African Parks Foundation of America

What it reported doing in 2024

Rhino rewild initiative: in 2024, african parks advanced one of the most ambitious species restoration efforts on earth, continuing the translocation and reintroduction of southern white rhinos through its 10-year rhino rewild campaign. The program was launched to prevent the dispersal of the world's largest captive rhino population and to return these keystone animals to well-managed protected areas across the continent. With support from multiple partners, african parks successfully moved 40 rhinos to munyawana conservancy in kwazulu-natal, a reserve jointly managed by community and private stakeholders. An additional 120 rhinos were reintroduced to member reserves of the greater kruger environmental protection foundation in mpumalanga and limpopo provincesthe first rhino release in this area in 50 years. In november, african parks discreetly moved additional rhinos to dinokeng game reserve, while 80 more were relocated to phinda private game reserve for acclimatization ahead of planned reintroductions to akagera (rwanda) and garamba (drc) in 2025. These efforts reflect meaningful improvements in park security and readiness, laying the groundwork for restoring rhino populations across multiple regions. The rhino rewild initiative plays a vital role in restoring natural habitats, supporting wildlife conservation, and promoting responsible tourism. The program also contributes to local economic opportunities and helps raise environmental awareness. In 2025, african parks will focus on ongoing acclimatization, habitat preparation, and strengthened protection measures in upcoming recipient parks.boma and badingilo national parks, south sudan: in 2024, african parks continued managing boma and badingilo national parks, which are home to the great nile migrationan extraordinary natural event involving nearly six million antelope. Spanning the boma-badingilo-jonglei landscape, this is the largest land mammal migration on earth. Despite regional instability, african parks has remained committed to protecting this unique wilderness and working with the 17 local communities who rely on its natural resources. Efforts this year focused on maintaining wildlife monitoring systems and reinforcing protection measures for migrating herds of white-eared kob, tiang, and mongalla gazelle. African parks collaborated with local leaders and rangers to strengthen patrols and improve early-warning systems, helping safeguard critical wildlife corridors and address illegal hunting. Community outreach expanded through educational programs and livelihood initiatives designed to support local well-being and promote shared conservation values. These programs aim to link environmental protection with practical benefits for families living in and around the parks. Looking ahead, african parks plans to increase locally led conservation activities, enhance monitoring of wildlife movements, and begin laying the foundation for sustainable tourism infrastructure, pending improvements in regional security.protected area management and community development: in 2024, african parks managed 22 national parks across 12 countries, protecting more than 49 million acresequivalent to 59% of the u.s. National park system. With a team of over 5,000 personnel, african parks' public-private partnership model delivered effective conservation while improving lives for millions of people living in and around these parks. Throughout the year, african parks strengthened park infrastructure, law enforcement, and ecological monitoring. Key conservation activities included wildlife surveys, species reintroductions, anti-poaching patrols, and data collection to support long-term management. These were complemented by wide-reaching community engagement programs. In malawi's liwonde national park, more than 4,800 children and 1,000 adults took part in environmental education activities, while literacy and scholarship programs expanded access to learning. Sustainable livelihood projects

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 97.6%; rating input score 98
• Program expense ratio: 96.1%; rating input score 96
• Fundraising efficiency: $40.22 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 71; 71st percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 68th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: 4 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Claims monitoring procedures: Pass
  • Requires narrative reports: Limited
  • Conducts field audits: Limited
  • May suspend future funding: Limited
  • Requires financial reports: Pass
  • Conducts site visits: Pass
  • Requires grant agreements: Pass
  • May require repayment: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 77th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 77th 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 33; 33rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.47; rating input score 53; 53rd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0; rating input score 98; 98th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 1.9%; rating input score 57; 57th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 22.1% per year; rating input score 100; 93rd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 19.5% per year; rating input score 100; 93rd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 25.3% per year; rating input score 100; 96th percentile among comparable filings