Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee
Meets Standards
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to provide elephants with individualized care, the companionship of a herd, and the opportunity to live out their lives in a safe haven dedicated to their well-being and educate the public of the complex needs of elephants and the crisis facing elephants in the wild.
Year, State Incorporated:
1995, TN
The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee (EST) is a natural habitat preserve developed specifically for the needs of Asian and African elephants. The organization reports that the sanctuary spans 3,060 acres, is located in Hohenwald, Tennessee, approximately 85 miles southwest of Nashville, and is currently home to 12 elephants. The habitats are maintained specifically for the elephants and are not open to the public. EST reports that The Elephant Discovery Center on Main Street in Hohenwald is Kulture City certified, offers hands-on self-guided exhibits and educational programming that explores the ways elephants shape our world. EST believes increasing public knowledge is key to creating a world where elephants no longer live under constant threat of poaching, habitat loss, conflict, or capture. The Elephant Discovery Center engages with learners from all across the world through a variety of online distance learning programs to connect audiences with EST's resident elephants and their wild relatives. All programs are free and include a range of topics and content levels allowing students, educators, and other community groups to learn about the complexities of both wild and captive elephants and hear the stories of EST's elephants — all without disturbing the elephants' day to day activities. The elephants may be viewed through the organization's live-streaming EleCams on its website.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee's program expenses were:
| Elephant care | $2,046,571 |
| Education | $887,957 |
| Veterinary care | $650,050 |
| Facilities | $2,320,996 |
| Volunteer outreach education | $168,642 |
| Total Program Expenses | $6,074,216 |
Chief Executive
Janice Zeitlin, Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*
$176,452
Chair of the Board
Dr. Richard Rhoda
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Executive Director Emeritus, Tennessee Higher Education Commission
Board Size
7
Paid Staff Size
48
*2023 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Radio, Print advertisements
Fundraising costs were 2% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $11,044,885, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Source of Funds
| Loss on restricted contributions receivable | $-19,123 |
| Merchandise sales, net | $55,575 |
| In-kind contributions | $123,500 |
| Change in value of beneficial interest agreements | $222,884 |
| Investment income, net | $7,718,175 |
| Contributions and grants | $10,921,385 |
| Total Income | $19,022,396 |
Programs: 90% Fundraising: 3% Administrative: 7%
| Total Income | $19,022,396 |
| Total expenses: | $6,729,022 |
| Program expenses | $6,074,216 |
| Fundraising expenses | $191,639 |
| Administrative expenses | $463,167 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $12,293,374 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $77,105,234 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $89,398,608 |
| Total Liabilities | $27,182 |
| Total Assets | $89,425,790 |
Note: According to EST's 2023 audited financial statements - consolidated, the organization received in-kind contributions totaling $123,500 in the form of goods and services.
An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.
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Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance