Wisconsin Waterfowl Association Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 404 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE PURPOSE OF THE ASSOCIATION SHALL BE TO RESTORE AND CONSERVE WISCONSIN'S WATERFOWL AND WETLAND RESOURCES; TO EDUCATE STATE WATERFOWLERS DURING THEIR PROGRESSION FROM NATURAL RESOURCE CONSUMER TO STEWARD; AND TO PROMOTE GOVERNMENTAL POLICIES THAT PROTECT WISCONSIN'S RESOURCES AND PROMOTE THE RIGHTS OF CITIZENS TO HUNT.
- Income
- $933,875
- Spending
- $875,276
- Spent on programs
- 65%
- Reserves
- 8.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 86%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 400
- Highest pay
- $62,011, 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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 9% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1565% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 404 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 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
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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 (4)
- $226,452 spent. ENVIRONMENT: THE ASSOCIATION RESTORES/CREATES SHALLOW WETLAND SYSTEMS FOR USE BY WATERFOWL AND RELATED SPECIES IN WISCONSIN AS WELL AS PROVIDING MATCHING FUNDS FOR GRANT MONIES PROVIDED BY STATE AND FEDERAL SOURCES IN SUPPORT OF THE SAME TYPE OF WETLAND AND ADJACENT UPLAND WORKS BY THE ASSOCIATION AND OTHER CONSERVATION PARTNERS. FUNDS ARE ALSO USED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF FACILITIES TO IMPROVE ACCESS FOR DISABLED HUNTERS.
- $169,838 spent. EDUCATION/ADVOCACY: THE ACTIVITIES OF THE STAFF, INDEPENDENTLY, AS WELL AS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH VOLUNTEERS TO ADVANCE AWARENESS OF WETLAND AND WATERFOWL RESOURCES IN WISCONSIN.
- $84,919 spent. PUBLICATION: CREATING LITERATURE AND DIGITAL CONTENT TO REPORT THE WORKS OF THE ASSOCIATION STAFF, ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF VOLUNTEER MEMBERS, AND PROVIDE INFORMATION AND INSIGHT REGARDING IMPORTANT CONSERVATION ISSUES IN WISCONSIN.
- $84,919 spent. DEVELOPMENT: ACTIVITIES OF THE STAFF, WORKING WITH THE ASSOCIATION'S VOLUNTEERS, TO PERFORM FUNDRAISING THROUGH MEMBERSHIP AS WELL AS THE PURSUIT, APPLICATION, ADMINISTRATION AND OVERSIGHT OF VARIOUS GRANT FUNDS, AND ALL OTHER MEANS OF SECURING THE FINANCIAL MEANS TO CONTINUE THE WORKS OF THE ASSOCIATION.
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 1985.
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.