10 Bali Charities You Can Take Part in

Bali Sharks gives you a rare chance to safely swim in a shark nursery off Serangan Island, which has over a dozen blacktip reef sharks. Started as the Serangan Shark Project, it was founded by Hawaiian surfer Paul Friese, who’s also a conservationist committed to these sharks. 

Thanks to a collaboration with the Gili Eco Trust, Bali Sharks has released numerous rehabilitated sharks around the waters of the Gili Islands. Proceeds from eco-tours, merchandise and book sales go to the funding of the on-going efforts.

The Smile Foundation Bali is an independent organisation that provides medical assistance to people with craniofacial disabilities, such as cleft lip and palate, tumours, traumas and rare syndromes. Founded in 2005, it establishes partnerships with other organisations to assist disadvantaged patients for transfers between their homes and hospitals. The foundation also has its own patient house in Denpasar. 

When necessary, Yayasan Senyum Bali also arranges for legal documents and flights for patients to be flown to the Australian Craniofacial Unit in Adelaide for emergency surgeries. You can help through a donation of cash or essential goods, or by purchasing souvenirs from their gift shop.

Founded in 2007, the Bali Animal Welfare Association is a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the lives of animals, with efforts to alleviating animal suffering and overpopulation through medical care and spaying or neutering. They often organise street-feeding and adoption, as well as educating communities about animal welfare. 

BAWA collaborates with the Bali Street Dog Fund, an Australian non-profit dedicated to the welfare of cats and dogs on the island through veterinary care and public awareness.

The Bali Sea Turtle Society has been focusing on the welfare of sea turtles since 2011. The foundation aims to get the local community and travellers involved to help protect these endangered species. The Kuta Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Centre often organises turtle hatchling releases that are open to the public. 

You can donate or purchase a DVD titled A Journey Back to the Sea – all proceeds go to the turtle conservation efforts.

Friends of the National Parks Foundation was founded in 1997 by Balinese ornithologist Dr Bayu Wirayudha. The organisation works to protect wildlife, restore habitats, and improve the wellbeing of local communities through projects covering national forests in Kalimantan, Mount Batukaru, and Nusa Penida. 

Through this foundation, Dr Wirayudha and his team successfully bred the endemic Bali Starling, saving it from becoming endangered. You can take part in FNPF’s eco-tours, purchase merchandise with proceeds going back to fund their programs, donate, or volunteer at their conservation sites.