World Resources Institute 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.
WRI does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on the organization's website, https://www.wri.org, does not indicate:
- What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
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:
13
World Resources Institute meets the remaining 18 Standards for Charity Accountability.
World Resources Institute (WRI) reports that it is a global research organization operating in more than 60 countries focusing on reducing poverty, growing economies, and protecting natural resources. The organization's seven focus areas include climate, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the oceans. These focus areas are directed by WRI's business center, economics center, finance center, and governance center. The organization provides technical assistance and funding to help developing countries to enhance sustainable development. WRI works with hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and other dining facilities to cut food-related greenhouse gas emissions. The organization also partners with companies to assist their supply chains and investments to monitor commodity-related deforestation. In 2020, WRI reports that it produced the report, Creating a Sustainable Food Future, launched the 10X20X30 initiative to engage food retailers to reduce food loss and waste, and worked with more than 30 organizations to cut food-related emissions. The organization states that it also expanded Cities4Forests initiative to 60 cities, assisted in the expansion of electric bus fleets in Columbia and Chile, and published The Road to Restoration: A Guide to Identifying Priorities and Indicators for Monitoring Forest and Landscape Restoration.
For the year ended September 30, 2020, World Resources Institute's program expenses were:
| Food, Forests, Water, Ocean |
$40,783,619 |
| Climate |
$34,588,606 |
| Cities and Transport |
$22,972,263 |
| Governance, Finance, Economics, Business |
$21,140,925 |
| Shared and special projects |
$6,929,602 |
| Energy |
$4,651,351 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$131,066,366 |
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Chief Executive
Manish Bapna, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer
-
Chair of the Board
James Harmon
-
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Chairman, Caravel Management LLC
-
Board Size
29
-
Paid Staff Size
1000
*2021 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Note 1: In 2019, Andrew Steer served as WRI's President and Chief Executive Officer, recieving $493,493 in compensation.
Note 2: Co-Chair: David Blood, Co-Founder and Senior Partner, Generation Investment Management
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Membership appeals, Planned giving arrangements, Telephone appeals
Note: As noted in the above financial section, "other changes in net assets" refers to a gain due to foreign currency adjustment.
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 Resources Institute's audited financial statements - consolidated for the year ended September 30, 2020.
| Source of Funds |
| Grants, contributions and contracts |
$228,880,594 |
| Federal grants and cooperative agreements |
$3,778,167 |
| Investment income, net |
$2,899,718 |
| Other income |
$336,403 |
| Total Income |
$235,894,882 |
- Programs: 92%
- Administrative: 8%
- Fundraising: Less than 1%
| Total Income |
$235,894,882 |
| Program expenses |
$131,066,366 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$1,288,284 |
| Administrative expenses |
$11,561,348 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$143,915,998 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$91,978,884 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$148,109,469 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$2,190,128 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$242,278,481 |
| Total Liabilities |
$19,461,840 |
| Total Assets |
$261,740,321 |