Better Business Bureau

Charity Contact Information BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments Programs

Tax Status Governance Fund Raising Financial

Name:	Defenders of Wildlife
Address:	1130 17th Street, NW
	Washington, DC 20036-4604
Phone:	800-385-9712 202-682-9400
Web Address:	www.defenders.org

Defenders of Wildlife (Defenders) meets the 20Standards for Charity Accountability.

Defenders works to protect native animals and plants, including key species such as gray wolves, grizzly bears, sea otters, manatees, and jaguars; restore and conserve habitat by promoting progressive land use strategies; and advocates conservation legislation by mobilizing supporters and working with partners on the international, national, state and local levels to secure laws and policies that protect wild species and their habitats. Defenders seeks to educate through letters, its annual report, website, surveys, alerts, print ads, and television and radio public service announcements. The organization also publishes “Defenders” which features articles on wildlife and conservation issues and accounts of current actions taken by the organization. Some ($10,085,779 or 29%) of Defenders’ program expenses were conducted in conjunction with fund raising appeals.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, Defenders' program expenses were:

Wildlife action	9,594,626
Media and education	8,503,074
Law and litigation	5,261,077
Publications	1,936,748
Total Program Expenses:	$25,295,525

Chief Executive : Rodger Schlickeisen, President

Compensation*:

$289,607

Chair of the Board: Victor Sher
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Attorney

Board Size: 22

Paid Staff Size: 141

*October 1, 2006 - September 30, 2007 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:

Direct mail, telemarketing, special events, print advertisements, grant proposals, Internet appeals, planned giving, cause-related marketing, and membership appeals.

Fund raising costs were 20% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $31,490,801, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)

Defenders incurred joint costs of $13,196,896 for informational materials and activities that included fund raising materials. Of those costs $10,085,779 was allocated to program expenses and $3,111,117 was allocated to fund raising expenses.

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 Defenders' audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007.

Source of Funds
Grants and contributions	24,656,443
Bequests	3,474,808
Contributed services	3,359,550
Income from investments	1,672,751
Other income	679,975
Royalties	630,222
Contributions of split interests	307,509
List income	224,381
Rental income	148,282
Total Income	$35,153,921

Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 73%  Fund Raising: 18%  Administrative: 9%

Total income				$35,153,921
	Program expenses			$25,295,525
	Fund raising expenses			6,287,464
	Administrative expenses			3,087,187
Total expenses				$34,670,176
Income in Excess of Expenses				483,745
Beginning net assets				21,559,122
Ending net assets				22,042,867
Total liabilities				11,757,479
Total assets				$33,800,346

Note: Defenders' reports in-kind donations in the amount of $3,359,550. Included in the amount is $2,206,319 (advertising), $1,133,548 (legal) and $19,683 (consulting and miscellaneous).