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Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International

CharityWatch rating issued
April 2026

Top-Rated Charity
A-
CharityWatch Rating
Our independent rating based
on a number of factors.
 
77%
Program Percentage
Amount spent on programs
relative to overhead.
 
$14
Cost to Raise $100
Amount spent to raise
$100 of contributions.

Contact Information

Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International
800 Cherokee Avenue SE
Atlanta, GA 30315

Other Names

None

Tax Status

501(c)3

Stated Mission

Dedicated to the conservation of gorillas and their habitats in Africa. Committed to promoting continued research on their threatened ecosystems and education about their relevance to the world in which we live.

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Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 09/30/2024

Program Percentage: 77%

The percentage of Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International's cash budget it spends on programs relative to overhead (fundraising, management, and general expenses).

$8,100,000

Calculated Total Expenses

(rounded)

 

Cost to Raise $100: $14

How many dollars Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International spends on fundraising to raise each $100 of contributions.

$9,400,000

Calculated Total Contributions

(rounded)

Government Funding

0% to 24%

Percentage of cash revenue
coming from government sources

 

Financial Documents

Entity Document Type Tax ID
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International Audited Financial Statements 52-1118866
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International IRS Form 990 52-1118866
Entity: Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International
Document Type: Audited Financial Statements
Tax ID: 52-1118866
Entity: Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International
Document Type: IRS Form 990
Tax ID: 52-1118866

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.
This charity is Top-Rated
What does it mean to be Top-Rated?
 
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International
meets governance benchmarks.
 
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International
meets transparency benchmarks.
Transparency
Provides Financial Information
Audit Accessibility
Governance: Policies
Reports regularly & consistently monitoring & enforcing compliance with a written Conflict of Interest Policy
Reports required, annual disclosure by officers, directors, and key staff of interests that could give rise to conflicts
Reports having a written Whistleblower Policy
Reports having a written Document Retention and Destruction Policy
Governance: Financials
Reports providing copy of tax form to all board members prior to filing it with IRS
Reports that financial statements were audited by an independent accountant
Governance: Board of Directors
Reports at least 5 voting board members
51% or more of voting board members reported as independent
Reports documenting minutes of board and board committee meetings
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy Opt-Out Policy  

  Name Title Compensation
1 Tara Stoinski President / CEO $317,823
2 Marcie Beskind CFAO $186,268
3 Beth Warner Chief Philanthropy Officer $160,317
1
Name: Tara Stoinski
Title: President / CEO
Compensation: $317,823
2
Name: Marcie Beskind
Title: CFAO
Compensation: $186,268
3
Name: Beth Warner
Title: Chief Philanthropy Officer
Compensation: $160,317

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.

According to The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (the Fund) audit of September 30, 2024 (Note 10, In-Kind Contributions):

The Fund received in-kind contributions during fiscal 2024 on which it placed a total value of $722,694. 

[Note: CharityWatch generally excludes the value of in-kind (non-cash) donations of goods and services from its calculations of Program % and Cost to Raise $100. More information on how grades are calculated and the treatment of in-kind donations can be found on the Our Process page.]


According to The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (the Fund) audit of September 30, 2024 (Note 6, Amount Held on Behalf of Others):

"The Fund acts as an agent on behalf of a donor for a $1 million grant to the Rwanda Development Board ('RDB') for the Virunga National Park expansion where many mountain gorillas live. The $1 million was recorded as cash and amount held on behalf of others...The funds will be disbursed to RDB in accordance with the progress of the project."

According to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (the Fund) tax filing for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, the Fund reports re: Compensation, Officers, Directors, Trustees, Key Employees, and Highest Compensated Employees (IRS Form 990, Schedule J, Part II):

The Fund reports providing "bonus & incentive compensation" to two individuals during 2023. Tara Stoinski, President & CEO, received $75,000 of bonus and incentive compensation with total reported compensation of $317,823. Marcie Beskind, CFAO, received $15,300 of bonus and incentive compensation with total reported compensation of $186,268. 


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