Open books · Community-powered work
What it costs to run Carnivore Project
Responsible community science requires more than good intentions. It requires dependable tools, maintained equipment, careful data management, field travel, public resources, and the administrative foundation of a nonprofit organization. We want our community to understand what those needs cost and exactly what their support makes possible.
100% volunteer-led · No salaries or paychecks
Annual operating snapshot
The ongoing cost of keeping the project working
These rounded annual estimates reflect the practical expenses required to maintain Carnivore Project, support fieldwork, manage research data, assist residents, and provide useful community resources.
Ongoing operations, fieldwork, outreach, administration, and research data needs.
Figures are rounded planning estimates. Actual costs may change as programs expand and field needs evolve.
01 · Core infrastructure
Digital Infrastructure & Nonprofit Compliance
$800 / year
Website hosting and maintenance, nonprofit filing and compliance costs, cloud storage, AI and mapping programs, data-management platforms, printing ink, paper, correspondence, and routine office needs.
02 · Work in the field
Fieldwork & Resident Assistance
$1,500 / year
Reimbursable travel for research fieldwork, camera checks, site visits, and helping residents assess and respond to human-wildlife conflict situations.
03 · Public resources
Community Programs & Outreach
$1,000 / year
Local printing services, practical wildlife resources, public presentations, workshops, community events, and materials residents can use when they need reliable information.
04 · Basic operations
Administration & Operations
$200 / year
Postage, organizational supplies, registrations, processing costs, and the small but necessary expenses involved in operating a public-benefit nonprofit.
05 · Responsible records
Research & Data Management
$150 / year
Research records, data processing and archiving, long-term storage, mapping products, and preparation of accurate public reports and project findings.
How to read these figures
Rounded, practical estimates
Clear by design
We group related costs into understandable categories instead of presenting an overwhelming list of individual purchases. Amounts are reviewed as project needs and actual costs change.
Important: The annual operating estimate does not include the separate startup equipment campaign below. Donated equipment and expenses personally absorbed by volunteers are part of the project’s true cost, even when Carnivore Project does not directly pay for them.
Building the camera network
Research equipment is a separate investment
Carnivore Project is working to raise at least $10,000 for the equipment needed to establish, maintain, and safely operate a dependable camera-trap network. This is a startup goal rather than a recurring annual operating expense.
- Trail cameras
- Solar panels and power systems
- SD cards and data storage
- Batteries and chargers
- Mounts and security equipment
- Maintenance and retrieval supplies
- Protective cases
- Replacement and repair equipment
Choose how you help
Three ways to directly support the work
Financial gifts, equipment purchases, and in-kind contributions all help Carnivore Project expand its research capacity and provide practical support to communities.
Fund project needs
Donate through Zeffy
Make a one-time or recurring contribution toward fieldwork, public resources, research tools, and operating expenses.
Open donation campaignSend needed equipment
Shop the Amazon Wish List
Purchase requested field equipment and supplies that can be sent directly to Carnivore Project for immediate use.
View equipment wish listGive equipment or services
Make an in-kind donation
Contact us about donating trail cameras, batteries, SD cards, solar equipment, mounting supplies, professional services, or other useful resources.
Contact Carnivore ProjectOur promise to the community
No salaries. No hidden payroll.
Community-powered from the ground up.
Carnivore Project is currently 100% volunteer-led. No founder, board member, researcher, or supporting staff member receives a salary or paycheck. Our volunteers frequently contribute supplies, program costs, mileage, and other project expenses from their own pockets so the work can continue.
We currently receive no grant or operating funding from state or federal agencies, other nonprofit organizations, or institutional partners. Our work is sustained by community members who believe that residents deserve accessible wildlife information, responsive conflict-mitigation support, and careful, independent community science.
Every financial or in-kind contribution goes back into Carnivore Project to support programs, supplies, research equipment, fieldwork, data management, public resources, and the basic costs of operating the organization.