Historically, the Project has raised money through a patchwork of grants and donations. The costs of research (e.g., flights for Winter Study, DNA analysis, hiring graduate students, etc.) continues to rise. In recent years, grants are getting more difficult to locate as well as to being awarded. In 2025 a key grant, from the National Science Foundation (NSF), is likely to be reduced or cut entirely. This would have a significant negative impact on the Wolf-Moose Project.

Rather than wait and see if funding is reduced or cut entirely, the Wolf Moose Project has set up the Wolf-Moose Foundation (the Foundation) as a non-profit to raise funds to ensure long-term financial stability. A priority of the Foundation is to build an endowment of $2.2+ million which would enable the Wolf-Moose Project to operate independently without having to win grant money year after year.

The Michigan Tech Fund is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt corporation established in 1965 under the laws of the State of Michigan. Existing solely for the benefit of Michigan Technological University (MTU) and its students, the Tech Fund receives, invests, and disburses gifts to support the University's mission and vision, including MTU research on wolves and moose.

The Foundation will supplement and feed into the existing fund-raising capacity of the Michigan Tech Fund (Tech Fund) and will not compete with or replace any support currently offered by the Tech Fund.

Now, there are simply two ways to give, with the Foundation providing a narrowly-focused program emphasizing wolf-moose research. Monetary gifts are readily handled by the Foundation, while gifts of assets such as large donations, stocks, property, etc. will be referred to the Tech Fund for transfer to the Foundation.

Your donation will help fund the operations of the Foundation. Our sole focus is to create a self-sufficient endowment to support the Wolf-Moose Project through an uncertain future.

No Board member is taking a salary, and there is no paid staff. All funds donated to the Foundation will assist in our fund-raising efforts to support the Project into the long-term regardless of other funding sources.

We won’t know the exact percentage for some time, but the Foundation’s goal is to raise funds to both build an endowment for the long-term financial stability as well as to assist with the ongoing expenses of running the project. The Foundation does have expenses to cover (e.g., website, CRM, legal). The remaining funds, after those expenses are paid, will go toward the project.

The Foundation has no paid employees and the entire Board provides work and services with no compensation.

The Wolf-Moose Foundation's vision is to build a financial endowment putting the Wolf-Moose Project on firm financial ground for the long-term. The Foundation also has an educational component to inform the public about natural systems, the conservation of predators and their prey, and the wolves and moose of Isle Royale.

The Foundation can accept donations by credit card, Google Pay, PayPal, Venmo, and Electronic Fund Transfer (ETF), or check. We use a secure donation form through Bloomerang, our communication software package, for online donations.

If donating by check, please send to P.O. Box 501, Chelsea, Michigan 48118.

Yes. Bloomerang is the Foundation’s communication software package, which allows us to communicate and track our interactions with our supporters, like you.

Yes, if you would like to donate in 2, or more, installments, let us know in the comment section of the donation form, and we will be in contact with you to set up a payment schedule.

You can also make any donation a recurring donation through the donation form.

If you have a gift or donation of something other than funds, please see our Legacy Donations page for more information or contact us at info@wolfmoosefoundation.org to discuss further.

Yes, and also stay tuned for more! At this time, the best way for you to volunteer to support the efforts of the Foundation is to join a Moosewatch Expedition! Stay tuned for additional Membership options and events in the future.