The Ricketts Conservation Foundation
The Ricketts Conservation Foundation is a private foundation, based in Littleton, CO. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $4.7M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $216K.
The Ricketts Conservation Foundation at a glance
In short: The Ricketts Conservation Foundation gave $216K across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $43K), mostly in Wyoming. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $215,828
- -62.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 5
- -16.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $43,166
- -55.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $45,469
- Total assets
- $4,703,021
- +59.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Wyoming (53% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
Who The Ricketts Conservation Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was University of Montana ($56K). Together the top 5 received $216K.
Grant Size Distribution
25 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 15 grants of 25 (60%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Ricketts Conservation Foundation gives
- Giving fell 54% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $216K (2024) to $739K (2020). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $216K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Montana Denver, CO | Fund research regardingnongame mammel and birdspecies. | $55,693 |
| Friends of the Bridger-Teton Jackson, WY | Promote the preservationand conservation of BTNF.Promote the preservation | $48,000 |
| University of Colorado - Denver Aurora, CO | Continue funding and researchrelated Yellowstone Ecosystem. | $45,469 |
| Wyoming Wetlands Society Jackson, WY | Preserve and protectWY wetlands; in particulartrumper swan habitat. | $41,666 |
| Sublette County Conservation District Pinedale, WY | Sponsor and supportinvisible fence program. | $25,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4,703,021 | $2,585,000 | $838,942 | $215,828 | 5 | $2,805,742 | — | $69,357 |
| 2023 | $2,956,963 | $3,100,739 | $946,379 | $576,141 | 6 | $922,457 | $739 | $25,254 |
| 2022 | $802,603 | $1,438,045 | $654,477 | $275,000 | 3 | $646,974 | — | $4,166 |
| 2021 | $25,719 | $4,429,368 | $797,478 | $468,983 | 5 | $780,862 | — | $3,456 |
| 2020 | $67,959 | $1,430,225 | $1,080,496 | $739,166 | 6 | — | — | $1,661 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Ricketts Conservation Foundation reported a distributable amount of $69K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Ricketts Conservation Foundation is led by J Joe Ricketts, President, Secretary & Treasurer on every filing since 2022; 1 of 3 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
J Joe Ricketts
President, Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Walter G Wehtje
Director of Conservation
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$59K (2020) → $76K (2024)
Alfred Levitt
Secretary & General Counsel
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: John J Ricketts (2020–2021) — President, Secretary & Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $76K, to Walter G Wehtje (Director of Conservation).
Frequently asked questions about The Ricketts Conservation Foundation
How much does The Ricketts Conservation Foundation give each year?
The Ricketts Conservation Foundation gave $216K across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $576K across 6 grants.
What is The Ricketts Conservation Foundation's typical grant size?
The Ricketts Conservation Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $45,469, and its average grant was $43,166, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Ricketts Conservation Foundation give grants?
The Ricketts Conservation Foundation gives mostly in Wyoming: 53% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Colorado (47%). The most frequent recipient cities were Jackson, WY (2 grants).
Does The Ricketts Conservation Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on The Ricketts Conservation Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Ricketts Conservation Foundation's largest grantees?
The Ricketts Conservation Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include University of Montana ($55,693), Friends of the Bridger-Teton ($48,000) and University of Colorado - Denver ($45,469), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 69% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Ricketts Conservation Foundation?
The Ricketts Conservation Foundation reported $4.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $69K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Ricketts Conservation Foundation's EIN?
The Ricketts Conservation Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-2927195. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 25, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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