Wilderness Society

Analysis

Wilderness Society is a registered charity in United States, based in Washington, DC. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in May 1942, 84 years ago. Its declared purposes cover environment, which this site groups under environment and conservation. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending September 2023, Wilderness Society reported income of $39.2m and spending of $47.4m, spending 121% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from September 2019 to September 2023, income grew from $35.0m to $39.2m (+12%), an average of +2.9% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to September 2022, when income rose by 49%. Over the whole period it spent 89% of the income it received.

Among 10,430 United States charities whose main cause is environment and conservation and that reported income, Wilderness Society sits at the 99th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 98th percentile, and in the 96th percentile within DC. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Sustainable Markets Foundation ($39.2m), Puerto Rico Conservation Trust ($39.6m) and Save the Redwoods League ($38.8m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending September 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 89% and program service revenue 0.5% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $2.5m (5.4% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $18.1m. It paid $243k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $111.9m against liabilities of $28.4m, net assets of $83.5m. It reported 210 employees.