Institute for Ecological Civilization

What it reported doing in 2024

(1) ecocivs work in water security is centered around the w12+ programs, which are five distinct, yet complementary programs that address the challenges to global water security. Administered jointly by the u.s.-based nonprofit institute for ecological civilization (ecociv) and the south african-based nonprofit save our schools npo (sos) since 2019, w12+ continues to 1) connect local leaders with access to information about proven water security solutions, 2) to incubate pilot projects that push the boundaries of those approaches, and 3) provide capacity building for local, regional, country-specific and other organizations working to achieve water security across the globe. We added 24 globally relevant case studies to the w12+ blueprint and held 7 convenings with over 120 participants. (2) economies should respond to the needs of people and the planet, rather than people and the planet serving the economy. A wellbeing economy is one that promotes the flourishing of life in all its forms. It is an alternative to the radical concentration of wealth, exploitation of workers, and degradation of the planet that we find in current economic systems. An economy that works for all people and supports long-term sustainability, a wellbeing economy, is a vital component of an ecological civilization. Ecociv works with the wellbeing economy alliance (weall), a uk-based charity, to host the weall California hub. We are currently piloting weall's policy design guide in pomona, California, where we are working with a group of local leaders to implement policy proposals and trial projects toward economic wellbeing, such as a worker-owned cooperative model. We facilitated discussions among over 120 experts, leaders, and decision-makers. (3) ecocivs ideas program is the thought leadership branch ofbecociv. It includes researching the pathway to a sustainable, genuinely ecological civilization, ecocivs learning for impact program, and other educational programs. The ideas program works with networks of visionary leaders across the ecological civilization community; runs ecocivs monitoring, evaluation, and learning initiative; and educates the public through podcasts and dialogues programs.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 72.4%; rating input score 72
• Program expense ratio: 70.2%; rating input score 70
• Fundraising efficiency: $4.1 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 13; 13th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 91.7%; rating input score 92; 24th 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: -4.2%; rating input score 26; 26th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.19; rating input score 9; 9th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0; rating input score 75; 75th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 8%; rating input score 44; 44th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 30.6% per year; rating input score 100; 90th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 22.8% per year; rating input score 100; 88th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: -10.5% per year; rating input score 0; 3rd percentile among comparable filings