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Mississippi Wildlife Fisheries and Parks Foundation

EIN 52-2377622 · Jackson, MS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF GAME AND FISH CONSERVATION, EDUCATE THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES, AND ENCOURAGE THE PROTECTION OF WILDLIFE AND FISH HABITAT THROUGH VARIOUS PROGRAMS AND BY PROVIDING SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR VARIOUS PROJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS. ADDITIONAL PROJECTS MAY INCLUDE ANY OF THOSE WHICH WOULD SERVE TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. THE MISSION STATEMENT CAN BE FOUND ON THE FOUNDATION'S WEBSITE.

Income
$925,566
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
58%
Reserves
5.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
3
Highest pay
$93,750, executive di

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

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 26% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 36% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    58% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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, 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 (5)
  1. $187,431 spent. WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES - CONSISTS OF MULTIPLE PROGRAMS WHICH HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND IMPLEMENTED IN ORDER TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION. FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF THE ORGANIZATION'S CURRENT PROGRAMS: (1)"BLACK BEAR PROJECT" WHICH FUNDS THE PURCHASE OF RADIO TELEMETRY EQUIPMENT AND FLY-OVER AIR TIME IN ORDER TO TRACK THE MOVEMENT AND POPULATION OF BLACK BEARS; (2)PURCHASE OF SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT TO DETECT AND APPREHEND PERSONS INVOLVED IN ILLEGAL WILDLIFE ACTIVITY; (3)FISHING RODEOS FOR YOUTH,THE ELDERLY AND HANDICAPPED PERSONS; (4)SPONSORSHIP OF A "RANGE PARTNERS" PROGRAM DESIGNED TO INTRODUCE NEWCOMERS TO SHOOTING AND FIREARM SAFETY USING PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTORS; (5)PROVIDING FUNDS TO STATE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS FOR WATERFOWL PROPERTY ENHANCEMENTS CONSISTING OF CULVERTS, LEVEES AND WATER DIVERSION; (6)MONITORING OF THE RED CREEK CONSERVATION EASEMENT; (7)PUBLICATION OF THE "MISSISSIPPI OUTDOORS" MAGAZINE; (8)ASSISTANCE TO LANDOWNERS WITH "BURN" PROGRAMS FOR LONGLEAF PINE RESTORATION. WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES - CONSISTS OF MULTIPLE PROGRAMS WHICH HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND IMPLEMENTED IN ORDER TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION. FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF THE ORGANIZATION'S CURRENT PROGRAMS: (1)"BLACK BEAR PROJECT" WHICH FUNDS THE PURCHASE OF RADIO TELEMETRY EQUIPMENT AND FLY-OVER AIR TIME IN ORDER TO TRACK THE MOVEMENT AND POPULATION OF BLACK BEARS; (2)PURCHASE OF SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT TO DETECT AND APPREHEND PERSONS INVOLVED IN ILLEGAL WILDLIFE ACTIVITY; (3)FISHING RODEOS FOR YOUTH,THE ELDERLY AND HANDICAPPED PERSONS; (4)SPONSORSHIP OF A "RANGE PARTNERS" PROGRAM DESIGNED TO INTRODUCE NEWCOMERS TO SHOOTING AND FIREARM SAFETY USING PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTORS; (5)PROVIDING FUNDS TO STATE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS FOR WATERFOWL PROPERTY ENHANCEMENTS CONSISTING OF CULVERTS, LEVEES AND WATER DIVERSION; (6)MONITORING OF THE RED CREEK CONSERVATION EASEMENT; (7)PUBLICATION OF THE "MISSISSIPPI OUTDOORS" MAGAZINE; (8)ASSISTANCE TO LANDOWNERS WITH "BURN" PROGRAMS FOR LONGLEAF PINE RESTORATION.
  2. $71,568 spent. MISSISSIPPI ARCHERY IN THE SCHOOLS - THIS PROGRAM BRINGS THE SPORT OF ARCHERY TO OVER 350 PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND ACCEPTS CHILDREN AGE 12 AND ABOVE FOR PARTICIPATION. IT IS NOW LISTED AS A SPORT BY THE MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION, WHICH OVERSEES THE SPORTS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN WHICH 35,000 MISSISSIPPI SCHOOL STUDENTS PARTICIPATE.
  3. $9,900 spent. MISSISSIPPI OUTDOORS RADIO - THIS WEEKLY RADIO PROGRAM FURTHERS THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION BY BROADCASTING NEWS AND UPDATES RELATING TO ONGOING ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS OF THE BUREAUS OPERATED BY THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS. THE "MISSISSIPPI OUTDOORS" PROGRAM AIRS ON MULTIPLE STATIONS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.
  4. $392,495 spent. PAYMENTS MADE TO LOBBYING FIRMS FOR PURPOSES OF PROVIDING RESEARCH DATA AND INFORMATION REGARDING THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION AND ACTIVITIES TO LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND MEMBERS.
  5. PAYMENTS MADE TO LOBBYING FIRMS FOR PURPOSES OF PROVIDING RESEARCH DATA AND INFORMATION REGARDING THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION AND ACTIVITIES TO LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND MEMBERS.

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

  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 2024.

    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 2003.

    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.