Nature Conservancy meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
BBB WGA Comment
In our previous evaluation, the BBB Wise Giving Alliance (BBB WGA) asked numerous questions and requested detailed information from The Nature Conservancy (TNC) regarding the public allegations that emerged in March 2019 relating to sexual harassment, improper consensual relationships, and workplace misconduct at TNC. The organization was cooperative in responding to our request for information and provided BBB WGA with the full investigative report conducted by an independent law firm, internal and external communications about the anonymous social media allegations and issues raised, and detailed information on the subsequent leadership changes and actions made by TNC's board of directors. In March of 2019, TNC's board of directors engaged with a law firm to conduct an independent investigation. TNC reports that its board of directors were made aware of the social media allegations immediately after they occurred and within days engaged the law firm to conduct an independent investigation into the allegations. In reaching our report conclusions, BBB WGA obtained verification from TNC that the organization concluded the investigation and reviewed the recommendations by the independent firm. TNC's response to the public allegations were held in a timely manner, and the organization has demonstrated a change in practice, leadership, and board oversight including but not limited to the following: appointment of a special advisor who will work closely with the CEO to lead the organization's culture work, called Living Our Values; increasing transparency to staff about its Ethics and Compliance team's investigation procedures; providing more information on how staff can use the TNC Helpline and options for anonymity when reporting; reporting to the full board on ethics investigations (in the past it provided such report only to the Audit Committee of the board); improvements to TNC's Workplace Harassment Prevention and Reporting Policy; and, providing an annual report to staff about its Ethics Program.
COMPLAINTS
Number of complaints processed by WGA in the last 36 months: 1
The organization addressed the complaint issues brought to its attention: 1
(This complaint involved a donor refund).
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Year, State Incorporated
1951, DC
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Also Known As
The Nature Conservancy
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Affiliates
Fortin Chacabuco LLC
Fortin Chacabuco LLC
Nature Conservation Water Fund Pty Ltd
The Nature Conservancy Limited (Australia)
Instituto de Conserva??o Ambiental The Nature Conservancy do Brasil
Belize Mayan Forest Trust
Nature United (formerly known as TNC Canada)
Woodland Development Company, LLC
TNC China LLC
The Nature Conservancy in Europe gemeinnutzige GmbH
The Nature Conservancy Hong Kong Foundation Limited
TNC-The Nature Conservancy Centre
Nature Conservancy India Solutions Private Limited
PT Putri Naga Komodo
Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara
Colcheccio Limited
Loisaba Community Trust
Oryx Limited
TNC Conservaci?n de la Naturazala Asociaci?n Civil
The Nature Conservancy Trust
TNC New Zealand Trust
Ecological Trust Fund of Panama (FIDECO)
Fundacion The Nature Conservancy of Panama
The Nature Conservancy of South Africa
Pacific Island Tuna Provisions LLC
CF Ataya, LLC
CF Highlands, LLC
Conservation Farms & Ranches
Cumberland Forest GP, LLC
Cumberland Forest, LP
District Stormwater, LLC
Green Stormwater Solutions, Inc.
Montark Inc.
The Nature Conservancy of California
The Nature Conservancy of New Mexico
TNC Sustainable Water Holdings, Inc.
Blue Investment for Nature, Inc.
TNC Impact Holdings One, Inc.
Kipeto SPV LLC
Resilent Oceans LLC
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Stated Purpose
"to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends."
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) reports it works to create a world where people and nature can thrive. The organization focuses its efforts on tackling climate change, protecting land and water, providing food and water sustainably, and building healthy cities. TNC reports that it conducts conservation work in 72 countries and territories.
For the year ended June 30, 2020, Nature Conservancy's program expenses were:
Conservation activities and actions |
$536,341,000 |
Book value of conservation land and easements |
$124,988,000 |
Total Program Expenses: |
$661,329,000 |
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Chief Executive
Jennifer Morris, Chief Executive Officer
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Compensation*
$0
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Chair of the Board
Frances Ulmer
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Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Former Chair, U.S. Arctic Research Commission
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Board Size
22
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Paid Staff Size
4114
*Current compensation information not available for Jennifer Morris.
Note: Ms. Morris became Chief Executive Officer on May 18, 2020. In 2018, the previous President and Chief Executive Officer, Mark R. Tercek, received $911,511 in compensation.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Membership appeals, Planned giving arrangements, Telephone appeals, Cause- related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.)
Fundraising costs were 14% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $994,384,000, 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 Nature Conservancy's audited financial statements - consolidated for the year ended June 30, 2020.
Source of Funds |
Dues and contributions |
$740,534,000 |
Government grants and contracts |
$126,423,000 |
Other income |
$122,711,000 |
Contributed land and easements for conservation |
$84,716,000 |
Investment returns |
$78,252,000 |
Sales of conservation land and easements |
$64,227,000 |
Contributed goods and services |
$39,997,000 |
Contributed non-conservation land |
$2,714,000 |
Total Income |
$1,259,574,000 |
- Programs: 68%
- Administrative: 18%
- Fundraising: 14%
Total Income |
$1,259,574,000 |
Program expenses |
$661,329,000 |
Fundraising expenses |
$138,127,000 |
Administrative expenses |
$180,679,000 |
Other expenses |
$0 |
Total expenses: |
$980,135,000 |
Income in Excess of Expenses |
$279,439,000 |
Beginning Net Assets |
$6,716,635,000 |
Other Changes In Net Assets |
$-29,533,000 |
Ending Net Assets |
$6,966,541,000 |
Total Liabilities |
$903,839,000 |
Total Assets |
$7,870,380,000 |
Note 1: As noted in the above financial section, "other changes in net assets" refers to distributions from noncontrolling interests (-$2,398,000), foreign exchange losses (-$2,533,000), and a loss on interest rate swap agreements (-$24,602,000).
Note 2: According to the organization's audited financial statements - consolidated - for the year ended June 30, 2020, TNC received in-kind contributions totaling $39,997,119 in the form of legal services ($15,491,973), IT ($11,762,532), other ($7,950,160), marketing services ($2,422,848), and development and fundraising services ($2,405,605).