Nature Conservancy

CharityWatch's rating of The Nature Conservancy includes the financial activities of the domestic and international entities consolidated in The Conservancy's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021. "The Conservancy conducts its activities throughout the United States, Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific," according to Note 1 of the consolidated audit. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in the audit consolidation.

According to The Nature Conservancy consolidated audit of June 30, 2021 (Note 1 re: Contributions), The Conservancy received contributed goods and services in fiscal 2021 on which it placed a total value of approximately $34,695,000.

[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 Nature Conservancy consolidated audit of June 30, 2021 (Note 1 re: Related Party Transactions):

"...The Conservancy has an unsecured $10,000,000 zero-interest loan agreement payable in full in 2026 to a current Board member reflected in notes payable in the accompanying [audited] consolidated statement of financial position."

According to The Nature Conservancy tax filing for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, the purpose of the $10,000,000 zero-interest loan is "to fund conservation in Idaho" (IRS Form 990, Schedule L, Part V).

According to The Nature Conservancy consolidated audit of June 30, 2021 (Note 14, Conservation Land and Easements):

"The Conservancy has entered into contracts for the purchase of land and other purchase commitments that have not closed as of June 30, 2021 in the amount of $98,876,000."

According to The Nature Conservancy tax filing for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, The Conservancy includes in its reporting for Compensation Information re: Officers, Directors, Trustees, Key Employees, and Highest Compensated Employees, "Bonus & incentive compensation" paid to three individuals. The reported "Bonus & incentive compensation" includes $100,000 paid to Jennifer Morris, Chief Executive Officer, whose reported total compensation in calendar year 2020 is $549,812 (IRS Form 990, Schedule J, Part II).

Also according to The Nature Conservancy tax filing for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, The Conservancy reports re: Compensation, Supplemental Information (IRS Form 990, Schedule J, Part III):

Regarding severance payments to officers, directors, trustees, key employees and highest compensated employees (Schedule J, Part I, line 4a):

"Chief Scientist/Strategy Innovation, Heather Tallis, received a separation payment in the amount of $97,115 during 2020.

"Executive VP and Regional Director, Mark Burget, received a separation payment in the amount of $728,876 during 2020.

"Regional Director, Charles Bedford, received a separation payment in the amount of $150,000 during 2020.

"Executive Vice President, Global Strategies, Katherine Andrews, received a separation payment in the amount of $487,500 during 2020.

"Former Chief Development Officer, James Asp, received a separation payment in the amount of $600,000 during 2020.

"Former Chief Conservation Officer, Brian McPeek, received a separation payment in the amount of $350,000 during 2020.

"The terms and conditions of these confidential separation agreements are available to the IRS upon request."

[The reported total compensation in calendar year 2020 for the above individuals is: H. Tallis – $333,641; M. Burget – $876,273; C. Bedford – $712,589; K. Andrews – $506,920; J. Asp – $665,904; B. McPeek – $503,302 (IRS Form 990, Schedule J, Part II).]