Top-Rated Charity
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Ratings & Metrics
Financial Documents
| Entity | Document Type | Tax ID |
|---|---|---|
| American Bird Conservancy | Audited Financial Statements | 52-1501259 |
| American Bird Conservancy | IRS Form 990 | 52-1501259 |
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Entity: American Bird Conservancy Document Type: Audited Financial Statements Tax ID: 52-1501259 |
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Entity: American Bird Conservancy Document Type: IRS Form 990 Tax ID: 52-1501259 |
Governance & Transparency
CharityWatch evaluates certain criteria related to a charity's Governance and Transparency. Donors may want to consider a charity's willingness to be open and transparent with CharityWatch to be a good litmus test for determining its commitment to public accountability.
Top Salaries
| Name | Title | Compensation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael J. Parr | President/Past VP & CCO | $209,279 |
| 2 | Emily Jo Williams | VP North American Birds | $146,356 |
| 3 | Merrie Morrison | VP Administration | $137,772 |
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1 Name: Michael J. Parr Title: President/Past VP & CCO Compensation: $209,279 |
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2 Name: Emily Jo Williams Title: VP North American Birds Compensation: $146,356 |
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3 Name: Merrie Morrison Title: VP Administration Compensation: $137,772 |
Analysts' Notes
CharityWatch Analysts perform an in-depth analysis of charities' audited financial statements and IRS tax filings, and often review other documents such as state filings, annual reports, and fundraising contracts during their evaluations. Below are select notes that CharityWatch believes may be of interest to donors.
| The American Bird Conservancy (ABC) includes $363,025 of "Membership" expenses in its total reported Program Services expenses, according to its audited financial statements for the year ended 12/31/2017. The ABC 2017 tax filing describes its Membership Services program as follows: "ABC's membership is a growing network of birders and nature lovers making a difference for birds throughout the Americas" (IRS Form 990, Part III, line 4c). CharityWatch reallocates this $363,025 in Membership expenses from Program Services to Fundraising expenses as part of our calculation of ABC's Program % and Cost to Raise $100 for 2017. |
| In accordance with Government Auditing Standards (GAS), American Bird Conservancy's (ABC) outside auditors issued a report dated July 3, 2018, in which they noted that several asset and liability accounts "were not properly reconciled as of December 31, 2017. As a result, a significant amount of time was spent by management during the audit process reconciling accounts." The auditors also noted that "certain schedules are prepared by the Chief Financial Officer, and do not undergo a proper review and approval process." As a result, according to the auditors, "there exists the potential for undetected errors or misappropriation of funds, as well as internal financial statements that are incomplete, inaccurate and unreliable." According to the GAS report, ABC's management agreed to the auditor's recommendations for remedying the organization's issues with its internal controls over government funding, citing an anticipated completion date of July 2018 for implementing these recommendations. |
| According to the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) 2017 tax filing, ABC reports re: Business Transactions Involving Interested Persons (IRS Form 990, Schedule L, Parts IV & V) the following: (1) A transaction in the amount of $50,421 in compensation paid to Rita Fenwick, who has a "family relationship with George Fenwick, President of ABC." The transaction is described as: "During the year, Rita Fenwick served as the Organization's VP of Development. The compensation was determined at arms-length and was considered fair market value." (2) A transaction in the amount of $76,332 in compensation paid to Erin Lebbin, who has a "family relationship with Daniel Lebbin, VP International." The transaction is described as: "During the year, Erin Lebbin served as Assistant Director of Development. The compensation was determined at arms-length and was considered fair market value." In addition, ABC reports in its 2017 tax filing (IRS Form 990, Schedule O): "William Sheehan received compensation unrelated to his board duties. He was paid $60,000 for compensation related to his duties as general counsel." ABC reports that William Sheehan was on the board and an officer, with the position of "V. Chair (until 01/2017)" (IRS Form 990, Part VII). |