International Rhino Foundation

The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) works to ensure the survival of the world’s rhino species through conservation and research. Founded in response to intense poaching of Zimbabwe’s black rhinos in the early 1990s, IRF’s commitment helped to reduce the threat and stabilize the population. To this day, IRF-supported conservation programs in Zimbabwe have secured 90% of the country’s rhinos. In five countries across two continents, IRF supports viable populations of the five remaining rhino species and the communities with which they coexist.

Throughout its 25-year history, IRF has funded and managed rhino conservation projects in Asia and Africa. IRF is governed by a 15-person board of directors, which meets once a year. IRF’s annual budget is approximately $5 million, with ten professional employees in four countries.  IRF carries out most of its work with trusted partners in range countries, which allows it to remain lean. In 2016, 90% of IRF’s financial contributions went directly to field programs. The IRF has close ties to the zoo community, which generously supports much of its work. IRF’s core values of hard work, partnership, passion, and optimism are at the heart of everything the organization does.