Everglades Foundation does not meet the following 4 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 3 (Frequency and Attendance of Board Meetings)
An organization shall have a minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body with a majority in attendance, with face-to-face participation. A conference call of the full board can substitute for one of the three meetings of the governing body. For all meetings, alternative modes of participation are acceptable for those with physical disabilities.
Everglades Foundation does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors held one meeting during the year ended June 30, 2020.
Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.
Everglades Foundation does not meet this Standard because:
- Although the organization produced a written effectiveness assessment report in June 2020, the report did not include recommendations for future actions.
Standard 16 (Annual Report)
Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.
Everglades Foundation does meet this Standard because:
- The organization reports that it does not have an annual report covering activities conducted in 2019-2020.
Standard 17 (Web Site Disclosures)
Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.
Everglades Foundation does not meet this Standard because the organization’s website, https://www.evergladesfoundation.org, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it does not include:
- Electronic access to the organization’s most recent IRS Form 990.
- A summary of 2019-2020 program service accomplishments.
- 2019-2020 financial information.
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability:
15
Everglades Foundation meets the remaining 15 Standards for Charity Accountability.
The Everglades Foundation works to achieve restoration and protection of the Everglades by funding science; enhancing community awareness, providing litigation support; awarding scholarships and fellowships to students pursuing higher learning in an Everglades-related field; and empowering the next generation of conservation stewards by investing in teachers to drive cultural change within schools for the benefit of local and ecological communities.
For the year ended June 30, 2020, Everglades Foundation's program expenses were:
Grants and public affairs |
$2,285,883 |
Communications and outreach |
$1,348,912 |
Science |
$1,253,227 |
George Barley Water Prize |
$853,639 |
Education |
$617,746 |
Total Program Expenses: |
$6,359,407 |
*2020 compensation, as reported by the charity, includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Planned giving arrangements, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Cause- related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.)
Fundraising costs were 11% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $11,792,534, 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 Everglades Foundation's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2020.
Source of Funds |
Contributions |
$5,597,017 |
Special events, net |
$3,844,570 |
Foundations and trusts |
$2,048,947 |
George Barley Water Prize |
$302,000 |
Investment income |
$43,425 |
Other income |
$10,547 |
Total Income |
$11,846,506 |
- Programs: 75%
- Fundraising: 16%
- Administrative: 9%
Total Income |
$11,846,506 |
Program expenses |
$6,359,407 |
Fundraising expenses |
$1,347,500 |
Administrative expenses |
$807,991 |
Other expenses |
$0 |
Total expenses: |
$8,514,898 |
Income in Excess of Expenses |
$3,331,608 |
Beginning Net Assets |
$9,223,287 |
Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
Ending Net Assets |
$12,554,895 |
Total Liabilities |
$1,103,029 |
Total Assets |
$13,657,924 |