Champions for Wildlife
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Our mission is to inspire kids to be champions for wildlife using art and education. We believe the more you learn, the more you love, the more you protect.
- Income
- $512,708
- Spending
- $274,781
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 29.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 87%
- Employees
- 7
- Volunteers
- 66
- Highest pay
- $62,310, executive director
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 29.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 46% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 20% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 86 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
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, 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)
- $219,754 spent. Wild for Art Education Programs Champions for Wildlife delivers Wild for Art programs that connect elementary-aged students to native North Carolina wildlife through a combination of science-based learning and hands-on art. Programs are delivered directly in classrooms and community settings, removing barriers to access and supporting diverse learning styles. Each program includes a standards-aligned wildlife lesson followed by a guided art activity that helps students creatively express what they learned. During the tax year, Champions for Wildlife: - Delivered 310 Wild for Art programs - Reached 4,875 students across Western North Carolina - Served primarily Title I and rural schools - Focused on native and often overlooked wildlife species - Provided ready-to-use, standards-aligned programming for teachers
- Community & Expanded Learning Programs In addition to in-school programming, Champions for Wildlife partnered with schools and community organizations to deliver after-school and expanded learning programs. These programs provide additional time for deeper engagement, creativity, and exploration of wildlife through art, particularly for students with limited access to enrichment opportunities. During the tax year, Champions for Wildlife: - Delivered programs in after-school and community-based settings - Reached students across multiple grade levels and school systems - Expanded access to wildlife education beyond the traditional classroom - Strengthened partnerships with schools and local organizations
- Digital & Teacher-Supported Learning Champions for Wildlife continued to expand access to wildlife education through the development of digital and teacher-supported resources. These tools are designed to extend learning beyond a single program experience and provide educators and families with accessible ways to reinforce wildlife learning through art. During the tax year, Champions for Wildlife: - Began development of the Kids Corner, a digital hub for wildlife art activities and resources - Created tools to help teachers integrate wildlife learning into their classrooms - Extended program impact beyond direct instruction through accessible, creative resources
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
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.
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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 2022.
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 October 21, 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.