Indiana Wildlife Federation

What it reported doing in 2024

Education and advocacy for wildlife and wildlife habitat: Protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat through education and advocacy, forums on current top priorities and threats to natural resource, and habitat certification and workshops for private landowners, college and university campuses, businesses and other organizations. The Certified Wildlife-Friendly Habitat program, formerly referred to as the Certified Backyard Habitat program, is done in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation. This program educates and encourages individuals, businesses or schools to support the four needs of wildlife by utilizing native plants to provide food, as well as providing water, cover and nesting space. Across the state of Indiana, we had over 1,000 Habitat Certifications in 2024 and IWF delivered virtual and in person Wildlife Habitat Workshops totaling over 1,300 participants. IWF staff was interviewed by local television stations, radio stations and numerous newspapers about the importance of creating wildlife habitat throughout private residences in the Hoosier state.Ohio River Restoration - The Indiana Wildlife Federation worked closely with state and national partners to advance the goal of dedicated Federal funds for the Ohio River Basin. With over 80% of our state falling within the Ohio River basin, such funding is vital to restore wildlife habitat and clean water. IWF has worked closely with Federal officials and local organizations to craft a restoration plan for the basin that has been released. IWF worked to raise up Congresswoman Houchin (IN-9) as co-chair of the Ohio River caucus to add more focus on Indiana and our unique role as a mainstem state. IWF will build on this progress in 2025 and looks forward to the introduction of authorizing legislation in 2025.Certified Sustainable Trails Program - The Certified Sustainable Trails program was designed to encourage the development of trails into thriving habitat corridors that are easier to manage, offer a greater benefit to trail users, and promote the conservation of local ecosystems through enriching human interaction with the environment. By partnering with the Indiana Wildlife Federation (IWF) through this program, participants will receive guidance, feedback, and access to resources which will help them build and maintain wildlife-friendly trails. In 2024, we certified one new trail, at Conner Prairie, which continuing work on two more trails. Additionally, IWF helped coordinate volunteer stewardship and educational programming at five trails that have certified in past years to help maintain the highest level for habitat. IWF continued work on their most ambitious trail to date at Central Indiana Land Trust's (CILTI) Betley's Woods at Glacier's End in Johnson County. We expect this trail to be one of the most sought after trails in the state when completed in late 2025.Connecting young people with nature through educational programs, scholarships, and experiences continued to be a top priority. IWF serves on the steering committee of the Indiana Conservation Alliance (INCA), a statewide network of over 25 conservation organizations providing a unified voice for the funding of the protection, stewardship, and sustainable use of natural resources to enhance quality of life. Additionally, IWF serves on steering committees of the Southern Sentinel Landscapes and White River Alliance Water Summit, magnifying the work we do throughout the state and region.IWF continues to act as convenor of consumptive and non-comsumptive conservation groups. In partnership with Ducks Unlimited, BHA of Indiana and the Sportsman's Roundtable, IWF has been able to help reinvigorate this united advocacy front to help push for increased public lands and access throughout the state. Lastly, the Indiana Wildlife Federation has begun to work closely with the agricultural community to help educate producers about techniques that will increase water quality, enhance yields and benefit wild

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 100%; rating input score 100
• Program expense ratio: 86.8%; rating input score 87
• Fundraising efficiency: $14.89 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 50; 50th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 90.9%; rating input score 91; 13th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 6 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 75
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -20.8%; rating input score 14; 14th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.62; rating input score 29; 29th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.06; rating input score 31; 31st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 21.1%; rating input score 18; 18th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 10.7% per year; rating input score 100; 71st percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 8.1% per year; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 2.8% per year; rating input score 100; 37th percentile among comparable filings