Defenders of Wildlife
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May 20, 2012
Up until today I had an automatic monthly donation set up and had for years. Today I began researching all of the organizations I currently donate to and am thinking of donating to. I would rather donate to an organization that pays it's CEO/president a minimal compensation rather than one so exorbitant. Defenders of Wildlife pays one of the largest salaries of any of the groups I researched today. I'm canceling my donation.
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Was your donation impactful?
Unsure
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Unlikely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Unlikely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
April 25, 2012
When I was a regular donor, there was no way to identify your membership renewal...there's no place on the form to add your membership number. Hence, I got duplicate memberships because I didn't renew EXACTLY as I did the year before. When I decided to cut back expenses, Defenders refused to stop sending requests for $$ after sending many requests...I send their form back in the postage-paid envelope.
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Was your donation impactful?
Unlikely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
No
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
January 19, 2012
Like many of the other reviewers, I have found Defenders to be lacking in the management of their funds and totally unresponsive to suggestions as to how to improve their efficiency. Specifically, I do not like their executive pay scale or the constant mailings. I have written to them three times to remove my name from their mailing list to no avail. I have informed them that my decision to no longer support them is based on the information and reviews on Charity Navigator, but they don't seem to care. So be it! There are many other environmental organizations who do excellent work.
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Was your donation impactful?
Unlikely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
No
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
December 13, 2011
I used to donate to this organization, but now send my donations to other wildlife organizations that don't inundate me with mail, and sent gifts that I have declined. The organization does good work, but have lost control of their donation request process.
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Was your donation impactful?
Likely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Unlikely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Unlikely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
November 11, 2011
I am grateful for the information provided by Charity Navigator, and I personally mostly look at program, administrative and fundraising expenses, including the president's salary, as well as reviews (I don't agree with giving so much importance to the rest). According to these criteria, Defenders is not performing well. I too have been solicited for extra donations for the wolves, and I am disturbed to read comments by donors on this issue. I have found a charity called "Wildlife Conservation Network" in California, which seems to be doing the kind of work I thought Defenders was doing, and I decided to make the switch.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I just donated
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
perhaps be more honest
June 16, 2011
Pretty tired of them taking credit for work that they are barely involved in. They are touting themselves as the leader in washington's wolf issue, and we all know that groups like Conservation Northwest and Wolf Haven are much more involved on the ground for real change. It's sort of crappy of them to fundraise on that message.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
not really
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Slow down the fundraising juggernaut and ask them to be honest about the other groups they are riding over.
1 person found this review helpful
June 2, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
I use to love donating to this charity, but had questions regarding how they raise monies to protect the wolves and also their adopt a wolf cub program. It seems that there are countless mailings, and in my mind, I am thinking "what a waste of trees!" I donated every year until recent hard times have made it difficult for me to continue donating to my favorite charities as much as I have in the past. I notified them that I wanted to cancel my monthly donations in their Adopt a Wolf Cub Program. They complied. However two months after I opted out of the program, my credit card was charged for a monthly donation amount. I called them and asked AGAIN, to remove me from the program. After a month went by, my credit card was charged for another monthly donation. I went through all the phone numbers they list to try to connect with someone who would cancel my membership and monthly donations. I did end up with someone who assured me that the matter would effectively be taken care of. However, I constantly have to be on my guard, watching my credit card monthly statements to be sure that no more charges are being levied against my account. It's sad because I love animals and want to see the wolves protected. But to this date, the slaughter of wolves in Wyoming and Montana from airplanes is still being done, and I see no real effective action on the part of Defenders of Wildlife.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
their office mismanagement. While they were courteous when I called to complain about the two unauthorized charges against my credit card, the fact is that I'm disappointed with the way the mishap was handled.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
stop the continuous paper mailings and use e-mail to get the word out on this organization's mission. They offer all kinds of "gifts" to donors who subscribe or donate. Another waste of money. People who care and want to help our national wildlife don't really need a tee-shirt, an umbrella, a calendar, etc. for joining the organization. Money spent on "gifts" would be best spent by this organization on actual efforts to protect the animals they represent.
March 27, 2011
Defenders of Wildlife recent disappointed members by their lack of sufficient protection of wolves in Montana and Idaho. The following is a quote from:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/7881510/opinion_defenders_fails_to_defend_wolves.html?cat=48
'Last Friday, the 18th of March, will be a day forever emblazened into the minds of wolf advocates and supporters throughout the nation, as it was on this day that Defenders of Wildlife and 9 other plaintiffs in the two delisting lawsuits to restore federal protection to wolves, sold out these passionate advocates."
"For an organization that took in over $28million last year, according to their ***IRS filing for 2009, I personally think they could do a lot better if perhaps they didn't pay out 43% of their contributions in salary and compensation, including over $360,000 in annual compensation for Rodger Schlickeisen, CEO of Defenders of Wildlife and another $2.5 million for the other 14 officers of Defenders of Wildlife. I think perhaps its time we took a good hard look at these organizations, and especially the money they generate in highly lucrative salaries, and start asking some tough questions."
Best to read the whole article.
This organization will not see any more donations from me until they demonstrate that they are actually what they say they are and not just an organization of high salaried impostors.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
They have not performed as expected. They had a fine reputation, but their recent "compromise" in allowing culling of wolves is just not acceptable.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Please update your information on your web site rating of Defenders of Wildlife, since the most recent salaries and expenses is not current, it appears.
April 26, 2009
Defenders of Wildlife does so much for the animals. They are my favorite charity. They were instrumental in getting the wolves back into Yellowstone, and have been fighting ever since to keep these same wolves safe if they wander outside of the park. I am proud to be a member of this fabulous organization.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
so many ways.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
do everything exactly as it is being done today.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the way they work so hard in saving so many animals.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
N/A
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
keep the wolves in and around Yellowstone safe. Stop the killing of the seals in Canada. Stop the killing of the wolves in Alaska. Keep the drilling out of Alaska and keep the polar bears safe.
Ways to make it better...
N/A
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
getting their name out there.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
April 3, 2009
Defenders of the Wildlife is a first class organization working to support animals. Their work on protecting Wolves in the Southwest specifically is really worthwhile. Check them out.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
greater awareness of the needs of endangered animals
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Do the same.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Participating in saving animal groups from encroachment and extinction
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Nice
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
More
Ways to make it better...
Not sure
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
The constant battle to keep legislation from removing protections so they must keep the community engaged.
One thing I'd also say is that...
Animals need advocates
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
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