Minnesota Deer Hunters Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 64 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 PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO ACHIEVE THE BEST POSSIBLE DEER HERD, TO PROMOTE HIGH QUALITY HUNTING AND TO PROTECT OUR HUNTING HERITAGE. TO ACHIEVE THESE PURPOSES, THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES WHALL BE PROMOTED: 1. PRESENT OUR POSITIONS TO GOVERNMENT OFFICALS' DEPARTMENTS AND LEGISLATORS, 2. PROMOTE GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP, GOOD HUNTING ETHICS AND SAFE HUNTING PRACTICES, 3. TO PROMOTE AND MAINTAIN A HIGH QUALITY DEER HABITAT PROGRAM, 4. PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEER HUNTERS TO MEET, SHARE EXPERIENCES AND DEVELOP AN UNCLUSIVE SPIRIT, 5. EDUCATE HUNTERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON THE VALUES OF THE SPORT OF DEER HUNTING, 6. SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT OF REGULATIONS, WHICH CURTAIL THE ILLEAGAL TAKING OF DEER, 7. SUPPORT EMERGENCY WINTER-FEEDING PROGRAS WHEN APPROPRITE, 8. SUPPORT EFFORTS TO INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEER HUNTING ON PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EDDORRTS TO INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEER HUNTING ON PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LANDS, 9. SUPPORT PREDATOR CONTROL, AND 10. WORK WITH OTHER AGENCI
- Income
- $2.1 million
- Spending
- $2.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 68%
- Reserves
- 12.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- other income, 49%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 690
- Highest pay
- $146,221, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1568% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 64 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 June 30, 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 (2)
- $1.3 million spent. PROJECTS - PROMOTE DEER HABITAT, EDUCATION, EMERGENCY WINTER DEER FEEDING, AND DEVELOP AN INCLUSIVE SPIRIT AMONG DEER HUNTERS.
- $197,283 spent. EDUCATION - EDUCATE HUNTERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON THE VLAUE OF THE SPORT OF DEER HUNTING, PRESENT ORGANIZATION'S POSITION TO THE PUBLIC ON HABITAT, SAFTEY, AND SPORTSMANSHIP THROUGH QUARTERLY MAGAZINE, SPORTS SHOWS, AND HUNTER SAFTEY EDUCATION PROGRAMS; SUPPORT GROUPS CONCERNED WITH WILDLIFE ISSUES.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 June 2025.
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 February 1982.
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.