About
The Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) is a global, community-led conservation organization founded in 1977 by Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE (1934-2025), the pioneering primatologist whose study of wild chimpanzees at Gombe, Tanzania, transformed our understanding of animals and humanity. Headquartered in Washington, DC, JGI advances Dr. Goodall's vision "to make the world a better place for people, other animals, and our shared environment" through science-driven research, community-centered conservation, animal welfare, forest restoration, and youth empowerment.
Mission
JGI describes itself as a science-driven, community-led conservation organization that advances Dr. Jane Goodall's vision of hope through action. Its work is grounded in four principles: respect for all life, evidence-based optimism, community partnership, and scientific rigor.
What they do
- Gombe Stream Research Center: home to the longest-running wild chimpanzee study in the world, continuing the behavioral research Dr. Goodall began in 1960
- Tacare: JGI's signature community-led conservation approach, launched in 1994, which places local communities at the forefront of conservation and now operates in more than 100 villages
- Tchimpounga Sanctuary: established in 1992 in the Republic of the Congo, the largest chimpanzee sanctuary in Africa, caring for more than 150 chimpanzees rescued from the illegal wildlife trade
- Roots & Shoots: JGI's youth program, founded in 1991 when twelve Tanzanian students approached Jane seeking ways to create positive change; it now has active members in more than 75 countries
- Africa programs protecting great apes and their habitats while supporting local communities, and combating wildlife trafficking and habitat loss
History
Dr. Goodall arrived at the Gombe Stream Chimpanzee Reserve in Tanzania in 1960, where she discovered that chimpanzees make and use tools — challenging the definition of "Man the Toolmaker" — and observed them eating meat, disproving assumptions that they were vegetarian. She founded the Jane Goodall Institute in 1977, initially to support the continuation of her chimpanzee research at Gombe; it has since evolved into a global conservation organization spanning research, sanctuaries, community-led conservation, and youth engagement.
Scale and impact
Figures published by JGI for 2024 include more than 9 million acres of chimpanzee habitat protected and managed, 65+ years of continuous research at the Gombe Stream Research Center, 150+ rescued chimpanzees at Tchimpounga, 30 JGI offices globally, Roots & Shoots members in 75+ countries, and more than 100 villages implementing Tacare conservation strategies.
Financials
According to ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, the Jane Goodall Institute for Wildlife Research, Education and Conservation reported fiscal year 2024 revenue of $30,550,365, expenses of $29,675,282, and total assets of $22,558,265. The IRS granted its tax exemption in April 1978.
