World Wildlife Fund Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
WWF'S MISSION IS TO CONSERVE NATURE AND REDUCE THE MOST PRESSING THREATS TO THE DIVERSITY OF LIFE ON EARTH. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)
- Income
- $366.7 million
- Spending
- $367.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- 6.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 75%
- Employees
- 862
- Volunteers
- 185
- Highest pay
- $1.3 million, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (environment, over $100m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.2 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 17% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (environment, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2525 of 26 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 (6)
- $83.6 million spent. GLOBAL CONSERVATION:WHETHER IN ALASKA'S BRISTOL BAY, MONTANA'S GREAT PLAINS, THE RAINFORESTS OF BRAZIL, PERU, AND BOLIVIA, THE MOUNTAINS OF NEPAL AND BHUTAN, OR THE DESERTS AND SAVANNAS OF AFRICA, WWF-US PARTNERS WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND OTHER GROUPS TO PROTECT FORESTS, WILDLIFE, CORAL REEFS AND OTHER ECOSYSTEMS; FIND ACTIONS TO PROTECT FRESHWATER RESOURCES FROM CONTAMINATION AND DEPLETION; REDUCE OVERFISHING TO ENSURE RELIABLE FOOD SOURCES; REDUCE CONFLICTS BETWEEN LOCAL PEOPLE AND WILDLIFE; EMPLOY ENERGY SOLUTIONS THAT GENERATE FEWER GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS THAN THE CURRENT ENERGY PRODUCTION SYSTEM; AND ENACT FOREST MANAGEMENT APPROACHES THAT REGENERATE OR RESTORE CRITICAL HABITATS FOR WILDLIFE AND A RANGE OF FOREST-BASED PRODUCTS FOR PEOPLE.
- $73.9 million spent. INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY PROGRAMS:FROM PERU'S RAINFORESTS AND THE MOUNTAINS OF BHUTAN TO NAMIBIA'S COMMUNAL CONSERVANCIES, THE WWF NETWORK BRINGS ITS SCIENCE-BASED AND RESULTS ORIENTED APPROACH TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES IN 100 COUNTRIES. WWF SUPPORTS THE CREATION OF RESOURCE-BASED ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AND LIVELIHOODS FOR COMMUNITIES IN SOME OF THE WORLD'S MOST REMOTE LOCATIONS. WWF-US SPECIFICALLY MANAGES COUNTRY-OFFICE OPERATIONS THROUGHOUT LATIN AMERICA, AS WELL AS IN BHUTAN, NAMIBIA, AND NEPAL - DIRECTLY SUPPORTING CONSERVATION EFFORTS IN SOME OF THE MOST ECOLOGICALLY DIVERSE PLACES ON EARTH.
- $37.2 million spent. PUBLIC EDUCATION:WITH ONE MILLION MEMBERS IN THE UNITED STATES AND MORE THAN FIVE MILLION SUPPORTERS GLOBALLY, THE WWF NETWORK, OF WHICH WWF-US IS A PART, IS WORKING TO MOBILIZE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE TO SUPPORT CONSERVATION. WWF SHARES INFORMATION WITH THE AMERICAN PUBLIC ON NATURE'S VALUE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVATION THROUGH A VARIETY OF CHANNELS, FROM OUR WILDCLASSROOMS EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM, OUR SIGNATURE PUBLICATION WORLD WILDLIFE MAGAZINE, OUR PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS, OUR WEBSITE AND ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL EVENTS SUCH AS EARTH HOUR.
- $64.9 million spent. PUBLIC AFFAIRS: AT WWF, WE BELIEVE WE CAN FOSTER A SAFER, HEALTHIER AND MORE RESILIENT FUTURE FOR PEOPLE AND NATURE. WE HELP INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS AND SOME OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST COMPANIES RETHINK THE WAY THEY PRODUCE AND CONSUME ENERGY, FOOD, AND WATER. WWF PROVIDES DECISIONMAKERS WITH THE RESULTS OF FIELD STUDIES DESCRIBING THE BIOLOGICAL RICHNESS OF SOME OF THE WORLD'S MOST PRODUCTIVE REGIONS, RESEARCH INTO THE LOSS OR DEGRADATION OF KEY ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS SUCH AS THE ARCTIC, TROPICAL RAINFORESTS, FISHERIES, CORAL REEFS, RIVER SYSTEMS AND WETLANDS AND SOLUTIONS BASED ON TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS, POLICY INCENTIVES, AND ACTIONS THAT INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS CAN TAKE TO PROTECT OUR PLANET.
- $30.0 million spent. MARKET TRANSFORMATION: WWF PARTNERS WITH CORPORATIONS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, LOCAL COMMUNITIES, NGOS, UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF THE PRODUCTION AND TRADE OF COMMODITIES THAT MOST AFFECT OUR CONSERVATION PRIORITIES. OUR GOAL IS TO MEASURABLY REDUCE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS OF INDIVIDUAL ACTORS AS WELL AS ENTIRE INDUSTRIES.
- FY 2025 990 ACCOMPLISHMENTS:IN FY 2025, WWF MADE VALUABLE STRIDES IN ADDRESSING SOME OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CONSERVATION CHALLENGES FACING THE PLANET. AMONG MANY ACHIEVEMENTS, WE NOTE THESE:STRENGTHENING AMERICAN GRASSLANDS:WWF'S SUSTAINABLE RANCHING INITIATIVE REACHED A MILESTONE IN 2024, ENROLLING 1 MILLION ACRES IN ITS RANCH SYSTEMS AND VIABILITY PLANNING NETWORK A YEAR AHEAD OF SCHEDULE. THE INITIATIVE EQUIPS RANCHERS IN THE NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS REGION WITH HANDS-ON GUIDANCE FROM TECHNICAL EXPERTS AND CONTINUOUS LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO PROMOTE MORE SUSTAINABLE GRAZING PRACTICES. IT ALSO HELPS RANCHERS IMPLEMENT STRATEGIES THAT ENHANCE CARBON SEQUESTRATION, IMPROVE WATER INFILTRATION, AND SUPPORT WILDLIFE ACROSS THIS VAST EXPANSE OF ENROLLED ACRES. RESTORING AMERICAN RIVERS & FRESHWATER SYSTEMS:IN FY25, TO PROTECT AND RESTORE THE RIO GRANDE RIVER, WWF CONDUCTED ENVIRONMENTAL FLOW ASSESSMENTS AND CO-LED LOCAL WATER MANAGEMENT WORKING GROUPS. WE ALSO SUPPORTED RESTORATION PROJECTS TO SECURE COMMUNITY WATER ACCESS AND REVIVE BEAVER, CUTTHROAT TROUT, AND SILVERY MINNOW POPULATIONS. IN NEW MEXICO, WWF SURVEYED FARMERS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND AGRICULTURAL WATER USE AND PROMOTE WATER-RESILIENT FARMING PRACTICES. COLLECTIVELY, THESE PROJECTS WILL RESTORE 160 ACRES OF RIPARIAN HABITATS AND WETLANDS AND 65 MILES OF THE RIVER WHILE SUPPORTING BIODIVERSITY ACROSS THE BASIN.SUPPORTING ALASKA COMMUNITIES:WWF'S US ARCTIC PROGRAM LAUNCHED A GRANTS INITIATIVE IN OCTOBER 2024 TO SUPPORT ALASKA NATIVE-LED STEWARDSHIP AND CONSERVATION RESEARCH, AWARDING SEVERAL GRANTS FOR WALRUS, SHOREBIRD, BELUGA, AND SALMON PROJECTS TO DATE.REDUCING FOOD LOSS AND WASTE:EACH YEAR, MORE THAN 1.3 BILLION TONS OF FOOD IS LOST DURING AND AFTER HARVEST, BEFORE EVEN LEAVING THE FARM. BUT WE CAN'T MANAGE THE FOOD LOSS PROBLEM UNTIL WE MEASURE IT, AND MOST GROWERS LACK DATA ON THEIR POSTHARVEST LOSSES. TO HELP FILL THIS DATA GAP IN OUR SUPPLY CHAINS, WWF LAUNCHED THE GLOBAL FARM LOSS TOOL TO HELP GROWERS MEASURE AND REDUCE ON-FARM FOOD LOSS. THE TOOL HELPS GROWERS DEVELOP NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO PREVENT THESE LOSSES AND SELL MORE OF THE PRODUCTS THEY GROW. ADDITIONALLY, WWF CONTINUED TO EXPAND THE FOOD WASTE WARRIORS PROGRAM IN FY25. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES K-12 SCHOOLS WITH GRANTS, TOOLKITS, AND LESSON PLANS THAT INFORM, ENGAGE, AND INSPIRE STUDENTS TO TAKE ACTION TO TACKLE FOOD WASTE. THE 600+ PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS ACROSS THE US ACHIEVED A 14.5% REDUCTION IN CAFETERIA WASTE, ON AVERAGE.HARNESSING MANGROVES TO HELP COMMUNITIES:WWF AND PARTNERS SURPASSED GOALS UNDER THE MANGROVES FOR COMMUNITY AND CLIMATE PROJECT, WHICH HELPED PROTECT AND RESTORE MORE THAN 2.4 MILLION ACRES OF MANGROVES GLOBALLY, SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS FOR OVER 300,000 PEOPLE ANNUALLY. ALSO IN FY25, WWF DEPLOYED THE CLIMATE-SMART MANGROVE TOOL IN COLOMBIA AND LAUNCHED AI-DRIVEN MONITORING IN MEXICO TO STRENGTHEN MANGROVE MONITORING AND PROTECTION FOR COASTLINES AND COMMUNITIES. CONSERVING SNOW LEOPARDS AND OTHER WILDLIFE WITH CUTTING-EDGE SCIENCE:WILDLIFE NATURALLY SHED GENETIC MATERIAL CALLED EDNA, WHICH CAN BE EXTRACTED FROM WATER, SOIL, AND AIR TO REVEAL THE AREAS WHERE THEY LIVE. THAT MEANS THAT SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS A WATER SAMPLE FROM A RIVER CAN HELP IDENTIFY HARD-TO-FIND SPECIES LIKE SNOW LEOPARDS. AFTER A SUCCESSFUL PILOT IN BHUTAN UNCOVERED A REMARKABLE AMOUNT OF UNDOCUMENTED BIODIVERSITY, INCLUDING SNOW LEOPARDS AND WOOLLY FLYING SQUIRRELS, WWF TOOK PART IN THE INAUGURATION OF AN EDNA LAB IN APRIL 2025 TO CONDUCT A COST-EFFECTIVE IN-COUNTRY ANALYSIS. THIS NEW LAB WILL HELP BHUTAN COMPLETE ITS FIRST NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT USING EDNA. COMBINED WITH REGIONAL POPULATION ESTIMATES INCLUDING INDIA'S FIRST-EVER STUDY AND A NEW ASSESSMENT CONFIRMING 397 OF THE ELUSIVE CATS IN NEPAL THESE INSIGHTS ARE ADVANCING SNOW LEOPARD CONSERVATION AT BOTH NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY LEVELS. IN BHUTAN'S NUBRI REGION, FOR EXAMPLE, WWF IS SUPPORTING THE EDGE SPECIES PROTECTION PROJECT TO HELP LOCAL HERDERS COEXIST WITH SNOW LEOPARDS. MOBILIZING CORPORATE LEADERSHIP FOR FORESTS AND NATURE: EARTH'S TROPICAL FORESTS ARE VANISHING AT AN ALARMING RATE: THE EQUIVALENT OF 18 SOCCER FIELDS PER MINUTE. AND WITH MORE THAN HALF OF THE WORLD'S FORESTS MANAGED FULLY OR PARTIALLY FOR PRIVATE-SECTOR PRODUCTION, CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY AND LEADERSHIP MUST PLAY A CENTRAL ROLE IN STOPPING FOREST LOSS. WWF'S FORESTS FORWARD PROGRAM PARTNERS WITH COMPANIES TO LEVERAGE THE POWER OF FORESTS TO ACHIEVE THEIR SUSTAINABILITY, SOCIAL IMPACT, AND BUSINESS GOALS. THE PROGRAM NOW POSITIVELY IMPACTS 10 MILLION ACRES OF FOREST WORLDWIDE. THROUGH THE PROGRAM, SEVERAL PARTICIPATING COMPANIES ARE ALSO ADVANCING NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS THROUGH THE NBS ORIGINATION PLATFORM, WHICH HAS ALREADY CONSERVED 285,000 ACRES GLOBALLY. STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY GOVERNANCE OF MARINE RESOURCES:OVER THE PAST YEAR, WWF HAS HELPED COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST INDIAN OCEAN DEVELOP GOVERNANCE STRUCTURES TO ENSURE HOLISTIC, LONG-LASTING, AND LOCALLY LED CONSERVATION OF THEIR MARINE RESOURCES. NEAR THE NOSY HARA MARINE PROTECTED AREA IN MADAGASCAR, VOLUNTEER FISHERS LEAD LOCAL PATROLS, REPORTING VIOLATIONS AND JOINTLY STEWARDING THEIR SHARED COAST. USING RESOURCES AND KNOWLEDGE GAINED FROM MULTIPLE WWF TRAININGS, VARIOUS COMMUNITY RESOURCE MANAGEMENT GROUPS BANDED TOGETHER TO CREATE THEIR OWN COORDINATION NETWORK AND ESTABLISH COMMUNITY-RUN MANGROVE NURSERIES IN TWO DISTRICTS IN MOZAMBIQUE.PROTECTING TURTLES IN INDONESIA:WWF EFFORTS TO CONSERVE SEA TURTLES HAVE MARKED MAJOR PROGRESS THIS YEAR. THANKS TO THE WWF AND NOAA LEATHERBACK SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION PROGRAM, ZERO EGGS HAVE BEEN POACHED ON THE NESTING BEACHES OF BURU ISLAND IN INDONESIA IN TWO YEARS: A 99% IMPROVEMENT FROM WHEN THE PROGRAM BEGAN IN 2017.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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 September 7, 2026.
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 September 30, 2026.
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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1991.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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 7, 2026.
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