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National Trappers Foundation

EIN 36-3646973 · Bedford, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair66 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

NATIONAL TRAPPERS FOUNDATION (NTF) WAS ESTABLISHED TO IMPROVE KNOWLEDGE AS WELL AS TO INFORM AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE FURBEARER SPECIES. THE MISSION IS TO STIMULATE PUBLIC INTEREST AND APPRECIATION OF FURBEARERS AND NATURAL RESOURCES. NTF ALSO WANTS TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE NEED AND IMPORTANCE OF RESTORING, USING WISELY, AND SCIENTIFICALLY MANAGING FURBEARERS BY PROMOTING IMPROVED ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION THROUGH COORDINATION AND COOPERATION WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, AGENCIES, AND INDIVIDUALS WITH SIMILAR INTERESTS.

Income
$186,320
Spending
$216,382
Spent on programs
64%
Reserves
11.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 87%
Employees
0
Volunteers
10

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: 66 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    64% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 95% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $139,281 spent. NATIONAL TRAPPERS FOUNDATION (NTF) ESTABLISHES PROGRAMS TO PRESERVE AND ENHANCE THE FURBEARER HABITAT. PROGRAMS ALSO PROMOTE AND ASSIST SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH OF FURBEARER SPECIES AND THEIR NEEDS. NTF ALSO TEACHES CONSERVATION EDUCATION TO THE PUBLIC, MONITORS SPECIES POPULATION DENSITIES, AND PROVIDES RESEARCH GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS.

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 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 2025.

    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 August 1989.

    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.