Farm Sanctuary
75
14
"Up" is the number of experts who agree that the nonprofit has had the most impact in the
field. "Down" is the number of experts who disagree that the nonprofit has had the most impact in field.
Headquarters Location: Watkins Glen, NY
Founded: 1986
Mission: To provide rescue and care for abused and neglected farm animals; Provide adoption service and information on farm animal care; Educate and disseminate information on farm animal issues; Conduct cruelty investigations and assist authorities in farm animal cruelty cases; Monitor legislative action.
Tags:
animal cruelty, farm animals, pet adoption, education, advocacy, animal rescue, animal welfare, 2011
Summary
Stories
Expert Reviews
Leadership
From the Nonprofit
Leadership
Gene Baur.
Gene Baur is co‑founder and president of Farm Sanctuary, America’s leading farm animal protection organization. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from California State University, Northridge and a master’s degree in agricultural economics from Cornell University. He has conducted hundreds of visits to farms, stockyards, and slaughterhouses to document conditions. His pictures and videotape, exposing factory farming cruelty, have…
See full bio.
Transparency Information
This organization has earned the GuideStar Exchange Seal, demonstrating its commitment to transparency
(learn more)
Financial Data
Overhead Ratio:
22.34%
Total Revenue:
$6,254,245
From the Nonprofit
The nonprofit has not added any comments yet. If you are a representative of this nonprofit and would like to leave a comment, please email us at
feedback@myphilanthropedia.org
with your request.
Contact Info
Address:
PO Box 150
Watkins Glen, NY 14891, USA
Twitter:
Story:
Farm Sanctuary was founded in 1986 to combat the abuses of factory farming and to encourage a new awareness and understanding about "farm animals." At Farm Sanctuary, these animals are our friends, not our food.
We started out by visiting farms, stockyards and slaughterhouses to document conditions, and we found animals literally left for dead. Hilda, a sheep found on a pile of dead animals behind Lancaster Stockyards, was the first animal to be rescued by Farm Sanctuary. She lived with us for more than a decade, and died of old age.
Through the years, we have rescued thousands of animals, and educated millions of people about their plight. People are shocked to learn about the intolerable conditions that are commonplace on today's industrialized farms.
Our rescue and education work continues, as we advocate for laws and policies to prevent suffering and promote compassion. We are reaching out to legislators and businesses, and working to bring about institutional reforms.
When Farm Sanctuary started in 1986, it was a fledgling, all volunteer organization that was funded by sales of veggie hot dogs from a VW van. Today, Farm Sanctuary has grown to become the nation's leading farm animal protection organization, with hundreds of thousands of supporters. Farm Sanctuary remains solidly committed to our mission to end cruelty to farm animals and promote compassionate living through rescue, education and advocacy efforts. Please join us. After all, a compassionate world begins with you!
Expert Reviews of Farm Sanctuary
Evidence of Impact Summary:
Farm Sanctuary has been at the forefront of advocating in the area of agricultural animals for a prolonged period of time. This organization has helped people in this country see farmed animals as deserving of protection and respect. They have pursued legal strategies, as well as education and community outreach and coordinated activism. Their work has led to changes in how farmed animals are treated at slaughter and they have been deeply and successfully involved in helping to define improving guidelines for animals being raised for food. Their efforts have helped people focus on the largest category of animals in need.See expert comments.
Organization Strengths Summary:
Farm Santuary's leadership is highly regarded. Gene Baur, the public face of Farm Sanctuary, is a passionate, charismatic leader whose personal urgency for making a difference on these issues is highly contagious. In addition, this organization has moved from a regional to a national focus and they are part of the conversations across the country involving the plight of farmed animals. This shift has allowed them to have more impact.See expert comments.
Areas for Improvement Summary:
Experts find that they could grow through partnerships with organizations that have similar missions. They also need to pursue more grant funding in order to expand to provide santucary for a greater number of animals.See expert comments.
Expert Comments: Evidence of Impact
Select the boxes to display the results according to expert type.
Show:
Show:
X
Foundation Professionals (F)
X
Researchers and Faculty (R)
X
Nonprofit Senior Staff (N)
X
Other (consultants, journalists, policy makers) (O)
Effective Advocacy |
|||
|
R
|
Farm Sanctuary has been at the forefront of advocating in the area of agricultural animals for a prolonged period of time. It brings litigation that brings attention to the important issues in the field and otherwise educates on the issue. | ||
|
N
|
The group has a unique mix of direct hands-on rescue and care for farm animals at its two sanctuaries, and advocacy to prevent cruelty to farm animals through education, legislation, and other reform. It provides direct care for hundreds of farm animals, and has had an impact on passage of legislation and ballot initiatives to reform inhumane factory farming practices. | ||
|
R
|
They are involved in both academic and public discourse, and involved in the notice and rulemaking process. | ||
Effective Legislation |
|||
|
N
|
Farm Sanctuary works on two levels: policy change through the introduction of state and federal legislation and education, through the maintenance of sanctuaries to which the public is invited to meet and get to know rescued farmed animals. They are very effective in both realms and are leaders in the field of reform of farmed animal care and treatment. | ||
Effectiveness |
|||
|
R
|
Farm Sanctuary (FS) is one of the stalwart organizations in the push for animal welfare-rights in the United States. The impact of this organization can be measured on multiple fronts. On the register of *legal and political change*, FS (and its public face, Gene Baur) has been involved in too many lawsuits and political initiatives to enumerate. This legal and political impact is amplified by the incredible *emotional impact* FS has had on national efforts to raise awareness about the plight of animals used in farming. FS is not *just* a lobbying organization, but a pioneering and fully operational farm sanctuary, where individuals rescued from intensive confinement facilities or abandoned by owners can finally be the kinds of beings that they evolved to be. When people see for themselves the kinds of beings that animals are (whether in person at the sanctuary, or in the many very effective publications or media outreach initiatives taken on by FS), they are *moved* in ways that produce more lasting changes in their lives than rational arguments or political grandstanding usually accomplish. To get a feel for this emotional impact, one need only find a copy of the influential documentary Peaceable Kingdom (Tribe of Heart), which features the stories of a variety of rescued animals and the people committed to their well-being. Finally, FS has been very effective from the standpoint of *social impact*--finding well-respected, uncontroversial spokespeople from the ranks of television, film, business, etc., and giving them a platform for getting their message out. The Adopt-a-Turkey program is just one example of how FS has used celebrity outreach to change the way America looks at Thanksgiving and other social traditions that, with a little ingenuity and imagination, need not be implicit celebrations of cruelty to animals. | ||
|
O
|
They have been effective at bringing attention to the plight of farmed animals, and using individual rescue animals as ambassadors for those remaining on factory farms. | ||
Excellent Services |
|||
|
O
|
Farm Sanctuary offers important education and rescues farmed animals. | ||
Raising Awareness |
|||
|
N
|
Not enough is being done on behalf of farmed animals. Farm Sanctuary, however, focuses on the issue exclusively. This gives an underrepresented class of animals a much-needed voice. There is so much focus on companion animal issues, which is important too, but Farm Sanctuary's work helps some of the most abused and poorly treated animals. | ||
|
R
|
This organization has helped people in this country see farmed animals as deserving of protection and respect. They have pursued legal strategies, as well as education and community outreach and coordinated activism. Their work has led to changes in how farmed animals are treated at slaughter and they have been deeply and successfully involved in helping to define improving guidelines for animals being raised for food. Their efforts have helped people focus on the largest category of animals in need. | ||
|
F
|
This organization has done more than any other to raise awareness of farm animal cruelty and promoting veganism as an ethical and environmentally, economically sensible alternative to animal consumption. They have a national following of donors and well-known advocates. | ||
|
F
|
Farm Sanctuary has been a leader in the field of farm animal welfare and over the years has helped to give the issue of factory farming the attention it deserves. | ||
|
O
|
The Farm Sanctuary has been instrumental in raising awareness and protection of farm animals throughout the United States. | ||
Rapid Growth |
|||
|
O
|
Farm Sanctuary has grown rapidly in past few years from grassroots sanctuary to a national effort to protect farm animals from industrial abuse. They led the effort to pass Proposition Two in California in 2008 -- providing better accommodation for animals at factory farms. | ||
Sound Strategy |
|||
|
O
|
They are making a difference in the lives of farm animals -- two sanctuaries, lobbying for laws, and publishing books. | ||
|
N
|
The total approach of Farm Sanctuary which includes education, advocacy and rescue. They run two farm animal sanctuaries: one in California and one in New York. They walk the walk and talk the talk. | ||
|
N
|
Allowing the public to have important interactions with farm animals is a huge strength. | ||
Good Organization |
|||
|
N
|
Very good organization. | ||
Expert Comments: Organization Strengths
Select the boxes to display the results according to expert type.
Show:
Show:
X
Foundation Professionals (F)
X
Researchers and Faculty (R)
X
Nonprofit Senior Staff (N)
X
Other (consultants, journalists, policy makers) (O)
Strong Leadership |
|||
|
N
|
The special focus on the value of the lives of farmed animals is too rare. Their leadership and staff are outstanding, well-known and influential. | ||
|
N
|
They have strong, consistent leadership and caring staff. | ||
|
O
|
This organization has strong public appeal. They help bridge the gap and allow people to connect with farm animals and see them as sentient creatures deserving protection and kindness. They have strong leadership and attractive marketing. | ||
Broad Vision |
|||
|
N
|
The group leverages its hands-on sanctuary work, through public visitation, tours, and events, to draw people into the organization and help to drive the advocacy and policy reform. Many sanctuaries focus exclusively on hands-on care, but Farm Sanctuary has a broader vision for social change. | ||
Excellent Marketing |
|||
|
R
|
They maintain good press, good publicity, and a good public image. | ||
|
N
|
Their marketing, collaboration, and staff are strong. | ||
Passionate Leadership |
|||
|
R
|
Gene Baur, the public face of Farm Sanctuary, is a passionate, charismatic leader whose personal urgency for making a difference on these issues is highly contagious. I am less intimately familiar with FS's marketing and operations than I once was, but I have always been impressed with their newsletters, web-presence, and campaign initiatives. In terms of finances, FS definitely knows how to stretch a dollar, as their annual donor reports consistently demonstrate. | ||
Great Educational Materials |
|||
|
O
|
Their educational materials are great, they are media savvy, and they offer excellent direct care for animals. | ||
Excellent Work |
|||
|
O
|
Their rescue operation and cooperative work with local farmers has been great. | ||
Expansion |
|||
|
R
|
This organization has moved from a regional to a national focus and they are part of the conversations across the country involving the plight of farmed animals. This shift has allowed them to have more impact. They are willing to participate with partners and not take all the credit. | ||
Effective Operations |
|||
|
F
|
They operate efficiently, so they are very accountable to their donors. They also have the right mix of passion and sensible tactics for addressing farm animal cruelty and the consumption of animals. | ||
Strong Supporters |
|||
|
F
|
Farm Sanctuary has a devoted list of supporters and organizes many events that help to bring people within the movement together. | ||
Effective Communications |
|||
|
O
|
Has succeeded in bringing farm animal issues to the general public in a way that is non-threatening and not off-putting. (This can be a sensitive area since it involves people's food preferences.) They have grown and developed without losing any of the grassroots and personal atmosphere and style that differentiates them from some of the larger and more bureaucratic organizations. | ||
Clear Focus |
|||
|
O
|
They are a long-term organization with a clear focus on farm animals. | ||
Strong Board |
|||
|
N
|
They have a very strong board and leadership with a Strategic Plan in place. They have a deep donor base and major donor program. | ||
Expert Comments: Areas for Improvement
Select the boxes to display the results according to expert type.
Show:
Show:
X
Foundation Professionals (F)
X
Researchers and Faculty (R)
X
Nonprofit Senior Staff (N)
X
Other (consultants, journalists, policy makers) (O)
Not Effective Approach |
|||
|
N
|
They are trying to change this country into a vegan state, using emotion, distortion and exaggeration. | ||
Better Marketing |
|||
|
R
|
It would be useful for Farm Sanctuary to promote its educational resources to get them out to a wider audience. | ||
Greater Reach |
|||
|
N
|
The group sometimes is too orthodox in order to please the vegan segment of its base, but could perhaps broaden its reach with the public by adopting more mainstream policy positions. | ||
Board Improvements |
|||
|
N
|
They should improve their board development and policies. | ||
Clearer Messaging |
|||
|
R
|
In recent years, Farm Sanctuary has strayed a bit from its vegan message into dealings with the so-called "new welfarist" movement (as epitomized by the Humane Society of the United States)--a move that has caused a bit of a stir among some of FS's constituency. I am not persuaded that this move away from grassroots vegan outreach into more targeted public policy and lobbying efforts has diminished FS's impact; it may well have *amplified* its short-term impact. For those who wish to support a consistent animal-rights platform, however, it might be frustrating to see FS moving more in the "incrementalist" direction of organizations like HSUS. | ||
Expansion |
|||
|
O
|
They should expand to provide sanctuary for a greater number of animals. | ||
Stronger Leadership |
|||
|
O
|
They could use stronger leadership and development of stronger legal affairs program. | ||
Greater Visibility for Staff |
|||
|
N
|
Gene Baur is fabulous but I think it would help to provide others at the organization with more visibility. | ||
Stronger Organizational Structure |
|||
|
R
|
The organizational structure could use some strengthening. There have been recent changes which will hopefully the support the work of their dedicated and talented staff. | ||
Working with other Organizations |
|||
|
F
|
I think they could grow through partnerships with organizations that have similar, but not necessarily the same mission. They also need to raise more money from grants. | ||
More Innovation |
|||
|
O
|
Time for a bolder approach on some of the issues regarding cruelty to animals at factory farms. Stronger marketing and promotion for the hands-on work they do and the values they embody. | ||
Greater Visibility |
|||
|
O
|
They could use greater visibility. | ||
Improve Infrastructure |
|||
|
N
|
They should improve infrastructure on sanctuaries and improve outreach to public. | ||
Leadership
Gene Baur
President
President
From the Nonprofit
The nonprofit has not added any comments yet. If you are a representative of this nonprofit and would like to leave a comment, please email us at
feedback@myphilanthropedia.org
with your request.
