What is WWF?
- WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations.
- It is an independent foundation registered under Swiss law
- WWF is a global organization acting locally through a network of over 90 offices in over 40 countries around the world which vary in their degree of autonomy.
- The central secretariat for the network (called WWF International) is located in Gland, Switzerland. (WWF offices | organizational structure)
- WWF's first office was founded on 11 September 1961 in the small Swiss town of Morges.
What do the initials WWF stand for?
- WWF originally stood for "World Wildlife Fund".
- However, in 1986, WWF had come to realize that its name no longer reflected the scope of its activities, and changed its name to "World Wide Fund For Nature".
- The United States and Canada, however, retained the old name.
- The resulting confusion caused by the name change in 1986, together with its translation into more than 15 languages, led the WWF Network in 2001 to agree on using the original acronym as its one, global name - the acronym that it had always been known by since its inception way back in 1961: WWF
- Find out more on the panda symbol and how it has chnaged over the years...
What is WWF's mission?
WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by:
- conserving the world’s biological diversity
- ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable
- promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
What issues does WWF work on?
WWF focuses its work around the magnificent diversity of life on this planet, the extraordinary places they live in, and while trying to reduce humanity’s impact on this life and these places.
How many projects does WWF have?
- Since 1985, WWF has invested over US$1,300 million in more than 11,000 projects in more than 100 countries.
- WWF runs about 1,300 projects at any one time.
Who does WWF work with?
In carrying out its work, WWF cooperates with many partners, including UN organizations, IUCN, and development agencies such as USAID and the World Bank. WWF also works with business & industry partners.
Who is in charge?
- WWF is governed by a Board of Trustees under an International President, HE Chief Emeka Anyaoku.
- President Emeritus is HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
- The Director General of WWF International is Jim Leape.
WWF supporters
- WWF has over 5 million supporters
- Passport, WWF's international campaigning tool, has over 100,000 activists from more than 170 countries.
How many people does WWF employ?
WWF employs over 5,400 people worldwide staff in full and part-time position
What is WWF's annual income & expenditure?
- In 2008 WWF's total global income was €447 million. For complete details please download the Annual Review (pdf).
- Individuals contribute 60% of WWF's income.
- 45% of WWF's total income comes from the Netherlands, the UK and the US.
- Only 9% of funds raised is spent on finance and administration - much of this cost is covered by income from trust funds.
- In the US, WWF receives a 4-star Charity Navigator rating ("Exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in its Cause")
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