Ten years of crowdfunding for butterfly conservation

For over ten years, Butterfly Conservation has been leading the fight to protect butterflies, moths, and the natural habitats they depend on. Their vision is simple but powerful: a world where butterflies and moths are thriving and can be enjoyed by everyone, everywhere, forever.

Over that time, they have returned to Crowdfunder again and again, running more than 20 campaigns, raising over £200,000, and reaching new supporters across the UK. From restoring peat bogs in Scotland, to creating wild spaces for schoolchildren in Bristol, to rescuing some of the UK’s most threatened species, crowdfunding has helped turn ambitious conservation projects into reality.

---

Why Crowdfunding Matters for Conservation

As Butterfly Conservation’s Dr. Dan Hoare explains, butterflies and moths are “brilliant environmental indicators” because they respond quickly to change. Studying them helps scientists understand how climate change, habitat loss, and farming practices are affecting nature more widely.

But protecting these species takes more than science. It takes people. Individual givers are “the lifeblood of conservation,” says Hannah Rowsell, and Crowdfunder has been a vital way of connecting with them. Supporters have come from all walks of life: long-term members, community fundraisers, families remembering loved ones, or simply people who discover the charity through Crowdfunder and want to help.

Crowdfunding has also allowed Butterfly Conservation to innovate. By offering rewards such as pin badges or reserve tours, they have attracted new donors, inspired generosity at every level, and built stronger relationships with their community.

---

Looking Ahead

The charity is confident that crowdfunding will remain central to their fundraising future. Short, impactful two-week campaigns, personalised thank-yous, and the ability to share videos and updates make Crowdfunder a perfect fit for their digital-first strategy.

And 2025 has already been a busy year. Their latest appeal, Support the Large Heath, marks their third Crowdfunder campaign of the year. The project is focused on protecting the Large Heath butterfly, a species found in peatland habitats that are under serious threat. By restoring these landscapes, the charity will not only safeguard this unique butterfly but also lock in carbon and support wider biodiversity.

---

A Partnership That Inspires

From citizen science projects like the Big Butterfly Count to habitat restoration for rare species like the Duke of Burgundy, Butterfly Conservation has shown that recovery is possible when people come together for nature.

For more than a decade, Crowdfunder has been proud to support that journey. Together, we have helped Butterfly Conservation grow individual giving, inspire new audiences, and protect the species that light up our skies.

And with projects like the Large Heath appeal already making waves in 2025, it is clear that this partnership is only just taking flight.

If you are interested in starting a crowdfunding project for your charity, find out more here at our crowdfunding for charities page.