The Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund (DWCF) was established in 1995 as a global awards program for the study and protection of the world's wildlife and ecosystems. It provides annual awards to US nonprofit conservation organizations working alongside their peers in other countries. Many of the recipient organizations concentrate their activities on "biological hotspots" -- areas rich in plant and animal life at risk of imminent destruction.

Since its inception, the fund has contributed more than $6 million, distributed among 200 projects in two dozen countries. Each project is evaluated on specific criteria, including scientific methodologies, magnitude of need, involvement of partner organizations, ability to impact an area in the near-term, and elements of public education and community involvement.