The Conservancy of Southwest Florida

What it reported doing in 2024

The conservancy of southwest Florida's von arx wildlife hospital admits thousands of native animals every year. The wildlife hospital is designed to meet the medical needs of injured, sick and orphaned native birds, mammals and reptiles, ultimately improving their ability to be released back in to the wild. The second goal is to provide education to our nature center visitors on how to prevent injuries to wildlife. (continued on schedule o)the von arx wildlife hospital is the only facility of its kind within collier county. The injured, sick and orphaned native wildlife are cared for by a dedicated staff of seven full-time employees, a staff veterinarian, and seasonal interns. Staff efforts are supported by volunteers who assist with diet preparation, cage cleaning, animal restraint and wildlife rescue and release. Accomplishments for the wildlife rehabilitation team in fy 2024-2025: during the year, the hospital treated 3,457 animals, including birds, mammals, and reptiles, addressing injuries related to vehicle collisions, habitat loss, disease, and human interference. In response to avian influenza risks, staff implemented enhanced biosecurity protocols, including protective equipment, modified intake procedures, and increased monitoring. These measures successfully prevented in-hospital transmission while maintaining uninterrupted care. The wildlife rehabilitation team also coordinated complex rescue, treatment, and release efforts in collaboration with partner organizations, returning animals to appropriate habitat whenever possible.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 23.5%; rating input score 24
• Program expense ratio: 70.5%; rating input score 71
• Fundraising efficiency: $19.9 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 57; 57th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 94.4%; rating input score 94; 22nd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 73.6%; rating input score 74; 15th 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: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • 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: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 71.9%; rating input score 97; 97th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 10.73; rating input score 92; 92nd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.01; rating input score 93; 93rd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 11.6%; rating input score 15; 15th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 5% per year; rating input score 100; 42nd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 8.2% per year; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 7.7% per year; rating input score 100; 53rd percentile among comparable filings