Why Elephants?
We are focused on Africa’s savanna and forest elephants because Richard studied and understood and worked to conserve both of these remarkable species extensively, because the challenges facing them today call for commitment, practical action, and long-term support, and because as Richard often said, “Elephants are a bellwether, as goes the elephant, so goes everything else.”
Elephants are ecosystem engineers and as such they modify landscapes not just for themselves but for the many species, including humans, they share landscapes with. In the modern era assuring elephants can safely co-exist in complex human-dominated landscapes decides their and our future.
Why Richard?
Richard was a profoundly impactful human. He changed the lives of many people with his wisdom, his time, and his commitment to their own impact and to effective conservation.
Living on the planet with Richard meant knowing that someone was taking care of elephants. He is one of the great unsung heroes of modern conservation.
This fund is an effort to continue the impact that Richard created in his life through small, consistent, focused, committed effort over the long term. This endowed fund ensures that legacy continues.
© Richard G. Ruggiero
Why a Fund?
Throughout his career, Richard saw how relatively small, well-targeted investments could help launch careers, strengthen conservation organizations, support innovative ideas, and create lasting impact for elephants and the people working to conserve them.
As a way to continue supporting his hope for the future of elephants, Richard's family created the Richard G. Ruggiero Savanna and Forest Elephant (RGR SAFE) Fund in 2024 to continue the work and values that defined his life. As an endowed fund, every contribution helps build a permanent source of support for practical, ethical, field-grounded elephant conservation.
Our Vision
Exceptional people performing practical, ethical, field-grounded conservation ensure African savanna and forest elephants continue to thrive in the landscapes they have shaped for millennia.
Our Mission
The RGR SAFE Fund supports exceptional people conducting practical, ethical, field-grounded conservation that produces measurable, positive impact for African savanna and forest elephants.
Guided by the legacy and practice of Dr. Richard G. Ruggiero, the Fund prioritizes applied knowledge, long-term elephant systems stewardship, and transformative storytelling that
strengthens conservation leadership and impact.
About The
RGR SAFE Fund
NEW for 2026
Richard G. Ruggiero Memorial Scholarship
In partnership with the Center for Wildlife Studies, the Richard G. Ruggiero Savanna and Forest Elephant (RGR SAFE) Fund is pleased to support the next generation of conservation leaders through four scholarships for the Conservation Standards online course.
Applications Have Closed Scholarship Announcement Soon!
Inaugural Year (2025) Support
This fund honors Richard’s memory and contributions in his memory have already helped advance elephant conservation systems in meaningful ways.
Savanna elephants
Our funding has contributed to a dedicated scholarship for emerging leaders focused on elephant conservation through Save the Elephants and in memory of Richard’s long-time colleague Dr. Iain Douglas-Hamiton, CBE (1942-2025).
Forest elephants
Our funding has provided support for human-elephant conflict mitigation in Central Africa through the Nouabalé-Ndoki Foundation in Republic of Congo, including practical approaches to protecting livelihoods, elephant systems, and their habitats in shared landscapes.
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How This Fund Connects to WHWF
The William Holden Wildlife Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, that has advanced conservation education and alternatives to habitat destruction in Africa for more than four decades, is home to the RGR SAFE Fund. Richard had a long-standing professional relationship with the Foundation and its President, Stefanie Powers, united by a shared commitment to practical conservation and the people working to protect wildlife.
What This Fund Supports
The RGR SAFE Fund supports people and efforts that are practically grounded and produce measurable, positive impact for elephant systems.
That includes:
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active conservation in the field
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human-elephant conflict mitigation
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scholarships and support for emerging conservationists
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work that generates applied knowledge through action
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long-term stewardship of elephant systems
We are especially interested in supporting the kind of conservation action Richard emulated in his life: thoughtful, ethical, practical, innovative work carried out by people of integrity that contributes to applied knowledge about what works in elephant conservation and assures safety and conservation of the habitats and landscapes and communities where elephants live.
Fund Stewardship & Management
This endowed fund was established by Richard’s family. They are guided by an Advisory Board composed of Richard’s colleagues who worked with him for many years as he led elephant and other wildlife grant programs and conservation project development across Africa.
The financial management of the fund is through the William Holden Wildlife Foundation, a 501(c)(3)
organization.
During the Fund's initial years (2025–2026), the Advisory Board identifies and selects funding recipients as it establishes grantmaking procedures and evaluation processes. Beginning in 2027, the Fund anticipates launching an open application process for eligible projects and conservation professionals.
Casey Savanna Ruggiero
Ryan Forest Ruggiero
2026 Advisory Board
Cyndi Perry
The Fund Goal & Donations
Throughout his career, Richard saw that some of conservation's greatest opportunities depended not on large budgets, but on timely support for exceptional people with practical ideas. The RGR SAFE Fund was created to provide that kind of strategic investment—supporting organizations and conservation professionals whose work delivers lasting benefits for Africa's savanna and forest elephants.
The RGR SAFE Fund is committed to sponsoring at least $10,000 annually in conservation funding while the endowment is being built. Administrative expenses are also fully sponsored, ensuring that all donations help build this long-term fund while meaningful conservation investments begin immediately.
Our goal is to grow the endowment to $1 million, generating approximately $50,000 annually to support exceptional people and projects working to conserve Africa's savanna and forest elephants for generations to come.
100% of your donations to the RGR SAFE Fund are directed to the Fund's endowment and are tax deductible in the United States to the extent permitted by law.
