Our Accountability

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has been a nonprofit since 1895. It’s independently top-rated and publicly audited and it puts every dollar to work for wildlife and wild places. WCS is the largest field-based conservation organization in the world and is home to the largest network of urban wildlife parks, including the flagship Bronx Zoo.

Our Charity Ratings and Recognition

WCS is independently rated by the four leading charity watchdogs. We are highly rated by each.

Charity Navigator

Four-Star Rating
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CharityWatch

Grade: A
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Candid.

Gold Transparency 2026
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BBB Wise Giving

Accredited Charity
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~88% of spending

goes directly to program work.

55+ countries

with active field programs.

See the Proof: Our Financial Documents

  • The large majority of WCS’s spending goes to program work—about 88%, well above the sector efficiency benchmark. The remainder supports fundraising, management, and other costs necessary to operate the organization effectively.
  • WCS holds an A+ credit rating with a Stable outlook from S&P Global Ratings—an independent assessment of WCS’s creditworthiness and ability to meet its financial obligations.
  • WCS publishes its financials openly, including audited financial statements, IRS Form 990s, and independent single audits going back over a decade.

Browse Our Audited Financials and IRS 990 Filings

Proven Impact: Accountability by Results

Accountability is not only financial. It is whether the work delivers results. Our mission is to harness the power of four zoos and an aquarium in New York City and a global conservation program to protect wildlife and wild places. See how we’re doing.

580+ protected areas

that WCS has helped create since our founding.

40% of biodiversity

WCS conserves habitat for more than 40% of the world’s biodiversity.

1.5+ million

students, educators, and families reached with science education programming annually.

3+ million

visitors to our New York City parks inspired to help conservation annually.

See Our Impact Report

Accredited Care and Standards

WCS’s parks, including the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and the New York Aquarium, are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), a rigorous independent standard for animal care, welfare, veterinary programs, conservation, and operations that fewer than 10% of USDA-licensed animal exhibitors hold.

Governance and Leadership

WCS is governed by a Board of Trustees. WCS is science-first and nonpartisan, and has operated as a nonprofit since 1895. As a nonprofit, WCS is recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. As a charitable organization, WCS operates for the public benefit and is subject to federal requirements governing nonprofit organizations, including financial reporting and oversight. Contributions to WCS are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law, and WCS is committed to transparency and responsible stewardship of the funds entrusted to us.

Leadership and Board of Trustees

Commitment to Donors

WCS is committed to earning and maintaining the trust of our donors. We safeguard donor information in accordance with our Privacy Policy and comply with applicable charitable-solicitation registration and disclosure requirements.

The Wildlife Conservation Society is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (EIN 13-1740011). Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

WCS provides information about its charitable-solicitation registrations and required state disclosures in our Charitable Solicitation Statement. WCS also maintains policies governing the acceptance of charitable gifts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is WCS a legitimate charity?

Yes. Founded in 1895, the Wildlife Conservation Society is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization (EIN 13-1740011) with independently audited financial statements and publicly available IRS Form 990s. WCS has a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator and is an A-rated, Top-Rated Charity from CharityWatch.

How much of my donation goes to programs versus overhead?

The large majority of WCS spending supports our conservation and education programs, including our global conservation work and New York zoos and aquarium. Currently, about 88% of WCS spending goes directly to programs, with the remainder supporting fundraising, management, and other costs necessary to operate the organization effectively.

Is my donation to WCS tax-deductible?

Yes. WCS is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization (EIN 13-1740011), and donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Donors receive a receipt for their contributions. When a payment includes admission or other benefits, only the amount exceeding the value of those benefits may be tax-deductible. This is general information, not tax advice.

How does WCS measure its conservation impact?

WCS measures conservation impact through science and long-term monitoring at the places where we work. Depending on the program, this can include wildlife population monitoring, camera-trap surveys, ecological assessments, and peer-reviewed research that track changes over time. WCS scientists use these findings to evaluate results and adapt conservation strategies based on evidence.

Give With Confidence

When you give to WCS, you can see how your support is managed and the conservation work it makes possible. With top independent charity ratings, published financials, and measurable results from our work around the world, you can give with confidence.

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