About Wildlife Support Fund

The Wildlife Support Fund, WSF, is a 501(c)3 corporation organized exclusively for charitable, scientific and educational purposes.  Our mission, as stated in our charter, is to financially support such organizations as wildlife animal clinics, veterinary centers, student veterinary programs, rescue programs and other organizations that care for animals, with a focus on the care of wild animals and the goal of housing, treating, rehabilitating and, when possible, releasing them back into the wild.

The Wildlife Support Fund, WSF, was created in August 2018 out of a recognized need to directly connect a donor with a project, streamline the donor process for organizations that do not have the resources to fund raise on their own, and to avoid the cumbersome processes from larger development groups.  The Wildlife Support Fund is strictly a volunteer organization with no paid employees.  No part of any donation sent to the Wildlife Support Fund will benefit any of the Directors or Officers.  The Board of Directors is comprised of six people each from diverse backgrounds and professions each bringing experience and perspective from serving with other animal welfare organizations.

Jim Nogle

President

Jim Nogle brings business and financial experience to the WSF Board. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois, college of commerce. He has 40+ years of experience in real estate investment and management. Board experience includes University of Illinois Wildlife Medical Clinic Advisory Board, Hope for the Children, Generations of Hope, 30+ years as Director and corporate officer of the Monical Pizza Corporation, and 18 years as Director with Busey Bank.

Kris Fitzpatrick

Vice-President

Kris Fitzpatrick has supported the care and rehabilitation of wildlife for many years. Growing up on a farm there was always an abandoned baby that needed love and care. Kris and her late husband Tim became involved with the University of Illinois Wildlife Medical Clinic in the mid-1990’s when they found a raccoon family living in their attic. Another opportunity presented itself when a fledgling Great Horned Owl at their farm was unable to fly. The experience and care by the veterinarians and students was so impressive it motivated them to become financial supporters. Kris continues her support and dedication to wildlife by being a Board member of the Wildlife Support Fund. Kris has her Masters from Eastern Illinois University, is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, and served as a Police Officer for 30 years, retiring from her agency as Chief of Police. Kris has also served as the Executive Director of the Police Training Institute in Champaign.

Gina Clapper

Treasurer

Gina Clapper has always loved animals and started her college career in Veterinary Medicine. She graduated from the University of Illinois with a BS degree in Animal Science and an MS degree in Nutrition and has extensive research background in animal science nutrition. She is a member of the American Society of Animal Science and the University of Illinois Wildlife Medical Clinic Advisory Board. She volunteers at the Wildlife Clinic and serves on the Board of the Wildlife Support Fund. Gina’s family farms in the Champaign area.

Karen Koenig

Secretary

Karen Koenig has been involved with animal welfare since 1992 as an events volunteer, foster family, and past Board President for the Champaign County Humane Society. She has been volunteering at Raptor Rehab of Kentucky since 2009 caring for birds of prey. She has been a volunteer at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital for 16 years and has been a member of it’s Wildlife Clinic Advisory Board since 2014. Karen also volunteers at the Champaign Public Library Friend’s Bookstore and Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority. While she loves all animals, Karen is especially interested in those without a voice-our wildlife. Karen is a retired airline pilot and now serves on the Parkland College Institute of Aviation Advisory Board.

Gayle Nogle

Director

Gayle Nogle is the wife of Jim Nogle and has supported his efforts in the Hope for Children and Generations of Hope. She is a member of the University of Illinois Wildlife Medical Clinic Advisory Board and she and her husband, Jim, are long-time animal welfare advocates, supporting both local and national organizations, and have a particular love for wildlife. Gayle is a Principal in Nogle Properties Management,LLC.

Nina French

Director

Nina French trained hunter jumper horses professionally for 10 years before she met her Veterinarian husband in 1980 and he disrupted the family flow by moving them south to Louisiana. She served as a veterinary assistant in an equine parasitology laboratory, a lead technician in small animal clinic, and the lead technician in small animal rehabilitation at LSU. Nina, her husband and daughter were involved from the outset of the rescue operations involved with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. She is a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International and as a Chief Horse Management Judge by the United States Pony Club. Nina moved back to Illinois with her husband where she currently manages a flock of sheep and goats, two horses, a donkey, a llama, some chickens, numerous cats, three dogs and a goldfish.