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South Carolina Wildlife Federation

EIN 57-0602549 · Columbia, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SOUTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE FEDERATION, INC. WAS FORMED IN 1981 AS A NON-PROFIT ENTITY TO PROMOTE EFFECTIVE HABITAT CONSERVATION, NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION, AND RESPECT FOR OUTDOOR TRADITIONS THROUGH STATEWIDE LEADERSHIP, EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, AND PARTNERSHIPS. THE FEDERATION IS SOUTH CAROLINA'S OLDEST CONSERVATION GROUP AND IS PRIMARILY FUNDED THROUGH INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP DONATIONS, SPECIAL FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS, AND BY NATIONAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GRANTS. THE FEDERATION IS GOVERNED BY AN ELECTED BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND AFFILIATED WITH THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION.

Income
$619,465
Spending
$603,858
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
9.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 49%
Employees
12
Volunteers
187
Highest pay
$80,211, executive di

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 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 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 (2)
  1. $159,995 spent. CONSERVATION ADVOCACY: A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO EDUCATE GOVERNMENTAL BODIES AND COMMITTEES THROUGH THE USE OF A PAID CONTRACTOR WHO PRESENTS EVIDENCE AND INFORMATION USED TO TRAIN AND DEVELOP CONSTITUENCIES FOR GRASSROOTS INVOLVEMENT; THE PAID CONTRACTOR PREPARES ARTICLES INCLUDED IN THE FEDERATION'S NEWSLETTERS AND SERVES AS A GENERAL RESOURCE IN GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS ON BEHALF OF THE FEDERATION; FOSTERS KNOWLEDGE, STIMULATES INTEREST AND PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE WILDLIFE PRESERVATION.
  2. $332,667 spent. EDUCATION: A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO EDUCATE PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT WILDLIFE HABITAT PRESERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT THROUGH SCHEDULED MEETINGS, SEMINARS, CONFERENCES AND SPECIAL EVENTS.

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 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 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 July 1951.

    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.