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Arizona Elk Society

EIN 86-1035639 · Peoria, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Wildlife conservation organization benefiting elk and other wildlife for habitat conservation and restoration and to preserve our hunting heritage. Activities include promoting sound wildlife management and habitat youth conservation programs hunting and outdoor activities hunting programs for veterans and educating the public.

Income
$3.5 million
Spending
$2.4 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 61%
Employees
11
Volunteers
400
Highest pay
$145,950, executive director/chairman

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

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 32% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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. $1.7 million spent. Volunteers and contractors work with the US Forest Serv., Az Game and Fish, State of AZ, SRP and more on collaborative projects to restore, maintain and enhance wildlife habitat. Programs also incorporate Boy Scout Projects. AES volunteers hauled over 400,000 gal. of water for wildlife, restored and maintained over 45 water catchments. Volunteers work on riparian restoration, creek channel rebuilding, fence removal, cleared jack pines and junipers for grassland restoration, hauled and placed tons of rock to build riparian stream structures to restore meadow and watershed, maintained riparian cattle enclosure fencing, built log fences to protect critical wildlife habitat and water sources, restored water catchments and troughs, and thinned brush around water catchments and in important wildlife migration corridors. AES had over 250 volunteers providing thousands of hours working on wildlife restoration projects. AES contractors masticate and clear thousands of acres of invasive junipers to restore historic grassland for wldlife and to increase watershed and help stop forest fires.
  2. $119,274 spent. Youth and adult conservation education. Provides education programs to increase the public understanding of wildlife habitat, the public impact on it, and to teach conservation ethics. These include outdoor adventure day camps, wildlife, outdoor skills camps for youth. AES also provides numerous mentored hunting camps for youth and new hunters. Once a year the AES holds an all day Elk Clinic to teach hunters the ins and outs of hunting elk in Arizona.
  3. $219,507 spent. Heroes Rising Outdoors AES volunteers provided more than 100 guided hunts for AZ wounded veterans, both men and women. Healing through the Outdoors is the motto for the program and the veterans expressed the connection to nature and outdoors helps them heal inside. With help from outfitters, guides, veteran organizations, and volunteers AES has taken Az Disabled Veterans on hunts to fulfill their dreams and help them heal. In addition to the hunt experiences AES provides we also have added experiences, including equine therapy, fly fishing, bass fishing, hiking and camping. Membership services Services provided to approximately 1,250 members through the Tracker magazine and other member resources. AES represents members and other stakeholders on issues related to hunting, wildlife habitat, forest health, access issues, threats to elk and wildlife, elk management and more. AES partners with the Az Game Fish, AZ Cattle Growers, AZ counties, ranchers, and state representatives to educate the public and enlist others to protect and support Arizona wildlife and heritage.

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 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 November 6, 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 2025.

    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 January 2002.

    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 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.