What Tusk USA does

Tusk USA, legally Tusk Trust Limited, is a UK-registered conservation charity founded in 1990 that supports African-led wildlife conservation, community development, and environmental education. The organisation operates a portfolio of programmes and events including the Lewa Safari Marathon (held annually in Kenya since 2000 with 1,300+ runners from 33 countries in 2026), the Wildlife Ranger Challenge (a pan-African endurance event that has raised $25M+ since 2020 and supports 11,500 rangers across 24 African countries), the Tusk Conservation Awards, the Tusk Conservation Symposium, and the PACE (Pan African Conservation Education) programme reaching 200,000 children. Conservation work is delivered through a curated network of 45+ grassroots African project partners spanning 20 countries, with reported cumulative impact of 50 million+ hectares secured for wildlife and protection of 41 threatened species.

The charity's revenue model is donation-driven, with over 90% of contributions invested directly into programmes. Diversified income streams include individual donations (website, bank transfer, crypto), the Patrons' Circle ($1,500+/year major donors), merchandise sales through a Teemill-powered e-commerce store with partner artists donating 5-44% of sales, signature event entry fees, planned/legacy giving (wills, charitable remainder trusts), and an affiliate travel partnership with Exceptional Travel committing 50% of Tusk supporter trip profits plus 5% of overall profits. US tax-deductible giving is facilitated through a CAF America-administered donor-advised fund (Friends of Tusk Fund), and over 100 cryptocurrencies are accepted via The Giving Block. Technology footprint is limited to a standard charity website and the Teemill storefront; no proprietary technology platform or AI capabilities are described.

Tusk has 11-50 employees and is headquartered in Tisbury, Wiltshire, UK. HRH The Prince of Wales has served as Royal Patron since 2005, and notable ambassadors include Sir David Attenborough. The organisation is governed by trustees and operates a wholly-owned trading subsidiary (Tusk Trust Trading Ltd.) for commercial activities. Recent strategic actions include a landmark 2025 mountain bongo repatriation from Florida to Mt. Kenya, a 2026 brand refresh with new visual identity, and continued geographic and channel expansion across Africa and digital giving rails.

Name

Tusk USA

Legal name

Tusk Trust Limited

Website

https://tusk.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tusk USA (legally Tusk Trust Limited) is a UK-registered conservation charity founded in 1990 that funds and supports 45+ grassroots African wildlife and community projects through donations, signature events (Lewa Safari Marathon, Wildlife Ranger Challenge), merchandise, and travel partnerships, serving individual donors, corporate sponsors, and project partners across 20 African countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Conservation Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodiversity, Conservation & Natural Capital Funds (FSANAJAG)

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation funding
• Community development programs
• Environmental education materials
• Conservation fundraising events
• Charity donation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Tisbury

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tusk receives donations from individuals, major donors, and supporters. Over 90% of donations are invested directly into conservation projects and partner organisations. Donations are accepted via the website, bank transfer, check, and cryptocurrency.
2. Merchandise Sales: Tusk sells branded merchandise including organic cotton clothing, accessories, artwork, books, and specialty products through the Tusk Store (shop.tusk.org) powered by Teemill. Partner artists, designers, and authors donate a share of their profits to Tusk's work.
3. Cryptocurrency Donations: Tusk accepts over 100 different cryptocurrencies through The Giving Block platform, which converts crypto to mainstream currency before it enters Tusk's financial systems.
4. Event Revenue: Tusk organises and hosts paid fundraising events including the Lewa Safari Marathon, comedy nights, gala dinners, and conservation treks. Event participation fees and fundraising associated with these events contribute to revenue.
5. Conservation Travel Partnerships: Through the partnership with Exceptional Travel, 50% of profits from Tusk supporter trips are donated to Tusk, plus a further 5% of Exceptional Travel's general profits are committed to Tusk projects.
6. Planned Giving and Legacy Gifts: Tusk receives gifts in wills and through estate planning. Unless otherwise specified, bequest gifts are invested in Tusk's Endowment Fund to provide a regular and sustainable source of income. Various planned giving vehicles are offered including charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, and beneficiary designations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Tusk is a UK-registered conservation charity that raises funds through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, merchandise sales, and signature events to support African-led wildlife conservation, community development, and environmental education. The charity channels over 90% of donations directly to a network of 45+ grassroots conservation organizations across Africa, while engaging supporters through programs such as the Lewa Safari Marathon, Wildlife Ranger Challenge, Patrons' Circle, and the Tusk Store.

Product overview

Tusk is a conservation charity organization (not a technology company) that operates a portfolio of conservation programs, events, and fundraising initiatives across Africa. The organization offers event-based fundraising programs including the Lewa Safari Marathon, Wildlife Ranger Challenge, and Tusk Conservation Awards. Educational offerings include the PACE (Pan African Conservation Education) program reaching 200,000 children, the Tusk Talk Magazine, and Tusk Talks Podcast. The organization also operates a merchandise store through a partnership with Teemill. Conservation work is delivered through a network of 45 project partners supporting species protection, anti-poaching efforts, community development, and habitat preservation across the continent.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tusk Conservation Awards: Annual awards celebrating unsung conservation heroes of Africa
• Tusk Conservation Symposium
• Wildlife Ranger Challenge
• Lewa Safari Marathon
• PACE (Pan African Conservation Education)
• Tusk Next Gen
• Patrons' Circle
• Tusk Talk Magazine

Products and services

• Lewa Safari Marathon Annual paid marathon event held at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya, offering marathon, half-marathon, and 10km race options through wildlife-rich landscapes to raise funds for conservation and community development.
• Wildlife Ranger Challenge Annual physical endurance event connecting wildlife ranger teams from across Africa through a coordinated 21km race carrying 22kg of kit, symbolizing global solidarity with the wildlife ranger profession.
• Tusk Store E-commerce storefront selling Tusk-themed merchandise including organic cotton clothing, accessories, artwork, books, watches, jewellery, and specialty products, with profits supporting conservation.
• Patrons' Circle Annual major-donor membership programme requiring a minimum contribution of $1,500 or £1,500, providing supporters with personal engagement, project updates, and event invitations.
• Conservation Travel (Exceptional Travel Partnership) Conservation-focused travel bookings through Exceptional Travel to African destinations, with 50% of trip profits and an additional 5% of the partner's total profits donated to Tusk conservation projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• 41 threatened species benefit from Tusk's projects
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

36 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Lewa Wildlife ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2000Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is Tusk's longest-standing partner, co-organising the annual Lewa Safari Marathon since 2000. The partnership has helped raise over $10 million for conservation and community development. Lewa is a UNESCO World Heritage site in northern Kenya and home to 12% of Kenya's black and white rhinos. Tusk has been a key partner for over 30 years.
• SafaricomcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSafaricom is a key partner powering the Lewa Safari Marathon, providing sponsorship support for the annual conservation running event in Kenya.
• HuaweicoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHuawei is a sponsor powering the Lewa Safari Marathon, supporting the annual conservation event in Kenya.
• Exceptional TravelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExceptional Travel has supported Tusk for over 10 years, providing logistics for the Lewa Safari Marathon and ad hoc travel planning for donors. The partnership was formalised with Exceptional Travel committing 50% of profits from Tusk supporter trips and a further 5% of their total profits to Tusk projects. Together they pioneer conservation travel.
• The Giving BlocksupportingTechnology or IntegrationTusk accepts over 100 different cryptocurrencies through The Giving Block, described as the most environmentally friendly crypto donation platform. The platform converts crypto to mainstream currency before it enters Tusk's financial systems.
• CAF AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAF America administers 'The Friends of Tusk Fund', a US donor-advised fund allowing American supporters to make 100% tax-deductible donations to Tusk (Tax ID 43-1634280). CAF America also facilitates planned giving and check/bank transfer donations from US donors.
• DHL ExpresssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerDHL Express Europe transported 17 critically endangered mountain bongos from Florida to Kenya in a Bongo-branded Boeing 767, covering 7,146 nautical miles. DHL leveraged its global logistics network to assist in this complex conservation mission.
• Rare Species Conservatory Foundation (RSCF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRSCF has managed mountain bongo breeding and species recovery since 1991 in Florida. They donated 17 bongos (12 females, 5 males) to the government of Kenya for repatriation. RSCF worked with Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Tusk on this landmark translocation project.
• Kenya Wildlife ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKenya Wildlife Service transported the repatriated mountain bongos 250kms by road to the slopes of Mt. Kenya for release into a specially designed sanctuary built by Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and MBRCT.
• Kenya Forest ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKenya Forest Service set aside a 20-acre sanctuary on the northeastern slope of Mt. Kenya for the repatriated mountain bongos, in partnership with Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.
• Defender (Land Rover)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerDefender (Land Rover) is listed as a supporting partner of Tusk, likely providing vehicle support for conservation field operations.
• TeemillsupportingTechnology or IntegrationTusk joined forces with Teemill to offer a range of Tusk-inspired organic cotton clothing that doesn't cost the earth. Teemill powers the Tusk e-commerce store (shop.tusk.org).
• Ninety OnesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerNinety One is a partner of the Tusk Conservation Awards, having partnered with Tusk for the 2022 awards ceremony held at Hampton Court Palace in London.
• Northern Rangeland TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthern Rangeland Trust (NRT) is a core Tusk project partner managing a growing number of community conservancies across northern Kenya. NRT supports community-led development, enterprise, and peace efforts linked to wildlife protection.
• Conservation South LuangwacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation South Luangwa (CSL) is a Tusk project partner responsible for safeguarding South Luangwa National Park in Zambia through anti-poaching units, radio collar studies, and population research.
• The Zambia Carnivore ProgrammecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Zambia Carnivore Programme is a Tusk project partner working alongside Conservation South Luangwa to protect Zambia's wildlife including lions, leopards, and wild dogs.
• Conservation Lower ZambezicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation Lower Zambezi (CLZ) is a Tusk project partner dedicated to sustaining daily anti-poaching patrols, re-introduction programmes, and research within the Lower Zambezi National Park. CLZ also addresses human-wildlife conflict with local communities.
• Malilangwe TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMalilangwe Trust is a Tusk project partner that has implemented a remarkable restoration of the 130,000-acre Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve in Zimbabwe from a cattle ranch to its former natural state over 30 years. The Trust is dedicated to environmental conservation and community development.
• Save the Rhino Trust NamibiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSave the Rhino Trust Namibia is a Tusk project partner whose mission is to protect the critically endangered desert-adapted black rhino, ensuring security of its habitat and a sustainable future for local communities in Damaraland, Namibia.
• Honeyguide FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHoneyguide Foundation is a Tusk project partner working on wildlife and community conservation initiatives in Tanzania.
• James Hambro & Partners LLPsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerJames Hambro & Partners LLP is the raffle sponsor for Tusk's 'A Wild Night of Comedy' event at The Comedy Store in London.
• Big Life FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBig Life Foundation is a Tusk project partner operating in the Amboseli-Tsavo-Kilimanjaro ecosystem of Kenya, protecting elephants and other wildlife from poaching and human-wildlife conflict.
• Lion LandscapessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLion Landscapes is a Tusk project partner working with communities to prevent livestock loss from lion predation through early alert systems and incentive programmes.
• Conservation Through Public HealthsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation Through Public Health (CTPH) is a Tusk project partner in Uganda promoting gorilla conservation by improving healthcare and economic opportunities for local communities.
• Living with WildlifesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLiving with Wildlife is a Tusk project partner in Uganda providing communities with skills to grow their own food and create sustainable livelihoods, reducing human-wildlife conflict.
• Uganda Conservation FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUganda Conservation Foundation is a Tusk project partner providing equipment, infrastructure, expertise, and training to enhance the Uganda Wildlife Authority's capacity and effectiveness.
• Mount Kenya TrustsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMount Kenya Trust is a Tusk project partner deploying a horseback patrol team using Ethiopian horses to protect the Mount Kenya ecosystem, covering vast distances and accessing terrain that vehicles cannot reach.
• Friends of BonobossupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFriends of Bonobos rescues orphaned and illegally traded bonobos in the Democratic Republic of Congo, nursing them back to health before releasing them into the wild.
• Mali Elephant ProjectsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Mali Elephant Project, led by Nomba Ganame, works with local communities to develop a sustainable grassroots model of community-led environmental management protecting Mali's elephant population.
• SW/Niger Delta Forest ProjectsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSW/Niger Delta Forest Project is a Tusk project partner protecting 3,300 hectares from illegal logging and hunting in Nigeria's Ise Forest Conservation Area, home to a biologically unique chimpanzee population.
• Herp GhanasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHerp Ghana is a Tusk project partner managing and protecting Togo slippery frog habitat in Ghana, with significant efforts on raising awareness of conservation needs.
• Rwanda Wildlife Conservation AssociationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRwanda Wildlife Conservation Association (RWCA) is a Tusk project partner combatting threats to grey crowned cranes, protecting their habitat and stopping illegal trade in Rwanda.
• Association pour la protection des Tortues Marines de Maroc (ATOMM)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerATOMM is a Tusk project partner working with women and children to involve them in marine conservation efforts in Morocco, protecting sea turtles.
• Lamu Marine Conservation TrustsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLamu Marine Conservation Trust is a Tusk project partner protecting 5 threatened species of sea turtles (Green, Hawksbill, Olive Ridley, Leatherback and Loggerhead) in the waters around Lamu, Kenya.
• C3 (Madagascar)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerC3 is a Tusk project partner in Madagascar working to protect the marine habitat that dugongs rely on, promoting alternative livelihoods and sustainable fisheries management.
• Programa TatosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrograma Tato is a Tusk project partner based in São Tomé dedicated to protecting sea turtles through sustainable management of nesting beaches and foraging grounds, with strong community involvement.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Wildlife Conservation Society: US-based conservation charity operating major field programs in Africa and Asia with significant zoo and aquarium network. Comparable as a major donor-funded wildlife conservation organization with field programs, education, and species-protection mandate overlapping with Tusk's mission.
• Conservation International: US-headquartered global conservation organization working across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Comparable as a major donor-funded charity with species and habitat programs, but with significantly larger scale, broader global footprint, and more corporate/government partnerships.
• The Nature Conservancy: Largest US-based environmental conservation charity, operating globally on land and marine protection. Comparable as a donor-funded charity supporting conservation across multiple continents, but with far greater scale, broader mandate, and US-centric donor base.
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF): Global conservation giant operating across Africa and worldwide, with much larger donor base and program scale. Comparable as a donor-funded charity supporting species protection, habitat conservation, and community programs in Africa, but with broader geographic and thematic scope.

Direct peers

• David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation: UK-based conservation charity funding grassroots wildlife protection projects across Africa and Asia. Comparable as a smaller UK charity using individual donor fundraising, artist partnerships (Shepherd's artwork), and grant-making to support ranger and anti-poaching initiatives.
• Born Free Foundation: UK-based wildlife charity focused on species conservation and welfare globally with significant Africa operations. Comparable as a similarly-structured UK conservation charity using donations, merchandise, and events to fund species-protection and community programs.
• African Wildlife Foundation: US-headquartered conservation organization focused exclusively on African wildlife and habitats. Comparable as a donor-funded charity channeling resources to African-led conservation programs across multiple countries, with similar species-protection and community-engagement mandates.
• Save the Rhino International: UK-based charity dedicated to protecting rhinos across Africa, with funding flowing to field conservation projects. Comparable as a UK charity fundraising through individual donors, corporate partners, and events for African rhino conservation programs.
• Fauna & Flora International: UK-headquartered conservation NGO protecting threatened species and habitats globally, with significant African footprint. Comparable as a similarly-sized British charity operating community-led conservation programs funded by donations, legacies, and corporate partnerships.
• Zoological Society of London: UK-based scientific and conservation charity operating field programs across Africa and Asia, including anti-poaching and community conservation. Comparable as a London-headquartered charity combining individual giving, corporate partnerships, and conservation science to fund African wildlife protection.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/tuskcharity
• Facebookfacebook.com/tusk.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tusk-org
• Instagraminstagram.com/tusk_org
• Xx.com/tusk_org

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tusk USA