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Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation

EIN 72-1314968 · Baton Rouge, LA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceFair64 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENHANCE THE FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES IN LOUISIANA. TO PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE OF THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES (DEPT.) AND THE LOUISIANA WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES COMMISSION (COMM.). TO DEVELOP, EXPAND AMD IMPROVE THE FACILITIES OF THE DEPT. AND COMM. IN ORDER TO ENHANCE THEIR ABILITY TO PERFORM THEIR MISSION, ENCOURAGE PUBLIC ENJOYMENT AND USE OF FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES IN LOUISIANA AND TO CONSERVE AND PRESERVE WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES HABITATS. TO FURTHER AID THE DEPT., THE FOUNDATION CONDUCTS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPS PROGRAMS THAT WILL COMMUNICATE TO THE PUBLIC, THE AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND NEEDS OF THE DEPT. AND COMM.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
13.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
1
Highest pay
$126,333, 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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 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

    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

    9 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, 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 (5)
  1. $883,147 spent. RESTORE THE EARTH FOUNDATION/FORESTRY GRANT THIS FOUNDATION IS WORKING COOPERATIVELY WITH THE LOUISIANA WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES FOUNDATION TO FUND FOR THE RESTORATION AS WELL AS DONATION OF LAND ADDING TO THE TOTAL ACREAGE OF SALVADOR WMA.
  2. $192,789 spent. AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY GRANT ABC GRANT IS FOCUSED ON LANDSCAPE-SCALE CONSERVATION, COLLABORATING ON MIGRATORY BIRD JOINT VENTURES TO SECURE AND MANAGE CRUCIAL OVERWINTERING AND STOPOVER HABITATS ACROSS LOUISIANA.
  3. $80,890 spent. DISABLED VETERANS FUND THIS PROGRAM HELPS THE FOUNDATION COVER THE FEES SO THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES CAN CONTINUE PROVIDING FISHING AND HUNTING LICENSES AT NO COST TO OUR DISABLED VETERANS.
  4. $473,994 spent. ENHANCE FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES IN LOUISIANA THROUGH EDUCATION AND RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION OF WILDLIFE AND MARINE HABITATS.
  5. ENHANCE FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES IN LOUISIANA THROUGH EDUCATION AND RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION OF WILDLIFE AND MARINE HABITATS.

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 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 December 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 September 1996.

    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.