1 in every 3 bites of the food we eat is directly dependent on bee pollination, yet bee species worldwide are declining at an alarming rate. In the 1940s there were around 5.7 million honey bee colonies managed in America. By 2015, the number had dropped to just 2.74 million. And in recent years the number has dropped even further. However, charities around the world are now choosing to help bee populations thrive once again. So we had to ask: What are the best charities that help to save the bees?

The best charities for saving bees in terms of overall impact are Project Apis m. and the National Wildlife Federation. Charities such as the Planet Bee Foundation and Bees For Development do amazing work empowering local communities to protect their native bees. 

Whether you want to support the development of new wild meadows for bees to forage in, or help young children understand the ecological importance of bees, there is a charity for you. Keep reading to learn more about what the best charities that help to save the bees are all about, how they work, and what your best way would be to make a contribution.

Here’s What All the Best Charities That Help to Save the Bees Have in Common

The charities on this list were chosen based on their mission, impact and transparency ratings, and achievements.

They operate all over the world, from North America to Asia, to protect the world’s remaining bee populations and inspire a love of these insects in communities around the globe.

Many of the charities on this list work to establish new beehives on farmlands and in community areas. Others focus their efforts on growing native wildflowers in key areas, to provide nutritious forage for local bee populations.

Yet, all of them share the same goal – to ensure that bees thrive in the wild for generations to come.  

These Are the 9 Best Charities That Help to Save the Bees in 2024

Below are our favorite charities that help to save the bees (you can click on their link to directly jump to their section in this article):

Best Charities That Help to Save the Bees

Project Apis m.

National Wildlife Federation

Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation

Pollinator Partnership

Bees for Development

Planet Bee Foundation

The Bee Conservancy

The Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund

Karma Honey Project

(At the end of this article we’ll also share our six-step approach on how you can select the best charity to support.)

Project Apis m.: Enhancing The Health Of Honey Bees

Project Apis m. was founded in 2006 by a group of avid beekeepers and almond farmers in California. The charity was set up to address the concerns over honey bee health and today it is considered to be the top organization for honey bee research and crop pollination initiatives in America. Btw, the name Apis m. comes from Apis mellifera, the scientific name for the honey bee.

According to their financial report, Project Apis m. spent 84% of their income on funding research and forage, and 16% on overhead costs. 

“To fund research to enhance the health and vitality of honey bee colonies while improving crop production.”

Project Apis m.

Project Apis m. funds bee-related research studies, purchases equipment for university bee research labs, and provides scholarships to encourage the pursuit of science-based solutions to honey bee issues. Their Seeds for Bees program provides nutritious seed mixes to California farms, vineyards, and orchards, which are designed to bloom at times of the year when bee forage is scarce. 

To date, Project Apis m. has invested over $8.5 million into 42 bee research projects, and $2.9 million in forage programs. The charities’ Board of Directors now protects 85,000 colonies of bees which has resulted in over 5 million pounds of US honey being produced. Project Apis m has also planted 10,130 acres of bee forage and initiated 320 habitat protection projects for honey bees.  

You can donate directly to Project Apis m. through their website. You can also support the charity by getting involved in their annual Honey Saves Hives campaign by purchasing honey projects from participating companies. 

National Wildlife Federation: Protecting America’s Cherished Wildlife

The National Wildlife Federation was founded in 1936 by prize-winning political cartoonist J.N. “Ding” Darling after he arranged a meeting in Washington DC to discuss the plight of America’s wildlife. Today, the charity is dedicated to protecting and restoring wildlife habitats for a wide variety of species from fish and grizzly bears to bees and other pollinators.

The National Wildlife Federation holds the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, as well as a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator.

“Uniting all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in a rapidly changing world.”

The National Wildlife Federation

The National Wildlife Federation engages local communities to restore pollinator wildlife habitat through their Garden For Wildlife program. The program works by educating schools and communities on the basics needed to create local wildlife habitats that will attract butterflies, birds, and bees. They also sell a wide variety of native plants through their website that are essential for bees. In addition, they certify wild habitats through their Certified Wildlife Habitat Program.

To date, the National Wildlife Federation has planted 2,209 wildlife gardens, and created 122,460 sq ft of new habitat for pollinators. So far, they have helped to grow habitats for 102 bee species and 144 butterfly species. The charity has now helped over 5 million Americans build their own wildlife habitats through the Garden For Wildlife program

You can donate directly to The National Wildlife Federation through their website. You can also support the charity by attending one of their numerous events, or you can become a member of the charity and receive regular updates on their work.

Xerces Society For Invertebrate Conservation: Protecting The Worlds’ Invertebrates

The Xerces Society was founded in 1971 by Robert Michael Pyle after he attended a meeting of the British Entomological and Natural History Society to save the endangered Large Blue butterfly species. Shortly after, the butterfly became extinct, however, Robert saw this as a sign for movement and set up the Xerces Society in honor of the species. Today, the charity is dedicated to protecting the habitats of invertebrates across America, including bees.

The Xerces Society holds the Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, as well as a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.

“Protecting the natural world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats.”

Xerces Society

The Xerces Society is a science-based organization that works to restore vital invertebrate habitat across America by utilizing applied research, engaging in advocacy, and by providing educational resources to farmers. Their Bee Better Certified initiative works with farmers and food companies by creating eco-labels to inform customers that the products they are buying are from establishments dedicated to protecting pollinators such as bees. 

Within the last decade, the Xerces Society has restored 1.25 million acres of pollinator habitat. The charity has also educated 21,000 people on how to conserve invertebrates through their outreach and education programs. Through their Bee Better Certified program, the charity has now certified over 20,000 acres of farmland that are actively creating flowering hedgerows, wildflower meadows, and other forms of permanent pollinator habitat on their land.

You can donate directly to The Xerces Society through their website. You can also support the charity by purchasing items from their online shop.

Pollinator Partnership: Supporting Pollinators

Pollinator Partnership was founded in 2006 by Laurie Davies Adams, to protect all pollinators and their habitats, including bees. Today, the charity is the largest organization in the world solely dedicated to the protection and promotion of pollinators.

According to their financial report, Pollinator Partnership spent 48% of its income on conservation projects and research, 3% on fundraising, and 5% on management and general administration. The charity also has a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator.

“Protect their lives. Preserve ours.”

Pollinator Partnership

Pollinator Partnership works with multiple partners, including local governments, universities, and corporations, to protect all pollinators and their habitats across North America and globally. Their Bee Friendly Farming certification program works with local farmers to establish cover crops which provide a continuous source of food for wild bees and increases yield for farms. Their North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC) is a growing collaborative network of over 170 scientists, researchers, and conservationists that work to raise public awareness of the threats facing pollinators.

Through their Bee Friendly Farming Initiative, Pollinator Partnership has now certified over 64,000 acres of farmland. The charity has also funded over 30 research grants for honey bee health and improved over 25,000,000 kilometers of road for pollinators through the Highway Bees ACT. In addition, they have Restored just under 1200 acres of landscape in Southern California, which is home to endangered pollinator dependant species like the Santa Susana Tar Plant.

You can donate directly to Pollinator Partnership through their website. You can also support the charity by volunteering, or you can purchase school garden kits from them to protect pollinators in your area. 

Bees For Development: Making Life Better With Bees

Bees For Development was founded in 1993 by Megan Denver. The charity was originally set up to educate communities in poorer nations on the financial and ecological benefits of beekeeping. Today, Bees For Development tackles poverty in Africa, Asia, Europe, and America by providing local people with the tools and knowledge to perform sustainable beekeeping. 

According to their financial report, Bees For Development spent 82% of their income on project work, 6% on communications, and 4% on resources boxes and information services.

“To harness the power of bees to achieve less poverty and more biodiversity.”

Bees For Development

Bees For Development train communities in under-developed countries the art of beekeeping to increase biodiversity and provide a steady income for local families. They do this through direct training and by sending out resource boxes and training manuals to struggling families. They also have an extensive online Resource Center which contains over 3000 articles on all aspects of beekeeping 

To date, Bees For Development have trained over 1,550 new Beekeepers in developing countries and established 136 bee house sites that provide nesting sites for wild honey bees. In 2020, they helped growers to establish over 1000 honey bee colonies in cashew orchards across Ghana. This has increased cashew yield by 50%. In the same year, they also planted 38,000 seedlings in Amhara, Ethiopia, which has provided vital habitat for wild bees and increased diversity in the area. 

You can donate directly to Bees For Development through their website. You can also support the charity by setting up a fundraising event or by purchasing items from their online shop.

Planet Bee Foundation: Providing Bee Education

The Planet Bee Foundation was founded as the Marin Bee Company in 2010 by Bill and Debra Tomaszewski. Bill had been an avid beekeeper for 10 years prior and was concerned at the impact of Colony Collapse Disorder on honey bee populations when it emerged in 2006. Today the charity runs several workshops and educational programs in America, to instill a love of conservation and understanding of bees. 

According to their financial report, Planet Bee Foundation spent 80% of its expenditure on Environmental STEM Programs, 10% on fundraising, and 10% on administration. 

“Changing the world – one bee & one mind at a time.”

Planet Bee Foundation

The Planet Bee Foundation provides virtual Environmental STEM education programs that are centered around the needs and behaviors of bees. They also run seed ball programs for schools that provide classrooms with enough materials to grow 9000 flowers in local areas. In addition, the charity provides hands-on lessons in beekeeping and also helps communities set up their own hives through their Adopt-A-Hive scheme. 

Planet Bee Foundation now maintains 2,500,000 honey bees in the Bay Area. Since the launch of their Environmental STEM education programs, Planet Bee Foundation has provided over 20,000 students with the opportunity to learn about the importance of bees and how to help them. In 2020, they also provided virtual materials to 3,500 local students.

You can donate directly to the Planet Bee Foundation through their website. You can also support the charity by purchasing items from their online shop, where 100% of the proceeds go directly towards funding their education programs. In addition, you can purchase your own hive kit through the charities’ website. 

The Bee Conservancy: Save The Bees

The Bee Conservancy (formerly the Honey Bee Conservancy) was founded in 2009 by Guillermo Fernandez, in response to the alarming global decline of bees. The charity is a project of the Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs charity who support and fund projects that facilitate change in social and environmental justice. Today, the Bee Conservancy is dedicated to protecting bee species and building green spaces across America.

Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs hold the Silver Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. The charity also has a 100% encompass rating for finance and accountability from Charity Navigator.

“Protecting bees, building habitat, and strengthening communities together.”

The Bee Conservancy

The Bee Conservancy works to protect bee populations through their Sponsor-A-Hive program which places native bee homes and honey bee hives across America and Canada. Their 10 bee sanctuaries have been built across American zoos, farms, and other businesses to serve as valuable educational and environmental resources for both bees and local communities. They also provide numerous classroom resources and beekeeping workshops. 

Through their initiatives, the Bee Conservancy has protected an estimated 10 million bees to date. The charity has now gifted over 500 bee homes to communities across the United States, and 300 across Canada. 

You can donate directly to The Bee Conservancy through their website. You can also collect data on local bee populations by participating in their BeeBlitz program, which will help scientists to track local bee health and populations. 

The Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund: A Unique Conservation Solution

The Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund was founded in 2014 as a partnership between Project Apis m and Browning’s Honey Co. The charity was initially set up in response to the decline of high-quality nutritious forage for honey bees, and the loss of critical habitat for Monarch butterflies. Today, the charity runs numerous programs to provide forage for bees and other pollinators throughout the entire growing season. 

The Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund holds the Silver Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. The charity has yet to be scored by Charity Navigator. 

“Identifying opportunities to establish critical pollinator habitat to help honey bee and monarch butterfly populations thrive.”

The Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund

The Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund strategically grows the plants needed for bee and butterfly populations to thrive, on farms and ranches in America. They do this by providing free, or heavily discounted, seed mixes through their Seed A Legacy Program, as well as guidance on how to manage pollinator habitat.  

To date, the Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund has established more than 320 projects over 3,900 acres of land in 12 states. In addition, they have planted 13.9 million milkweed seeds as forage for honey bees and Monarch butterflies. 

You can donate directly to The Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund through their website. If you are a private, public, or corporate landowner, you can also apply to establish your own pollinator project through their Seed A Legacy Program.

Karma Honey Project: Saving The Bees Of The World

The Karma Honey Project was founded in 2018 by Candice Galek, to increase the Puerto Rican honey bee population and create local jobs through beekeeping. Today, the charity creates sanctuaries for native bee populations and assists local farms by incorporating beehives onto their land to increase revenue. 

The Karma Honey Project holds the Bronze Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. The charity has yet to be scored by Charity Navigator. 

“Save a bee, save the world.”

Karma Honey Project

The Karma Honey Project works to create new hives for native bees across Puerto Rico. They also donate funds to research that looks into the reasons bee populations are decreasing. Researchers in Puerto Rico have found an entirely new species of bee which is a cross between the Honey Bee and the African Killer Bee – the Africanized Honey Bee. This species appears to be more resistant to many of the pests that have had a detrimental effect on Honey Bee populations so the Karma Honey Project is now working to protect this species in the hope that it is the key to saving all bee species globally.

To date, the Karma Honey Project has rescued an estimated 10,500,000 bees and created 350 new hives across Puerto Rico. The charity has also encouraged over 40 cafes, restaurants, hotels, and bars, to buy the honey created by local farmers. This has increased revenue for local communities, increased awareness of the importance of bees, and has helped to feed over 2,000 families.

You can donate directly to The Karma Honey Project through their website. You can also support the charity by symbolically adopting a bee or adopting a hive.

How Can You Select the Best Charities to Support?

The charities on the list are, we deem, the best charities that help to save the bees. However, you may have a particular charity you want to support. Let’s look at what you can do to ensure your contribution has the most significant impact.

• Check out the charity website. Charities that are worthy of your donations are transparent in their mission and their figures. Familiarise yourself with their history, mission, and values. Their website usually is the best place to start.
• Identify the charity’s mission. Without a goal, the charity is likely to fail. If the charity’s mission isn’t clear, it’s probably worth looking for a charity that does have a clear mission. 
• Check if the charity has measurable goals. An effective charity has clear goals. You want to know your donation will help the charity reach its goals. But if it doesn’t have targets, it’s likely to fail or squander your gift. The charity should be able to account for its spending and supply evidence of the work they do.
• Assess the successes or goals the charity has achieved. You wouldn’t invest in a business if it kept missing its targets. In the same way, charities are like this too. If no one is assessing the progress a charity makes in reaching its targets, the chances are not making positive change.
• Check the charity’s financials and stats. Trustworthy organizations will publish financial statements and reports each year. Some might be exempt from having to do so, but they should be able to provide them to public members who are interested in donating.
• Locate sources who work with or benefit from the charity. Word of mouth and first-hand experience of a charity’s work lets you know the charity’s quality. If you’re able to do so, check out the charity for yourself or speak to someone familiar with it. This way, your donation will go to the right place. 

How Can You Best Support These Charities?

After you’ve made your decision, it’s time for you to decide on how you’d like to help the charities you’ve chosen. Check how you can help – each charity runs specific programs that have unique aims. Find out what the aim of such programs is and whether they are right for you. 

Here are a few ways you can help your chosen charity:

• Donate money. You can find donation pages on the website of most charities. Your donation can be a one-time payment, or you can set it to be deducted regularly at different intervals. You can mostly pay via credit card, but some charities also take PayPal or Bitcoin payments.
• Buy their official merchandise. The charities can also raise money by selling merchandise. So, you can support them by buying the mugs, shirts, caps, pens, pencils, and any other such items they may be selling. Ideally, you should buy as much as you can to share and spread the word about the charity’s activities.
• Engage in volunteer work. As you’ve seen from our descriptions above, some charities engage in a lot of local and grassroots programs. You can help by taking on and organizing the program in your local area.
• Help their fundraising efforts. You can spread the word about the charity in your workplace, school, church, etc., and hold creative fundraising drives on social media or offline within your small circles.
• Share their stories. Most charities have compelling stories that you can share with your audience to attract more people to the cause.

Final Thoughts

Now it is just up to you to select the charity that resonates most with you. And whichever charity you end up choosing and contributing to, we are sure that they will immensely appreciate your support. Hopefully, the information within this article has made this selection process a bit easier for you to support charities dedicated to helping to save the bees – based on the causes that matter most to you.

Stay impactful,

PS: Finally, I want to leave you with a thought-provoking TED talk from Dan Pallotta, a leading philanthropic activist, and fundraiser, about what is wrong with the way we think about charities – and what we can do about it:

Sources

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• Project Apis m: PAm-Costco Scholars
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