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Delta Waterfowl Foundation

EIN 53-0259796 · Bismarck, ND

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Delta Waterfowl Foundation's mission is to "Produce ducks and secure the future of waterfowl hunting."

Income
$23.6 million
Spending
$25.2 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
94
Volunteers
5,500
Highest pay
$419,300, ceo until feb

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: 64 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 24 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

    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 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. $14.0 million spent. Waterfowl Conservation Programs- Includes unique conservation program initiatives in the US and Canada such as the Working Wetlands Program. Programs are achieved through the use of various tools including Communications, Research, Demonstration and Outreach. Intensive Management includes initiatives such as Predator Management, Habitat Initiatives and Henhouses. Intensive Management Programs are also achieved through a variety of tools such as Communications, Research, Demonstration and Outreach. The outcome of both traditional conservation programs and intensive management program are to increase waterfowl and conservation of the resource in the US and Canada. Waterfowl Conservation Programs also include the Waterfowl Heritage Funds Program Initiative or Local Chapter Programs. A portion of funds generated at the chapter level are returned to the chapter to do local projects within their region. Projects include youth hunts, henhouses, scholarships and a variety of programs which help local communities.
  2. $7.6 million spent. Hunter Programs - Includes Hunter Recruitment, Retention and Hunting Outreach. The initiatives used in hunter recruitment include First Hunt and Delta Waterfowls - Waterfowling Initiative programs. Both of these initiatives are accomplished via a wide range of tools including Communication, Research, Demonstration, Outreach and Volunteer Delivery. The outcome for these programs are to recruit new hunters, attract hunters back to the tradition, retain hunters and protect the rights of hunters which include access issues and gun control issues throughout the US and Canada. Also included is Waterfowl Heritage Funds Program Initiative or Local Chapter Programs. A portion of funds generated at the chapter level are returned to the chapter to do local projects within their region. Projects include youth hunts, henhouses, scholarships and a variety of programs which help local communities.

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

  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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. 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.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 2020.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.