Impact & Measurement
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
Conservation International
Arlington VA | IRS ruling year: 1987 | EIN: 52-1497470 
An EIN is a unique nine-digit number that identifies a business for tax purposes.
An EIN is a unique nine-digit number that identifies a business for tax purposes.Organization Mission
Conservation International (CI) applies innovations in science, economics, policy and community participation to protect the Earth's richest regions of plant and ani ... (More)
Rating Information
Great
This charity's score is 97%, earning it a Four-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence.
This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores, weighted as follows: 74% Accountability & Finance, 10% Leadership & Adaptability, 16% Culture & Community. Learn more about our criteria and methodology.
Historical Ratings 
Historical Ratings 
Charity Navigator's ratings previously did not consider Leadership & Adaptability, Culture & Community, or Impact & Measurement. The historic rating mainly reflects a version of today’s Accountability and Finance score. More information on our previous rating methodologies can be found on our rating methodology page.
| Date Published | Overall Rating | ||
| 10/1/2021 | | ||
| 11/1/2020 | | ||
| 8/1/2019 | | ||
| 8/1/2018 | | ||
| 11/1/2017 | | ||
| 10/1/2016 | | ||
| 6/1/2016 | | ||
| 12/1/2015 | | ||
 This organization received multiple star ratings within this fiscal year, due to an update to its Accountability and Transparency data and/or the receipt of an amended Form 990. | |||
| 11/1/2015 | | ||
| 12/22/2014 |  | ||
| 11/1/2013 | | ||
| 8/1/2012 | | ||
| 9/20/2011 | | ||
| 10/1/2010 | | ||
| 9/1/2009 | | ||
| 3/1/2009 | | ||
| 5/1/2008 | | ||
| 9/1/2006 | | ||
| 8/1/2005 | | ||
| 6/1/2004 | | ||
| 8/1/2003 | | ||
| 2/5/2003 | | ||
Rating Report
Accountability & Finance
Score
97
Most Recent Fiscal Year:
FY 2022
FY 2022
This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
Key Accountability Metrics
Full Credit
Partial Credit
No CreditMajority Independent Board Members - 93% independent members6 out of 6 points
Majority Independent Board Members - 93% independent members6 out of 6 points
Industry professionals strongly recommend an independent governing body to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters. We check to see that a majority of board members are identified as independent on their tax form.
Source: IRS Form 990
Independent Board Size - 30 independent members6 out of 6 points
Independent Board Size - 30 independent members6 out of 6 points
Industry professionals strongly recommend an independent governing body to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters. For most organizations, we check to see if the organization has at least three independent board members. For large, donor-funded organizations, we check to see if the organization has at least five independent board members
Source: IRS Form 990
Financial Statements - Audit and Oversight Committee12 out of 12 points
Financial Statements - Audit and Oversight Committee12 out of 12 points
An Audit, Review, or Compilation provides important information about financial accountability and accuracy. Organizations are scored based on their Total Revenue Amount:
| Total Revenue Amount | Expectation to Receive Credit |
| $2 million or higher and 40% or higher donor support | Expected to complete an audit and have an audit oversight committee |
| $1 million or higher | Expected to complete an audit |
| $500,000 - $1 million | Expected to complete an audit, review, or compilation |
| Less than $500,000 | No expectation (removed from scoring methodology) |
Source: IRS Form 990
Material Diversion of Assets - None12 out of 12 points
Material Diversion of Assets - None12 out of 12 points
A diversion of assets — any unauthorized conversion or use of the organization's assets other than for the organization's authorized purposes, including but not limited to embezzlement or theft — also can seriously call into question a charity's financial integrity. We review the charity's most recent IRS Form 990 to see if the charity has reported any diversion of assets.
Source: IRS Form 990
Tax Form Disclosures and Policies
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditWebsite Listed on Tax Form - Listed3 out of 3 points
Website Listed on Tax Form - Listed3 out of 3 points
Charity Navigator looks for a website on the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency metric.
Nonprofits act in the public trust and reporting publicly on activities is an important component.
Source: IRS Form 990
Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed5 out of 5 points
Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed5 out of 5 points
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy protects the organization and by extension those it serves, when it is considering entering into a transaction that may benefit the private interest of an officer, director and/or key employee of the organization.
Source: IRS Form 990
Whistleblower Policy - Listed5 out of 5 points
Whistleblower Policy - Listed5 out of 5 points
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy outlines procedures for handling employee complaints, as well as a confidential way for employees to report financial or other types of mismanagement.
Source: IRS Form 990
Document Retention and Destruction - Listed5 out of 5 points
Document Retention and Destruction - Listed5 out of 5 points
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy establishes guidelines for the handling, backing up, archiving and destruction of documents. These guidelines foster good record keeping procedures that promote data integrity.
Source: IRS Form 990
Documents Board Meeting Minutes - Yes3 out of 3 points
Documents Board Meeting Minutes - Yes3 out of 3 points
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the IRS Form 990 that the organization has this process in place as an accountability and transparency measure.
An official record of the events that take place during a board meeting ensures that a contemporaneous document exists for future reference.
Source: IRS Form 990
Compensates Board - No5 out of 5 points
Compensates Board - No5 out of 5 points
The IRS requires that the charity lists any compensation paid to the charity's governing body members on the IRS Form 990. Furthermore, all governing body members must be listed whether or not they are compensated. Our analysts verify that the charities complied with the Form 990 instructions and that no board members are compensated simply for being on the board.
Source: Nonprofit's Website
Tax Form Distributed to Board Before Filing - Listed3 out of 3 points
Tax Form Distributed to Board Before Filing - Listed3 out of 3 points
Providing copies of the IRS Form 990 to the governing body prior to filing is considered a best practice, as it allows for thorough review by the individuals charged with overseeing the organization. The Form 990 asks the charity to disclose whether or not it has followed this best practice.
Loans to/from Officers - Listed0 out of 5 points
Loans to/from Officers - Listed0 out of 5 points
Making loans to related parties, such as key officers, staff, or Board members, is not standard practice in the sector as it diverts the charity's funds away from its charitable mission and can lead to real and perceived conflict-of-interest problems.
The IRS requires charities to disclose on their Form 990 any loans to or from current and former officers, directors, trustees, key employees, and other "disqualified persons." Some state laws go so far as to prohibit loans to board members and officers.
Although employees and trustees are permitted to make loans to charities, this practice can also result in real and/or perceived conflict of interest problems for the charity. Furthermore, it is problematic because it indicates that the organization is not financially secure. Our analysts check to see if any loans have been made.
Reports CEO and Compensation on Tax Form - Listed5 out of 5 points
Reports CEO and Compensation on Tax Form - Listed5 out of 5 points
Charities must list their CEO's name and compensation on their tax forms, an issue of concern for many donors. Our analysts check to be sure that the charities complied with the IRS Form 990 instructions and include this information.
CEO Compensation Process - Listed5 out of 5 points
CEO Compensation Process - Listed5 out of 5 points
This process indicates that the organization has a documented policy that it follows yearly. The policy should indicate that an objective and independent review process of the CEO's compensation has been conducted, including benchmarking against comparable organizations. We check to be sure that the charity has reported on its IRS Form 990 its process for determining its CEO pay.
Website Disclosures
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditTax Form Posted on Nonprofit's Website - Listed5 out of 5 points
Tax Form Posted on Nonprofit's Website - Listed5 out of 5 points
For almost all charities, we check the charity's IRS Form 990 to see if it discloses that the Form 990 is available on the charity's website. As with the audited financial statement, donors need easy access to this financial report to help determine if the organization is managing its financial resources well.
Source: IRS Form 990
Audit Posted on Nonprofit's Website - Listed5 out of 5 points
Audit Posted on Nonprofit's Website - Listed5 out of 5 points
Charity Navigator checks the charity's website to see if it has published its audited financial statements for the fiscal year represented by the most recently filed IRS Form 990. Donors need easy access to this financial report to help determine if the organization is managing its financial resources well. We are rating charities on whether or not they publish their audit on their website.
Source: Nonprofit's Website
Staff Members Listed on Nonprofit's Website - Listed3 out of 3 points
Staff Members Listed on Nonprofit's Website - Listed3 out of 3 points
Donors and other stakeholders need to know who runs the organization day-to-day. While key staff should be reported on the IRS Form 990, the charity's staff may have changed since then. The charity typically reflects the most current members on the website.
Source: Nonprofit's Website
Board Members Posted on Nonprofit's Website - Listed5 out of 5 points
Board Members Posted on Nonprofit's Website - Listed5 out of 5 points
The IRS requires that the charity lists any compensation paid to the charity's governing body members on the IRS Form 990. Furthermore, all governing body members must be listed whether or not they are compensated. Our analysts verify that the charities complied with the Form 990 instructions and that no board members are compensated simply for being on the board.
Source: Nonprofit's Website
Donor Privacy Policy Posted on Nonprofit's Website - Listed2 out of 2 points
Donor Privacy Policy Posted on Nonprofit's Website - Listed2 out of 2 points
Donors can be reluctant to contribute to a charity when their name, address, or other basic information may become part of donor lists that are exchanged or sold, resulting in an influx of charitable solicitations from other organizations. Our analysts check the charity's website to see if the organization has a donor privacy policy and if its tw-contents are sufficient to protect the donor's information.
Source: Nonprofit's Website
Financial Metrics
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditLiabilities to Assets: Ratio - 23.84%25 out of 25 points
Liabilities to Assets: Ratio - 23.84%25 out of 25 points
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent IRS Form 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization's solvency and/or long-term sustainability.
Source: IRS Form 990
Program Expense: Ratio - 85.45%25 out of 25 points
Program Expense: Ratio - 85.45%25 out of 25 points
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three IRS Forms 990). This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver.
Source: IRS Form 990
Fundraising Efficiency: Ratio - $0.0725 out of 25 points
Fundraising Efficiency: Ratio - $0.0725 out of 25 points
The amount spent to raise $1 in charitable contributions. To calculate a charity's fundraising efficiency, we divide its average fundraising expenses by the average total contributions it receives. We calculate the charity's average expenses and average contributions over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
Working Capital: Ratio - 2.49 years25 out of 25 points
Working Capital: Ratio - 2.49 years25 out of 25 points
Determines how long a charity could sustain its level of spending using its net available assets, or working capital, as reported on its most recently filed IRS Form 990. Dividing these net available assets in the most recent year by a charity's average total expenses, yields the working capital ratio. We calculate the charity's average total expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
Additional Information
Total Revenue and Expenses - Data Available
Total Revenue and Expenses - Data Available
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
Salary of Key Persons - Data Available
Salary of Key Persons - Data Available
Presented here are up to five of this organization's highest compensated employees. This compensation data includes salary, cash bonuses, and expense accounts and is displayed exactly how it is reported to the IRS. The amounts do not include nontaxable benefits, deferred compensation, or other amounts not reported on Form W-2. In some cases, these amounts may include compensation from related organizations. Read the IRS policies for compensation reporting
Sanjayan Muttulingam, Chief Executive Officer
$828,265
Sebastian Anders Troeng, Evp Conservation Partnership
$625,568
Daniela Raik, Evp Field Programs
$395,265
Richard Nash, Sr Vp - General Counsel
$366,350
John Woodcock Hurd, Evp Global Programs
$365,229
Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2022
IRS Published Data (Business Master File) - Data Available
IRS Published Data (Business Master File) - Data Available
Below are some key data points from the Exempt Organization IRS Business Master File (BMF) for this organization. Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website
Foundation Status:
Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15)
Affiliation:
Central - the organization is a central type organization (no group exemption) of a National, Regional or Geographic grouping of organizations. (BMF affiliation code: 1)
Data Sources (IRS Forms 990) - Data Available
Data Sources (IRS Forms 990) - Data Available
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage accountability and finance data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to search for this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available). Simply enter the organization's name (Conservation International) or EIN (521497470) in the 'Search Term' field.
Impact & Measurement
Not Currently Scored
Conservation International cannot currently be evaluated by our Impact & Measurement methodology because either (A) it is eligible, but we have not yet received data; (B) we have not yet developed an algorithm to estimate its programmatic impact; (C) its programs are not direct services; or (D) it is not heavily reliant on contributions from individual donors.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
Culture & Community
Score
93
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves.
Metrics
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditConstituent Feedback - Data Available100/100 points
Constituent Feedback - Data Available100/100 points
33.33% of beacon score
This organization reported that it is collecting feedback from the constituents and/or communities it serves. The methodology leveraged for Constituent Feedback is based on The Core Principles of Constituent Feedback, which describes listening and responding well to feedback. Charity Navigator participates in a consortium with other feedback experts and leading nonprofit infrastructure platforms to drive Constituent Feedback's advancement, promotion, and data collection.
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
Note: The organization reported that it is not using feedback.
What challenges does your organization face in collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Note: The organization reported no challenges faced.
Equity Practices - Data Available89/100 points
Equity Practices - Data Available89/100 points
66.67% of beacon score
This organization's score of 89 is a passing score. The organization reported that it is implementing 9 Equity Practices.
This assessment demonstrates the importance of implementing practices that contribute positively to an organization's overall culture, both internally and with respect to community engagement. Furthermore, equity centered frameworks and similar approaches have drawn much attention from donors, experts, and sector leaders who underscore its value to the nonprofit's overall health and capacity for mission success. Currently, the Equity Strategies Checklist assessment consists of practices and policies that promote racial equity in their operations and programs (per the Equity Strategies checklist administered by Candid). As we refine our DEI assessment, Charity Navigator partners with DEI consultants and field experts to broaden and deepen this work.
| Equity Practices (3/7) | |
We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race. | |
We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and/or portfolios. | |
We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization/'s programs, portfolios, and the populations served. | |
We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support. | |
We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders. | |
We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured | |
We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. | |
| Equity Policies and Procedures (6/7) | |
We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity. | |
We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions. | |
We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization. | |
We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board. | |
We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability. | |
We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team. | |
We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. | |
Leadership & Adaptability
Score
100
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization's mission.
- Strategic Partnerships
- Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
- Thought Leadership
- Raising Awareness
- Community Building
- Policy Advocacy
Metrics
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditMission 10/10 points
Mission 10/10 points
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission
Note: The organization did not respond to this question.
Vision 10/10 points
Vision 10/10 points
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
Note: The organization did not respond to this question.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Goals 20/20 points
Goals 20/20 points
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: STABILIZE OUR CLIMATE BY PROTECTING AND RESTORING NATURE
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Two: DOUBLE OCEAN PROTECTION
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Three: EXPAND PLANET-POSITIVE ECONOMIES
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Leadership Development 15/15 points
Leadership Development 15/15 points
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
Describe an investment in leadership
Conservation International (CI) is investing in our leadership as part of an initiative to implement human-centered design in conservation. In partnership with IDEO, a leading global design firm, we have facilitated trainings and workshops for leaders across CI to identify and advance strategies for applying human-centered design to our conservation efforts as well as our organizational culture. These concepts have also been shared with CI broadly through global sessions at our annual Impact Summit as well as a two-day Design Festival. In addition, 16 team members across programmatic areas have been trained as part of a Design Community of Practice, where they applied human-centered design to specific projects. Applying a human-centric approach to management will help us future-proof our conservation efforts, and ensure that we can remain nimble and impactful, no matter the circumstances.
Mobilizing for Mission 15/15 points
Mobilizing for Mission 15/15 points
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
This organization mobilizes for mission in the following ways:
What are this organization’s external mobilizaton efforts?
Conservation International works in strategic partnerships with more than 2,000 nonprofit, public, corporate, and Indigenous-led organizations as well as local communities. For example, as part of our mission to implement a global, nature-based conservation model, Conservation International works closely with Indigenous peoples and local communities to facilitate connections to key policymakers, provide access to critical technology and sustainability training, and highlight the expertise and experience of Indigenous peoples and local communities — so they can better protect their territories and secure the benefits that these lands provide to all of humanity. In addition, for more than 30 years, we have been proud to work alongside governments on our biggest conservation successes. We advise local, national and global decision-makers, providing data, science and counsel needed to protect and restore ecosystems at a large scale and integrate nature-based solutions into public policies.
Adaptability Story 30/30 points
Adaptability Story 30/30 points
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
The last two years offered a window into the unique burdens that every person bears, both inside and outside the workplace. As a society, we have collectively rediscovered the transformative power of empathy, and learned how to better care for one another in a fragile and changing world. In this spirit, Conservation International is investing heavily in our organizational culture to ensure that cohesion and compassion are built into our day-to-day work and that they help ground us through periods of change. In practice, this has meant training our entire staff in compassion-based ethics, deepening our ongoing partnerships with Indigenous peoples and local communities, and strengthening our internal practices so we continue to be an equitable place to work.