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Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation Inc

EIN 62-1806324 · Nashville, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE TENNESSEE WILDLIFE RESOURCES FOUNDATION, INC. (TWRF) WAS ESTABLISHED TO BENEFIT WILDLIFE RESOURCES IN TENNESSEE. THE TWRF'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE HABITAT CONSERVATION AND RESTORTION, RESPONSIBLE LAND STWEARDSHIP AND TENNESSEE'S RICH HUNTING AND FISHING HERITAGE. THE CORNERSTONE OF THE TWRF MISSION IS ITS COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT THE TENNESSEE WILDLIFE RESOURCES AGENCY. THIS PARTNERSHIP AND COOPERATIVE EFFORT YIELDS BENEFITS FOR TENNESSEE'S SPORTSMAN AND WOMEN THROUGH SUPPORT OF STRATEGIC LAND ACQUISITION, FUNDING FOR WILDLIFE RESEARCH AND VARIOUS YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

Income
$19.8 million
Spending
$5.3 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
6.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 68%
Employees
18
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$143,529, program director

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

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 37% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 73% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 219% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 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

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

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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 (3)
  1. $3.6 million spent. THE TENNESSEE WILDLIFE RESOURCES FOUNDATION (TWRF) ADVANCES HABITAT CONSERVATION AND RESPONSIBLE LAND STEWARDSHIP ACROSS TENNESSEE, PRESERVING THE STATE'S HUNTING AND FISHING HERITAGE. TWRF ENGAGES COMMUNITIES THROUGH R3 INITIATIVES (RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, AND REACTIVATION), PROMOTING PARTICIPATION IN HUNTING, FISHING, AND CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES. KEY PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE SCHOLASTIC ACTION SHOOTING PROGRAM, WHICH EDUCATES AND EMPOWERS YOUTH IN FIREARMS SAFETY AND MARKSMANSHIP, AND MSCS, LLC, A TWRF-OWNED SHOOTING RANGE FOSTERING SAFE RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. THESE EFFORTS CONNECT THOUSANDS OF TENNESSEANS TO THE OUTDOORS, STRENGTHENING CONSERVATION AND HERITAGE TRADITIONS.
  2. $422,012 spent. THE FOUNDATION IS ALSO THE SOLE MEMBER OF THE TSMP, A TENNESSEE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, CREATED TO ADMINISTER AN IN-LIEU FEE (ILF) PROGRAM UNDER SECTIONS 401 AND 404 OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT. UNDER THE TERMS OF A 2013 IN- LIEU-FEE INSTRUMENT SIGNED BY VARIOUS GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES, THE TSMP IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVELOPMENT, DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND MAINTENANCE OF THE MITIGATION PROJECTS WHICH HAVE BEEN REQUIRED UNDER THE CLEAN WATER ACT. THE UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS (USACE), IN CONSULTATION WITH THE INTERAGENCY REVIEW TEAM (IRT), MUST APPROVE ALL COMPENSATORY MITIGATION PROJECTS AND THE TSMP MUST SUBMIT ANNUAL MONITORING REPORTS FOR A MINIMUM OF FIVE YEARS AFTER COMPLETION OF CONSTRUCTION. IMPACTS AUTHORIZED THROUGH PERMIT SECTIONS 401 AND 404 OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT OFTEN REQUIRE COMPENSATORY MITIGATION. PERMITTEES MAY MITIGATE FOR IMPACTS THEMSELVES, PURCHASE CREDITS FROM A MITIGATION BANK OR PAY A THIRD-PARTY ILF PROGRAM PROVIDER TO CONDUCT THE MITIGATION ON THEIR BEHALF. THE TSMP IS ONE SUCH THIRD-PARTY ILF PROGRAM PROVIDER.
  3. $91,193 spent. THE FOUNDATION OWNS AND OPERATES THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SHOOTING COMPLEX (MCSC), A SHOOTING SPORTS FACILITY, AS A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY. THE MCSC IS A TENNESSEE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY.

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 October 13, 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 April 2000.

    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 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.