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Nonprofit · EIN 23-7326585

IOWA WILD LIFE FEDERATION

Tax-exempt · DES MOINES, IA 50309

Financials

$178K$212K2023$166K$192K2024$229K$252K2025
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of IOWA WILD LIFE FEDERATION by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
December 31, 2025990$229,350$252,151-$22,801$216,656$4,070$212,586
December 31, 2024990$166,181$192,141-$25,960$235,387$0$235,387
December 31, 2023990$178,103$212,401-$34,298$261,347$0$261,347
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$229,350
of which government grants
$65,855
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$0
Other revenue
$0

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$17,500
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$85,000
Other salaries and wages
$55,385
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$153,658
Professional fundraising fees
$0
Legal fees
$5
Accounting fees
$7,095
Occupancy
$3,000
Travel
$8,947
Depreciation
$263
Program services (functional)
$90,731
Management and general (functional)
$76,664
Fundraising (functional)
$84,756

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$235,387
Total assets, end of year
$216,656
Total liabilities, end of year
$4,070
Net assets, end of year
$212,586
Land, buildings and equipment
$393
Net assets without donor restrictions
$212,586
Gross receipts
$229,350
Employees
2
Volunteers
25
Year formed
1955
State of legal domicile
IA

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
Ryan SmithExecutive Director
Officer
40$85,000$2,632
Tom CopePresident
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0$0
Sean McMahonVice President
Trustee or director, Officer
5$0$0
Cynthia Sue WilkinsonTreasurer
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0$0
Joe WilkinsonSecretary
Trustee or director, Officer
5$0$0
Ryan HeinigerDirector
Trustee or director
5$0$0
Joe HenryDirector
Trustee or director
5$0$0
Adam JankeDirector
Trustee or director
5$0$0
Susan JudkinsDirector
Trustee or director
5$0$0
Janell PittmanDirector
Trustee or director
5$0$0
Dave SchwartzDirector
Trustee or director
5$0$0
Bryan SieversDirector
Trustee or director
5$0$0
Craig ParkerDirector
Trustee or director
5$0$0
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 13 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
TOM COPEPRESIDENT
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0
SEAN McMAHONVICE PRESIDENT
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0
JOE WILKINSONSECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0
CYNTHIA SUE WILKINSONTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0
RYAN HEINIGERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
JOE HENRYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
ADAM JANKEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
SUSAN JUDKINSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
JANELL PITTMANDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
TAMMY MILDENSTEINDIRECTOR–$0
DAVE SCHWARTZDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
BRYAN SIEVERSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
CRAIG PARJERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 15 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
TOM COPEPRESIDENT
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0
SEAN McMAHONVICE PRESIDENT
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0
JOE WILKINSONSECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0
CYNTHIA SUE WILKINSONTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0
BRANDON BUTLERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
RYAN HEINIGERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
JOE HENRYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
ADAM JANKEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
SUSAN JUDKINSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
ELYSSA McFARLANDDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
JANELL PITTMANDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
TAMMY MILDENSTEINDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
DAVE SCHWARTZDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
RUDI ROESLEINDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0
BRYAN SIEVERSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
5$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
505 5TH AVE STE 444, DES MOINES, IA 50309-2321
In care of
% KEVIN THOMASSON
Mailing address (990-N for 2008)
P O Box 3332, DES MOINES IA 503163332
Principal officer (990 for 2025)
Cynthia Sue Wilkinson, 116 Lakeside Dr NE, Solon, IA 52333
Principal officer (990-N for 2008)
KEVIN THOMASSON, P O BOX 3332, DES MOINES IA 503163332
Signed the 990
Cynthia Sue Wilkinson, Treasurer
Phone
(319) 321-1344
Return prepared by
S Stutzel CPA

Mission

The Iowa Wildlife Federation strives to demonstrate through education and action, the importance of our natural resources, and the sustainable use of them in our daily lives. We are committed to protecting wildlife habitat, promoting common sense solutions to natural resource issues in Iowa.

990 for the year ended December 31, 2025

Program accomplishments

  • School of the Wild Our mission is to awaken an awareness of the wildlife and natural ecosystems in our area, develop an appreciation of the natural world, and encourage a balanced environmental ethic and caretaker attitude concerning the earth. This innovative program partners with local schools to develop curriculum that helps students incorporate academic skills into the natural world. Teachers and School of the Wild staff work together to enhance classroom lessons by providing students the opportunity to practice newly learned skills in a setting outside the classroom. This opportunity not only helps students master basic skills (math, language, social studies, science), taking lessons outside provides a unique opportunity to interact with peers, teachers, and parks. Providing a sense of community that nurtures learning, creativity, and self-esteem. Students use classroom skills to learn new concepts as well as learning about how they are a part of our environment. School of the Wild combines immersive multi-day outdoor experiences with interdisciplinary STEM learning. At School of the Wild, informal educators, such as county naturalists, partner with classroom teachers to provide small-group learning. This differs from traditional field trips where collaboration between informal and formal educators is limited. The program has significant community support evidenced by continued funding and engagement from school district partners. Since 2019, the program has expanded rapidly, more than tripling the number of young people reached across the state. This growth has created a programmatic need for research on ways to prepare educators well (and efficiently) to facilitate informal STEM learning. This need mirrors a critical gap in the literature: how to prepare educators to facilitate engaging and transformative STEM learning in natural spaces. School of the Wild's programmatic reach and the intentional partnering of informal educators with classroom teachers uniquely positions our team to inform research and practice on facilitating learning in natural spaces. Wildlife Programs Gray Fox Research The Gray Fox Project is a collaboration between the Iowa Wildlife Federation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources dedicated to researching, monitoring and conserving one of Iowa's most elusive native mammals. Once common across the state, gray fox populations have declined for more than 25 years, and today, fewer than ten confirmed sightings have been recorded statewide. As their numbers fall, we risk losing not only an iconic Iowa species, but also an important predator that helps balance healthy ecosystems. Across Iowa, native wildlife face increasing pressures, from habitat loss and fragmentation, to changing land use and expanding human activity. The gray fox is especially vulnerable due to its secretive behavior and unique woodland habitat needs. To protect them, we need sound science, field research, and community support. This project uses lightweight tracking collars and camera technology to study how gray foxes live, move, hunt, raise their young, and survive in modern Iowa landscapes. These gentle, minimally invasive techniques are providing the first clear picture of gray fox behavior in decades. Already, the results are extraordinary. One resilient female gray fox, known as GF2, successfully raised six kits on her own in Davis County after losing her mate. Thousands of den-site photos and video clips captured her determination and the everyday challenges these rare foxes face. Trumpeter Swan Restoration Trumpeter swans once thrived in Iowa, nesting in wetlands and waterways throughout the state. The population dwindled for many years due to unregulated hunting and wetland drainage, with the last nesting pair recorded in 1883. But thanks to extensive restoration efforts led by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, more than 5,000 trumpeter swans now winter in Iowa and more than 130 pairs nest across the state. The Trumpeter Swan Society recently released a Swan Activity Book so young wildlife enthusiasts can learn more about these majestic birds. The Iowa Wildlife Federation is proud to partner with Trumpeter Swan Society on the launch of this new book. The fun and educational activity book teaches children all about trumpeter swans and their wetland homes. The book is based on Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and is designed for both individual and classroom learning. While much has been done to restore the trumpeter swan population across the United States, the education and conservation efforts of future generations is key to creating opportunities for wildlife to thrive. Certified Wildlife Habitat In a few easy steps, you can make a big difference for local wildlife! Entice pollinators, like hummingbirds and butterflies, by transforming your outdoor space into a sanctuary enjoyed by humans and animals alike. It all starts with the end in mind by creating a plan for the space that you will transform. Through the Certified Wildlife Habitat(R) program, you can work with the National Wildlife Federation and Iowa Wildlife Federation to turn yards, neighborhoods, schoolyards, work landscapes, places of worship, and roadside green spaces into havens for Iowa's wildlife.
    Expenses $90,731 · grants $17,500 · revenue $65,855

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

Tax yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025December 31, 2025May 15, 2026990 on file
2024December 31, 2024May 15, 2025990 on file
2023December 31, 2023May 15, 2024990 on file

IRS record

EIN
23-7326585
Tax-exempt status
501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
Foundation status
Publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))
Donations deductible (Pub 78)
Public charity, 50% deduction limit
Exempt since
1973
Accounting year ends
December
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Assets (IRS master file)
$216,656
Income (IRS master file)
$229,350

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990December 2025$229,350$252,151$216,656XML
990December 2024$166,181$192,141$235,387IRS
990December 2023$178,103$212,401$261,347XML
990December 2022$299,356$208,755$295,646IRS
990-EZDecember 2021–––IRS
990-N for 2008
Officer: KEVIN THOMASSON
August 31, 2009≤ $50,000 receipts––e-Postcard

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 23-7326585).

Questions about IOWA WILD LIFE FEDERATION

What is the EIN of IOWA WILD LIFE FEDERATION?
The employer identification number (EIN) of IOWA WILD LIFE FEDERATION is 23-7326585.
Is IOWA WILD LIFE FEDERATION tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1973.
Are donations to IOWA WILD LIFE FEDERATION tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does IOWA WILD LIFE FEDERATION file?
Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
When is the next return of IOWA WILD LIFE FEDERATION due?
The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did IOWA WILD LIFE FEDERATION last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
Who is the principal officer of IOWA WILD LIFE FEDERATION?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names Cynthia Sue Wilkinson.
Who are the officers and directors of IOWA WILD LIFE FEDERATION?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 13 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $85,000 (Ryan Smith, Executive Director).
How much revenue does IOWA WILD LIFE FEDERATION have?
On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $229,350, expenses of $252,151 and total assets of $216,656 at year end.

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