Global Sanctuary for Elephants
Global Sanctuary for Elephants
PO BOX 2426
Brentwood TN 37024-2426
Brentwood TN | IRS ruling year: 2014 | EIN: 46-3564818
PROTECTING, RESCUING AND PROVIDING SANCTUARY FOR CAPTIVE ELEPHANTS WORLDWIDE
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PO BOX 2426
Brentwood TN 37024-2426
Brentwood TN | IRS ruling year: 2014 | EIN: 46-3564818
PROTECTING, RESCUING AND PROVIDING SANCTUARY FOR CAPTIVE ELEPHANTS WORLDWIDE
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This charity's score is 100%, 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: 80% Accountability & Finance, 10% Leadership & Adaptability, 10% Culture & Community. Learn more about our criteria and methodology.
We recognize that not all metrics and beacons equally predict a charity’s success. The percentage each beacon contributes to the organization’s overall rating depends on the number of beacons an organization has earned.
Use the tool below to select different beacons to see how the weighting shifts when only one, two, or three beacons are earned.
Rating histories are available for a growing number of rated organizations. Check back later to see if this organization has a rating history!
The IRS is significantly delayed in processing nonprofits' annual tax filings (Forms 990). As a result, the Accountability & Finance score for Global Sanctuary for Elephants is outdated and the overall rating may not be representative of its current operations. Please check with the charity directly for any questions you may have.
Global Sanctuary for Elephants has earned a 100% for the Accountability & Finance beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
This Accountability & Finance score represents IRS Form 990 data up until FY 2020, which is the most recent Form 990 currently available to us.
Learn more
Charity Navigator looks for at least 3 board members, with more than 50% of those members identified as independent (not salaried).
The presence of an independent governing body is strongly recommended by many industry professionals to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters.
Source: IRS Form 990
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 |
---|---|
$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
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the 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
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the 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
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the 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
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the 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
Charity Navigator looks for a website on the 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
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization’s solvency and/or long-term sustainability.
Liabilities to Assets Ratio | Amount of Credit Received |
---|---|
Less than 50% | Full Credit |
50% - 59.9% | Partial Credit |
60% or more | No Credit |
Source: IRS Form 990
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three 990s). This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver.
Program Expense Percentage | Amount of Credit Received |
---|---|
70% or higher | Full Credit |
60% - 69.9% | Partial Credit |
50% - 59.9% | Zero Points for Program Expense Score |
Below 50% | Zero Points for Both Program Expense AND Liabilities to Assets Scores |
Source: IRS Form 990
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
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
Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2020
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
Activities:
Activity data not reported from the IRS
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:
Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations). (BMF affiliation code: 3)
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage finance and accountability 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 (Global Sanctuary for Elephants) or EIN (463564818) in the 'Search Term' field.
This organization was impacted by COVID-19 in a way that effected their financial health in 2020. This normally would have reduced their star rating. Due to the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, we give charities such as this one the opportunity to share the story of COVID's impact on them, and doing this pauses our revision of their rating. Charities may submit their own pandemic responses through their nonprofit portal.
Global Sanctuary for Elephants reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
Fundraising Capacity
Staffing
Grants Received
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
We applied and received the PPP loan to assist with staff salaries. Donations maintained, but if our past trends had continued, they should have increased.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
Supplies and transport increased in cost, some significantly. Our most recent rescue has been delayed due to border closures and the permitting process, which is already slow, has become even more so due to governmental office closures.
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
We implemented needed safety measures, but since most of our work is either distance or outdoors, it did not affect our day-to-day operations. We are not open to the public, so there were no changes needed there. We did have to change our approach to raising funds, being more aware of people's limited incomes, and targeting lower giving amounts. We also stockpiled steel that is needed for our next habitat project before costs increased further.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
We are currently looking into different virtual programs that will allow us to bring supporters an 'inside' view of the sanctuary.
Not Currently Scored
Global Sanctuary for Elephants cannot currently be evaluated by our Impact & Results 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.
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Global Sanctuary for Elephants reported its three largest programs on its FY 2020 Form 990 as:
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
OUR FOUNDING DIRECTORS ARE WORKING ON LOCATION IN BRAZIL, OVERSEEING THE DEVELOPMENT OF ELEPHANT SANCTUARY BRAZIL AND ESTABLISHING A FOUNDATION THAT IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE CORE VALUES OF GLOBAL SANC ... (More)
OUR FOUNDING DIRECTORS ARE WORKING ON LOCATION IN BRAZIL, OVERSEEING THE DEVELOPMENT OF ELEPHANT SANCTUARY BRAZIL AND ESTABLISHING A FOUNDATION THAT IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE CORE VALUES OF GLOBAL SANCTUARY FOR ELEPHANTS ("GSE"). THEY HAVE ATTRACTED INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT AND ARE RECRUITING AND TRAINING CORE TEAM MEMBERS IN BRAZIL TO RUN SANCTUARY OPERATIONS. HAVING OUR WORLD RENOWNED FOUNDING DIRECTORS ON THE GROUND IN BRAZIL IS PIVOTAL TO PROVIDING HANDS-ON EXPERTISE AND RECOGNITION FOR ELEPHANT CARE AND TRUSTWORTHY OPERATIONS NECESSARY TO BUILD ELEPHANT SANCTUARY BRAZIL INTO A SELF SUSTAINABLE AND POSITIVELY IMPACTFUL ORGANIZATION FOR ELEPHANTS THROUGHOUT SOUTH AMERICA. (Less)
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
IN COLLABORATION WITH CHILEAN NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, ECOPOLIS DISIPLINAS INTEGRADAS, GSE PROVIDED FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND DAILY OVERSIGHT FOR THE CARE OF RAMBA THE ELEPHANT. AFTER MORE THAN 50 YEARS O ... (More)
IN COLLABORATION WITH CHILEAN NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, ECOPOLIS DISIPLINAS INTEGRADAS, GSE PROVIDED FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND DAILY OVERSIGHT FOR THE CARE OF RAMBA THE ELEPHANT. AFTER MORE THAN 50 YEARS OF COMPROMISED CARE, GSE WAS ABLE TO ENSURE DEDICATED STA (Less)
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
GSE CARRIES A UNIQUE LEVEL OF DIVERSE EXPERIENCE THAT IS UTILIZED AND SHARED GLOBALLY TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE TRAGEDIES ELEPHANTS ENDURE IN CAPTIVITY. MORE IMPORTANTLY, OUR MESSAGING FOCUSES ON T ... (More)
GSE CARRIES A UNIQUE LEVEL OF DIVERSE EXPERIENCE THAT IS UTILIZED AND SHARED GLOBALLY TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE TRAGEDIES ELEPHANTS ENDURE IN CAPTIVITY. MORE IMPORTANTLY, OUR MESSAGING FOCUSES ON THE POSITIVE ACTIONS SOCIETY CAN TAKE NOW TO CREATE A POS (Less)
Global Sanctuary for Elephants has earned a 95% for the Culture & Community beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves.
Learn more
30% of beacon score
This organization reported that it is collecting feedback from the constituents and/or communities it serves. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations that engage in inclusive practices, such as collecting feedback from the people and communities they serve, may be more effective.
Who are the people you serve with your mission? Describe briefly.
Our organization exists to serve the elephants in our care, but we feel we also serve the people who give and make it possible to accomplish our mission. Without our supporters, this life of sanctuary cannot exist for the elephants in our care. We cherish our relationship with our 'sanctuary family', answer every question and email, read every comment, know many of them on a personal level, and respect and take into consideration their opinions about what we could change or do better.
How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Focus groups or interviews (by phone or in person), Suggestion box/email, Other means
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
With whom does your organization share the feedback you got from the people you serve?
Our staff, Our board
How has asking for feedback from the people you serve changed your relationship with them or shifted power - over decisions, resources, rules or in other ways - to them?
In general, we feel that people appreciate it when their opinions and desires matter. Many feel like nonprofits just want their money and that is all. Our communications with our supporters have always been strong, but we believe these kinds of discussions can only strengthen that relationship.
What challenges does your organization face in collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time, It is difficult to get honest feedback from our clients, It is difficult to identify actionable feedback
Briefly describe a recent change that your organization made in response to feedback from the people you serve.
We have made changes to our social media platforms and some of the posts we are sharing to include things that people wanted more of or felt were missing.
70% of beacon score
This organization's score of 93 is a passing score. The organization reported that it is implementing 8 Equity Practices. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations implementing effective equity policies and practices can enhance a nonprofit's decision-making, staff motivation, innovation, and effectiveness.
Equity Practices (4/7) | |
---|---|
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 (4/7) | |
---|---|
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. |
Global Sanctuary for Elephants has earned a 100% for the Leadership & Adaptability beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
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.
Learn more
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission
PROTECTING, RESCUING AND PROVIDING SANCTUARY FOR CAPTIVE ELEPHANTS WORLDWIDE
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
Global Sanctuary for Elephants exists to create vast safe spaces for captive elephants, where they are able to heal physically and emotionally. There are elephants around the world in need of sanctuary, but too few exist to be able to care for even a fraction of them. Global support is necessary to build sanctuaries for elephants in need of rescue and rehabilitation.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: To continue to expand the facilities at Elephant Sanctuary Brazil to accommodate all of the captive elephants in South America in need of a healthy future and home.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Two: Expand our education program to not only educate the general public but assist other facilities with their care of elephants.
Goal Type: This goal reflects our commitment to further our advocacy work for our organization and or cause area.
Goal Three: Continue to advocate for captive elephants globally, advise and support others trying to provide captive elephants a better life, and begin working on our next sanctuary project.
Goal Type: New program(s) based on observed changes in needs among our constituencies/communities served.
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
Mentoring of new employees with advisors and specialists in their field. Training and organizational planning, with individual activities such as job rotation and job shadowing. Focus on HR and how caring for your current team, through policies and procedures, nurtures the future for the entire organization.
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
Strategic Partnerships
Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
Thought Leadership
Raising Awareness
Community Building
Policy Advocacy
GSE is constantly working with other large and small organizations with the goal of providing sanctuary for captive elephants globally. Although sanctuary is the optimal goal for captive elephants, we network with individuals from around the globe who are searching for help with providing care for their elephants. Our founder has testified for legislation to create policies including bullhook bans throughout the US. Our founder has presented and numerous conferences, and one of our board members has dedicated her life to studying and educating about African elephants. GSE participates in educational courses with local schools, classes with the community, and supports local initiatives such as wild animal rescues and small development projects. GSE also uses social media as a platform for education. We tell the stories of our residents to share how captivity impacts such intelligent beings, in a passive way. It allows people a depth of understanding that most sanctuaries do not offer.
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
Our organization was luckier than many this past year. Seen as a beacon of positivity and hope, many supporters continued to turn to us during difficult times. We continued to ensure our followers knew that we understood current difficulties and appreciative whatever amount they could give because every dollar makes a difference. And as always, they showed up when they were needed. Expansion, permits, and rescues were slowed down, but we continued on with caring for our current residents while nurturing the relationships that helped things to be moved along as quickly as possible. We planned ahead in regards to supplies and purchases when possible, ensuring the elephants were taken care of and each donated dollar went as far as possible by obtaining supplies before significant increases in prices. We also made sure our staff was protected and cared for to the best of our ability, implementing policies, but also providing supplies that could be taken home for their families. This strengthened our already dedicated team.
Impact & Results
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
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