Better Business Bureau

Charity Contact Information BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments Programs

Tax Status Governance Fund Raising Financial

Name:	Ocean Conservancy
Address:	1300 19th Street, NW, 8th Floor
	Washington, DC 20036
Phone:	202-429-5609 800-519-1541
Web Address:	www.oceanconservancy.org

Ocean Conservancy (OC) meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

OC strives to ensure that the best science, thought, and effort are used to the greatest affect possible to return the ocean to health by bringing together leaders from science, academia, business, government, and conservation. The organization is working in the Gulf of Mexico to ensure harm from the recent oil spill is well-documented, and working with affected communities to shape federal and state efforts to achieve environmental restoration and economic recovery. In the Arctic, the OC is working to secure a time-out on industrial activities until a science-based, comprehensive plan is put in place to guide offshore oil and gas explorations and development safely. In California, the OC is working to implement the Marine Life Protection Act, an effort to create the nation’s first statewide system of marine protected areas, where ocean life can recover and thrive. The organization is helping to transition the nation’s fisheries to a brighter economic future by helping to restore depleted fisheries like red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico and protect dolphins, whales, and seals from entanglement in fishing gear. OC is working to delay approval of the first genetically engineered salmon until more is known about the potential consequences and press for mandatory labeling should this product enter the marketplace so that consumers can make informed choices. The organization is striving for trash-free seas by working to reduce the amount of single-use materials and manufactured debris that are improperly discarded and remove debris on beaches and inland waterways. Some ($893,638 or 12%) of OC's program activities are carried out in conjunction with fund raising appeals.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, OC's program expenses were:

Sustainable fisheries	2,875,242
Ocean governance	1,622,950
Citizen outreach	1,200,758
Conserve special places	828,704
Marine wildlife	679,461
Communications	251,851
Total Program Expenses:	$7,458,966

Chief Executive : Veronique N. Spruill, President and CEO

Compensation*:

$261,111

Chair of the Board: E. U. Curtis Bohlen
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Retired

Board Size: 17

Paid Staff Size: 87

*October 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:

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

Fund raising costs were 20% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $11,203,698, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)

OC incurred joint costs of $2,223,035 for informational materials and activities that included fund raising materials. Of those costs, $1,329,397 was allocated to fund raising expenses and $893,638 was allocated to program 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 OC's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010.

Source of Funds
Contributions, grants and bequests	11,008,015
Federal grants	195,683
Investment gains and interest income	125,568
Other income	80,172
List rental income	54,175
Decrease in allowances on uncollectible promises to give	41,403
Total Income	$11,505,016

Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 68%  Fund Raising: 20%  Administrative: 12%

Total income				$11,505,016
	Program expenses			$7,458,966
	Fund raising expenses			2,247,385
	Administrative expenses			1,267,586
Total expenses				$10,973,937
Income in Excess of Expenses				531,079
Beginning net assets				15,297,626
Ending net assets				15,828,705
Total liabilities				4,105,541
Total assets				$19,934,246

Note: According to OC's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2010, the organization received in-kind contributions in the amount of $30,858 including reference books ($15,950), and professional diving/boating services ($9,825), supplies ($3,333), and office equipment ($1,750).