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Friends of Wildlife Prairie Park

EIN 20-8064678 · Hanna City, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PARK'S MISSION IS TO OFFER INTERACTIVE, NATURE ORIENTED EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES THAT PROVIDE TRANSFORMATIONAL EXPERIENCES INSPIRING CONSERVATION OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS.

Income
$3.5 million
Spending
$4.4 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
0 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 44%
Employees
102
Volunteers
572
Highest pay
$177,942, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover -0.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 February 28, 2026, 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 (3)
  1. $3.4 million spent. GENERAL PARK ADMISSIONS AND OPERATIONS: THIS REVENUE INCLUDES THE IMPACT OF ADMISSIONS INTO THE PARK INCLUDING ADMISSIONS FROM GENERAL ADMISSIONS AND TRAIN TICKETS AS WELL AS ADMISSIONS FROM SPECIAL EVENTS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES. THESE SPECIAL EVENTS INCLUDE A SCARY PARK THEMED HALLOWEEN EVENT, A GROUNDHOG DAY EVENT, AND SEVERAL OTHER ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THIS ALSO INCLUDES REVENUE FROM EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS SUCH AS FIELD TRIPS AND OUT-OF-PARK ANIMAL PROGRAMS. EXPENSES INCLUDE AN ALLOCATION OF ALL EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH OPERATING THE PARK SUCH AS PAYROLL, REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE, ANIMAL FOOD AND CARE, MARKETING, ETC.
  2. $450,176 spent. EVENTS: THIS REVENUE IS GENERATED FROM CATERING/FOOD AND DRINK SERVICE FOR VARIOUS EVENTS HELD AT THE PARK SUCH AS WEDDINGS, CORPORATE MEETINGS AND SMALL PRIVATE GATHERINGS. THE PARK HAS VARIOUS VENUES AVAILABLE TO ACCOMMODATE SUCH EVENTS IN ADDITION TO THE RENTAL OF SUPPLIES SUCH AS TABLES/CHAIRS, DECORATIONS, ETC. THIS ALSO INCLUDES LODGING REVENUE FROM THE VARIOUS LODGING ACCOMMODATIONS AVAILABLE FOR GUEST TO ENJOY ALL THE PARK AMENITIES ON AN EXTENDED STAY. THE EXPENSES IN THIS CATEGORY INCLUDE AMOUNTS FOR PERSONNEL ASSOCIATED WITH THESE EVENTS, REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE OF FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT, FOOD AND MATERIALS AND AN ALLOCATION OF GENERAL PARK OVERHEAD COSTS.
  3. $15,834 spent. ANIMAL/AG CROP: THIS REVENUE IS FROM THE SALE OF ANIMALS AND AG CROP REVENUE. THE PARK HAS HERD ANIMALS WHICH REQUIRE TURNOVER TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY HERD. INCLUDED IN THIS REVENUE IS THE SALE OF HAY AND OTHER MODEST CROP SALES. SOME OF THE AG CROP SUCH AS HAY IS USED TO SUPPORT THE FEEDING OF THE ANIMALS. EXPENSES IN THIS PROGRAM INCLUDE DIRECT ANIMAL COSTS SUCH AS FEEDING & CARE, MEDICAL CARE, ENCLOSURES AND DIRECT ANIMAL MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR COSTS AND AN ESTIMATE OF ANIMAL PERSONNEL COSTS. EXPENSES ALSO INCLUDE AN ALLOCATION OF GENERAL PARK EXPENSES SUCH AS UTILITIES, INSURANCE ETC.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2026, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Status was revoked on July 15, 2021 for not filing returns for three years. The IRS now lists it as tax-exempt again.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending February 2026.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2018.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.