants. Asian elephants are critically endangered and less than 35,000 are living in free-ranging conditions. Most of these elephants live outside protected National Parks, so they are facing pressure due to Human Elephant Conflict over scarce resources. The International Elephant Foundation is composed of elephant experts from many fields related to the care of elephants both in captivity and free-ranging environments. Elephants are at a critical point, help us to help elephants to survive into the future.

IEF is an amazing organization. Within the last year alone they have rallied and attacked EEHV (elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus) which is a fatal disease that kills 1 in 4 baby elephants. There's no cure, and IEF is focusing their efforts to find a cure. This is truly important work that people need to know about.

I think this organization is great. I know that Mike Fouraker of the Fort Worth Zoo initiated and organized the conceptual meeting of the IEF. The Fort Worth Zoo supports many conservation efforts and I know that Mike Fouraker also organized the International Iguana Foundation. Kudos to those institutions who recognized Mike's vision (Indianapolis Zoo, Columbus Zoo, Peace River Refuge, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Southwestern Missouri State University, African Lion Safari, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey and Have Trunk Will Travel) and together formed the IEF. Two million dollars has gone to elephant conservation and research - that is fantastic!! I am a proud supporter of IEF.

Well, these guys are founded by the Center for Elephant Conservation--a training camp for elephants in Florida. These elephants, supposedly trained, are sold to Ringling Bros. to live the majority of their life inside a train car... honestly. Due to the FACT that many elephant trainers abuse their elephants while on the road with Ringling, I will happily give the IEF 1 star.

If you're skeptical, venture on the internet and find out yourself.

The IEF is a great organization that is doing wonderful work making the world aware of these beautiful animals, their problems and their goodness.