In wildness is the preservation of the world.
Transparency
Together Transparently for Nature
Ever since Wilderness International was founded, transparency was a priority for us. Our unique structure calls for a high level of transparency: 25 founding donors, the board with three members in the organization’s management, as well as our employees and most of all volunteers, and everything supervised by our 9-member council.
In her master’s thesis (in German) „Responsible Management in Foundations – Derivation of a Recommendation for Implementation“ using the example of Wilderness International, former president of board Ellen Weiland thoroughly analyzed transparency and, with 40 interviews, conducted a broad stakeholder dialogue. Subsequently, we decided to join the “Initiative Transparente Zivilgesellschaft“ (Initiative for a Transparent Civil Community) and post regular reports about the work of Wilderness International. This choice represents the broad consensus of all panel members, employees, volunteers, founding donors, supporters and partners of Wilderness International.
We are aware that as a charitable organization we owe it to everyone involved to use our financial means responsibly, such that they guarantee the maximum possible achievements in our projects. A big part of our work is completed by our many volunteers. Since the founding of Wilderness International in April 2008, we have thus never exceeded the quota of a 10% administration cost. Our biggest expenditures are the purchase of wilderness areas as well as wide regional and international programs for environmental education.
This book published in 2016 (in German) showcases a more profound insight into our work:
On top of joining the Initiative Transparente Zivilgesellschaft, Wilderness International is going to sign the International Non-Governmental Organisations Accountability Charter. In doing so, Wilderness International is committing to high Standards of transparency, accountability and effectiveness for international NGOs. An annual statement of accounts will do justice to that.
In Germany, there are no universal obligations for publications in the non-profit sector. Nonetheless, we consider it important for charitable organizations to disclose their structures, activities and finances in a transparent administration. Thus, we joined the Initiative Transparente Zivilgesellschaft and signed Transparency International e.V.’s 10-point commitment to disclose our activities.
Transparent, open and honest for the environment
By joining the Initiative Transparente Zivilgesellschaft, Wilderness International commits to publish reports about the activities of the organization, the source of their financial means and use thereof, as well as the names of decision makers on their website. Wilderness International has joined the Initiative Transparente Zivilgesellschaft.
Initiative Transparente Zivilgesellschaft
1. Name, Location, Address and year founded
Name: Wilderness International (Canada)
Location: Stony Plain, AB
Address: Suite 346
108-4301B Southpark Drive
Stony Plain, AB, T7Z2A9, Canada
Year founded: 2008
3. Information about Tax Concession
Wilderness International (Canada) is a registered charity with the Canada Revenue Agency since January 14, 2008. Our registration number is 840904817 RR0001.
With the certificate of Finanzamt Dresden I StNr 201/142/08405 from 09.08.2019, acknowledging a charitable purpose. We hereby confirm that contributions are used solely for the promotion of environmental and natural conservation, animal protection, education, science and research, intercultural understanding and development aid.
Here you can find the most recent certificate from 2019 (in German).
4. Name and Role of Essential Decision Makers
The Canadian board is composed as follows:
David MacDonald (Director), Tobias Hürten, Kai Andersch
The German council is composed as follows:
Stephan Hürten (president), Dr. Steffen Kolschmann (vice president), Marit Richter, Sandra Zügge, Vera Philipps, Thomas Kimmel, Charlotte Voigt, Anton Kamolz, Thomas Mach
The German foundation’s board is composed as follows:
Kai Andersch (chairperson), Jürgen Thiele (financial chief officer), Ronny Scholz (Projects)
6. Structure of Staff
6 full-time employees, ca. 25 volunteers
Kai Andersch: Director WI Germany
Jürgen Thiele: Chief Financial Officer Germany
Ronny Scholz: Director of Operations Germany
Tom Andersch: Director of Operations Germany
Henriette Wessel: Communication
Tobias Hürten: Key Account Manager
Larissa Knauf: Coordination carbon calculator and compensation
Leon Köpke: Coordination carbon calculator and compensation
Huu Nguyen: Federal Voluntary Service Year
Thea Sobczyk: Ecological Voluntary Service Year
Kai-Hagen Kreicsi: Federal Voluntary Service Year
Max Kaltofen: Federal Voluntary Service Year
Claudia Römer: Administration