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Wildlife Forever

EIN 36-3566121 · Saint Paul, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO CONSERVE AMERICA'S WILDLIFE HERITAGE THROUGH CONSERVATION EDUCATION, PRESERVATION OF HABITAT, AND MANAGEMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 56%
Employees
4
Highest pay
$145,241, president &

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    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 December 31, 2025, 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 (5)
  1. $658,071 spent. WILDLIFE FOREVER'S CLEAN DRAIN DRY INITIATIVE IS A NATIONAL PUBLIC SERVICE AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN EDUCATING BOATERS, ANGLERS, AND OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS WITH BEST PRACTICES FOR PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE SPECIES. THROUGH A VAST NETWORK OF PARTNERS INCLUDING LAKE ASSOCIATIONS, UNIVERSITIES, LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL AGENCIES, THE FISHING AND BOATING INDUSTRY, AND OTHER CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS, THE AWARD-WINNING PROGRAM REACHES MILLIONS OF PEOPLE EACH YEAR THROUGH INNOVATIVE MEDIA AND MARKETING OUTREACH, EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTS, AND PUBLIC ACCESS WATERCRAFT CLEANING EQUIPMENT.
  2. $409,516 spent. WILDLIFE FOREVER'S HABITAT DIVISION CALLED, PRAIRIE CITY USA, WORKS WITH MUNICIPALITIES AND PUBLIC LAND MANAGERS TO RESTORE AND ENHANCE WILDLIFE HABITAT. THROUGH INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVAL AND PRAIRIE RESTORATION ACTIVITIES, POLLINATORS BENEFIT, ECOSYSTEM FUNCTIONS ARE RESTORED, AND WATER QUALITY IMPROVES FOR GREATER COMMUNITY HEALTH.
  3. $188,388 spent. THE ART OF CONSERVATION CONTEST SERIES FEATURES THE FISH AND SONGBIRD ART PROGRAMS. AS AN AWARD-WINNING PROGRAM TO ENGAGE YOUTH INTO THE OUTDOORS, IT SERVES AS A GATEWAY TO CONNECT YOUTH TO SCIENCE, NATURE, AND OUTDOOR RECREATION. AS A FREE PROGRAM, STUDENTS, EDUCATORS, AND PARENTS CAN UTILIZE ONLINE LESSON PLANS THAT FEATURE A VARIETY OF CONSERVATION THEMED ACTIVITIES DESIGNED FOR CLASSROOM OR HOME USE.
  4. $604,871 spent. GETTING FAMILIES FISHING & BOATING INITIATIVE IS WILDLIFE FOREVER'S NEWEST PROGRAM THAT SERVES AS A CONDUIT TO SUPPORT VOLUNTEER LED COMMUNITY EVENTS AND FAMILY FRIENDLY FISHING CLINICS. GRANTS OF FREE FISHING EQUIPMENT AND CONSERVATION EDUCATION PROGRAM MATERIALS ARE OFFERED TO QUALIFYING INDIVIDUALS OR ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT AND PROMOTE FISHING, BOATING, AND OUTDOOR RECREATION TO THE PUBLIC.
  5. GETTING FAMILIES FISHING & BOATING INITIATIVE IS WILDLIFE FOREVER'S NEWEST PROGRAM THAT SERVES AS A CONDUIT TO SUPPORT VOLUNTEER LED COMMUNITY EVENTS AND FAMILY FRIENDLY FISHING CLINICS. GRANTS OF FREE FISHING EQUIPMENT AND CONSERVATION EDUCATION PROGRAM MATERIALS ARE OFFERED TO QUALIFYING INDIVIDUALS OR ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT AND PROMOTE FISHING, BOATING, AND OUTDOOR RECREATION TO THE PUBLIC.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    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 December 2025.

    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 March 1988.

    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.