Role of the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada in the funding ecosystem
The Jane Goodall Institute of Canada (JGIC) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to creating a world where animals, people, and the environment thrive together. Building on Dr. Jane Goodall’s pioneering work, the Institute advances community-led conservation initiatives across chimpanzee ranges in Africa and supports youth and Indigenous partners in Canada. It operates as both an implementing organization and a funder, channeling donor resources into projects led by communities, youth groups, schools, and local organizations.
In Africa, JGIC supports programs in key “Chimpscapes” where chimpanzees, people, and ecosystems are closely intertwined. Its portfolio includes sanctuary care at the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center, climate resilience projects, sustainable livelihoods, and conservation of coastal and marine ecosystems. These initiatives are delivered in partnership with local communities, with an emphasis on gender equity, youth empowerment, and nature-based solutions.
Funding programs and the A.P.E. Fund
In Canada, the Institute’s most explicit grant mechanism is the A.P.E. Fund (Animals, People, Environment). Described as “a granting program that helps fund high-needs Roots & Shoots projects across the country,” it allows Roots & Shoots members to apply for up to $1,000 to implement youth-led conservation projects in their communities. The program operates in annual cycles; the site notes when applications are open or closed and showcases many funded projects, illustrating the breadth of micro-grants distributed.
These micro-grants support initiatives that address the convergence of biodiversity loss, environmental inequity, and climate change, such as pollinator gardens, land-based education activities, youth-led art and healing spaces, and community climate resilience projects. By lowering financial barriers and providing resources and curriculum guides, JGIC enables young people and educators to design and deliver impactful local actions.
Community-led conservation and Indigenous partnerships
JGIC’s broader funding and program model is grounded in its Tacare approach, which prioritizes communities living closest to endangered ecosystems. In Africa, the Institute partners with local organizations and villages to co-create solutions that improve livelihoods while protecting forests and wildlife. Projects may include sustainable agriculture, alternative energy and fuel, habitat restoration, and knowledge-sharing initiatives, with JGIC contributing financial and technical support.
In Canada, the organization explicitly commits to supporting Indigenous-led conservation and cultural revitalization. It works with Indigenous partners to confront environmental inequity, integrate Indigenous knowledge into conservation, and support intergenerational knowledge transfer. While not all of this support is structured as open-call grants, the Institute’s role as a funder and catalyst is clear across its program descriptions.
Supported audiences and overall impact
The Jane Goodall Institute of Canada primarily supports:
- Youth and educators engaged in Roots & Shoots projects across Canada, through grants, tools, and mentorship.
- Indigenous communities and organizations working on conservation, climate action, and cultural renewal.
- African community partners focused on habitat protection, sustainable livelihoods, and climate resilience.
Through these investments, the Institute engages tens of thousands of participants, cares for hundreds of chimpanzees, and helps communities gain access to clean water and more sustainable economic opportunities. Its 2025–2028 strategic plan, “Hope in Action,” frames this funding and program work as a way to scale community-led solutions and carry forward Jane Goodall’s legacy of hope through action.
