Indiana Wildlife Federation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Indiana Wildlife Federation (IWF) is a statewide, nonprofit conservation organization, with the mission to promote the conservation, sound management, and sustainable use of Indianas wildlife and wildlife habitat through education, advocacy, and action.
- Income
- $304,375
- Spending
- $367,732
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- 5.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 73%
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 115
- Highest pay
- $77,497, 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
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 6% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 21% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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
Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (2)
- $319,163 spent. Education and advocacy for wildlife and wildlife habitat: Protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat through education and advocacy, forums on current top priorities and threats to natural resource, and habitat certification and workshops for private landowners, college and university campuses, businesses and other organizations. The Certified Wildlife-Friendly Habitat program, formerly referred to as the Certified Backyard Habitat program, is done in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation. This program educates and encourages individuals, businesses or schools to support the four needs of wildlife by utilizing native plants to provide food, as well as providing water, cover and nesting space. Across the state of Indiana, we had over 1,000 Habitat Certifications in 2024 and IWF delivered virtual and in person Wildlife Habitat Workshops totaling over 1,300 participants. IWF staff was interviewed by local television stations, radio stations and numerous newspapers about the importance of creating wildlife habitat throughout private residences in the Hoosier state.Ohio River Restoration - The Indiana Wildlife Federation worked closely with state and national partners to advance the goal of dedicated Federal funds for the Ohio River Basin. With over 80% of our state falling within the Ohio River basin, such funding is vital to restore wildlife habitat and clean water. IWF has worked closely with Federal officials and local organizations to craft a restoration plan for the basin that has been released. IWF worked to raise up Congresswoman Houchin (IN-9) as co-chair of the Ohio River caucus to add more focus on Indiana and our unique role as a mainstem state. IWF will build on this progress in 2025 and looks forward to the introduction of authorizing legislation in 2025.Certified Sustainable Trails Program - The Certified Sustainable Trails program was designed to encourage the development of trails into thriving habitat corridors that are easier to manage, offer a greater benefit to trail users, and promote the conservation of local ecosystems through enriching human interaction with the environment. By partnering with the Indiana Wildlife Federation (IWF) through this program, participants will receive guidance, feedback, and access to resources which will help them build and maintain wildlife-friendly trails. In 2024, we certified one new trail, at Conner Prairie, which continuing work on two more trails. Additionally, IWF helped coordinate volunteer stewardship and educational programming at five trails that have certified in past years to help maintain the highest level for habitat. IWF continued work on their most ambitious trail to date at Central Indiana Land Trust's (CILTI) Betley's Woods at Glacier's End in Johnson County. We expect this trail to be one of the most sought after trails in the state when completed in late 2025.Connecting young people with nature through educational programs, scholarships, and experiences continued to be a top priority. IWF serves on the steering committee of the Indiana Conservation Alliance (INCA), a statewide network of over 25 conservation organizations providing a unified voice for the funding of the protection, stewardship, and sustainable use of natural resources to enhance quality of life. Additionally, IWF serves on steering committees of the Southern Sentinel Landscapes and White River Alliance Water Summit, magnifying the work we do throughout the state and region.IWF continues to act as convenor of consumptive and non-comsumptive conservation groups. In partnership with Ducks Unlimited, BHA of Indiana and the Sportsman's Roundtable, IWF has been able to help reinvigorate this united advocacy front to help push for increased public lands and access throughout the state. Lastly, the Indiana Wildlife Federation has begun to work closely with the agricultural community to help educate producers about techniques that will increase water quality, enhance yields and benefit wildlife habitat.
- Trails: In partnership with the Central Indiana Land Trust (CILTI), through funding from the state of Indiana's Next Level Trail program, IWF continued work on trails in Johnson County. This trail system will stretch over four miles showcasing the unique geology of the land where the Wisconsin Glaciation ended its southward march and the rare fauna and flora that can be found in this transitional area. Additionally, IWF had begun working with several new properties in the state to assist in trail-building and certification.
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
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1963.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.