Mangrove Action Project

What it reported doing in 2024

MAP continued to expand its global reach, delivering hands-on and virtual Community-Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration (CBEMR) training workshops across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, expanding its outreach efforts to raise awareness of mangrove conservation, and continuing its youth education program. MAP held our first CBEMR field training in Mozambique this year, along with our largest-ever workshop in our 32-year history, held in Kenya. MAP expanded its virtual training series, connecting practitioners from El Salvador, Madagascar, and beyond. These sessions extend our reach to restorationists who cannot attend in-person workshops. Our follow-up visits in Kenya and Madagascar allowed us to measure progress, strengthen partnerships, and ensure training outcomes are translating into long-term, community-led restoration success. Our Global Mangrove News publication, now the world's longest-running mangrove-focused news digest, reaches more than 2,200 readers monthly, continuing to provide science-based updates to the international mangrove community. MAP's Coastal Education Program for youth was piloted in Belize, integrating mangrove ecology into local school curricula through teacher training and hands-on field learning. Our long-running Marvellous Mangroves program in the Cayman Islands continued to engage students through interactive lessons and field trips, reaching over 445 students and 11 schools in 2024. The Children's Mangrove Art Contest received 350 submissions from 34 countries, showcasing the creativity and passion of young artists inspired by mangrove conservation. Our outreach efforts reached new heights this year. The 10th Mangrove Photography Awards drew 2,554 entries from 74 countries and were featured by the BBC, CNN, The Guardian, and UNESCO, with more than 41,000 visitors viewing our Abu Dhabi exhibition as part of the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative. MAP also released new films showcasing community-driven restoration. Return of the Mangroves continued its successful international festival run, winning multiple awards, while new productions in Kenya and Indonesia highlighted the power of collaboration through the Global Mangrove Alliance. Over 32 years since our founding, MAP remains rooted in its mission to conserve, manage, and restore the world's mangrove forests through science, training, and education. This year's growth in field impact, education, and storytelling reflects the continued strength of our partnerships and the shared commitment of our global network.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 46.9%; rating input score 47
• Program expense ratio: 76.5%; rating input score 76
• Fundraising efficiency: $20.36 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 59; 59th 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: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: 2 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 25
  • Claims monitoring procedures: Pass
  • Requires narrative reports: Fail
  • Conducts field audits: Fail
  • May suspend future funding: Fail
  • Requires financial reports: Fail
  • Conducts site visits: Pass
  • Requires grant agreements: Fail
  • May require repayment: Fail
• Grant itemization coverage: 49.7%; rating input score 50; 29th 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: 5 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 62
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 38.7%; rating input score 89; 89th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.25; rating input score 50; 50th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.08; rating input score 45; 45th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 15.4%; rating input score 22; 22nd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 24.8% per year; rating input score 100; 87th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 21.9% per year; rating input score 100; 87th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 31.5% per year; rating input score 100; 91st percentile among comparable filings