Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

Art in the wild & other annual events in october, art in the wild celebrates national wildlife refuge week, the birthday of the refuge's namesake, jay norwood "ding" darling, as well as the personal appearance by the winner of the federal duck stamp contest. This event merges art, nature, and community outreach; attracting families, artists, and conservation supporters. All community art events that are hosted at the roost, the visitor & education cetner, and outreach venues, are free and open to the public, thanks to the financial support of art- in-education initiatives and ongoing conservation work. Go wild for ding go wild for "ding," the society's flagship annual fundraising gala, is a powerful testament to the generosity, vision, and shared commitment of our community. Held each february at the sanibel community house, this spirited evening brings together donors, conservationists, business leaders, and nature lovers for a celebration of purpose, partnership, and philanthropy. From high-profile auctions to immersive experiences that benefit the refuge, the event offers a dynamic blend of education, engagement, and giving. Guests also enjoy a lively dinner reception, tailored sponsorship opportunities, and direct "bid to give" appeals that amplify impact. The 2025 gala, themed "dream of a white pelican," raised an unprecedented 300,000 - record-breaking achievement made possible by the unwavering support of major sponsors, local businesses, and individual donors. These funds were dedicated to advancing education, conservation, and research at the refuge, and they reflect a deep, collective investment in the future. More than a fundraiser, go wild for ding is a rallying point - a moment where generosity meets mission, and where unrestricted funds empower ddws to respond swiftly and strategically to emerging needs. We are profoundly grateful to every supporter who makes this legacy possible. Distinguished lecture series each winter support from our donors allows ddws to offer a series of lectures which blend education with cultural enrichment on topics from wildlife biology to local history and national conservation issues. As an additional outreach to the community, we are frequently able to offer these lectures to senior communities with whom we partner. Recent line-ups have featured celebrated photographers, environmental authors, scientists, and inspirational figures in wildlife advocacy. Tarpon tournament another signature fundraising event, the "ding" darling & doc ford's tarpon tournament, is deeply rooted in both the region's angling heritage and its conservation mission. Launched to honor the first recorded tarpon catch at the refuge and to engage a broader sporting public in conservation awareness, the tournament's format is strictly catch-and-release, with all entry fees returned as angler prizes. The 2025 tournament set a participation record with 61 registered teams and more than 266,000 raised from sponsorships and donations, making a cumulative impact of over 1.57 million for research, habitat preservation, and education projects over its 13-year history. The importance of sponsor networks (both cash and in-kind) cannot be overstated - without these partnerships, the event's impact would be far smaller. Advancing education and stewardship education is embedded in the dna of ddws. Since its founding to meet overwhelming visitor demand, the society has prioritized interpretive programming for youths and adults, investing heavily in both on-site and mobile outreach capabilities. Today, its educational programming encompasses: curriculum-based field trips for area schools that foster environmental literacy and conservation programming, often in partnership with lee county school district. Young scientist internships and hands-on job training. Community lectures, artist residencies, and nature-based arts enrichment. In 2024, over 12,000 conservation lessons were taught to students and families, either through wow,

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 62.2%; rating input score 62
• Program expense ratio: 83.6%; rating input score 84
• Fundraising efficiency: $13.51 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 47; 47th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd 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: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 72nd 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; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • 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: 39.9%; rating input score 89; 89th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 14.36; rating input score 94; 94th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0; rating input score 93; 93rd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 8.1%; rating input score 36; 36th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 7.6% per year; rating input score 100; 54th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 10.8% per year; rating input score 100; 71st percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 17.4% per year; rating input score 100; 79th percentile among comparable filings