The Wyldlife Fund
The WYldlife Fund is a public charity based in Buffalo, Wyoming, formed in 2019. It supports projects to advance Wyoming wildlife habitat, research, and education, including habitat and migration-corridor work, wildlife-roadway projects, and conservation education.
The Wyldlife Fund at a glance
In short: The Wyldlife Fund gave $1.6M across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $142K), mostly in Wyoming. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,563,115
- +147.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- +22.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $142,101
- +102.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $57,950
- Total assets
- $5,746,418
- +82.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Wyoming (87% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to The Wyldlife Fund
- How to Apply
-
Request a microgrant application from the Fund. Applications are accepted through December 1 of the current year, subject to funds being available.
- Review Cycle
- December 1 of the current year for microgrant applications.
- Deadline
- December 1 of the current year for microgrant applications.
- Contact
Mailing address: 137 North Main St, Buffalo, WY 82834
Phone: (307) 634-2994
Website: https://thewyldlifefund.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Wyldlife Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Wyoming Department of Transportation ($920K). Together the top 10 received $1.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
38 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 17 grants of 38 (45%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Fund’s stated mission and programs center on Wyoming wildlife. In 2025, 87% of grant dollars went to recipients in Wyoming; the remaining shares went to Colorado (7%), Montana (4%), and Virginia (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Wyldlife Fund gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $52K (2020) to $1.6M (2025). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming Department of Transportation Cheyenne, WY | HWY 189 South Kemmerer Wildlife Crossing | $919,706 |
| Wyoming Game & Fish Cheyenne, WY | Inspire a kid initative, wildlife friendly fencing, research, and other misc programs. | $236,308 |
| Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust Cheyenne, WY | Pooled Migration Fund. | $74,250 |
| Jackson Hole Land & Trust Jackson, WY | Pooled Migration Fund | $65,340 |
| Western Landowners Alliance Denver, CO | Pooled Migration Fund. | $65,340 |
| Greater Yellowstone Coalition Bozeman, MT | Pooled Migration Fund | $57,950 |
| Mountain Springs LLC Monument, CO | Wildlife Friendly Fence Services | $49,600 |
| The Nature Conservancy Arlington, VA | Pooled Migration Fund. | $35,640 |
| Sagecon Land & Resource Services LLC Cody, WY | Wildlife Friendly Fence Services | $24,431 |
| Meeteetse Conservation District Meeteetse, WY | Wildlife Friendly Fence Services | $23,800 |
Ready to take the next step with The Wyldlife Fund?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5,746,418 | $5,351,996 | $2,727,609 | $1,563,115 | 11 | $151,345 |
| 2024 | $3,157,154 | $3,512,050 | $2,268,358 | $630,992 | 9 | $88,631 |
| 2023 | $1,937,587 | $1,851,457 | $1,675,089 | $728,314 | 6 | $53,784 |
| 2022 | $1,761,219 | $2,337,686 | $1,007,383 | $422,841 | 9 | $4,372 |
| 2021 | $422,576 | $755,522 | $582,910 | $200,000 | 3 | $3,128 |
| 2020 | $249,964 | $525,492 | $276,083 | $51,500 | 2 | $1,617 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Fund’s mission is “to unite people to advance Wyoming wildlife habitat, research, and education.” Its 2025 filing describes programs supporting wildlife crossings and fencing to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions; habitat enhancements such as invasive-grass treatments, streambed restoration, and wetland improvements; western conservation leadership development; and youth conservation education through Inspire a Kid initiatives.
Its 2025 grants included support for wildlife-friendly fencing, a wildlife crossing, migration-related work, research, and student enrichment. Among the grantees, Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust describes its mission as natural habitat conservation and sustainable agriculture. Jackson Hole Land Trust says it protects and stewards northwest Wyoming landscapes, including open spaces, wildlife habitat, working lands, and community spaces. Greater Yellowstone Coalition says it works to protect the lands, waters, and wildlife of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The Nature Conservancy describes its mission as conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Fund reported 11 grants totaling $1,563,115. The grants ranged from $10,750 to $919,706, with a median of $57,950. The largest awards were $919,706 to the Wyoming Department of Transportation for the Highway 189 South Kemmerer wildlife crossing and $236,308 to Wyoming Game & Fish for the Inspire a Kid initiative, wildlife-friendly fencing, research, and other programs. Other awards included $74,250 to Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust, $65,340 each to Jackson Hole Land & Trust and Western Landowners Alliance, and $57,950 to Greater Yellowstone Coalition.
The Fund also offers microgrants of up to $2,500 for one-time expenses supporting Wyoming wildlife habitat, research, or education. It welcomes applications from qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations and also accepts applications from Wyoming Game and Fish Department partners. Requests must support the Fund’s mission; emergency or immediate needs receive priority. Organizations may receive one microgrant per calendar year, and microgrants are awarded on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis while annual funds remain. Applicants must provide a project description, funding needs and budget, expected outcomes, timeline, and other partners. First-time applicants are asked to discuss proposals with the Fund before submitting.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Mark Wilson as chairman; Janet Marschner as treasurer/secretary; Pete Dube, Taylor Phillips, Greg Hill, Faith Hamlin, and John Masterson as directors; Angi Bruce as ex officio director; and Christopher McBarnes as president.
The Wyldlife Fund is led by Christopher McBarnes, President on the 2025 filing; 1 of 9 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Christopher McBarnes
President
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$144K (2025)
Mark Wilson
Chairman
Member → Chairman, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Faith Hamlin
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Greg Hill
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pete Dube
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Taylor Phillips
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Angi Bruce
Executive Officio Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Masterson
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Janet Marschner
Treasurer & Secretary
Treasurer → Treasurer & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: Chris McBarnes (2020–2024) — President
- Former: Brian Nesvik (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Ralph Brokaw (2024) — Director
- Former: Penelope Maldonado (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Brain Tyrrell (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Bruce Shackleford (2020–2022) — Vice Chairman
- Former: Mike Schmid (2020) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $144K, to Christopher McBarnes (President).
Frequently asked questions about The Wyldlife Fund
How much does The Wyldlife Fund give each year?
The Wyldlife Fund gave $1.6M across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $631K across 9 grants.
What is The Wyldlife Fund's typical grant size?
The Wyldlife Fund's median grant in 2025 was $57,950, and its average grant was $142,101, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Wyldlife Fund give grants?
The Wyldlife Fund gives mostly in Wyoming: 87% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Colorado (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Cheyenne, WY (3 grants).
Does The Wyldlife Fund give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on The Wyldlife Fund's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Pooled Migration Fund" (5 grants) and "Wildlife Friendly Fence Services" (3 grants).
Who are The Wyldlife Fund's largest grantees?
The Wyldlife Fund's largest 2025 grantees include Wyoming Department of Transportation ($919,706), Wyoming Game & Fish ($236,308) and Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust ($74,250), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 79% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Wyldlife Fund?
The Wyldlife Fund reported $5.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.4M.
What does The Wyldlife Fund fund?
The Fund’s mission is “to unite people to advance Wyoming wildlife habitat, research, and education.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Wyldlife Fund?
Request a microgrant application from the Fund. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Wyldlife Fund's EIN?
The Wyldlife Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-2290091. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 11, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Wyldlife Fund funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Wyldlife Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Wyldlife Fund funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-wyldlife-fund-morg_405d1a7ef34b44f485a965d552623f96
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_832290091_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Wyldlife Fund funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-wyldlife-fund-morg_405d1a7ef34b44f485a965d552623f96},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Wyldlife Fund'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.
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