Nonprofit · EIN 93-0708637
WILDERNESS INQUIRY INC
Tax-exempt · BLOOMINGTON, MN 55420
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $9,972,306 | $8,544,905 | $1,427,401 | $16,247,643 | $3,303,155 | $12,944,488 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $12,169,743 | $7,179,935 | $4,989,808 | $15,121,276 | $3,715,574 | $11,405,702 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $6,868,887 | $5,326,346 | $1,542,541 | $7,457,937 | $1,299,979 | $6,157,958 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $8,158,742
- of which government grants
- $4,078,664
- Program service revenue
- $1,268,949
- Investment income
- $430,062
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $49,961
- Net income from fundraising events
- -$18,772
- Other revenue
- $114,553
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $605,848
- Other salaries and wages
- $3,505,573
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $4,716,911
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Accounting fees
- $57,586
- Occupancy
- $536,615
- Travel
- $1,073,341
- Depreciation
- $272,336
- Program services (functional)
- $7,151,611
- Management and general (functional)
- $1,133,209
- Fundraising (functional)
- $260,085
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $15,121,276
- Total assets, end of year
- $16,247,643
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $3,303,155
- Net assets, end of year
- $12,944,488
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $6,448,105
- Publicly traded securities
- $6,633,487
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $7,808,400
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $5,136,088
- Gross receipts
- $11,069,277
- Employees
- 213
- Volunteers
- 366
- Year formed
- 1978
- State of legal domicile
- MN
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ERIKA RIVERS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $194,274 | $13,074 |
| NELL HOLDEN | BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DI Officer | 40 | $120,217 | $16,633 |
| WILLY TULLY | EXTERNAL RELATIONS DIRECTO Officer | 40 | $118,427 | $16,942 |
| MARGARET KRUEGER | PROGRAM & ADVENTURES Officer | 40 | $107,771 | $18,510 |
| CRAIG PETERSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JAIME STILSON | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN GRADY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| LAURA FORERO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| LOUIS LAMBERT | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MIKISHA NATION | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CECILE BEDOR | IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| KELLY DRUMMER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MARY HANLEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL KASBOHM | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BILL MCLAUGHLIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
8 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAT EVALAND | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| KERRY BUNDY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| RACHEL HAMLIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| ROB WUDLICK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| ALISON SPENCER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| BETH FINCH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| JOHN BUTLER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| JOHN HINCK | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 21 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ERIKA RIVERS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $185,149 | $26,294 |
| LISA EDSTROM | SALES & DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $120,969 | $16,249 |
| NELL HOLDEN | BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DI Officer | 40 | $112,965 | $15,475 |
| WILLY TULLY | EXTERNAL RELATIONS DIRECTO Officer | 40 | $110,731 | $15,610 |
| MARGARET KRUEGER | PROGRAM & ADVENTURES Officer | 40 | $107,017 | $17,637 |
| BETH FINCH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CRAIG PETERSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DOTUN OBADINA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ED SPENCER | PAST CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JAIME STILSON | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN BUTLER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN GRADY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| LAURA FORERO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| LOUIS LAMBERT | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MIKISHA NATION | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CECILE BEDOR | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN HINCK | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| KELLY DRUMMER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MARY HANLEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL KASBOHM | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BILL MCLAUGHLIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 21 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ERIKA RIVERS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $179,375 | $24,350 |
| NELL HOLDEN | BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $109,575 | $5,766 |
| WILLY TULLY | EXTERNAL RELATIONS DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $106,414 | $8,513 |
| BETH FINCH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BILL SCHMOKER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CRAIG PETERSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DAN MORENO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DOTUN OBADINA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ED SPENCER | PAST CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JAIME STILSON | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN BUTLER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN GRADY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| KATE HARTFIEL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| LAURA FORERO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| LOUIS LAMBERT | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MIKISHA NATION | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL FISCHER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CECILE BEDOR | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN HINCK | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| KELLY DRUMMER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MARY HANLEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 930 E 80TH ST, BLOOMINGTON, MN 55420-1322
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- ERIKA RIVERS, 930 E 80TH ST, BLOOMINGTON, MN 55420
- Signed the 990
- ERIKA RIVERS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Phone
- (612) 676-9400
- Website
- WWW.WILDERNESSINQUIRY.ORG
- Return prepared by
- CARPENTER EVERT & ASSOCIATES LTD
Mission
WILDERNESS INQUIRY'S MISSION IS TO CONNECT PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, BACKGROUNDS, IDENTITIES, AND ABILITIES THROUGH SHARED OUTDOOR ADVENTURES SO THAT ALL PEOPLE CAN EQUITABLY EXPERIENCE THE BENEFITS OF TIME SPENT IN NATURE.
Program accomplishments
- DAY & MULTI-DAY PROGRAMS: WILDERNESS INQUIRY DAY PROGRAMS PROVIDES INTRODUCTORY HANDS-ON LEARNING AND OUTDOOR RECREATION IN MORE THAN 80 COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT MINNESOTA AND NATIONALLY. DAY PROGRAMS SERVE THE MAJORITY OF WILDERNESS INQUIRY'S PARTICIPANTS THROUGH PROGRAMS INCLUDING CANOEMOBILE, OUTDOOR ACTIVITY DAYS, OUTDOOR CREDIT RECOVERY, AND VIRTUAL EXPLORERS. THESE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED OUTDOOR PROGRAMS CONNECT YOUTH, ADULTS, AND FAMILIES TO THEIR LOCAL PUBLIC LANDS AND WATERWAYS, DEVELOP OUR NEXT GENERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS, AND ADDRESS THE OPPORTUNITY GAP. WILDERNESS INQUIRY CONTINUES TO OFFER VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING IN ADDITION TO IN-PERSON OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES. IN 2025, 35,939 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN DAY & MULTI-DAY PROGRAMS (1,096 VIRTUALLY).NUMBER OF PEOPLE SERVED: 35,939NUMBER OF SERVICE DAYS: 17,082NUMBER OF EVENTS: 400" "DAY PROGRAMS PROVIDES INTRODUCTORY HANDS-ON LEARNING AND OUTDOOR RECREATION IN MORE THAN 80 COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT MINNESOTA AND NATIONALLY. DAY PROGRAMS SERVE THE MAJORITY OF WILDERNESS INQUIRY'S PARTICIPANTS THROUGH PROGRAMS INCLUDING CANOEMOBILE, OUTDOOR ACTIVITY DAYS, OUTDOOR CREDIT RECOVERY, AND VIRTUAL EXPLORERS. THESE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED OUTDOOR PROGRAMS CONNECT YOUTH, ADULTS, AND FAMILIES TO THEIR LOCAL PUBLIC LANDS AND WATERWAYS, DEVELOP OUR NEXT GENERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS, AND ADDRESS THE OPPORTUNITY GAP. WILDERNESS INQUIRY CONTINUES TO OFFER VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING IN ADDITION TO IN-PERSON OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES. IN 2025, 35,939 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN DAY & MULTI-DAY PROGRAMS (1,096 VIRTUALLY).NUMBER OF PEOPLE SERVED: 35,939NUMBER OF SERVICE DAYS: 17,082NUMBER OF EVENTS: 400"Expenses $4,103,158
- NEAR NATURE & EXTENDED OVERNIGHT ADVENTURES: OVERNIGHT ADVENTURES BRING PARTICIPANTS TO DESTINATIONS NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY AND ARE DESIGNED TO WELCOME INDIVIDUALS REGARDLESS OF AGE, BACKGROUND, IDENTITY, OR ABILITY. INCLUSION IS AT THE HEART OF THESE PROGRAMS, WHICH STRIVE TO CREATE AUTHENTIC AND POSITIVE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS. ADVENTURES ARE 2-15 NIGHTS AND INCLUDE ACTIVITIES SUCH AS KAYAKING, CANOEING, HIKING, AND WINTER ADVENTURING. IN 2025, WILDERNESS INQUIRY GUIDED 141 TRIPS TO MORE THAN 20 UNIQUE DESTINATIONS, INCLUDING APOSTLE ISLANDS NATIONAL LAKESHORE, BOUNDARY WATERS CANOE AREA, COSTA RICA, FLORIDA EVERGLADES, GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, ISLE ROYALE, KENYA, AND YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. NEW ITINERARIES IN 2025 INCLUDED BLACK HILLS, MOROCCO, AND ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK. 1,970 PEOPLE TRAVELED WITH WILDERNESS INQUIRY ON OVERNIGHT ADVENTURES IN 2025. NUMBER OF PEOPLE SERVED: 1,970NUMBER OF SERVICE DAYS: 8,248NUMBER OF EVENTS: 141"Expenses $2,616,491
- TRAINING, LEADERSHIP & CAREER PATHWAYS: WILDERNESS INQUIRY OFFERS MANY PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON TRAINING, LEADERSHIP, AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT. IN 2025, PROGRAMS INCLUDED A FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES PAID, ACCESSIBLE, PROFESSIONAL SKILL-BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN BUILDING CAREERS IN THE OUTDOOR AND NONPROFIT JOB SECTORS, AS WELL AS AN AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE FELLOWSHIP, OTHER PARTNERED INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, AND MANY OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP TRAININGS. IN TOTAL, WILDERNESS INQUIRY WORKED WITH 403 PEOPLE THROUGH TRAINING, LEADERSHIP, AND CAREER PROGRAMS. NUMBER OF PEOPLE SERVED: 403NUMBER OF SERVICE DAYS: 263NUMBER OF EVENTS: 17"Expenses $431,962
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
- 93-0708637
- 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
- 1980
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Environment (C60Z)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $16,247,643
- Income (IRS master file)
- $11,069,277
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $9,972,306 | $8,544,905 | $16,247,643 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $12,169,743 | $7,179,935 | $15,121,276 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $6,868,887 | $5,326,346 | $7,457,937 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $4,496,254 | $4,311,222 | $5,836,742 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2019 | – | – | – | 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 93-0708637).
Questions about WILDERNESS INQUIRY INC
- What is the EIN of WILDERNESS INQUIRY INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of WILDERNESS INQUIRY INC is 93-0708637.
- Is WILDERNESS INQUIRY INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1980.
- Are donations to WILDERNESS INQUIRY INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does WILDERNESS INQUIRY INC 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 WILDERNESS INQUIRY INC 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 WILDERNESS INQUIRY INC 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 WILDERNESS INQUIRY INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names ERIKA RIVERS.
- Who are the officers and directors of WILDERNESS INQUIRY INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 23 people; 4 received compensation from the organization, the highest $194,274 (ERIKA RIVERS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
- How much revenue does WILDERNESS INQUIRY INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $9,972,306, expenses of $8,544,905 and total assets of $16,247,643 at year end.
Other nonprofits in BLOOMINGTON
- MINNESOTA VALLEY REFUGE FRIENDS EIN 20-8644416 · last filed 990 for 2025
- WILDERNESS INQUIRY FOUNDATION EIN 86-2610401 · last filed 990 for 2025
- IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE OF AMERICA INC EIN 41-6023930 · last filed 990-EZ for 2025
- FRIENDS OF THE MINNESOTA VALLEY EIN 41-1427029 · last filed 990-EZ for 2025
- BLOOMINGTON NEIGHBORS NURTURING NATURE EIN 88-1938369 · last filed 990-N for 2025
- HEALTHPARTNERS INC EIN 41-1693838 · last filed 990 for 2024
- GROUP HEALTH INC EIN 41-0797853 · last filed 990 for 2024
- REGIONS HOSPITAL EIN 41-0956618 · last filed 990 for 2024