What MCF does

MCF (Shenzhen Mangrove Wetlands Conservation Foundation / 红树林湿地保护基金会) is a public fundraising foundation established in Shenzhen, China, dedicated to mangrove and wetland ecosystem protection. It is co-initiated by the Alxa SEE Ecological Association and operates under a novel 'government + professional institution + public participation' socialized management model that gives it exclusive operational responsibility for the 380,000 sqm Futian Mangrove Ecological Park — the only municipal park in China managed by a public welfare organization. Its four programmatic pillars are mangrove restoration and NbS-based protection, migratory bird corridor conservation (anchored by the Spoon-billed Sandpiper flagship), the Greater Bay Area Green Bay initiative, and Wetland Education CEPA capacity-building across Chinese wetland parks.

The foundation operates a portfolio of specialized funds (including Green Me Futian, Park Natural Education, Xiaomi Youpin Chishui River, and Water Side Migratory Bird Flyway) and serves government agencies, international conservation networks (EAAFP, IUCN, Global Mangrove Alliance, Ramsar observer), corporate CSR partners (Tencent, Vanke Foundation, Alibaba, Xiaomi Youpin, Nespresso, Tiffany & Co.), and a broad public base of 14,454 monthly donors, 3,164 registered volunteers, and 519,000+ cumulative activity participants. Its revenue model is entirely donation- and grant-based: individual giving (including monthly programs via Tencent Gongyi, Alipay, Taobao), corporate project donations and resource contributions, specialized fund contributions, and audited annual financial reporting that has sustained perfect FTI transparency scores from 2019-2025.

MCF's underlying technical assets include a quantified Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP) accounting methodology (192M RMB annual ecological service value at Futian Park), GIS and remote sensing for ecological monitoring, citizen science data platforms, AI-assisted species identification, and longitudinal biodiversity databases covering 220 bird species, 1,224 insect species, and 754 vascular plant species. It has cumulatively planted 1.055 million mangrove seedlings and protected 8,500 hectares of mangrove wetland. Leadership draws heavily from China's business elite, including founding chairmen Wang Shi (former Vanke chairman) and Ma Weihua (former CMB chairman), lending institutional fundraising capacity and political access unusual for an environmental NGO.

Name

MCF

Legal name

深圳市红树林湿地保护基金会

Website

https://mcf.org.cn

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MCF is a Shenzhen-based public fundraising foundation that restores and protects mangrove and wetland ecosystems in China through ecological restoration, migratory bird corridor conservation, urban biodiversity programs, and wetland education, serving government agencies, corporate CSR partners, and a base of 14,454 monthly donors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Support Activities for Forestry (1153)

SIC

Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH), Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK), Climate Finance Funds & Green Investment Facilities (BPADACAH)

Keywords

• Wetland conservation
• Mangrove restoration
• Environmental philanthropy
• Habitat protection
• Wetland education

Headquarters

HQ city

Shenzhen

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations and Monthly Giving: MCF raises funds through individual donations via its own platform, third-party donation platforms (Tencent Gongyi, Alipay, Taobao), and a monthly donor program (月捐). Individual donors contribute to specific conservation projects.
2. Specialized Fund Programs: MCF establishes and manages specialized funds with partner organizations, including Lu Mei Futian Special Fund, Park Natural Education Special Fund, Xiaomi Youpin Chishui River Wetland Protection Special Fund, and others. Partners contribute to specific thematic programs.
3. Corporate Project Donations: Corporations support the foundation through project donations targeting specific initiatives such as mangrove restoration, flyway conservation, wetland education, as well as resource donations (advertising space, equipment), event participation, and cause marketing.
4. Public Welfare Audit and Asset Preservation Reports: The foundation publishes annual audited financial reports demonstrating financial transparency and asset management, attracting ongoing donor confidence and government matching.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

MCF is a public fundraising foundation focused on mangrove and wetland conservation in China. It delivers four core work areas — mangrove protection and restoration, migratory bird corridor protection, Greater Bay Area green development, and wetland education (CEPA) — while directly operating the Futian Mangrove Ecological Park, the first municipal park in China managed by a public welfare organization. The foundation raises funds from individual donors, monthly givers, and corporate partners, deploying them into habitat restoration, scientific monitoring, public education, and policy advocacy.

Product overview

MCF operates as a public fundraising foundation for mangrove and wetland conservation, organized around four interconnected work areas: (1) Mangrove Protection — focusing on restoration and ecosystem services through the 'Rebuilding Sea Forest' project; (2) Migratory Bird Corridor Protection — using spoon-billed sandpiper conservation as flagship with the 'Save Spoon-billed Sandpiper' initiative; (3) Green Bay Area — supporting biodiversity and sustainability in the Greater Bay Area; and (4) Wetland Education CEPA — building capacity for wetland education across China. MCF also directly operates the Futian Mangrove Ecological Park (38 hectares), a nationally recognized demonstration site and the first municipal park managed by a civil society organization in China. These programs are implemented through specialized projects and six dedicated funds.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 福田红树林生态公园: Ecological park managed by MCF, first public park in China operated by a social organization. Located at the confluence of Xinwan River and Shenzhen River estuary.
• 重建海上森林
• 拯救勺嘴鹬
• 绿色湾区先锋行动
• 湿地教育中心行动计划 (CWC)

Products and services

• Mangrove Protection (Rebuilding Sea Forest / 重建海上森林) Mangrove ecosystem protection and restoration program using nature-based solutions (NbS), habitat protection, sustainable utilization, and protected area management to combat mangrove loss. The foundation has planted 1.055 million mangrove seedlings and protects 8,500 hectares of mangrove wetland.
• Migratory Bird Corridor Protection (Save Spoon-billed Sandpiper / 拯救勺嘴鹬) Migratory bird corridor protection initiative using the spoon-billed sandpiper as a flagship species, focusing on habitat protection and restoration, scientific research, policy advocacy, and community engagement along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway covering 22 countries and 280+ waterbird species.
• Green Bay Area (绿色湾区) Urban sustainability and biodiversity conservation program for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, promoting ecological demonstration sites, social participation, and cooperation network building to support ecological protection and dual-carbon goals.
• Wetland Education CEPA Wetland education program covering Communications, Capacity Building, Education, Participation and Awareness (CEPA), supporting wetland-type protected areas with professional empowerment, communication, and public participation pathways. Includes the Wetland Education Center Action Plan (CWC) aligned with the Ramsar Convention.
• Futian Mangrove Ecological Park A 38-hectare ecological park at the mouth of the Shenzhen River, managed by MCF since 2015 under a government commission model. First municipal park in China operated by a social organization. Features a 1,026 sqm science museum and biodiversity monitoring programs, hosting approximately 1.3 million visitors annually free of charge.

Named customers4 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• 东亚-澳大利西亚迁飞区伙伴协定 (EAAFP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCF is a partner institution and Management Committee member of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership, also serving on the CEPA Working Group and as a core member of the Shorebird Working Group. This partnership covers 22 countries and involves over 280 migratory waterbird species.
• 全球红树林联盟 (Global Mangrove Alliance)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCF is a member of the Global Mangrove Alliance, an international coalition working to protect and restore mangroves globally.
• 世界自然保护联盟 (IUCN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCF is a member of IUCN, contributing to international nature conservation standards and networks.
• 湿地公约 (Ramsar Convention)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCF holds observer status at the Ramsar Convention and actively participates in COP meetings. The foundation supported the establishment of the International Mangrove Center in Shenzhen announced at COP14.
• 阿拉善SEE生态协会coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding institutional sponsor and key strategic partner.阿拉善SEE is also MCF's initiating organization and provides ongoing governance and operational support.
• 大自然保护协会 (TNC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational conservation organization collaborating on mangrove and wetland protection strategies.
• 国际湿地网络 (WLI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Wetland Learning Network through which MCF's Futian Mangrove Ecological Park and Shenzhen Bay Park Natural Education Center received Star Wetland Center designations.
• 全国自然教育网络majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCF's Secretary-General is a co-founder of the National Nature Education Network, supporting nationwide professionalization of nature education.
• 香港米埔自然保护区coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFutian Mangrove Ecological Park is adjacent to Hong Kong's Mai Po Nature Reserve across the Shenzhen River, serving as an ecological corridor between these two internationally important wetlands.
• 深圳市规划和自然资源局coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey government partner for mangrove protection and ecological planning in Shenzhen.
• 深圳市福田区人民政府coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment body that built andentrusted MCF to operate the Futian Mangrove Ecological Park. Led to establishment of the Green and Beautiful Futian Special Fund.
• 深圳市公园管理中心majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-established the Park Natural Education Special Fund to support park ecological protection and natural education development across Shenzhen.
• 北京林业大学majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner including the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Research Center. MCF's Board Chairman Lei Guangchun is a former Dean of Beijing Forestry University's School of Nature Conservation.
• 中国环境资助者网络 (CEGA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCF is an initiating institution and decision committee member of CEGA, a network of environmental funders in China.
• 北京市昌平区五色土环境研究所majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-established the '在水一方-候鸟迁飞通道保护专项基金' (Water Side - Migratory Bird Flyway Protection Special Fund) focused on Bohai Bay wetland and waterbird conservation.
• 北京市多元智能环境研究所majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization working on migratory bird conservation, with its deputy chairman serving as chairman of the Water Side Special Fund management committee.
• 全国防鸟撞行动网络majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCF is an initiating institution of the National Bird Collision Prevention Action Network, addressing glass building bird strikes.
• 勺嘴鹬在中国 (Spoon-billed Sandpiper in China)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner in the Spoon-billed Sandpiper rescue program, a flagship species of the EAAF.
• 国际鹤类基金会 (ICF)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner for crane and waterbird conservation in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.
• 英国野鸟与湿地基金会 (WWT)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational conservation organization collaborating on wetland and waterbird protection.
• 山山水自然保护中心majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in biodiversity conservation and community-based protection initiatives.
• 广东省珠水云山自然保护基金会majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuangdong Province nature conservation foundation, with Secretary-General 袁淑文 serving on MCF's Board.
• 雷州市红树林湿地保护研究所 (Nanshan Mangrove Research Institute)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in mangrove restoration research and monitoring.
• 广东内伶仃福田国家级自然保护区管理局coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdjacent protected area that together with Futian Mangrove Ecological Park forms a contiguous wetland ecosystem in the Shenzhen-Hong Kong border area.
• 广东湛江红树林国家级自然保护区管理局majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for mangrove restoration and protection in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province.
• 广西山口红树林生态国家级自然保护区管理中心majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for mangrove conservation in Guangxi, one of China's most important mangrove areas.
• 福建闽江河口湿地国家级自然保护区majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner wetland in Fujian Province along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.
• 江苏盐城国家级自然保护区majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner wetland (Yellow-Bohai migratory bird habitat World Heritage Site) along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.
• 上海崇明东滩鸟类国家级自然保护区majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner wetland along the EAAF in Shanghai.
• 山东黄河三角洲国家级自然保护区majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner wetland in Shandong Province along the EAAF.
• 江西鄱阳湖南矶湿地国家级自然保护区majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner wetland and white crane sanctuary in Jiangxi Province along the EAAF.
• 联合国开发计划署 (UNDP) / 其他国际机构majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCF works with multiple international environmental organizations and UN-affiliated bodies for mangrove protection, migratory bird conservation, and wetland education across the EAAF region.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy (TNC) China: One of the world's largest conservation organizations and an MCF partner. Overlapping mandate on nature-based solutions, mangrove/coastal protection, and corporate ESG engagements in China; far larger global budget but a peer in MCF's specific project geographies.
• WWF China: China arm of the World Wildlife Fund, operating one of the largest environmental NGO presences in the country with deep corporate partnerships and policy access. Much larger global brand, but active in similar mangrove/flyway/wetland work, making it a broad incumbent peer.

Regional players

• Guangdong Provincial Zhujiuyunshan Nature Conservation Foundation: Guangdong-based provincial nature conservation foundation whose Secretary-General sits on MCF's board. Operates in the same region with overlapping donor and government networks, comparable in scale and structure, but focused on terrestrial biodiversity rather than wetlands.

Direct peers

• Vanke Foundation (万科公益基金会): Chinese corporate-affiliated environmental foundation chaired by Wang Shi (also MCF founding chairman). Shares the same founder networks, overlapping corporate donors, and parallel grantmaking in biodiversity and community development.
• Wetlands International: Global not-for-profit dedicated exclusively to wetland conservation, with operations across Asia including China. Directly comparable mission (wetland protection, migratory bird flyways, Ramsar engagement), though operating as an international NGO rather than a Chinese domestic foundation.
• Alxa SEE Foundation: China's largest environmental NGO and MCF's founding institutional sponsor. Both operate as public fundraising foundations funding ecological protection across China, share founder Wang Shi, and channel corporate CSR through similar donor networks — making them direct strategic peers in the Chinese environmental grantmaking space.
• ShanShui Nature Conservation Center: Major Chinese biodiversity conservation NGO running community-based protection projects, citizen science, and policy advocacy. Comparable scale, donor base, and project structure to MCF, though focused on terrestrial wildlife rather than coastal wetlands — a thematic peer rather than direct mangrove competitor.
• Wild China (野性中国): Chinese conservation NGO focused on wildlife photography, biodiversity monitoring, and environmental education. Comparable in mission, Chinese nonprofit status, and use of citizen science for biodiversity data — overlapping in education and species-monitoring roles.
• One Foundation (深圳壹基金公益基金会): Shenzhen-headquartered public fundraising foundation chaired by MCF co-founder Ma Weihua. Similar governance structure, Shenzhen base, public-facing fundraising model, and CSR partnership channels — natural board-level and donor-network peer.

Others

• Global Mangrove Alliance: International coalition of which MCF is a member, focused on expanding mangrove cover globally. Less a competitor and more an ecosystem convener; comparable in mandate, but MCF operates programs while GMA is a coordination/network platform.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/shenzhenmcf

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about MCF