Point Blue Conservation Science

What it reported doing in 2024

Pacific coast and central valley group: working locally, regionally, and internationally, this group provides conservation science and training to support the development of the next generation of conservation scientists, inform policy, and formulate strategies that ensure thriving ecosystems that maximize multiple benefits to wildlife and humans.California current group: this group works to conserve the integrity of the California current ecosystem. Its focus is on helping protect ocean food webs that can support both thriving and diverse marine life and the needs of human communities. Its understanding of ocean and marine terrestrial ecosystems is informed by long-term data monitoring activities both at sea and on the farallon islands. Additionally, the group trains emerging conservation scientists in its internship program.ecoinformatics group: using cutting edge models and analytical approaches, this group increases the understanding of the effects of climate change and management responses on ecosystems and communities. The focus is on science and outreach to influence shoreline and bay-land development, climate adaptation activities, ecosystem management, habitat restoration, and mitigation. This group develops tools, frameworks and techniques for managing the wealth of scientific data compiled by the organization and its partners. It further seeks to transform this data into conservation outcomes and ecosystems knowledge that improves conservation decisions around California and the world. This group also manages the organization's websites and network infrastructure.innovationthe innovation group works to connect science to conservation impact and action. The group initiates strategic partnerships and scienctific endeavors, collaborates to create program visioning, provide project management expertise, and develop and maintain frameworks and database systems for organizational and programmaic metrics and data tracking. The innovation group brings novel disciplinary expertise that can help expand conservation impact through leveraging the huim dimensions of conservation, including social science, policy engagement, and citizen science. The group participates in strategic conservation coalitions, including the California biodiversity network, the California global biodiversity working group, and together bay area.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 73.8%; rating input score 74
• Program expense ratio: 81.4%; rating input score 81
• Fundraising efficiency: $6.35 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 26; 26th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 93.8%; rating input score 94; 17th 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: 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: Fail
  • Requires grant agreements: Pass
  • May require repayment: Fail
• Grant itemization coverage: 99.7%; rating input score 100; 36th 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; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 89
  • 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: Fail
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 9.7%; rating input score 67; 67th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.92; rating input score 33; 33rd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.38; rating input score 38; 38th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 6.3%; rating input score 41; 41st percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 9.9% per year; rating input score 100; 70th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 9.1% per year; rating input score 100; 70th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 5.2% per year; rating input score 100; 37th percentile among comparable filings