Pachamama Alliance does not meet the following 2 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 1 (Oversight of Operations and Staff)
Organizations shall have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity's operations and its staff. Indication of adequate oversight includes, but is not limited to, regularly scheduled appraisals of the CEO's performance, evidence of disbursement controls such as board approval of the budget, fund raising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.
Pachamama Alliance does not meet this Standard because its board of directors does not:
- Have a voting member of the board who is assigned the responsibility of serving as the treasurer.
Standard 19 (Cause Related Marketing)
Clearly disclose how the charity benefits from the sale of products or services (i.e., cause-related marketing) that state or imply that a charity will benefit from a consumer sale or transaction. Such promotions should disclose, at the point of solicitation: (a) the actual or anticipated portion of the purchase price that will benefit the charity (e.g., 5 cents will be contributed to abc charity for every xyz company product sold), (b) the duration of the campaign (e.g., the month of October), (c) any maximum or guaranteed minimum contribution amount (e.g., up to a maximum of $200,000).
Pachamama Alliance does not meet this Standard because, in the past year, the organization participated in promotions for the sale of consumer goods or services that indicate that the organization will benefit from these purchases. The promotions, however, did not specify:
- The actual or anticipated amount of the purchase price that will benefit the organization.
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability:
5
7
Pachamama Alliance meets the remaining 16 Standards for Charity Accountability.
-
Year, State Incorporated
1997, CA
-
-
-
Stated Purpose
"to empower Indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest to preserve their lands and culture and, using insights gained from that work, to educate and inspire individuals everywhere to bring forth a thriving, just and sustainable world."
Pachamama Alliance reports that it partners with Indigenous people to promote environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, and socially just communities. The organization provides financial and logistical support to indigenous governing organizations in Ecuador. Pachamama Alliance also funds and organizes trainings, workshops, and assemblies for indigenous people to learn about their individual and collective rights under national and international law. The organization?s other initiatives work to improve the access and quality of health services and increase educational offerings that address topics such as climate crisis, sustainability, and social justice.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, Pachamama Alliance's program expenses were:
| Program services |
$4,706,123 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$4,706,123 |
-
Chief Executive
Bill Twist, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
-
Compensation*
$101,508
-
Chair of the Board
Catherine Parrish
-
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Founder, NextLevel Consulting
-
Board Size
12
-
Paid Staff Size
23
*2019 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Note: Patricia Usner, Development Director, was the highest paid employee in 2019, receiving $102,146 in compensation.
Method(s) Used:
Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Planned giving arrangements, Cause- related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.)
Fundraising costs were 13% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $5,857,787, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on Pachamama Alliance's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019.
| Source of Funds |
| Grants and contributions |
$5,857,787 |
| Trip income |
$341,778 |
| Event income |
$11,894 |
| Other income |
$7,837 |
| Investment income |
$1,348 |
| Total Income |
$6,220,644 |
- Programs: 81%
- Fundraising: 13%
- Administrative: 6%
| Total Income |
$6,220,644 |
| Program expenses |
$4,706,123 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$756,480 |
| Administrative expenses |
$377,423 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$5,840,026 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$380,618 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$959,270 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$1,339,888 |
| Total Liabilities |
$899,350 |
| Total Assets |
$2,239,238 |