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Wings World Quest Inc

EIN 54-2137595 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceFair57 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WINGS WORLDQUEST RECOGNIZES AND SUPPORTS EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN LEADERS IN SCIENCE AND EXPLORATION INVESTIGATING SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL PROBLEMS.

Income
$639,411
Spending
$697,206
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 58%
Employees
0
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$156,000, ceo

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

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 36% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 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

Fair: 57 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 16 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $369,074 spent. THE WINGS WOMEN OF DISCOVERY FELLOWS PROGRAM RECOGNIZES EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN WHO ARE MAKING DISCOVERIES AND FINDING SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL PROBLEMS THROUGH BOLD RESEARCH, CONSERVATION AND EXPLORATION PROJECTS. THE WINGS FELLOWS PROGRAM HAS BECOME A POWERFUL NETWORK FOR WOMEN WORKING IN THE FIELD SCIENCES TO ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN INTERDISCIPLINARY EXCHANGE AND COLLABORATION. EACH NEWLY INDUCTED FELLOW IS RECOGNIZED AT THE WOMEN OF DISCOVERY GALA AND RECEIVES A $20,000 GRANT TO SUPPORT HER WORK. AS OF 2025, WINGS HAS SUPPORTED 115 WOMEN THROUGH THIS PROGRAM.
  2. $91,000 spent. In Her Nature: Wildlife docuseries airing on PBS Nature featuring leading women in conservation.
  3. $30,500 spent. THE WINGS FLAG IS RECOGNIZED AS A SYMBOL OF EXCELLENCE IN DISCOVERY ANDKNOWLEDGE AND CERTIFIES THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ITS CARRIER'S ENDEAVOR. MORE THAN 150SCIENTISTS AND EXPLORERS HAVE FLOWN THE NUMBERED WINGS FLAGS ACROSS MORE THAN 80 COUNTRIES AND AT BOTH POLES, ESTABLISHING A UNIQUE BOND OF HIGH ACHIEVERS, CREATIVE THINKERS, AND BOLD LEADERS NOTABLE FOR THEIR COURAGE AND COMMITMENT TO DISCOVERY. FLAG CARRIERS ARE WOMEN LEADING ORIGINAL FIELD RESEARCH OR DOCUMENTATION RELATED TO AN EXPEDITION AND/OR RESEARCH PROJECT, INCLUDING LAB RESEARCH ASSESSING SAMPLES/DATA COLLECTED IN THE FIELD, THAT FOCUS ON INVESTIGATING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NATURE OF OUR WORLD AND ADVANCING CONSERVATION EFFORTS ON LAND, AIR AND WATER THROUGH SCIENCE AND ADVOCACY. THIS HONOR COMES WITH A GRANT AWARD BETWEEN $2,000 - $5,000 DEPENDANT ON THE SIZE OF THE EXPEDITION.
  4. $10,172 spent. WINGS Explorer Talks, a signature public program that amplifies the voices and work of women scientists and explorers from around the world. These events provide educational opportunities for diverse audiences, ranging from students to the general publiC, by showcasing WINGS Explorers groundbreaking research, discoveries, and fieldwork. WINGS provides each speaker with a $1,000 stipend in recognition of their time and expertise, ensuring that women scientists and explorers are compensated for sharing their knowledge. By highlighting diverse role models in science, conservation, and exploration, Explorer Talks inspire the next generation, broaden public understanding of global challenges, and build support for innovative solutions. Through both in-person and virtual formats, WINGS reaches thousands of participants annually, extending the impact of our Fellows work beyond the field and fostering a community engaged in science, conservation, and discovery.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 November 2004.

    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.