CharityWatch reduces the grade of any charity that has available assets equal to three to five years of operating expenses. Charities with "years of available assets" of more than five years receive an "F" grade regardless of other measurements. In CharityWatch's view, a reserve of less than three years is reasonable and does not affect a charity's grade. These reductions in grades are based solely on the charities' asset reserves as compared to budget. The CharityWatch definition of "years of available assets" includes funds currently available for the charity's use, including investments that the charity has set aside as a reserve but could choose to spend if it wanted to do so. Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee's letter grade rating has been downgraded because it has 3 or more years of available assets.
See Our Process to learn more about how CharityWatch considers a charity’s asset reserves and the High Asset List for a list of charities whose ratings have been reduced due to high assets.
| Entity | Document Type | Tax ID |
|---|---|---|
| The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee and Subsidiary | Consolidated Audited Financial Statements | Multiple |
| The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee | IRS Form 990 | 62-1587327 |
|
Entity: The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee and Subsidiary Document Type: Consolidated Audited Financial Statements Tax ID: Multiple |
|
Entity: The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee Document Type: IRS Form 990 Tax ID: 62-1587327 |
| Name | Title | Compensation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Janice Zeitlin | President / CEO | $176,445 |
| 2 | Steve Shurter | COO | $159,002 |
| 3 | Stephanie McCain | Veterinarian | $131,632 |
|
1 Name: Janice Zeitlin Title: President / CEO Compensation: $176,445 |
|
2 Name: Steve Shurter Title: COO Compensation: $159,002 |
|
3 Name: Stephanie McCain Title: Veterinarian Compensation: $131,632 |
CharityWatch's rating of The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee (tax ID #62-1587327) includes the financial activities of Highland Lake Properties, a wholly-owned subsidiary whose "assets consist of 701 acres of real estate adjacent to other real estate owned by The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee and used as part of the natural habitat refuge for elephants" according to Audit Note 2 of organization's consolidated audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. |
According to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee consolidated audit of December 31, 2025 (Note 3, Liquidity): "...The Organization has set aside unrestricted financial operational reserves of approximately 5 times its
budgeted expenses to ensure the lifetime care and safe haven for an undetermined number of elephants.
Elephants have an expected lifespan of 50-70 years, and the Organization is committed to providing food,
shelter, veterinary care, medicine, caregivers, property maintenance and security. Along with the public's
continued support, these funds are needed to provide for the elephants currently in our care and for those that
will come to the Organization..." |
According to the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee tax filing of December 31, 2025, IRS Form 990, Schedule L, Part V, Supplemental Information: (A) The "Name of Person" is reported as "Albert Ambrose." (B) The "Relationship between Interested Person and Organization" is reported as "Board Member." (C) The "Amount of Transaction" is reported as "$88,780." (D) The "Description of Transaction" is reported as "Board of Directors member owns a printing company that is a vendor for the organization." (E) "Sharing of Organization Revenues?" is reported as "No." |