Wildlife Conservation Society
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
Wildlife Conservation Society meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature.
Year, State Incorporated:
1895, NY
WCS's goal is to conserve more than half of all animal and plant species in the world’s largest wild places. Our conservation work across 16 priority regions help safeguard 40 percent of all mammals, 55 percent of all birds, 90 percent of all coral diversity, and more than 50 percent of all sharks, rays, and marine mammals. Across our landscapes and seascapes, we address critical threats to animals and ecosystems such as habitat loss, climate change, infectious disease, natural resource extraction, and wildlife crime.
WCS aims to reverse the decline of six priority groups of species: elephants, apes, big cats, sharks & rays, whales & dolphins, and tortoises & freshwater turtles. Saving these flagship species requires the conservation of vast swaths of habitat which in turn protects a multitude of plants and other animals.
For the year ended June 30, 2024, Wildlife Conservation Society's program expenses were:
| Global Conservation Programs | $209,910,808 |
| Bronx Zoo | $96,640,719 |
| New York Aquarium | $48,358,911 |
| City Zoos | $37,208,753 |
| Restaurant, merchandise, and parking expenses | $21,474,251 |
| Total Program Expenses | $413,593,442 |
Chair of the Board
Alejandro Santo Domingo
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Board Size
31
Paid Staff Size
6414
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Cause-related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.), Membership appeals, Appeals via Social Media (Facebook, etc.)
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 Wildlife Conservation Society's audited financial statements - consolidated for the year ended June 30, 2024.
Source of Funds
| Government grants | $112,554,859 |
| Private organizations grants | $63,317,404 |
| Appropriation from the City of New York | $61,193,007 |
| Investment Return | $45,868,409 |
| Gate and exhibit admissions | $44,965,837 |
| Contributions | $43,543,367 |
| Restaurant and merchandise sales and parking fees | $36,381,990 |
| Membership dues | $17,368,626 |
| Bequests | $8,178,861 |
| Miscellaneous | $6,307,737 |
| Educational program and activities | $3,941,195 |
| Government contracts | $2,013,615 |
| Sponsorship, licensing, and royalties | $228,531 |
| Total Income | $445,863,438 |
Programs: 88% Fundraising: 2% Administrative: 9%
| Total Income | $445,863,438 |
| Total expenses: | $467,634,620 |
| Program expenses | $413,593,442 |
| Fundraising expenses | $11,300,092 |
| Administrative expenses | $40,310,370 |
| Other expenses | $2,430,716 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $-21,771,182 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $963,879,978 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $113,409 |
| Ending Net Assets | $942,222,205 |
| Total Liabilities | $371,967,652 |
| Total Assets | $1,314,189,857 |
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Review in Progress
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Report completed by:
BBB Foundation of Metropolitan New York