World Wildlife Fund meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Complaints
Number of complaints processed by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance in the last 36 months: 1.
Mailing List Removal and Donation Acknowledgement Letter:
The organization addressed the complaint issue brought to its attention: 1.
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) reports that it is a conservation organization, working in more than 100 countries, to deliver science-based solutions to preserve the diversity of Earth, prevent the degradation of the environment, and combat climate change. The organization states that its areas of focus include climate, food, forests, fresh water, oceans, and wildlife. WWF works in partnership with foundations, governments, businesses, communities, and individuals to protect and restore species and their habitats; strengthen local communities? ability to conserve natural resources; transform markets and policies to reduce the impact of the production and consumption of commodities; ensure that the value of nature is reflected in decisions made by individuals, communities, governments and businesses; and mobilize individuals to support conservation. In 2018, the organization reports that it worked with the Colombian government to protect more than 1.24 million acres of beaches, mangroves, and deepwater ecosystems, trained 45 field rangers in law enforcement gathering in Myanmar, operated a public service campaign in 15 Chinese cities to educate on China's new ivory trade ban, and launched Wild Classroom, an online toolkit for teachers with resources on understanding the natural world. Some ($16,976,108 or 6%) of WWF's program are conducted in conjunction with informational materials that include fundraising appeals.
For the year ended June 30, 2018, World Wildlife Fund's program expenses were:
| International programs |
$171,135,040 |
| Public education |
$101,225,789 |
| Program management |
$5,916,788 |
| U.S. and developed countries |
$3,300,495 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$281,578,112 |
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Chief Executive
Carter Roberts, President and Chief Executive Officer
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Compensation*
$1,455,444
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Chair of the Board
Pamela Matson
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Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Professor, Environmental Studies, Stanford University
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Board Size
21
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Paid Staff Size
1062
*2017 compensation 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, Membership appeals, Planned giving arrangements, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Telephone appeals, Radio, Cause- related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.), Television, Other
WWF incurred joint costs of $37,167,231 for informational materials and activities that included fund raising materials. Of those costs $20,191,123 was allocated to fundraising expenses and $16,976,108 was allocated to program expenses.
Fundraising costs were 12% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $312,377,791 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 World Wildlife Fund's audited financial statements - consolidated for the year ended June 30, 2018.
| Source of Funds |
| Contributions |
$153,423,611 |
| In-kind contributions |
$81,349,723 |
| Government grants and contracts |
$46,811,542 |
| Bequests, endowments, and split income gifts |
$23,565,969 |
| WWF network revenue |
$18,904,606 |
| Income from investments, net |
$16,308,805 |
| Other revenues including royalties |
$7,226,946 |
| Commercial building operations, net |
$416,384 |
| Total Income |
$348,007,586 |
- Programs: 84%
- Fundraising: 11%
- Administrative: 5%
| Total Income |
$348,007,586 |
| Program expenses |
$281,578,112 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$36,999,476 |
| Administrative expenses |
$17,607,286 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$336,184,874 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$11,822,712 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$348,168,752 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$3,080,518 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$363,071,982 |
| Total Liabilities |
$139,602,016 |
| Total Assets |
$502,673,998 |
Note 1: As noted in the above financial section, "other changes in net assets" refers to a gain on interest rate swaps ($3,574,086) and a loss on foreign currency exchange (-$493,568).
Note 2: According to WWF's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2018, the organization received $81,349,723 in contributed goods and services including public service accouncements ($74,788,691), international programs ($5,787,047), finance and administration ($1,038,830), and fundraising ($35,155).