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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: July 2025 Expires: July 2027

Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
18
(800) 851-0203
800 Cherokee Avenue SE
Atlanta, GA, 30315
https://gorillafund.org/
📄 Full Report 🖨️ Print 📋 BBB Charity Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund does not meet the following 1 Standards for Charity Accountability:

Standard 18 (Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy)
Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.

DFGF does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on its website, https://gorillafund.org/, does not indicate:

  • What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.

Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund meets the remaining 19 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to save gorillas and the ecosystems in which they live through a scientific and people-centered approach to create a healthier planet for all."

Year, State Incorporated:
1978, GA

Also Known As:
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International

Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund (DFGF) reports that it provides direct and daily protection of Mountain and Grauer's gorillas, conducts scientific research on gorillas and their ecosystem, and provides educational programming and assistance to the communities in which it serves through education, health, conservation, and economic initiatives.

For the year ended September 30, 2024, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund's program expenses were:

Rwanda: $3,761,952

Democratic Republic of the Congo: $2,875,154

Total Program Expenses: $6,637,106

Chief Executive
Tara Stoinski, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*
$317,823

Chair of the Board
Kristen Lukas, Ph.D.

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Director, Conservation and Science, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Board Size
20

Paid Staff Size
400

*2023 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Telemarketing

Fundraising costs were 14% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $10,135,363, 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's audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2024.

Source of Funds
Special events $191,303
Contributions $9,221,366
Investment income $2,621,652
In-kind contributions $722,694
Other income $295,260
Total Income $13,052,275

Programs: 75% Fundraising: 16% Administrative: 8%

Total Income $13,052,275
Total expenses: $8,805,880
  Program expenses $6,637,106
  Fundraising expenses $1,452,163
  Administrative expenses $716,611
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $4,246,395
Beginning Net Assets $36,660,752
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $40,907,147
Total Liabilities $1,669,336
Total Assets $42,576,483

Note: According to DFGF's audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2024, the organization received in-kind contributions totaling $722,694 in the form of donated professional services and fees ($397,584), auction items and other supplies ($131,829), advertisement ($112,600), and occupancy ($80,681).

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.

RELATED CONTENT

Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance