World Wildlife Fund, Inc.
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March 24, 2012
Hello, just saw a tv commercial regarding endangered tigers and decided to check out wwe.org. I was happy to see that a claimed 80+ cents of every dollar goes towards the conservation efforts, but appalled however at finding out what the CEO's yearly earnings are... If you're listening wwe.org, reduce that salary and you'll have my contribution... Yes, I am living what I preach. I've taken a 33% hit in my salary due to the down turn in the economy by starting over and taking an entry level position in public service, but can still live a comfortable life by cutting back on some unnecessary expenses... and as I ready to sign my name up to help a tiger out there, I find myself disgusted at the CEO's salary...
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
No
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Some
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
March 8, 2012
WWF claims to have spend millions of USD over the years in Madagascar, yet, nothing to show for it. They tried very hard once to kick out De Heaulme, who owns the Berenty Reserve out of his own property! They would rather see the poorest among the poor (Mahafaly, Antandroy) being kept this way rather than see them developing real sustainable projects for it would harm their message (wildlife is endangered everywhere you look)
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Was your donation impactful?
No
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?
2011
January 16, 2012
I am not sure how high to rate WWF and that is why I am writing, because I have a question on what has been bothering me. I would like to know where these "free" gifts come from. Are they donated to WWF or is WWF buying them and if so how much of our donations are going to the purchase of these "free" gifts. That is my main concern as well as the salary of the CEO, but if someone can tell me that part of my donation is not going to give "free" gifts out, which I never accept, then I might feel better about donating. Can someone answer this question for me?
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Was your donation impactful?
Unsure
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Unsure
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Unsure
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
1 person found this review helpful
December 29, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
I notice that two prior reviews also criticize WWF for their INCREDIBLE avidity for my supplemental donations, and that they are similarly alarmed with the frequency and persistence of these requests.
My concern is actually with two sub-topics of the WWF marketing effort.
1) Do we really ONLY care about pretty, anthropomorphic, dewy eyed animals occasionally interspersed with bold, proud and gorgeous carnivores? The photographic theme of WWF's materials is much too glamorous and cute, without ANY true naturalistic view of the humble and non-statuesque critters who might need saving.
2) I give to 70+ charities (social, political, environmental, service-sector) and NOBODY pushes out as much swag as WWF. With your donation, we'll send you greeting cards, calendars, hats, tote-bags, umbrellas, T-shirts, letter-stickers, shoelaces, plush toys, and ash-trays (ok, maybe not ash-trays). Every year, I review their Charity Navigator ranking, expecting there to be some recognition that they have become a tax-exempt wholesaler for environmental trinkets and NOT an environmental organization of impact or utility. It's AMAZING that they maintain a 4-star rating, and endangers my trust in Char-Nav.
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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?
2011
3 people found this review helpful
December 2, 2011
3 people found this review helpful
I am a very long term donor and am familiar with the good work of this NGO. However, I agree with the previous review that they are RELENTLESS with their mailed solicitations. Further, they had the to my mind amazing chutzpah to send a solicitation saying, in effect, we will cease our onslaught of mailings if you promise to donate on a monthly basis! It reminded my of National Lampoon's cover "Buy This Magazine or We Will Shoot this Dog!" If you want to donate to an organization with a very similar mission but without ANY mailings and more restrained email communication strategy, I recommend the Wildlife Conservation Society. WWF really needs to get their solicitations under control -- I fear that my $100 just about pays my postal bill, and you don't want your donors feeling that way!
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Was your donation impactful?
Likely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Unsure
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Likely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
2 people found this review helpful
August 5, 2011
2 people found this review helpful
Like many of the existing reviews there are some pros and cons of supporting WWF. I definitely agree that they spend way too much on advertising/fund drives. I have called and requested that they send less mail but to no avail. I get at least two copies of Focus and additional mail on what feels like a monthly basis. The other side is that I feel like they do good work. The pros outweigh the negatives but I feel like the donor community must hold them more accountable or the inefficient behavior won't be changed. I will say that if I hear of another animal and environmental charity doing the same kind of work more efficiently, I will not hesitate to direct my funds to away from WWF.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
As a donor.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Less mail. Less administrative expense. Lower executive pay. Enforce environmental philosophy throughout organization.
1 person found this review helpful
June 16, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
Met the head of administration in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania. When I challenged him about driving around the city in a fully kitted out Toyota Land Cruiser - his reply was that the vehicle reflected his status in the organization. He then when on to say that without such visible signs of power, the Africans wouldn't respect him. couple those remarks with some very interesting corporate policies, and almost 23% expenses, this 'charity' should be avoided
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Tanzania
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
review corporate governance and reduce expenses
April 20, 2011
The Good: Being one of the largest organizations whose purpose is to protect Our Earth and Our Fellow Earth Inhabitants has it's privileges. They seem to have more pull and clout after many years of experience, being based in DC, and have a gaggle of seasoned lobbyists. 83% of all donated monies goes to a cause close to my heart...
The Bad: Being so large they are definitely more wasteful than their smaller counterparts. Executive pay is much too high and the advertising expenses are too high (wish they would cut my mailings in half as I already plan to donate yearly). 17% is too high for "other" expenses.
In my book the good outweighs the bad and I will continue to donate but also look for, and participate with, smaller local organizations as well.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
protect Our Earth and Fellow Earth Inhabitants.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
cut executive pay and mailings to current donors. Get the 83% actual used donation number closer to 90%
April 4, 2011
AMAZING!!!! i have no more to say...they are just amazing
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
i have seen their emblem (the panda) everywhere at zoos and on tee shirts they reach out to young kids and grown ups making great profits all put towards helping the animals and the environment
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
what is there to change
1 person found this review helpful
February 2, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
According to the Wall Street Journal;
"This year, chief financial officers at companies with $500 million or more in sales are projected to earn between $257,500 and $370,500 in average annual base pay, according to a 2008 report from staffing firm Robert Half International Inc. "
In 2008 the WWF had a total revenue of $151M. Carter Roberts, President of the WWF, received $465,427 in base compensation. That's 25% more than the high end base salary of CEOs of companies with over 3 times the revenue.
"Helping the environment" is good business.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
My wallet.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Get my donation back and reduce the salary of every Directory to a reasonable, sub-100k, salary.