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The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust USA Inc

EIN 30-0224549 · Laguna Hills, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO PROGRAMS WHICH SPECIALIZE IN THE PRESERVATION OF WILDLIFE IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT AND THE DISSEMINATION OF KNOWLEDGE FOR THE FURTHERANCE OF WILDLIFE PRESERVATION. THE MOST IMPORTANT ACTIVITY OF THE CORPORATION IN FURTHERANCE OF THIS PURPOSE WILL BE TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL, TECHNICAL, AND OTHER SUPPORT FOR THE PROGRAMS OF THE DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST (THE "TRUST").

Income
$22.8 million
Spending
$18.9 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
14.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
5
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$305,420, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $18.2 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION'S MOST IMPORTANT PROGRAM EFFORT IS FUNDING THE DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST ("DSWT") (DBA SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST (SWT)) WHICH, TO-DATE, HAS SUCCESSFULLY HAND-RAISED OVER 250 INFANT ELEPHANTS, ALONG WITH ACCOMPLISHING ITS LONG-TERM CONSERVATION PRIORITY BY EFFECTIVELY REINTEGRATING ORPHANS BACK INTO THE WILD. DSWT FOCUSES ON THE PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION OF WILDLIFE THROUGH ANTI-POACHING EFFORTS, SURVEILLING AND SAFE GUARDING THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, ENHANCING COMMUNITY AWARENESS, ADDRESSING ANIMAL WELFARE ISSUES, PROVIDING VETERINARY ASSISTANCE TO ANIMALS IN NEED, AND RESCUING AND HAND REARING ELEPHANT AND RHINO ORPHANS. REARING ELEPHANT AND RHINO ORPHANS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending March 2026.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 2004.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.