We are a small U.S. 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity run by a mighty all-volunteer board. Small charities are underdogs, often overlooked for funding. The endangered African penguins we protect are also underdogs. Many people don’t realize that South Africa has penguins (special because they are found only there and in part of Namibia), let alone that they are endangered and may become functionally extinct in the wild by 2030.
Being an underdog is not an aspirational identity most would embrace, yet here we are, underdogs protecting underdogs. We’re the little foundation that could. With your help, we can expand our capacity to be of greater service to the endangered African penguins.
Our Why
The idea for KruShan Foundation began as a conversation after we returned from a 2019 visit to South Africa just a couple of months before the COVID-19 shutdown. We’ve seen how those who polluted the least suffer some of the worst consequences of climate change. We have roots in the communities we serve. Kruger is from South Africa, and Shannon has loved South Africa since her first visit in 2010.
Because we’ve been on-site with the African penguins many times, it seemed natural to form partnerships in South Africa with organizations working tirelessly to protect them from extinction.
Charismatic and iconic, the African penguin is a joy to behold. If we can save one species, we’ll leave the world brighter for future generations.
Our What
We value nature for its intrinsic worth rather than the human-centered approach that values nature as something humans can exploit.
We protect African penguins from extinction by increasing awareness of their plight through education and outreach.
We fund efforts to bolster populations in the wild, such as:
• rejoicing when raised or rehabilitated African penguins are released into the wild.
Our How
What makes us different?
We are a small, determined, optimistic charitable organization. We never try to act like we are bigger than we are.
We aren’t in a bubble—we have years of direct experience in the field with African penguins. We continue to meet regularly with our partners in South Africa, who work tirelessly to protect them from extinction.
We are not rich people. We are working professionals. KruShan Foundation has less than 1% overhead expenses (no salaries to us, no office rent), we pay for our own travel, and we have minimal fundraising expenses. At least 95% of your donation goes directly to protect the African penguins.
With your help, we can grow and expand our protection of these special African penguins as “the little foundation that could.”