Montana Wildlife Federation
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
THE MONTANA WILDLIFE FEDERATION IS A STATEWIDE CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PROTECTING WILDLIFE, WILDLIFE HABITAT, AND PUBLIC ACCESS FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION.
- Income
- $675,423
- Spending
- $648,541
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- 6.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 94%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 35
- Highest pay
- $92,800, executive dir.
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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 7% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 27% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 96% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2518 of 18 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $513,256 spent. WILDLIFE PROTECTION: MWF INFORMED HUNTERS, ANGLERS AND OTHER CONSERVATIONISTS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION OF MONTANA'S FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES. WE HELPED INCREASE PROTECTION FOR ELK, DEER AND OTHER BIG GAME AS WELL AS THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES. OUR OUTREACH ALSO RAISED PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE NEED TO PREVENT WILDLIFE FROM BECOMING ENDANGERED.HABITAT CONSERVATION: THROUGH OUTREACH AND PUBLIC EDUCATION, MWF HELPED ENSURE THAT HABITAT WAS PROTECTED FOR THE BENEFIT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AS WELL AS HUNTERS, ANGLERS AND OTHER WILDLIFE ENTHUSIASTS. THIS INCLUDES:-SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO ACQUIRE MORE PUBLIC LAND AND PROTECT HABITAT THROUGH VOLUNTARY CONSERVATION OF PRIVATE LAND.-FIGHTING TO PROTECT BACKCOUNTRY ROADLESS LANDS TO PROVIDE WILDLIFE HABITAT AND HUNTING OPPORTUNITY.-PROMOTING LOCAL COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC LAND MANAGEMENT.-PREVENTING THE SALE OR TRANSFER OF PUBLIC LANDS.OUTDOOR ACCESS: MWF PROMOTED GREATER ACCESS FOR HUNTING, FISHING AND OTHER OUTDOOR RECREATION AND EDUCATED PEOPLE ABOUT ATTACKS ON PUBLIC ROAD USE, STREAM ACCESS, AND OTHER LEGAL PUBLIC PROPERTY RIGHTS. WE ALSO WORKED TO IMPROVE RELATIONS BETWEEN PRIVATE LANDOWNERS AND HUNTERS, INCLUDING EXPANSION OF STATE AND FEDERAL INCENTIVE PROGRAMS FOR PRIVATE LANDOWNERS.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1983.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Caution.
California's Attorney General lists its registration as delinquent as of May 31, 2006. Organizations on this list may not solicit donations in California.
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.