The Cougar Fund

What The Cougar Fund does

The Cougar Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation and education organization founded in 2001 by writer Cara Blessley Lowe and photographer Thomas D. Mangelsen, headquartered in Jackson Hole, Wyoming (EIN: 31-1796418). Its mission is to protect the cougar (mountain lion/puma/panther) and other carnivores throughout the Americas through education, science-based advocacy, and policy monitoring. The organization runs three core program lines: (1) Education — delivering 75+ programs per year across eight western and midwestern states with K-12 lesson plans, the Discover: Predators curriculum, the Wild Lives camera trap video series, and the Spirit of the Rockies documentary; (2) Science & Conservation — funding peer-reviewed research including Yellowstone cougar DNA studies and the 2026 Transboundary Corridors study with Conservation Science Partners; and (3) Advocacy & Policy Watch — monitoring cougar management policies in all 16 US states with breeding populations and mobilizing grassroots action, notably defeating Wyoming's HB0286 in 2025.

The organization has no proprietary technology stack; its outputs are content-based (curriculum, video, lesson plans, fact sheets) supported by a website, YouTube channels (Wild Nature Media and The Cougar Fund), Facebook, email newsletter, and in-person presentations. Its business model is donation-funded, drawing on three revenue streams: individual donations, private foundation grants (Howard G. Buffett, Patagonia, Ben & Jerry's, Avrum Katz, Charles Engelhard, Summerlee, Sierra Club/Avery Wildlife), and corporate partnerships (Discovery Communications, Matchbox Studios, Medulla Studio, Thomas D. Mangelsen, Inc.). Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. Notable governance includes co-founders Cara Blessley Lowe and Thomas D. Mangelsen, Board President Dr. Rick Hopkins, and Dr. Jane Goodall on the board. Operations extend domestically across 16 states and internationally via the B-Wild Mexico partnership.

Name

The Cougar Fund

Legal name

The Cougar Fund

Website

https://cougarfund.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Cougar Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2001 that protects cougars and other carnivores across the Americas through K-12 education programs, science-based policy advocacy, and conservation research, serving the general public, state wildlife agencies, hunters, landowners, and conservation scientists from its Jackson Hole, Wyoming base.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conservation Education & Advocacy Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Advocacy, Policy & Public Awareness (Animal Welfare) (BPAGAIAJ), Animal Welfare & Advocacy Organizations (AFAEALAC)

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation advocacy
• Conservation education programs
• Wildlife policy monitoring
• Carnivore habitat protection
• Nonprofit conservation research

Headquarters

HQ city

Jackson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The Cougar Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that accepts donations from individuals to support conservation programs, education initiatives, and advocacy efforts. Donations are actively sought through their website and fundraising appeals.
2. Foundation Grants: The organization receives funding from private foundations including Avrum Katz Foundation, Ben & Jerry's Foundation, Charles Engelhard Foundation, Howard G. Buffett Foundation, Patagonia Foundation, Sierra Club/Avery Wildlife Foundation, Summerlee Foundation, and others.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Support from corporations including Discovery Communications, Matchbox Studios, Medulla Studio, and Thomas D. Mangelsen, Inc.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Cougar Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that protects cougars (also known as mountain lions, pumas, and panthers) and other carnivores throughout the Americas through three core service lines: (1) public and K-12 conservation education programs and curriculum, (2) science-based conservation research including transboundary corridor mapping and protection of females and kittens, and (3) state-level wildlife policy monitoring and grassroots advocacy across 16 U.S. states with breeding cougar populations and in Mexico.

Product overview

The Cougar Fund is a nonprofit conservation organization that offers a portfolio of educational programs and advocacy services focused on cougar protection. Its core offerings include Education Programs (featuring lesson plans, Discover: Predators curriculum, Wild Lives camera trap videos, and the Spirit of the Rockies documentary), Science & Conservation Research (including the Transboundary Corridors Study and B-Wild Mexico partnership), and Advocacy & Policy Watch services. The organization also provides downloadable educational resources such as fact sheets, safety guides, and craft activities. Together, these products support public education, scientific research, and policy engagement for cougar conservation across the Americas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Education Programs In-person and virtual classroom presentations, public talks, and curriculum-aligned lesson plans covering cougar ecology, conservation, and safety for children and adults, delivered primarily in Jackson Hole and surrounding states (Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Arizona, Utah).
• Science & Conservation Research Scientific research initiatives supporting cougar population conservation, including funding and partnering on studies such as the Identifying Transboundary Corridors and Core Areas for Biodiversity Conservation in the Borderlands Region study with Conservation Science Partners and the B-Wild Mexico partnership documenting mountain lions through remote videography.
• Advocacy & Policy Watch State-by-state monitoring of cougar management policies across all 16 U.S. states with breeding cougar populations (Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, North Dakota, Texas, Florida), providing public meeting notifications, opportunities for citizen engagement, policy comments, and grassroots mobilization for science-based cougar protection.
• Spirit of the Rockies Documentary Short film documentary by co-founders Cara Blessley Lowe and Thomas D. Mangelsen confronting issues wild cougars face, including sport-hunting; available on DVD.

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Conservation Science Partners (CSP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Cougar Fund is partnering with CSP to sponsor the study 'Identifying Transboundary Corridors and Core Areas for Biodiversity Conservation in the Borderlands Region.' This collaboration supports research mapping key wildlife corridors and habitat areas across the US-Mexico borderlands for wide-ranging mammals including cougars, jaguars, and black bears.
• B-Wild MexicocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to protect mountain lions in Mexico, continuing The Cougar Fund's commitment to cougar conservation throughout the Americas. Sam Carrera serves as ambassador documenting lions through remote videography.
• Wild Nature MediacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDavid Neils produces wildlife footage for The Cougar Fund's educational content. All footage depicts completely wild behavior in wild places with no audio, scent, or visual lures. David also develops wildlife conservation projects supporting landowners with conservation easements.
• Arizona Game & Fish DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState wildlife agency partner for cougar conservation efforts in Arizona.
• Craighead Beringia SouthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization that conducted the Teton Cougar Project (2000-2013) documenting cougar demographics in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
• Jane Goodall InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Jane Goodall, renowned primatologist and UN Peace Ambassador, serves on The Cougar Fund's board of directors as a co-founder alongside Cara Blessley Lowe and Thomas D. Mangelsen.
• Mountain Lion FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting mountain lions, aligned with The Cougar Fund's mission.
• National Wildlife FederationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in habitat protection efforts including Bacon Creek/Fish Creek grazing allotment closure and other conservation initiatives.
• Predator DefenseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit focused on protecting native carnivores, aligned with The Cougar Fund's coexistence and non-lethal conflict prevention mission.
• WildEarth GuardiansminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organization partner working on wildlife and wildlands protection.
• Wyoming Game & Fish DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState wildlife agency partner for cougar management and conservation in Wyoming.
• Colorado State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner providing scientific research expertise in wildlife conservation.
• Teton Science SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner providing science-based learning programs in the Jackson Hole area.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Panthera: Global wild cat conservation organization with significant cougar/mountain lion research and protection programs, comparable in species focus but with broader international scope.
• WildEarth Guardians: Conservation organization focused on wildlife and wildlands protection, with active litigation and policy work on carnivores that overlaps The Cougar Fund's state-level advocacy approach.
• Mountain Lion Foundation: National nonprofit dedicated to protecting mountain lions across North America; operates as a direct peer in cougar conservation advocacy, education, and state-level policy work with overlapping organizational mandate.
• Predator Defense: Nonprofit focused on protecting native carnivores, particularly through coexistence and non-lethal conflict prevention, aligning closely with The Cougar Fund's coexistence education and advocacy mission.

Broad incumbents

• Center for Biological Diversity: Science-based advocacy organization using legal action to protect endangered species and habitats, including cougars and other carnivores, with overlapping advocacy methods.
• National Wildlife Federation: Largest US private conservation organization with broad habitat and species programs; listed as a direct partner of The Cougar Fund and competes for similar foundation and donor dollars.
• Defenders of Wildlife: Major national wildlife nonprofit with broad carnivore and habitat programs including cougars, representing a larger incumbent with overlapping but more diversified mandate.
• Wildlife Conservation Society: Major international wildlife conservation organization with active cougar research programs and field operations in the Americas, comparable in scientific rigor but with much broader species mandate.
• Sierra Club: One of the oldest and largest US environmental organizations with broad wildlife and habitat programs; the Sierra Club Foundation is an existing funder of The Cougar Fund through its Avery Wildlife Foundation.

Others

• International Crane Foundation: Specialized species-focused conservation nonprofit with similar nonprofit structure and education/research emphasis, illustrating the broader specialized-species conservation nonprofit archetype.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/WildNatureMedia/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/1513467210822974
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-cougar-fund

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

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 The Cougar Fund