In 1965, noted Filipino scientist Dr. Dioscoro Rabor alerted the world of the bird's endangered status.  Ignored by most of his compatriots, he was able to elicit the support of the famous aviator, Charles A. Lindbergh who helped champion the cause.  In 1969, the Monkey-Eating Eagle Conservation Program was established.

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Interest in pursuing the program soon diminished with the death of Charles Lindbergh.  During this period, work on the eagle was sustained through the initiatives of Peace Corps volunteers in cooperation with the Philippine government's Parks and Wildlife Office.

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In 1977, one of the Peace Corps volunteers, Robert S. Kennedy returned to the Philippines to study the eagle further.  He also successfully lobbied for the Office of the President to change the species' name from “Monkey-eating Eagle” to its present name, the Philippine Eagle.

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In 1987, the project started operating as a private institution.  Financial constraints did not hinder the staff from pursuing its mission.  They waived their salaries for over a year in order to feed the eagles, ensure that fieldwork continued and carry on the great mission of saving the magnificent bird.

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The dedication and effort invested into this work eventually paid off.  In 1992, the Foundation successfully produced the first two Philippine Eagles bred and hatched in captivity.  The birth of Pag-asa (Hope) and Pagkakaisa (Unity) caught the world's attention and eventually led to the subsequent outpouring of public support and sympathy that helped revitalize the effort to save the species.

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The Foundation takes a comprehensive approach to conservation, engaging in research, off-site and on-site protection, community-based efforts, and public education to promote greater understanding and achieve results in the preservation of the eagle and its habitat.