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Mule Deer Foundation

EIN 68-0163253 · Clearfield, UT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION, HABITAT REVITALIZATION AND ENHANCEMENTPROJECTS, SPONSOR HUNTER EDUCATION CLINICS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS,PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOUNDATION MAGAZINE TO MEMBERSHIP ANDGENERAL PUBLIC. DEVELOP HABITAT STEWARDSHIP AND YOUTH PROGRAMS.

Income
$33.2 million
Spending
$33.1 million
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 91%
Employees
60
Volunteers
500
Highest pay
$265,391, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 50% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 32 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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 September 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 (3)
  1. $16.2 million spent. MEMBERSHIP SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE ORGANIZATION REPRESENT THE BENEFITS PROVIDED TO ALL MULE DEER FOUNDATION MEMBERS. THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS MULTIPLE MEMBERSHIPS WITH DIFFERENT BENEFITS AT EACH LEVEL. MEBMERS RECIEVE EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL AND ARE INVIDED TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL AND NATIONAL PROJECTS BY ATTENDING CHAPTER AND NATIONAL EVENTS HELD THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE WESTERN HUNTING AND CONSERVATION EXPO IS AN ANNUAL CONVENTION THAT INCLUDES VENDORS AND OUTFITTERS DISPLAYING AND SELLING THEIR PRODCUTS. IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS THERE ARE EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS AND MEETINGS HELD REGARDING CONSERVATION. THESE MEETINGS ARE HELD WITH MEMBERS, VOLUNTEERS AND STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERS.
  2. $15.9 million spent. THE MULE DEER FOUNDATION WORKS CLOSELY WITH ITS MEMBERS AND PARTNERS TO FACILITATE THE REHABILITATION OF MULE DEER, BLACK-TAILED DEER, AND THEIR HABITAT. THE ORGANIZATION ACCOMPLISHES THEIR MISSION THROUGH WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION, REVITALIZATION, AND ENCHANCEMENT PROJECTS. PROJECTS THAT THE ORGANIZATION ARE INVLOVED IN INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, WATER INSTALLATION (I.E. GUZZLERS), JUNIPER REMOVAL, RESEEDING, AND REHABILITATION OF FORAGE FOR DEER SPECIES.
  3. $276,052 spent. PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF ORGANIZATION PUBLICATION OF MULE DEERFOUNDATION MAGAZINE TO MEMBERSHIP AND GENERAL PUBLIC. THIS MAGAZINECONTAINS NUMEROUS ARTICLES ON WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION AND WAYS TOREVITALIZE AND ENHANCE NATURAL HABITAT. THIS MAGAZINE IS GIVEN AWAY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 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 September 2025.

    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 October 1993.

    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.