Media Statement – Administration Costs

We are the lead fundraisers for the Great Barrier Reef and over 18 years have raised over $90 million for the Reef.

64% of our fundraising is from corporate and private philanthropic sources, 32% is from government and the remainder is other sources. The GBRF has raised more than $58 million from corporate and private donations to invest in the Reef. 

“This is why we are the lead charity for the protection of the Reef,” said Great Barrier Reef Foundation Managing Director Anna Marsden.

“We also strive to keep our administration and fundraising costs low – 80 cents in every dollar goes to Reef projects.”

We want to clarify information relating to administrative costs, specifically the claim that 57.5% of funds raised from 2007 to 2017 was spent on “science investments” in the reef and, by extension, the level of administrative costs.

The figures cited in our annual reports under “science investments” reflect the principal beneficiaries of research funding; they do not reflect full program costs.

The Great Barrier Reef Foundation has always been transparent in reporting its administration costs. 

The table below shows the administration ratios as published in our Annual Reports for the last 11 years.

Year	Cost of Administration and Fundraising ratio
2017	19.7%
2016	18.1%
2015	12.1%
2014	15.8%
2013	11.9%
2012	18.2%
2011	27.6%
2010	33.3%
2009	22.7%
2008	31.0%
2007	34.0%

The accounting methodology for calculating administration ratios changed in 2016. Due to this it would be inaccurate to provide an average however these audited figures show the GBRF has consistently achieved a 20% or lower administration overhead since 2012.

In relation to the Reef Trust Partnership (the Grant Agreement), administration costs are capped at 10 percent.