Does IFAW donate to political parties?

IFAW has not, does not, or will not donate to any political party. This is charity law.  

There have been reports suggesting that IFAW donated £1 million to the Labour Party in the UK in 1997 – this is not true.    

IFAW’s founder, the late Brian Davies stepped down from his role of CEO in 1996 and officially left the organisation in 1997. Following this, he went on to set up an alternative animal welfare organisation called the Political Animal Lobby. In that year, the Political Animal Lobby made a donation of £1 million to the Labour Party, as well as to other political parties.  

IFAW and the Political Animal Lobby were two entirely separate organisations, having no influence on each other’s actions.   

As a charity, IFAW has never donated or given financial support to any political party. Instead, we work with governments by providing expertise, evidence through research and insights through our campaigns that mobilise supporters that care about animals and conservation.