Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
THE WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES PROMOTES THE PRESERVATION OF RESOURCES IN ORDER TO SUSTAIN FISH AND WILDLIFE IN THE WESTERN STATES.
- Income
- $5.0 million
- Spending
- $4.3 million
- Employees
- 18
- Volunteers
- 23
- Highest pay
- $186,340, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)
- $3.0 million spent. GRANT MANAGEMENTWAFWA'S INITIATIVE FOCUS ON ADVANCING SCIENCE AND POLICY, WHILE PROVIDING BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND WRITTEN STANDARDS FOR TECHNICAL GUIDANCE. INITIATIVES OF HIGHEST PRIORITY ARE SELECTED BY OUR MEMBER AGENCIES. WAFWA HAS 5 FOCAL INITIATIVES: SAGEBRUSH CONSERVATION INITIATIVE, WESTERN GRASSLANDS INITIATIVE, WESTERN NATIVE TROUT INITIATIVE, WILD SHEEP INITIATIVE, AND WILDLIFE MOVEMENT AND CONNECTIVITY INITIATIVE.
- $732,085 spent. CONFERENCES & WORKSHOPSTHE WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES HOSTS TWO ANNUAL CONFERENCES: THE ANNUAL SUMMER MEETING AND THE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP MEETING WHERE WAFWA SUPPORTS INFORMATION EXCHANGE TO HELP FACILITATE EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIPS AND CAPABILITIES OF MEMBERS AND THE BROADER COMMUNITY TO ADDRESS IMPORTANT EMERGING ISSUES ACROSS THE WEST. THE ANNUAL SUMMER MEETING CONNECTS MEMBER AGENCY LEADERS AND TECHNICAL STAFF WITH ONE ANOTHER, FEDERAL AGENCIES, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, AND PARTNERS. MANY OF OUR 24 COMMITTEES (INCLUDING THE NONGAME AND ENDANGERED FISH & WILDLIFE COMMITTEE AND THE WILDLIFE HEALTH COMMITTEE) AND TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET DURING THE ANNUAL SUMMER MEETING. THE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP MEETING PROVIDES A PLATFORM FOR OUR MEMBER AGENCY DIRECTORS, DEPUTIES, AND COMMISSIONERS TO DISCUSS EMERGING WESTERN ISSUES AND STRATEGICALLY MOVE TASKS FORWARD TO THE ANNUAL SUMMER MEETING.WAFWA HOSTS WORKSHOPS, SUMMITS, AND OTHER ONE-OFF EVENTS TO PROVIDE OUR MEMBER AGENCIES TO COMMUNICATE WITH EACH ANOTHER ON NEW RESEARCH, MANAGEMENT, ENFORCEMENT, AND ADMINISTRATIVE PRACTICES AND TO USE THIS INFORMATION TO PROMOTE BETTER MANAGEMENT OF SPECIES OR ADMINISTRATION OF MEMBER AGENCIES. WAFWA HOSTS BOTH SPECIES-SPECIFIC WORKSHOPS LIKE THE PRONGHORN WORKSHOP (HELD BIENNIALLY), WESTERN STATES/PROVINCES DEER AND ELK WORKSHOP (HELD BIENNIALLY), AND MOUNTAIN LION WORKSHOP (HELD TRIENNIALLY) AS WELL AS TOPIC-BASED WORKSHOPS SUCH AS CONSERVATION BUSINESS MANAGERS ASSOCIATION WORKSHOP (HELD ANNUALLY). IN ANY GIVEN YEAR, WAFWA HOSTS BETWEEN 5 TO 8 OF THESE EVENTS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(4) social welfare organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on November 15, 2011 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on November 15, 2011.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(4) social welfare organization as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2014.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.