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IMATA Conservation Fund

To date, IMATA has awarded $5,000 to conservation projects.

THE IMATA CONSERVATION FUND NOW ACCEPTS NOMINATIONS ALL YEAR

Purpose:

The International Marine Animal Trainers Association Conservation Fund was founded in 2011 to provide financial support for third-party non-profit organization projects which focus on conservation-oriented issues and promote communication, professionalism, and cooperation among those who serve marine mammal science through training, public display, research, husbandry, conservation and education. Some of IMATA’s previously funded conservation projects were managed by the Marine Mammal Care Center, Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership, Pacific Marine Life Foundation, UNCW-Marine Mammal Stranding Program, Manatee Research, and Zoo to You.

Goals:

To make significant contributions towards marine mammal science conservation-oriented issues.
To promote conservation efforts in the domestic and international marine animal community.
To increase IMATA member awareness of the issues supported.
To promote the “IMATA Gives Back” philosophy.
To expand IMATA’s role and position in the conservation community.
To increase the number of conservation-oriented IMATA members.

Review/Approval/Denial Procedures:

The IMATA Research & Conservation Committee has developed a Conservation Fund Sub-Committee who will review all Nomination Applications to ensure they meet all requirements and are completed correctly as well as make funding recommendations to the IMATA Board.
Funding will be denied if applications are not of significant merit, do not promote communication, professionalism, and cooperation among those who serve marine mammal science through training, public display, research, husbandry, conservation, and/or education, or if the nominee fails to agree to IMATA’s Terms of Acceptance, provide proof of the Organization’s non-profit status, Statement of Organizational Support, or copies of required permits (if applicable).
The Sub-Committee will review all viable Nomination Applications and will present award recommendations to the IMATA Board of Directors for consideration.
The IMATA Board of Directors will vote to determine if, and how much, funding will be awarded to the recommended Nomination Applications.
Funding award amounts may be reduced from the requested amount in order to accommodate other awards or if the IMATA Board determines that dispersal of these funds interfere with IMATA’s fiscal solvency.
Applicants and Project Managers will be notified of the Board’s funding decision within three months of receiving application.
Award funds will be made available within three months of award notification.