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Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin Inc

EIN 39-1572034 · Madison, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROTECT WISCONSIN'S LANDS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE BY PROVIDING FUNDING, LEADING PARTNERSHIPS, AND CONNECTING ALL PEOPLE WITH NATURE.

Income
$3.8 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
5.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 58%
Employees
17
Volunteers
458
Highest pay
$120,593, executive director

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: 65 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 34% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 32% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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 (4)
  1. $692,483 spent. THE NATURAL RESOURCES FOUNDATION OF WISCONSIN PROVIDES FUNDING FOR OUR STATE'S MOST IMPORTANT AND VULNERABLE LANDSCAPE GEMS, PARTICULARLY STATE NATURAL AREAS, STATE PARKS, AND OTHER KEY PUBLIC LANDS. IN THESE SPECIAL PLACES, WE SUPPORT RESTORATION, CLIMATE RESILIENCE, AND ACCESSIBILITY. WE FUND FORESTS, PRAIRIES, LAKES, WETLANDS, BLUFFS, BARRENS, SAVANNAS, FENS, BOGS, AND MORE.
  2. $367,428 spent. THE NATURAL RESOURCES FOUNDATION OF WISCONSIN PROVIDES FUNDING FOR PROJECTS THAT PROTECT OUR STATE'S RARE AND ENDANGERED SPECIES. SOME MAJOR PROGRAMS INCLUDE PROTECTION OF ORNATE BOX TURTLES, WHOOPING CRANES, KIRTLAND'S WARBLERS, AMERICAN MARTENS, RUSTY-PATCHED BUMBLEBEES, GRASSLAND BIRDS, AND NATIVE BATS. PROJECTS MONITOR POPULATIONS, CONDUCT RESEARCH, AND IMPROVE HABITAT.
  3. $838,768 spent. THE NATURAL RESOURCES FOUNDATION OF WISCONSIN'S CONSERVATION EDUCATION PROGRAM INCLUDES A STATEWIDE FIELD TRIP PROGRAM (OVER 321 OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES PROVIDED IN 2024), EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH TO PROMOTE CITIZEN-SCIENCE AND OTHER CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES, AND FUNDING FOR EDUCATORS, SCHOOLS, NATURE CENTERS, AND OTHER EDUCATION PARTNERS THAT ENGAGE YOUTH AND ADULTS IN HANDS-ON OUTDOOR EDUCATION.
  4. $79,380 spent. THE NATURAL RESOURCES FOUNDATION CREATED THE WISCONSIN CONSERVATION ENDOWMENT, SERVING AS A "COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR CONSERVATION" TO PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL DONORS AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD A PERMANENT AND SUSTAINABLE SOURCE OF PRIVATE FUNDING TO SUPPORT ALL ASPECTS OF NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION IN WISCONSIN. THE NATURAL RESOURCES FOUNDATION MANAGES THE ASSETS OF MORE THAN 124 INDIVIDUAL ENDOWMENT FUNDS, AGENCY FUNDS, AND SPEND-DOWN FUNDS THAT SUPPORT SPECIES PROTECTION, EDUCATION, HABITAT MANAGEMENT, AND OTHER CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS. IN ADDITION, THE NATURAL RESOURCES FOUNDATION MANAGES THE FUNDS OF ESCROW ACCOUNTS UNDER THIRD-PARTY CUSTODIAL AGREEMENTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF NATURAL AREA CONSERVATION.

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 February 1987.

    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.