Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International does not meet the following 1 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 19 (Cause Related Marketing)
Clearly disclose how the charity benefits from the sale of products or services (i.e., cause-related marketing) that state or imply that a charity will benefit from a consumer sale or transaction. Such promotions should disclose, at the point of solicitation: (a) the actual or anticipated portion of the purchase price that will benefit the charity (e.g., 5 cents will be contributed to abc charity for every xyz company product sold), (b) the duration of the campaign (e.g., the month of October), (c) any maximum or guaranteed minimum contribution amount (e.g., up to a maximum of $200,000).
DFGFI does not meet this Standard because, in the past year, the organization participated in a promotion for the sale of consumer goods that indicated that the organization would benefit from these purchases. The promotions, however, did not specify:
- The actual or anticipated amount of the purchase price that will benefit the organization.
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International meets the remaining 19 Standards for Charity Accountability.
The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (DFGFI) aims to achieve its work based on a holistic, integrated approach that includes four strategic pillars: daily protection; scientific research; educating conservationists; and helping communities. The organization's trackers are in the forest 365 days a year removing snares and providing direct protection to individual gorillas and their families. DFGFI's research site uses science to understand gorillas and their habitats, and to develop effective conservation strategies. The organization is dedicated to enhancing the next generation of African scientists with the skills they need to address the conservation challenges in the future. DFGFI aims to build the capacity of its staff, as well as university students and aspiring scientists in Rwanda and Congo. The organization also works with local communities to address needs like clean water, food security and livelihoods. DFGFI strives to improve communities? understanding of gorillas and the unique environment in which they live and create the basic conditions necessary to support effective conservation activities.
For the year ended September 30, 2019, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International's program expenses were:
| Karisoke Research Center |
$1,834,035 |
| Education and science |
$1,010,910 |
| Congo |
$718,305 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$3,563,250 |
-
Chief Executive
Tara Stoinski, President/Chief Executive Officer
-
Compensation*
$216,628
-
Chair of the Board
Judith Harris
-
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Conservationist and Citizen
-
Board Size
22
-
Paid Staff Size
14
*2018 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Cause- related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.)
Fundraising costs were 6% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $7,450,866, 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 Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International's audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2019.
| Source of Funds |
| Contributions |
$6,147,982 |
| Capital campaign contributions |
$812,103 |
| In-kind contributions |
$490,781 |
| Investment earnings |
$86,818 |
| Total Income |
$7,537,684 |
- Programs: 84%
- Fundraising: 11%
- Administrative: 5%
| Total Income |
$7,537,684 |
| Program expenses |
$3,563,250 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$470,741 |
| Administrative expenses |
$235,254 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$4,269,245 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$3,268,439 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$14,299,373 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$17,567,812 |
| Total Liabilities |
$696,613 |
| Total Assets |
$18,264,425 |
Note: According to DFGFI's audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2019, the organization received in-kind contributions totaling $490,781 in the form of IT services ($221,662), legal fees ($114,511), occupancy ($89,363), advertising ($46,179), communications ($15,981), travel ($2,942), and office supplies ($143).