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← AFRICAN PARKS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by AFRICAN PARKS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA.

Totals

Total revenue
$51,629,670
Total expenses
$58,979,264
Contributions and grants received
$50,350,827
Grants paid
$57,249,929
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$1,278,843
Other revenue
$0
Total assets, end of year
$76,868,387
Total liabilities, end of year
$5,203
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$76,863,184
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$57,249,929
Management and general expenses
$955,865
Fundraising expenses
$773,470
Program service expenses (Part III)
$57,249,929

Program services were 97.1% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $394,602

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $49,956,225

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $2,285,655

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $2,023,628 · excluded $2,023,628

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $11,061,150

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $11,805,935

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities -$744,785

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total -$744,785 · excluded -$744,785

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $290,000 · program services $290,000

  • 3 · Grants to foreign organizations and individuals

    total $56,959,929 · program services $56,959,929

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $843,030 · management and general $337,212 · fundraising $505,818

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $234,119 · management and general $149,346 · fundraising $84,773

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $10,725 · management and general $6,180 · fundraising $4,545

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $15,149 · management and general $9,841 · fundraising $5,308

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $68,326 · management and general $26,487 · fundraising $41,839

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $9,462 · management and general $9,462

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $66,649 · management and general $66,649

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $166,062 · management and general $166,062

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $24,829 · management and general $24,829

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $10,134 · management and general $5,777 · fundraising $4,357

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $42,690 · management and general $21,345 · fundraising $21,345

  • 17 · Travel

    total $54,141 · management and general $51,727 · fundraising $2,414

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $14,694 · fundraising $14,694

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $10,723 · management and general $10,723

  • 24a · Other expenses: RECRUITING EXPENSES

    total $121,307 · management and general $60,653 · fundraising $60,654

  • 24b · Other expenses: DUES & SUBSCRIPTIONS

    total $25,431 · management and general $5,431 · fundraising $20,000

  • 24c · Other expenses: FDRSNG SUPPLIES & MEALS

    total $7,723 · fundraising $7,723

  • 24d · Other expenses: OTHER EXPENSES

    total $4,141 · management and general $4,141

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $1,715,143 · end of year $910,179

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $705,529 · end of year $4,859,797

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $27,482,465 · end of year $7,725,729

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $14,800 · end of year $4,800

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $57,235,220 · end of year $63,310,048

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $46,778 · end of year $57,834

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $23,337 · end of year $5,203

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $7,530 · end of year $0

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $2,722,542 · end of year $5,602,570

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $84,446,526 · end of year $71,260,614

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

TO ENGAGE THE UNITED STATES AND ITS CITIZENS IN THE WORK OF AFRICAN PARKS AND TO PROMOTE ACCESS TO AMERICAN EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE IN THE AFRICAN PARKS ACTIITIES BY 1) RAISING FUNDS FOR SPECIFIC PROJECTS, ACTIVITIES, TRAINING, EQUIPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE; 2) SCOURING DONATIONS TOWARDS THE ENDOWMENT OF THE AFRICAN PARKS FOUNDATION TO ENABLE IT TO CONTINUE ITS WORK IN PERPETUITY; 3) FACILITATING GRANT AID FROM THE US GOVERNMENT FOR SPECIFIC PROJECTS BY AFRICAN PARKS, AND TO BE THE MANAGER OF SUCH FUNDS; 4) PROMOTING THE WORK OF AFRICAN PARKS IN THE U.S. AND TO BE A SOURCE OF INFORMATION ON ITS PROJECTS.

Activities or mission (Part I)

THE AFRICAN PARKS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA SEEKS TO HELP CONSERVE AFRICA'S NATIONAL PARKS FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. IT DOES SO BY SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT OF THESE GLOBALLY SIGNIFICANT AREAS, INCLUDING ENHANCING THE LIVES OF LOCAL PEOPLE. ITS SUPPORT PRIMARILY TAKES THE FORM OF FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SOLICITED FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES IN THE U.S., INCLUDING GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS, UNIVERSITIES, ZOOS, NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHERS. MORE BROADLY, IT ALSO AIMS TO EDUCATE U.S. AUDIENCES ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVING AFRICAN WILDLIFE AND THE HABITATS WITHIN WHICH THEY LIVE.

  • AFRICAN PARKS IS A NON-PROFIT CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION THAT TAKES ON DIRECT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REHABILITATION AND LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT OF PROTECTED AREAS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GOVERNMENTS AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES. IN 2023, AFRICAN PARKS MANAGED 22 NATIONAL PARKS AND PROTECTED AREAS IN 12 COUNTRIES COVERING OVER 20 MILLION HECTARES IN: ANGOLA, BENIN, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, CHAD, THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, MALAWI, MOZAMBIQUE, THE REPUBLIC OF CONGO, SOUTH SUDAN, RWANDA, ZAMBIA, AND ZIMBABWE.IONA NATIONAL PARK, ANGOLA:LOCATED WITHIN THE REMOTE IONA-SKELETON COAST TRANSFRONTIER CONSERVATION AREA IN ANGOLA, IONA NATIONAL PARK IS HOME TO MANY UNIQUE SPECIES OF FLORA AND FAUNA. SINCE 2019, EFFORTS TO CONSERVE AND RESTORE THIS ICONIC LANDSCAPE HAVE BEEN UNDERWAY. IN 2023, A FOUNDER POPULATION OF ANGOLAN GIRAFFES WAS REINTRODUCED TO THEIR HISTORICAL RANGE AS PART OF THE RESTORATION PLAN, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GIRAFFE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION. BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION EFFORTS HAVE BEEN STRENGTHENED WITH THE FIRST AERIAL SURVEY SINCE 2019, PROVIDING CRITICAL DATA ON WILDLIFE POPULATIONS. THE DEPLOYMENT OF GPS COLLARS ON SPRINGBOK, ZEBRA, AND ORYX, ALONG WITH THE INSTALLATION OF CAMERA TRAPS, HAS OFFERED VALUABLE INSIGHTS INTO WILDLIFE MOVEMENT AND BEHAVIOR. COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROJECTS, INCLUDING A WATERBIRD SURVEY AND PARTICIPATION IN THE MENA EDNA PROJECT, HAVE FURTHER ENHANCED UNDERSTANDING OF THE PARK'S ECOSYSTEM. FURTHERMORE, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN A KEY FOCUS, WITH EXTENSIVE CONSULTATIONS TO ESTABLISH A LAND USE PLAN AND UNDERSTAND LOCAL NEEDS. ENGAGEMENTS WITH VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS, ALONG WITH STUDIES ON LIVESTOCK MIGRATION AND A COMMUNITY CENSUS, HAVE INFORMED CONSERVATION STRATEGIES. EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES HAVE INCLUDED SCHOLARSHIPS, PRIMARY SCHOOL SUPPORT, AND ENVIRONMENTAL TRAINING FOR TEACHERS. ADDITIONALLY, EFFORTS TO BOOST PARK REVENUE AND INFRASTRUCTURE, SUCH AS THE ADDITION OF GATE OFFICERS AND ROAD IMPROVEMENTS, HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCED THE PARK'S MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY, CONTRIBUTING TO ITS LONG-TERM RESTORATION AND SUCCESS. FUTURE PLANS INCLUDE COMPLETING AND MOVING INTO PEDIVA HQ, REINFORCING THE GIRAFFE POPULATION AND PREPARING FOR RHINO REINTRODUCTION, STARTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PLAN, AND STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS WITH NAMIBIAN OFFICIALS FOR CROSS-BORDER CONSERVATION EFFORTS.PENDJARI NATIONAL PARK, BENIN:PENDJARI NATIONAL PARK, PART OF THE W-ARLY-PENDJARI (WAP) COMPLEX IN WEST AFRICA, IS A CRITICAL STRONGHOLD FOR BIODIVERSITY AND SUPPORTS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. OVER THE PAST DECADE, MILITANT ACTIVITY IN THE SAHEL HAS SPREAD INTO BENIN AND THE WAP COMPLEX, BUT DESPITE HEIGHTENED RISKS AND INCREASING MANAGEMENT COSTS, AFRICAN PARKS DECIDED TO CONTINUE THEIR LONG-TERM OPERATIONS AFTER EXTENSIVE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE GOVERNMENT, FUNDERS, AND LOCAL TEAMS, RECOGNIZING THE ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF THE PARK AND ITS ROLE IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND REGIONAL STABILITY. CONSERVATION EFFORTS HAVE INCLUDED AERIAL SURVEYS TO MONITOR HUMAN-ELEPHANT AND LIVESTOCK INTERACTIONS, REVEALING SIGNIFICANT AGRICULTURAL ENCROACHMENT AND POACHING INCIDENTS. HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS WERE COORDINATED WITH W NATIONAL PARK, IMPROVING COMMUNITY SUPPORT. PARK RANGERS RECEIVED SPECIALIZED TRAINING TO OPERATE SAFELY IN HIGH-SECURITY AREAS, ENHANCING THEIR CAPABILITY TO PROTECT THE PARK'S WILDLIFE. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES WERE ALSO PRIORITIZED, WITH AWARENESS-RAISING SESSIONS, ESTABLISHMENT OF WILDLIFE CLUBS, AND HEALTH AND AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS AIMED AT SUPPORTING LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES. ALTHOUGH THERE IS A SUSPENSION OF TOURISM AND HUNTING ACTIVITIES DUE TO SECURITY CONCERNS, PENDJARI NATIONAL PARK HAS MAINTAINED ITS INFRASTRUCTURE TO RESUME OPERATIONS WHEN CONDITIONS IMPROVE. THE REDD+ CARBON AUDIT WAS COMPLETED, AND MECHANISMS FOR MANAGING COMMUNITY SHARES OF CARBON REVENUE ARE BEING DEVELOPED. PARK MANAGEMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDED UPGRADING FACILITIES, EXTENDING COMMUNICATION NETWORKS, MAINTAINING ELECTRIC FENCES, AND ENHANCING ROAD AND WATER INFRASTRUCTURE. THESE EFFORTS ARE CRUCIAL FOR ENSURING THE PARK'S OPERATIONAL READINESS AND SUPPORTING ITS CONSERVATION GOALS AMIDST ONGOING CHALLENGES.AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK, RWANDA:SINCE AFRICAN PARKS BEGAN MANAGING AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK IN 2010, THE PARK HAS MOVED CLOSER TO COMPLETE FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY, ACHIEVING 92% SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN 2023. THE PARK CONTRIBUTED OVER $316,000 TO RWANDA'S TOURISM REVENUE SHARING SCHEME, BENEFITING LOCAL COMMUNITIES THROUGH FUNDING INFRASTRUCTURE AND MICRO-BUSINESSES. WITH A RECORD 54,000 VISITORS, INCLUDING A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF RWANDAN CITIZENS, AKAGERA CONTINUES TO PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN LOCAL DEVELOPMENT, SUPPORTING COMMUNITY PROJECTS VALUED AT $650,000. A WORLD BANK WORKSHOP HELD IN AKAGERA SHOWCASED THE PARK'S EFFECTIVE CO-MANAGEMENT MODEL, REINFORCING ITS GOAL OF ACHIEVING FULL SELF-SUSTAINABILITY BY 2025. CONSERVATION EFFORTS AT AKAGERA HAVE SEEN CONTINUED GROWTH IN BLACK AND WHITE RHINO AND LION POPULATIONS. A COLLABORATION WITH THE GIRAFFE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION ESTIMATED 110 GIRAFFES, UP FROM 54 IN 2013. THE PARK WORKED WITH GLOBAL UNIVERSITIES AND CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS TO ENHANCE UNDERSTANDING OF ITS ECOSYSTEMS, INVOLVING RWANDAN AND AFRICAN STUDENTS IN CAPACITY-BUILDING ACTIVITIES. THIRTY NEW RANGERS, INCLUDING THE PARK'S FIRST FEMALE RANGERS, WERE RECRUITED AND TRAINED, MAINTAINING LOW POACHING RATES THROUGH EFFECTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE K9 UNIT. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT REMAINED STRONG IN 2023 AS WELL, WITH OVER HALF OF 172 COMMUNITY MEETINGS ORGANIZED BY THE COMMUNITIES THEMSELVES, REACHING NEARLY 8,000 PEOPLE. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS EXPANDED, PROVIDING FREE PARK ENTRY TO THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS. ADDITIONALLY, AKAGERA ADVANCED COMMERCIAL PROJECTS LIKE FISHERIES AND BEEKEEPING, TRAINING LOCALS IN SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES. THE PARK'S TOTAL REVENUE EXCEEDED $4.8 MILLION, WITH INCREASED VISITOR NUMBERS AND IMPROVED GUEST EXPERIENCES. INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDED NEW CONSERVATION OFFICES, LODGE UPGRADES, AND ECO-FRIENDLY POWER SOLUTIONS, FURTHER REDUCING OPERATIONAL COSTS AND ENHANCING SUSTAINABILITY. MOVING FORWARD, THE 2024 OBJECTIVES INCLUDE ENSURING THE SUSTAINABLE PROFITABILITY OF GISHANDA FISH FARM, ACHIEVING OVERALL SELF-SUSTAINABILITY, AND MANAGING THE LION POPULATION THROUGH GENOME SEQUENCING.

    Expenses $57,249,929 · Grants $57,249,929

As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • RONALD J ULRICH

    CHAIRMAN (THRU JAN 2023)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • ROB WALTON

    CHAIRMAN (AS OF JAN 2023)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • EDITH MCBEAN

    CO-VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MICHAEL BEAUMONT

    CO-VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • ANNA MCWANE

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • THOMAS GALLAGHER

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JONATHAN CUMMINGS

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DAVID GIBBONS

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • EMMA PILKINGTON GOERGEN

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • PENNI LUDWIG

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JONATHAN MILLS

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MARVIN SCHWARTZ

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • SANJAY SEN

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • TONI L CONDON

    SPECIAL ADVISOR TO THE BOARD

    Total calculated
    $307,003
    From this org
    $281,000
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $26,003
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $260,000
    Bonus
    $21,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $9,750
    Nontaxable benefits
    $16,253
    Filer's total
    $307,003

  • JOANNA DA VEIGA

    DIRECTOR, FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

    Total calculated
    $206,003
    From this org
    $180,000
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $26,003
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $160,000
    Bonus
    $20,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $9,750
    Nontaxable benefits
    $16,253
    Filer's total
    $206,003

  • LIAM DALL EXECUTIVE DIR-

    ECTOR (AS OF OCT 2023)

    Total calculated
    $76,771
    From this org
    $72,708
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $4,063
    Hours/week
    40

  • SARAH WILSON INTERIM EDJAN

    THRU OCT 2023),SR. DIR. PHILANTHROPY

    Total calculated
    $232,253
    From this org
    $216,000
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $16,253
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $209,000
    Bonus
    $7,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $16,253
    Filer's total
    $232,253

  • EDWARD BARNES CHIEF

    OPERATING OFFICER (THRU FEB 2023)

    Total calculated
    $21,000
    From this org
    $17,250
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $3,750
    Hours/week
    40

  • MORGAN PECORA-SAIPE

    PROGRAM DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $163,486
    From this org
    $137,483
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $26,003
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $122,483
    Bonus
    $15,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $9,750
    Nontaxable benefits
    $16,253
    Filer's total
    $163,486

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 7
THE ORGANIZATION PAID BOARD APPROVED PERFORMANCE-BASED BONUSES IN 2023.

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
16 October 2024
IRS schema version
2023v5.1
Source object
202442909349301459

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