National Wildlife Federation
The National Wildlife Federation is America's largest and most trusted conservation organization, operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit since its founding in 1936. Headquartered at 11100 Wildlife Center Drive in Reston, Virginia, the organization works across the country to unite Americans in giving wildlife a voice and protecting the nation's natural resources.
Key facts about National Wildlife Federation
- EIN
- 53-0204616
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $19,578,081
- Grants made (2024)
- 150
- Average grant
- $130,521
- Median grant
- $24,769
- New grantees (estimate)
- 47% first-time grantees (71 of 150, 2024)
- Total assets
- $178,912,382
- Primary geography
- California (52% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who National Wildlife Federation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for National Wildlife Federation's 150 itemized 2024 grants were California (52%), Maryland (9%) and Wisconsin (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Philadelphia, PA (8 grants), Washington, DC (7 grants), Denver, CO (6 grants) and Baltimore, MD (5 grants). None of its 150 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Conservation Assistance" (150 grants).
Is National Wildlife Federation open to new grantees?
47%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 71 of 150 grantees (47%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $62K; repeat grants $192K. How we count
Medians: $18K first-time, $35K repeat.
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with National Wildlife Federation
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$178.9M
+16.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$19.6M
+72.0% YoY
Grant Count
150
+31.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$131K
+30.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in a rapidly changing world.
The organization's strategic plan, known as the Common Agenda for Wildlife, aims to increase America's fish and wildlife populations and enhance their capability to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Wildlife conservation and recovery of at-risk species
- Habitat protection and restoration
- Addressing environmental challenges including habitat degradation, fragmentation, invasive species, and extreme weather impacts
- Equity and justice in conservation efforts
- Science-based conservation solutions
The organization notes that more than one-third of U.S. fish and wildlife species face an increased risk of extinction in the coming decades, making their work increasingly urgent.
Grantmaking
The National Wildlife Federation administers grants through various programs:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization operates across seven regions throughout the United States, collaborating with 52 state and territory affiliates to conduct local and state-level conservation efforts. This network enables the organization to work on both national and regional conservation priorities.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 150 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Financial Scale (2023):
- Total revenues: $117,923,322
- Total expenses: $121,337,041
- Total assets: $153,025,119
- Investment income: $13,638,292
Organization Size:
- Approximately 468 employees (2023)
- Approximately 4,000 volunteers
- 28 voting members on governing body
Financial Rating: The organization maintains a Four-Star rating with a 99% overall score, reflecting strong accountability and financial management.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $178,912,382 | $153,025,119 | $152,113,420 |
| Revenue | $156,404,607 | $117,923,322 | $112,838,964 |
| Expenses | $126,958,362 | $121,337,041 | $109,030,443 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $13,638,292 | $1,473,950 | $3,153,123 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
559 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from National Wildlife Federation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority ($9,814,250), Bad River Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians ($1,200,000), Town of Oxford ($1,176,921).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MOUNTAINS RECREATION & CONSERVATION AUTHORITY Los Angeles, CA | CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE | $9,814,250 |
| BAD RIVER BAND OF LAKE SUPERIOR TRIBE OF CHIPPEWA INDIANS Odanah, WI | CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE | $1,200,000 |
| TOWN OF OXFORD Oxford, MD | CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE | $1,176,921 |
| ETCHART SHEEP RANCH LLC Montrose, CO | CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE | $800,000 |
| NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY New York, NY | CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE | $623,692 |
| WIND RIVER TRIBAL BUFFALO INITIATIVE Kinnear, WY | CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE | $312,454 |
| BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN Madison, WI | CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE | $200,000 |
| CITIZENS FOR PENNSYLVANIA'S FUTURE Harrisburg, PA | CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE | $196,858 |
| THE CENTER FOR AQUATIC SCIENCES Camden, NJ | CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE | $178,869 |
| UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND College Park, MD | CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE | $174,533 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President and CEO: Collin O'Mara
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Robbins | Chair | 3 | — |
| William Houston | Past Chair | 3 | — |
| Frederick Kowal | Dir to Chair Elect - as of 6/24 | 3 | — |
| Rebecca Pritchett | Eastern Vice Chair | 3 | — |
| Mary Van Kerrebrook | Central Vice Chair - Until 6/24 | 3 | — |
| Allyn Dukes Director to | Central Vice Chair - as of 6/24 | 3 | — |
| Brad Powell | Western Vice Chair | 3 | — |
| Mark Berry | Director | 3 | — |
| Arthur Blazer | Director - Until 11/23 | 3 | — |
| Carol Buie-Jackson | Director | 3 | — |
| Priscilla De La Cruz | Director | 3 | — |
| Jomar Floyd | Director | 3 | — |
| Scott Gilmore | Director | 3 | — |
| John Goss | Director | 3 | — |
| Randy Jones | Director | 3 | — |
| Brianna Jones Rich | Director | 3 | — |
| Koalani Kaulukukui-Barbee | Director | 3 | — |
| Jay Lanier | Director | 3 | — |
| Dawn Levey | Director | 3 | — |
| Catherine Novelli | Director | 3 | — |
| Miguel Ordenana | Director | 3 | — |
| Dr Mamie Parker | Director | 3 | — |
| Stevie Parsons | Director | 3 | — |
| Sara Parker Pauley | Director | 3 | — |
| Sally Ranney | Director | 3 | — |
| Bob Rees | Director | 3 | — |
| Lyndzee Rhine | Director - Until 3/24 | 3 | — |
| Emily Schrader | Director | 3 | — |
| Rob Speidel | Director | 3 | — |
| Rachel Sprague | Director | 3 | — |
| Elizabeth Swisher | Director | 3 | — |
| Gloria Tom | Director | 3 | — |
| Jeremy Vesbach | Director | 3 | — |
| Beth Viola | Director | 3 | — |
| Collin O' Mara | President & CEO | 40 | $631,346 |
| Ismael Savadogo | Treasurer & CFO | 40 | $256,951 |
| Benjamin P Kota | Secretary & COO | 40 | $303,538 |
| Thomas E Cluderay | Asst Secretary & General Counsel | 40 | $176,542 |
| Tamara Johnson | Asst Treasurer & Controller | 40 | $148,006 |
| Mustafa S Ali | Executive VP Conservation | 40 | $281,561 |
| Thomas H Sellers | Chief Development Officer | 40 | $279,962 |
| Sarah Laskin | VP Conservation Programs | 40 | $185,371 |
| Elizabeth M Breaux | Senior VP for Philanthropy | 40 | $183,961 |
| Kimberly D Martinez | VP National Education & En | 40 | $181,941 |
| Abigail Tinsley | VP Conservation Policy | 40 | $179,895 |
| Richard J Brown | AVP Publishing Operations | 40 | $159,142 |
| Sandra Miao | AVP Membership Programs | 40 | $153,673 |
| Caroline V Itoh | SRVP Operations & Technolo | 40 | $225,719 |
| Chante F Coleman | VP Equity & Justice | 40 | $221,032 |
| Robin Martin | SRVP of People | 40 | $216,910 |
| Heather Davis-Miller | VP Strategic Partnerships | 40 | $188,015 |
| Adrienne Hollis | VP Environmental Justice | 40 | $180,653 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The organization has been active in grant distribution and conservation partnerships:
NFWF Announces $8.7 Million in Grants from Conservation Partners ProgramAnnounced $3 million in grants through the Southeast Aquatics Fund
NFWF Announces $3 Million in Grants through the SoutheastDistributed $8.7 million through the Conservation Partners Program
NFWF Announces $3 Million in Grants through the SoutheastAwarded grants to campus-based programs for endangered wildlife protection
Allegheny College Awarded $8500 Grant from National Wildlife ...Announced $401,800 in grants to combat white-nose syndrome in bats
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Announces $401,800 in New Grants toAwarded $8,500 grant to Allegheny College in partnership with Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom
Allegheny College Awarded $8500 Grant from National Wildlife ...Contact Information
Headquarters: National Wildlife Federation 11100 Wildlife Center Drive Reston, VA 20190
Customer Service:
- Phone: 1-800-822-9919
- Email: info@nwf.org
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST
Legacy Gifts/Planned Giving:
- Phone: 1-800-332-4949
- Email: NWFlegacy@nwf.org
Tax Information:
- EIN: 53-0204616
- Tax-exempt since June 1943
- State of Incorporation: Vermont
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does National Wildlife Federation fund?
**Mission:** Unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in a rapidly changing world. The organization's strategic plan, known as the Common Agenda for Wildlife, aims to increase America's fish and wildlife populations and enhance their capability to thrive in a rapidly changing world. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Wildlife conservation and recovery of at-risk species • Habitat protection and restoration • Addressing environmental challenges including habitat degradation, fragmentation, invasive…
How do I apply for a grant from National Wildlife Federation?
The National Wildlife Federation administers grants through various programs: • **Southeast Aquatics Fund:** Announced $3 million in grants through the Southeast • **Conservation Partners Program:** Announced $8.7 million in grants • **Wild Kingdom Grant Program:** Awards grants to protect endangered wildlife, including campus-based initiatives • **White-Nose Syndrome Grants:** Announced $401,800 in new grants to combat white-nose syndrome in bats Recent grant recipients have included Allegheny…
Where does National Wildlife Federation make grants?
The organization operates across seven regions throughout the United States, collaborating with 52 state and territory affiliates to conduct local and state-level conservation efforts. This network enables the organization to work on both national and regional conservation priorities.
What size grants does National Wildlife Federation award?
In 2024, National Wildlife Federation awarded 150 grants totaling $19.6M — an average of about $131K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is National Wildlife Federation's EIN?
National Wildlife Federation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 53-0204616. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Browse active grant opportunities in National Wildlife Federation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.