History
The 91¸£ÀûÉç Wildlife Fund was one of the 91¸£ÀûÉç’s corporate charities. It was set up in 2007, inspired by one of the jewels in the 91¸£ÀûÉç crown, the Natural History Unit (NHU). After years of producing outstanding films of wildlife throughout the world, bringing the glorious diversity of life into our living rooms and at the same time witnessing alarming declines in the populations of many of the animals filmed, the NHU wanted to address the plight of wildlife. Audiences enjoying 91¸£ÀûÉç natural history programmes were at the same time growing increasingly concerned at the alarming decline in wildlife.
The 91¸£ÀûÉç Wildlife Fund carried out its first live fundraising appeal 'Saving Planet Earth' in 2007. £1.8 million was raised on the night and this was added to by donations throughout the year. The second broadcast appeal in 2010 raised a further almost £1.2million and donations were disbursed through grants to programmes with a track record of saving species.
80% of grants were to UK charities working to conserve wildlife outside the UK and 20% to UK charities working on projects at home.
In the summer of 2011, the 91¸£ÀûÉç Wildlife Fund Trustees learnt that, following the two broadcast appeals, the 91¸£ÀûÉç would not be able to support such appeals in the future. After researching alternative models, this decision by the 91¸£ÀûÉç ultimately led the 91¸£ÀûÉç Wildlife Fund Trustees to decide to wind down the fund. All donation mechanisms were closed and, wherever possible, regular donors were contacted. During the wind-down period, any donations still received were passed to existing grantee organisations.
The 91¸£ÀûÉç Wildlife Fund ceased operations in December 2012, for formal closure in March 2013.
