The Orianne Society

What it reported doing in 2025

The primary focus of the Communication Initiative is the strategic use of communications for the conservation of reptiles and amphibians. We communicate to scientific, political and other concerned individuals the current state and future needs for conservation efforts to save the endangered, threatened and imperiled species. Using multiple modes of communication - social media, blogs, campaigns, audio-visual and education outreach - we also work to effectively engage, impact and inspire a growing audience. Orianne runs multiple social media platforms, a website, online seminars and produces a podcast and video documentaries. For some species, particularly snakes, providing information to the public regarding the importance of these species is one of the most critical conservation actions that can be implemented. We involve the public in scientific and conservation projects - this provides a direct link between our projects and citizens interested in conserving reptiles, amphibians and environments. It allows us to collect important data from a wider area than we would be able to by only using Orianne staff and, at the same time, enhance the participants' conservation understanding. We organize in-person outreach events that provide an opportunity to show participants what we do on a day-to-day basis to survey and conserve these species. This allows us to get out into the field with participants to educate them and to collect valuable data. We also organize educational presentations at schools and nature centers, where we hope that meeting our captive outreach animals and learning about conservation will inspire the next generation of scientists. Our ultimate goal is to make a difference by bringing reptiles, amphibians and the habitats they need into the conservation spotlight events provide an opportunity to show participants what we do on a day-to-day basis to survey and conserve these species, including participating in land restoration. Our place-based events allow us to get out into the field with the participants to educate them and to collect valuable data. We conduct specific projects on a smaller scale that, due to their size or location, have not been designated as a separate major program. Such projects are included as part of Communications, Education and Other.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 86%; rating input score 86
• Program expense ratio: 87.6%; rating input score 88
• Fundraising efficiency: $10.76 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 38; 38th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 0 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 0
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Missing
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 92.3%; rating input score 92; 23rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 7 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 78
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • 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: 1.9%; rating input score 33; 33rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 2.03; rating input score 58; 58th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.01; rating input score 81; 81st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 14.7%; rating input score 23; 23rd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 22.3% per year; rating input score 100; 86th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 20.9% per year; rating input score 100; 88th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: -2% per year; rating input score 0; 6th percentile among comparable filings