Nonprofit · EIN 34-1904821
FRIENDS OF OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Tax-exempt · OAK HARBOR, OH 43449
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $517,139 | $486,130 | $31,009 | $1,369,154 | $39,140 | $1,330,014 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $499,410 | $450,361 | $49,049 | $1,270,975 | $37,817 | $1,233,158 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $963,206 | $593,056 | $370,150 | $1,177,468 | $53,418 | $1,124,050 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $382,731
- of which government grants
- $222,640
- Program service revenue
- $50,840
- Investment income
- $6,324
- Net income from fundraising events
- $9,542
- Net income from sales of inventory
- $67,702
- Other revenue
- $77,244
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $82,035
- Other salaries and wages
- $32,086
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $123,694
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Accounting fees
- $2,399
- Depreciation
- $211
- Program services (functional)
- $486,130
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $1,270,975
- Total assets, end of year
- $1,369,154
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $39,140
- Net assets, end of year
- $1,330,014
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $529
- Publicly traded securities
- $837,535
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $1,330,014
- Gross receipts
- $608,639
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 71
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.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIMEE ARENT | EXECUTIVE DI Trustee or director | 40 | $80,000 | $2,035 |
| TAJINDER SINGH | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PETE SCHWAGER | VICE PRESIDE Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| TARA BOSTATER | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 7 | $0 | $0 |
| RON OVERMYER | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JACOB PRICE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SARA SHERICK | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| JOEY WARNER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| JIM KRIEGER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JUSTIN WOLDT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.75 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL O'TOOLE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CAROL FINGERHUT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2.25 | $0 | $0 |
| KENDA LENTZ | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 13 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIMEE ARENT | EXECUTIVE DI Trustee or director | 40 | $73,080 |
| PETE SCHWAGER | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 |
| TAJINDER SINGH | VICE PRESIDE Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| KENDRA FOUST | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| RON OVERMYER | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| TARA BOSTATER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 5 | $0 |
| MICHAEL HOUSE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| JACOB PRICE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MARY WILLOUGHBY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 5 | $0 |
| SARA SHERICK | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOEY WARNER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JIM KRIEGER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JUSTIN WOLDT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 13 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIMEE ARENT | EXECUTIVE DI Trustee or director | 40 | $63,000 |
| KENDRA FOUST | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 |
| CAROL FINGERHUT | VICE PRESIDE Trustee or director, Officer | 4.25 | $0 |
| RON OVERMYER | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| JOEY WARNER | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| JIM KRIEGER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MARY WILLOUGHBY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| TAJINDER SINGH | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| TARA BOSTATER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 6 | $0 |
| PETE SCHWAGER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MICHAEL HOUSE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 7 | $0 |
| JACOB PRICE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| JUSTIN WOLDT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 14000 W STATE ROUTE 2, OAK HARBOR, OH 43449-9485
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- PETE SCHWAGER
- Signed the 990
- AIMEE ARENT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Phone
- (419) 898-0014
- Website
- WWW.FRIENDSOFOTTAWANWR.ORG
- Return prepared by
- DEMARCO & ASSOCIATES CPAS LLC
Mission
FRIENDS OF OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SUPPORTS THE CONSERVATION MISSION OF OHIO'S ONLY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE COMPLEX BY ACQUIRING LAND, ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY, AND ENHANCING PUBLIC ACCESS.
Program accomplishments
- PUBLIC USE PROJECTS: FONWR CREATES A VISIBLE IMPACT ON OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE BY CREATING, IMPROVING, AND MAINTAINING PUBLIC USE AREAS FOR THE REFUGE'S 400,000+ ANNUAL VISITORS. FUNDS THIS YEAR SUPPORTED ESSENTIAL OPERATIONAL COSTS TO KEEP THE VISITOR CENTER STAFFED AND WELCOMING TO VISITORS. FONWR ALSO PROVIDED FUNDING FOR TRAILS AND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE, AND MOWING CONTRACTS ON SOME SATELLITE PROPERTIES. ADDITIONALLY, FONWR MAINTAINED THREE WILDLIFE CAMERAS - ONE FOCUSED ON THE SHORELINE AT CEDAR POINT NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, AND TWO IN A BARN OWL NEST BOX TO VIRTUALLY CONNECT AUDIENCES TO THIS REMOTE REFUGE.Expenses $23,493
- YOUTH PROGRAMS: IT IS A PRIORITY OF FONWR TO CONNECT YOUTH WITH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES ON THE REFUGE. -- INTERNSHIPS: FONWR OFFERS INTERNSHIPS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS OR RECENT GRADUATES PURSUING DEGREES IN CONSERVATION FIELDS. INTERNS ASSIST WITH VISITOR SERVICES, BIOLOGY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS. THIS YEAR FONWR PROVIDED 10 INTERNSHIPS FOR A TOTAL OF 4,018 HOURS OF WORK AND FUNDED TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERNS. --CAREER PATHWAYS: TOGETHER WITH THE UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, FONWR CONTINUED A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FOR THE CAREER PATHWAYS PROGRAM TO ALLOW INTERNS OPPORTUNITY FOR ADVANCEMENT AND SELECTED TWO TECHNICIAN POSITIONS. THESE TECHNICIANS CONTRIBUTED 3,120 HOURS OF WORK FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, INTERN RECRUITMENT, AND INVASIVE SPECIES PROJECTS. --ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION: FONWR SPONSORED FIELD TRIP TRANSPORTATION GRANTS TO LOCAL SCHOOLS, BRINGING 40 STUDENTS TO THE REFUGE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS. FONWR SPONSORED THE TURKEY HUNTING WORKSHOP AND YOUTH WATERFOWL HUNTING WORKSHOP WHICH REACHED OVER 50 YOUTH CONSERVATIONISTS. ADDITIONALLY, FONWR AWARDED TWO 2,500 SCHOLARSHIPS TO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS WHO ARE PURSUING CONSERVATION CAREERS.Expenses $123,432 · revenue $34,180
- HABITAT RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT: RESTORATION AND MAINTENANCE WORK IS COMPLETED BY FONWR AS RESOURCES ALLOW TO SUSTAIN THE GLOBALLY IMPORTANT STOPOVER HABITATS AT OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. TOGETHER WITH THE PARTNERS FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE PROGRAM, FONWR CONTINUED A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT TO RESTORE WETLAND HABITAT ON PRIVATE LANDS. IN 2025, FUNDS WERE USED TO RESTORE OVER 300 ACRES OF HABITAT ACROSS 10 PRIVATE-LANDS PROJECTS IN OTTAWA, SANDUSKY, AND ERIE COUNTIES. ADDITIONALLY, FONWR FUNDED SUPPORT FOR THE KONTZ WETLAND DELINEATION AND SHEET PILE INSTALLATION, PROVIDING PERMANENT INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED TO PROTECT RESTORED WETLANDS.Expenses $137,553 · revenue $136,053
- FONWR SUPPORTS THE MISSION OF THE OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE BY HELPING TO PROTECT 11,245 ACRES FOR WILDLIFE AND FOSTERING ITS USE BY 400,000 VISITORS ANNUALLY. FONWR EXTENDS THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE BY OPERATING A NATURE STORE WITHIN THE REFUGE VISITOR CENTER. THROUGH MARKETING AND OUTREACH, FONWR SHARES INFORMATION ONLINE ABOUT THE REFUGE AND FRIENDS GROUP THROUGH EMAIL UPDATES, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND THE WWW.FRIENDSOFOTTAWANWR.ORG WEBSITE WHICH ALSO FEATURES THE ROOKERY NATURE STORE ONLINE. PRINTED QUARTERLY NEWSLETTERS AND ANNUAL REPORTS SHARE NEWS ABOUT REFUGE PROJECTS, ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AND PROGRAM UPDATES TO KEEP VISITORS CONNECTED. ACTIVITIES SUCH AS ART CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS, AND EVENTS SUCH AS LORAX DAY, CHILI COOK-OFF, MIGRATION-A-THON, HOWLOWEEN, AND THE HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE BRING NEW USER GROUPS TO THE REFUGE GROUNDS TO DIVERSIFY VISITATION AND DEEPEN COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.Expenses $201,652
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 year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 34-1904821
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2000
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Animal-related (D30)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $1,369,154
- Income (IRS master file)
- $608,639
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $517,139 | $486,130 | $1,369,154 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $499,410 | $450,361 | $1,270,975 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $963,206 | $593,056 | $1,177,468 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $537,110 | $536,679 | $740,674 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
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 34-1904821).
Questions about FRIENDS OF OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
- What is the EIN of FRIENDS OF OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of FRIENDS OF OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE is 34-1904821.
- Is FRIENDS OF OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2000.
- Are donations to FRIENDS OF OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does FRIENDS OF OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE 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 FRIENDS OF OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE 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 FRIENDS OF OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE 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 FRIENDS OF OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names PETE SCHWAGER.
- Who are the officers and directors of FRIENDS OF OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 13 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $80,000 (AIMEE ARENT, EXECUTIVE DI).
- How much revenue does FRIENDS OF OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $517,139, expenses of $486,130 and total assets of $1,369,154 at year end.
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