Cabela Family Foundation

The Cabela Family Foundation is a deeply personal, family-operated private foundation rooted in the Cabela outdoor retail dynasty. Founded by Dick and Mary Cabela — who built Cabela's from hand-tied fishing flies sold from their kitchen table in 1961 into one of the world's largest outdoor outfitting companies — the foundation carries forward the family's conservation and outdoor recreation values.

The giving philosophy centers on three pillars: outdoor recreation (especially for youth), wildlife conservation (through sustainable use and the North American Wildlife Conservation Model), and charity rooted in Catholic faith. This creates two distinct funding tracks that applicants must understand.

Track 1: Conservation. The foundation's signature work involves large-scale species reintroduction in Mozambique's Zambeze Delta — 24 lions relocated in 2019 and 12 cheetahs in 2021, with wildlife populations increasing approximately 3,000% across all species. Conservation applicants must align with sustainable-use principles and demonstrate measurable population outcomes.

Track 2: Faith and community. Catholic churches and institutions represent a significant portion of grants — St. Patrick's Church ($123,000), St. Luke's Catholic Church ($91,000), Holy Spirit Catholic Church ($77,000), Church of the Holy Ghost ($77,000), and Regis University ($80,000). This track is relationship-driven and centered on the family's personal parish and school connections.

For first-time applicants, the critical insight is that this foundation operates through direct partnerships, not competitive open calls. The grant request form exists on the website, but funding decisions are primarily driven by personal relationships with Executive Director Dan Cabela and the family board (David Cabela, Rich Cabela, Teri Wolff). Organizations like Wild Sheep Foundation ($200,000) and U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance ($80,000) received funding through alignment with the hunting conservation community.

The Cabela Family Foundation manages $16 million in assets with annual operating expenditures that fluctuate significantly based on conservation project cycles.

Annual giving trends (from IRS filings): - FY2023: $2,285,377 total expenditure, $308,277 in grants paid on $15.2M assets - FY2022: $2,500,309 total expenditure, $605,500 in grants paid on $15.4M assets - FY2021: $1,693,450 total expenditure, $750,000 in grants paid on $20.1M assets - FY2020: $1,159,505 total expenditure, $0 grants on $17.7M assets

The key distinction is between grants paid (to external organizations) and program expenses (conservation operations run directly by the foundation). The 12 Cheetahs program alone cost $586,690 in direct expenses, while 24 Lions cost $200,544. Hard Truths documentary production added $52,499. These are operating programs, not grants.

Grant distribution by recipient type: - Hunting/conservation organizations: ~38% (Wild Sheep Foundation $200,000, NRA $65,000, U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance $80,000) - Catholic churches and institutions: ~40% (St. Patrick's $123,000, St. Luke's $91,000, Holy Spirit $77,000, Holy Ghost $77,000, Regis University $80,000) - Youth/scouting: ~15% (Boy Scouts of America) - Other: ~7%

Grant size range: - Average: $41,535 across 22 recorded grants - Range: $5,000 to $200,000 - Largest single recipient: Wild Sheep Foundation ($200,000 across 2 grants)

The foundation does not publish a formal funding cycle. Grant timing appears tied to project needs and personal relationships rather than fixed deadlines.

The Cabela Family Foundation occupies a unique niche among mid-size conservation foundations, blending wildlife conservation with Catholic philanthropy and outdoor recreation.

The Cabela Foundation's distinguishing feature is its operating model: rather than primarily making grants, it runs conservation programs directly (cheetah and lion reintroduction in Mozambique, documentary production). This means a smaller percentage of its budget flows as grants to external organizations compared to pure grantmaking peers. The Wild Sheep Foundation ($200,000 in grants) and Catholic institutions ($368,000+ combined) are its primary external beneficiaries. For grant seekers, this means the foundation is most accessible to organizations that can partner on its existing projects rather than those seeking independent project funding.

The foundation's most visible recent initiative is the Hard Truths of Conservation documentary series, which premiered on Waypoint TV on November 18, 2025. Executive Director Dan Cabela hosts the series, which aims to challenge conventional narratives about wildlife conservation and promote sustainable-use principles. Dan Cabela spends over 200 days per year filming conservation stories globally.

The 12 Cheetahs project reached a significant milestone: after a 2021 transport of 11 cheetahs (four females, seven males) to a 4,500-square-kilometer area of the Zambeze Delta (Coutada 11), three females gave birth to wild litters in 2023. Scientist Willem Briers-Louw projects the population could reach 100 cheetahs within 15 years.

A new partnership with the International Order of T. Roosevelt for a bison conservation initiative marks the foundation's expansion into North American species conservation, beyond its core African focus.

Dan Cabela also announced a corporate partnership with Leica Sport Optics USA for field equipment support.

On the leadership side, Daniel M. Cabela (Executive Director) received $83,294 in compensation in FY2023, while all other board members — Mary A. Cabela (President), Richard J. Cabela (VP), David M. Cabela (Director), and Teresa D. Wolff (VP/Secretary) — serve without compensation. The foundation's operating expenses significantly exceed its grants paid, reflecting its direct-operations conservation model.

Understand the two-track giving model. The Cabela Family Foundation operates two parallel funding tracks: (1) wildlife conservation aligned with sustainable-use principles and the North American Wildlife Conservation Model, and (2) Catholic faith-based institutions. Your proposal must clearly fit one of these tracks.

Download and complete the grant request form. The form is available on the Our Support page (cabelafamilyfoundation.org/our-support). This is the formal entry point, but the form alone is unlikely to secure funding — relationship-building is essential.

Build a relationship with Dan Cabela first. As Executive Director, Dan Cabela is the primary decision-maker for conservation partnerships. He is active on Instagram (@dancabela), TikTok (@dancabela), and Facebook (DanCabelaHTC). Engage with the Hard Truths of Conservation content and attend hunting/conservation industry events where he speaks.

Frame conservation projects in measurable species outcomes. The foundation's signature achievements are quantified: 24 lions relocated, 12 cheetahs released, 3,000% wildlife population increase, 3 wild-born cheetah litters. Proposals should include specific population targets, geographic scope, and timeline.

Consider partnership over pure grant funding. The foundation's operating model favors direct involvement over arms-length grantmaking. Organizations like Zambeze Delta Conservation and Ivan Carter Wildlife Alliance succeeded because they partnered on the foundation's projects. Propose joint ventures, not just funding requests.

Catholic institutions should emphasize community impact. Churches and Catholic schools that have received grants (averaging $80,000-$90,000) appear to have personal connections to the Cabela family. If you are a Catholic institution in the Cabela family's network (Nebraska, Omaha area), frame your request around community impact and stewardship.

Be patient with timing. There is no published funding cycle or deadline. Grant decisions are made on an ongoing basis tied to project needs and relationship development.