Criteria for Partnership
WCN’s Conservation Partners are vetted thoroughly to assess their impact, dedication to people and place, organizational integrity, and alignment with WCN’s values, to ensure a network representing diverse people, wildlife, and landscapes.
Impact
WCN looks for organizations with the following characteristics:
- Demonstrated track record
- Conservation framed around a wildlife species classified as Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List.
- Works predominantly on applied conservation for wild animals in their habitats.
- Focused on applied conservation solutions rather than strictly research or academic activities.
Commitment
WCN looks for organizations with the following characteristics:
- Committed to hiring and empowering staff from local communities.
- Has initiatives that significantly involve and benefit local communities.
- Legally operates as the equivalent of a nonprofit entity.
- Spends more than 80% of budget in range state(s).
- Leadership is native to the region of operation. If not, then principal conservationist spends over 80% of their time in range state(s) with succession plans in place to secure local leadership in the near future.
Financial Integrity
WCN looks for organizations with financial integrity, transparency, and efficiency. Organizations must provide:
- A summary of the organization’s annual funding sources.
- Either (A) an income statement and balance sheet or (B) an audited financial statement from the most recently completed fiscal year.
- A forecasted budget for the current or upcoming fiscal year.
- A report of the organization’s activities, accomplishments, and challenges from the most recently completed fiscal year (i.e. Annual Report).
Compatibility
WCN looks for organizations with the following characteristics:
- Would both significantly benefit from and contribute to WCN’s fundraising efforts and support services.
- A strong collaborative ethos to participate in sharing ideas, knowledge, and camaraderie with peer organizations in WCN’s Network.
- Leaders with the ability to fundraise.
- Able to respond in a timely manner to communication with WCN staff and supporters.
Steps to Partnership
If your organization matches our criteria, reach out to partnership@wildnet.org to express your interest in partnering with WCN. Partnership is a four-step process:
Reporting
The organization begins to share financial and programmatic reports with WCN.
Guest Speaking
WCN invites the organization to be a guest speaker at a WCN event and establishes a Fiscal Sponsor relationship to gather donations.
Site Assessment
WCN conducts a site visit of the organization’s conservation work and assesses their overall operations.
Formal Onboarding
Upon input from WCN staff and existing Partners, WCN’s Board of Directors approves of the new Partner. The organization then signs a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with WCN outlining the Partner code of conduct and the services WCN offers.