Conservation Science Partners Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

Conservation Science Partners (CSP) is a nonprofit established to meet the research and technical needs of diverse clients and stakeholders in conservation projects around the world. Our mission is to apply human ingenuity to the preservation of nature using science, technology, and lasting partnerships with conservation practitioners. Our scientific capabilities help society to rigorously address the critical problems facing the natural environment on public and private lands. Drawing from the realms of the environmental, social, and computer sciences, our projects result in durable, defensible, academic-grade science designed to guide nonpartisan and independent decision-making.(Continued on Schedule O)To achieve and increase our impact over the last year, we: 1) engaged non-governmental organizations, foundations, agencies, socially progressive companies, and other sectors of society in a diversity of opportunities and in the user-centered design of our work; 2) carefully used cutting-edge scientific tools and technology to prototype and deliver high-quality work products in a professional, reproducible, timely, and cost-effective manner' 3) drew on a network of professionals from a wide range of disciplines, enhancing staff capacity in the rapid deployment and scaling of innovative solutions; 4) connected with the best minds in conservation science to solve problems in a way that's comprehensive, flexible, and service-oriented; and 5) helped foster the next generation of conservation scientists, practitioners, and leaders through mentorship, inclusion, and respect.Much of the work at CSP is housed among five 'labs.' Our staff work within and across labs to ensure project teams and outcomes are optimized. Our Analytics Lab enhances the way conservation science works and broadens our reach through advancements in technology. Our Changing Landscapes Lab advances conservation and climate adaptation science and planning by accounting for the interacting trajectories of global changes in climates, land use, and biodiversity in socio-ecological systems. Our Threatened and Endangered Species Lab develops and drives the science, research outcomes, and partnerships that accelerate threatened and endangered species conservation and recovery efforts. Our Freshwater Solutions Lab advances freshwater conservation science by providing improved analytical methods and datasets to inform environmental management and policy solutions to the major challenges facing the sustainability of fresh waters. Our Innovation Lab incubates new approaches to solving conservation problems that integrate human ingenuity and the creativity of nature.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 62.3%; rating input score 62
• Program expense ratio: 62.1%; rating input score 62
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 93.3%; rating input score 93; 17th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 2 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 33
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Scored; rating input score 0
• Grant itemization coverage: 92.5%; rating input score 93; 28th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 80%; rating input score 80; 14th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 0.3%; rating input score 35; 35th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.71; rating input score 26; 26th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.48; rating input score 22; 22nd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 18%; rating input score 14; 14th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 7.2% per year; rating input score 100; 51st percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 9.2% per year; rating input score 100; 65th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 13.4% per year; rating input score 100; 69th percentile among comparable filings