Felidae Conservation Fund

What it reported doing in 2024

Patagonia wild cats projectthe patagonia wild cats project focuses on the conservation of pumas and lesser-known wild cats in southern south america through research, education, and community collaboration. The project investigates predator-prey dynamics, human-wildlife conflict, and ecosystem health across working landscapes. Using non-invasive methods such as camera traps and fecal surveys, felidae and local partners collect vital data to inform regional conservation strategies. The project also engages communities and landowners to promote coexistence, reduce conflict, and sustain biodiversity across patagonia's fragile ecosystems.technologies for conservation wildepod and wilde backyard are innovative technologies developed by felidae to advance wildlife research and community engagement. Wildepod, an ai-powered cloud database, centralizes global wildlife data from camera traps, genetic sampling, and health monitoring to accelerate conservation insights and collaboration across projects. Wilde backyard, a mobile app, empowers the public to record and share neighborhood wildlife observations, contributing to real-time biodiversity mapping and citizen science. Together, these tools bridge science and community participation, enhancing conservation outcomes and promoting coexistence with local wildlife.bhutan wild cats projectthe bhutan wild cat health project applies a one health approach to study and protect nine wild cat species across bhutan, linking wildlife, ecosystem, and human health. The project operates in partnership with bhutan's government and local institutions to advance non-invasive monitoring and disease surveillance. Felidae has established bhutan's first k9 conservation detection unitsourced from the country's large free-roaming dog populationto support fecal surveys and parasite detection. The project builds national research capacity through hands-on training, field surveys, and data analysis, strengthening conservation science and public awareness of biodiversity and coexistence.ca bobcat projectthe ca bobcat project advances science-based, non-invasive research on bobcat populations across the san francisco bay area and orange county. Using camera traps, fecal and hair surveys, and community reports, the project monitors health, genetics, and movement to assess impacts of urbanization and disease. Findings inform wildlife management, connectivity planning, and public education on coexistence. Supported by donors and partners, babp strengthens regional biodiversity and contributes to felidae's one health conservation mission.wild cat health projectthe wild cat health project applies a one health approach to assess the health of pumas and bobcats in California's urbanwildland interface, including the bay area and orange county. Using non-invasive monitoring such as fecal and hair surveys, the project investigates exposure to pathogens, toxins, and other indicators of ecosystem and public health. Accomplishments include developing regional health baselines for wild felids, identifying zoonotic risk factors, and advancing early-warning systems for disease spillover. Supported by donors, partners, and collaborating veterinarians, wchp strengthens science-driven conservation and informs public health strategies.grand staircase escalante (gse) cougar projectthe gse cougar project investigates puma ecology and population health within the grand staircaseescalante national monument in Utah. In collaboration with the bureau of land management, state wildlife agencies, and university researchers, the gse project uses non-invasive methodscamera traps, fecal dna, and track surveysto document cougar movements, habitat connectivity, and prey dynamics. Accomplishments include establishing baseline health and population data, identifying critical wildlife corridors, and engaging local communities and land managers in science-based coexistence and conservation strategies that strengthen ecosystem resilience.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 71.3%; rating input score 71
• Program expense ratio: 96.8%; rating input score 97
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Scored; rating input score 0
• Grant itemization coverage: Scored; rating input score 0
• 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: 6 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 75
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 27.3%; rating input score 82; 82nd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.97; rating input score 64; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0; rating input score 74; 74th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 19.4%; rating input score 16; 16th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 7.6% per year; rating input score 100; 54th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 5.7% per year; rating input score 100; 47th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 10% per year; rating input score 100; 59th percentile among comparable filings