Whitetails Unlimited Inc
Whitetails Unlimited Inc is a national nonprofit conservation organization based in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Founded in 1982, it raises funds for educational programs, wildlife habitat enhancement and acquisition, and preservation of the hunting tradition and shooting sports for future generations.
Whitetails Unlimited Inc at a glance
In short: Whitetails Unlimited Inc gave $1.6M across 133 grants in 2025 (avg $12K), top state Ohio. 38% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,560,205
- -1.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 133
- -1.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $11,731
- +0.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $9,135
- Total assets
- $22,300,626
- +10.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 38% first-time grantees (51 of 133, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (13% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Whitetails Unlimited Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
Submit a completed online Whitetails Unlimited Grant Application with the required supporting documentation. The organization accepts unsolicited requests.
- Review Cycle
- The application page lists deadlines on the first and fifteenth of each month. Applicants are notified two weeks after the committee meeting; denied applicants receive a rejection letter.
- Deadline
- The application page lists deadlines on the first and fifteenth of each month.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 720, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235-0720
Phone: (920) 743-6777
Website: https://whitetailsunlimited.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Whitetails Unlimited Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Catch-a-Dream Foundation ($65K). Together the top 10 received $342K.
Grant Size Distribution
566 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 559 grants of 566 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In filing year 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were Ohio and Michigan at 13% each, followed by Iowa and Mississippi at 11% each, and Wisconsin at 8%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 133 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Whitetails Unlimited Inc open to new grantees?
38%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 51 of 133 grantees (38%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $9K; repeat grants $13K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $10K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $535K (2021) to $1.7M (2023). In 2025 it made 133 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Catch-a-Dream Foundation Starkville, MS | Program | $64,801 |
| Dtd Outdoors Aberdeen, MS | Program | $49,477 |
| Champaign County Outdoor Heritage Chapter Inc West Liberty, OH | Program | $35,913 |
| Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry Williamsport, MD | Program | $35,074 |
| Monroe City Friends of the Outdoors Monroe City, MO | Program | $32,193 |
| Odnr - Division of Wildlife Columbus, OH | Program | $25,909 |
| Washington County WI Chapter West Bend, WI | Program | $25,581 |
| Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation Washington, DC | Program | $25,000 |
| Prairie Creek Sports Club Van Horne, IA | Program | $24,394 |
| Quest Ministries Big Rapids, MI | Program | $23,676 |
Ready to take the next step with Whitetails Unlimited Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The filing type is Form 990 (a public charity).
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $22,300,626 | $14,337,122 | $12,750,188 | $1,560,205 | 133 | $636,812 |
| 2024 | $20,275,515 | $13,166,135 | $11,735,693 | $1,577,822 | 135 | $3,776 |
| 2023 | $18,160,533 | $12,852,789 | $11,482,822 | $1,746,488 | 145 | $48,665 |
| 2022 | $16,953,430 | $13,310,234 | $10,198,844 | $1,138,355 | 104 | $269,067 |
| 2021 | $13,644,275 | $8,358,134 | $6,328,477 | $534,592 | 49 | $32,483 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Whitetails Unlimited’s mission is to raise funds in support of educational programs, wildlife habitat enhancement and acquisition, and preservation of the hunting tradition and shooting sports for future generations. Its stated initiatives include introducing youth and families to conservation and outdoor activities, supporting hunter recruitment and education, supporting public archery and firearm ranges, and partnering with agencies on habitat and public hunting access.
Past grant recipients include youth shooting-sports programs, government natural-resource and wildlife agencies, universities, and hunter-education programs. Among 2025 grantees, Catch-A-Dream Foundation describes its mission as providing once-in-a-lifetime outdoor experiences to children with life-threatening illnesses. Quest Ministries says it provides youth and veterans opportunities to experience hunting and fishing.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Whitetails Unlimited reported 133 grants totaling $1,560,205. Grant amounts ranged from $5,012 to $64,801, with a median of $9,135. Notable awards included $64,801 to Catch-A-Dream Foundation, $49,477 to DTD Outdoors, $35,913 to Champaign County Outdoor Heritage Chapter Inc, and $35,074 to Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry. The listed purposes were “PROGRAM.”
The organization says grant requests are reviewed individually and decisions are made by committee. It accepts unsolicited requests. Applicants must submit an online application and supporting documentation, including an IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter, a W-9 when applicable, and other relevant materials such as receipts, invoices, or photos. Grants must be used for the project submitted for review, and unused funds must be returned. The stated exclusions include individuals other than scholarship applicants, private businesses, deficit funding, commercial ventures, and projects not typically open to the general public. Requests should support the organization’s mission, be creative, innovative, and cost-justified, demonstrate organizational support, and include a project schedule. Grants may include Whitetails Unlimited goods when appropriate. A completed W-9 is required for grants of $5,000 or more.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Jeffrey Schinkten as president and David Hawkey as executive director. Other listed officers and directors include Peter Gerl and William Gerl Jr, board members; Cynthia Tourmo, VP Finance & Treasurer; Christopher Konop, VP—Field Operations / Secretary; Russell Austad, VP—Field Operations / Executive VP; and field directors Daniel Vogt, Dennis Malloy, and Jason Maraskine.
Whitetails Unlimited Inc is led by David Hawkey, Executive Director since 2023 (on filings since 2021); all 12 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
David Hawkey
Executive Director
Vice President - Field Operations → Executive Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
45 hrs/week
$117K (2021) → $205K (2025)
Jeffrey Schinkten
President
On filings since 2021
15 hrs/week
$23K (2021) → $61K (2025)
Daniel Vogt
Field Director
On filings since 2021
45 hrs/week
$119K (2021) → $166K (2025)
Dennis Malloy
Field Director
On filings since 2022
45 hrs/week
$120K (2022) → $136K (2025)
Joel Reynolds
Field Director
On filings since 2022
45 hrs/week
$120K (2022) → $173K (2025)
Jason Maraskine
Field Director
On filings since 2023
45 hrs/week
$128K (2023) → $127K (2025)
Darel Martin
Field Director
New on the 2025 filing
45 hrs/week
$127K (2025)
Peter Gerl
Board Member
Executive Director → Executive Vice President, 2023
Executive Vice President → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
$128K (2021) → $48K (2025)
William Gerl Jr.
Board Member
Vice President → Executive Vice President, 2022
Executive Vice President → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
$11K (2021) → $48K (2025)
Christopher Konop
Vice President - Field Operations & Secretary
Vice President - Field Operations → Vice President - Field Operations & Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2024
45 hrs/week
$113K (2025)
Cynthia Tourmo
Vice President Finance & Treasurer
On filings since 2024
45 hrs/week
$14K (2024) → $139K (2025)
Russell Austad
Vice President - Field Operations & Executive Vice President
Vice President - Field Operations → Vice President - Field Operations & Executive Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2024
45 hrs/week
$93K (2024) → $133K (2025)
Former officers (4)
- Former: Kaitlin Slaby (2021–2024) — Past Vice President Finance & Treasurer
- Former: Michael Decheck (2022–2024) — Past Vice President - Field Operations
- Former: Timothy Powers (2024) — Field Director
- Former: Jason Newton (2022–2023) — Field Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $205K, to David Hawkey (Executive Director). 12 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Whitetails Unlimited Inc
How much does Whitetails Unlimited Inc give each year?
Whitetails Unlimited Inc gave $1.6M across 133 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.6M across 135 grants.
What is Whitetails Unlimited Inc's typical grant size?
Whitetails Unlimited Inc's median grant in 2025 was $9,135, and its average grant was $11,731, across 133 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Whitetails Unlimited Inc that year got $9K on average.
Where does Whitetails Unlimited Inc give grants?
Whitetails Unlimited Inc's top state is Ohio, with 13% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Michigan (13%) and Iowa (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Fort Wayne, IN (2 grants).
Does Whitetails Unlimited Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 133 grants with a stated purpose on Whitetails Unlimited Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program" (133 grants).
Who are Whitetails Unlimited Inc's largest grantees?
Whitetails Unlimited Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Catch-a-Dream Foundation ($64,801), Dtd Outdoors ($49,477) and Champaign County Outdoor Heritage Chapter Inc ($35,913), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 10% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Whitetails Unlimited Inc?
Whitetails Unlimited Inc reported $22.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $14.3M.
What does Whitetails Unlimited Inc fund?
Whitetails Unlimited’s mission is to raise funds in support of educational programs, wildlife habitat enhancement and acquisition, and preservation of the hunting tradition and shooting sports for future generations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Whitetails Unlimited Inc?
Submit a completed online Whitetails Unlimited Grant Application with the required supporting documentation. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Whitetails Unlimited Inc's EIN?
Whitetails Unlimited Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1415070. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does Whitetails Unlimited Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS October 28, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Live grants for the work Whitetails Unlimited Inc funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Whitetails Unlimited Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Whitetails Unlimited Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/whitetails-unlimited-inc-morg_b9b90e45b7c44263a400162402b85bff
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_391415070_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Whitetails Unlimited Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/whitetails-unlimited-inc-morg_b9b90e45b7c44263a400162402b85bff},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Whitetails Unlimited 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.
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