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Society for Wilderness Stewardship

EIN 20-2591129 · Missoula, MT

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceFair63 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO PROMOTE EXCELLENCE IN THE PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE OF WILDERNESS STEWARDSHIP, SCIENCE, AND EDUCATION TO ENSURE THE LIFE-SUSTAINING BENEFITS OF WILDERNESS.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
1.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
31
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$113,600, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 60% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $1.8 million spent. THE SOCIETY ADVANCES THE PROFESSION OF WILDERNESS STEWARDSHIP THROUGH SCIENCE AND EDUCATION. THE SOCIETY'S PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE:- PROFESSIONALIZE THE DISCIPLINE OF WILDERNESS MANAGEMENT AND STEWARDSHIP THROUGH CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND NETWORKING. - IMPROVE THE PRACTICE OF WILDERNESS STEWARDSHIP BY FOSTERING DEVELOPMENT, DELIVERY, AND APPLICATION OF STATE-OF-THE-ART SCIENCE AND BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES. - BUILD THE CAPACITY OF AGENCIES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND VOLUNTEERS TO SUPPORT THE NATIONAL WILDERNESS PRESERVATION SYSTEM THROUGH COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIPS. - INCREASE THE RESOURCES NEEDED TO ENSURE AN ENDURING RESOURCE OF WILDERNESS FOR PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. - ADVANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND SUPPORT OF THE LIFE-SUSTAINING BENEFITS OF WILDERNESS. - ENGAGE THE NEXT GENERATION OF WILDERNESS STEWARDS BY SUPPORTING THE EXPANSION OF EDUCATIONAL, EXPERIENTIAL, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 2005.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.