Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc
"founded in 1945, the j.n. "ding" darling national wildlife refuge consists of nearly 8,000 acres of some of the most unique and ecologically important ecosystems in the world. Budgets continue to decrease, and federal funding does not cover all the needs of this very populated refuge. As a result, the "ding" darling wildlife society - friends of the refuge (DDWS) provides financial support where federal funding falls short. Every year, the visitation to the refuge increases and nearly one million visitors explore these public lands. For nearly 40 years, the DDWS has supported the refuge in areas of education, land acquisition, interpretive signage and exhibits, habitat management, biological studies, water research, and much more.
Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc at a glance
In short: Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc gave $77K across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $19K), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $77,000
- +156.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 4
- +300.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $19,250
- -35.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,750
- Total assets
- $30,213,047
- +10.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (65% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was NWRA-National Wildlife Refuge ($50K). Together the top 3 received $71K.
Grant Size Distribution
8 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 7 grants of 8 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc gives
- Giving grew 208% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $25K (2021) to $77K (2025). In 2025 it made 4 grants totaling $77K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NWRA-National Wildlife Refuge Washington, DC | Conserve Wildlife | $50,000 |
| Bailey-Matthews National Shell Sanibel, FL | Donation | $15,000 |
| Misc Organizations | — | $6,500 |
| Everglades Coalition Stuart, FL | Event Sponsorship | $5,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $30,213,047 | $3,502,148 | $2,104,533 | $77,000 | 4 | $648,593 |
| 2024 | $27,398,829 | $5,102,598 | $2,429,023 | $30,000 | 1 | $638,847 |
| 2023 | $22,809,826 | $5,613,650 | $1,868,474 | $25,000 | 1 | $426,150 |
| 2022 | $18,138,588 | $5,673,228 | $1,809,746 | $25,000 | 1 | $276,183 |
| 2021 | $15,322,068 | $5,152,512 | $1,447,311 | $25,000 | 1 | $229,561 |
| 2020 | $11,348,670 | $2,646,233 | $1,416,214 | — | — | $175,244 |
| 2019 | $12,274,138 | $7,512,416 | $4,367,972 | — | — | $128,817 |
About Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc
Based on IRS filings
Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Sanibel, FL. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $30.2M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 4 grants totaling $77K. Net investment income was $649K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc is led by William Harkey, President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 14 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
William Harkey
President
Board Member → Vice President, 2022
Vice President → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ann Marie E. Wildman
Executive Di
Board Member → Executive Di, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$98K (2024) → $157K (2025)
Barbara Bluedorn
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bill Valerian
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard Levinson
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wendy Kindig
Past President
Secretary → President, 2022
President → Past President, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Heiman
Secretary to
Secretary → Secretary to, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Felker
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robin Cook
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stuart Sergeant
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bill Millar
Vice President
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jim Birmingham
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marvell Bradley
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hank Spire
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (13)
- Former: David Jeffrey (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Phyllis Gresham (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Sarah Ashton (2019–2024) — Past President
- Former: Birgit P. Miller (2019–2023) — Executive Di
- Former: William Millar (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Mike Baldwin (2019–2021) — President
- Former: Richard Yanke (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Robin Kirk (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Brett Gooch (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Jen McSoreley (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Mark Banks (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Doris Hardy (2020) — Past President
- Former: Jim Hall (2019) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $157K, to Ann Marie E Wildman (Executive Di).
Frequently asked questions about Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc
How much does Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc give each year?
Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc gave $77K across 4 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $30K across 1 grant.
What is Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc's typical grant size?
Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc's median grant in 2025 was $10,750, and its average grant was $19,250, across 4 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc give grants?
Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc gives mostly in District of Columbia: 65% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Florida (27%).
Does Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
How large is Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc?
Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc reported $30.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.5M.
What is Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc?
Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Sanibel, FL. It holds $30.2M in total assets as of 2025.
What is Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc's EIN?
Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 59-2240895. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 11, 2026)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 17, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 31, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 15, 2025)
Live grants for the work Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in Florida
Publix Super Markets Charities Inc
Lakeland, FL
Publix Super Markets Charities supports nonprofits addressing hunger, homelessness and housing, youth, education, and community needs in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky. Its 2024 median grant was $2,500, though awards ranged widely; it accepts online requests from eligible organizations, with application periods varying by program.
Assets
$233.8M
Grants
3,269
Total Given
$52.5M
The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida Inc
Jacksonville, FL
The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida supports neighborhood strengthening, nonprofit capacity, education, older adults, the arts, and other community needs, primarily in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $5,000, while its Program Support grants offer up to $25,000; eligible nonprofits may apply to competitive programs, but donor-advised funds do not accept applications.
Assets
$708.7M
Grants
2,470
Total Given
$78.0M
Community Foundation of Tampa Bay Inc
Tampa, FL
The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay funds nonprofits through competitive grants and other programs focused on economic opportunity, environmental resilience, health and wellbeing, education, and vibrant communities. Its typical grant is about $25,000, and it serves Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus counties. It accepts applications through its competitive grants process and rolling Critical Needs List.
Assets
$1.0B
Grants
698
Total Given
$54.3M
Gulf Coast Community Foundation Inc
Venice, FL
Gulf Coast Community Foundation funds arts and culture, civic and economic development, education, the environment, health and human services, and disaster response, with grants generally serving Sarasota and Charlotte counties, DeSoto County, Boca Grande, Lakewood Ranch, and Longboat Key, Florida. In 2025, grants ranged from $5,030 to $2,101,739, with a median of $16,251; Community Grants are capped at $25,000 per nonprofit per fiscal year. It accepts letters of inquiry for Community Grants; Catalytic and Initiative Grants are by invitation.
Assets
$533.7M
Grants
651
Total Given
$45.0M
Early Learning Coalition of Broward County Inc
Fort Lauderdale, FL
The Early Learning Coalition of Broward funds child care reimbursement and early-learning providers, including programs supporting child care and preschool, primarily in Broward County, Florida. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,127 to $3,994,863, with a median of $158,921. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$15.9M
Grants
636
Total Given
$152.2M
Leslie L Alexander Foundation Inc
Delray Beach, FL
The Leslie L Alexander Foundation supports animal rescue, education, children’s services, and other charitable work. In 2024, grants ranged from $600 to $1 million, with a median of $35,000; giving was concentrated in Florida and Texas, with awards also made elsewhere. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$291.4M
Grants
622
Total Given
$28.4M
More similar funders
More Funders in Florida
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?