Ducks Unlimited Inc
83% goes to programs $11 to raise $100 Strong reserves Growing revenue
Ducks Unlimited Inc is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Memphis, Tennessee, registered in 1956, with $443,553,486 in FY2023 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 83% of spending to programs.
1 Waterfowl Way, Memphis, TN, 38120 EIN 13-5643799 Since 1956
Revenue (FY2023)
$443.6M
▲ 46.8% vs prior year
Environment median: $250K
Expenses (FY2023)
$318.2M
Net assets
$377.8M
Employees
889
CharityIndex rating
One independent A+ to F grade from four published criteria, each scored separately from IRS filings and combined by weight.
A
AProgram efficiency40% of the rating83% to programs · $11 to raise $100
Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. For Ducks Unlimited Inc: 83% to programs · $11 to raise $100 earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
AFinancial health25% of the rating14 mo reserves · +28% margin
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For Ducks Unlimited Inc: 14 mo reserves · +28% margin earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Governance25% of the rating6 of 6 checks met
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. For Ducks Unlimited Inc: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Transparency10% of the rating5 of 5 disclosure signals
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For Ducks Unlimited Inc: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Mission
Ducks unlimited, inc. conserves, restores, and manages wetlands and associated habitats for north america's waterfowl. these habitats also benefit other wildlife and people.
What they do
Educating the public about wetlands and waterfowl management is a critical component of sustaining the life cycle needs of migratory waterfowl. activities include wetlands demonstrations, educational literature, interpretive center, youth programs, and outdoor conservation exhibits.
Ducks unlimited provides member services to approximately 678,000 total members (including greenwings) through educational membership materials, ducks unlimited magazine, conservation brochures, and educational components of fundraising events.
Ducks unlimited maintains a public policy presence in washington, dc because of the critical importance of public policy to maintaining wetlands and ecosystems that support migratory waterfowl.
Contact & location
- Address
- 1 Waterfowl Way, Memphis, TN, 38120
- City
- Memphis
- State
- Tennessee
- Category
- Environment
- Subcategory
- Natural Resources Conservation
- Phone
- …
- Website
- …
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $178.4M (FY2013) to $443.6M (FY2023) across 11 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2023)
Liabilities $81.8MNet assets $377.8M
Operating margin
28.3%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$459.6M
Total liabilities
$81.8M
Net assets
$377.8M
Salaries & benefits
$98.1M
31% of expenses
Board members
68
67 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $443,553,486▲46.8% | $318,202,052▲9.3% | $377,793,075▲43.2% | $459,569,035▲34.2% | 990 |
| 2022 | $302,178,704▼11.0% | $291,198,785▲13.5% | $263,763,691▲9.3% | $342,577,877▲8.6% | 990 |
| 2021 | $339,454,630▲57.6% | $256,536,537▲16.4% | $241,323,534▲42.1% | $315,330,252▲33.2% | 990 |
| 2020 | $215,328,335▲16.2% | $220,439,350▲5.2% | $169,823,137▲11.8% | $236,671,285▲7.2% | 990 |
| 2019 | $185,369,449▼8.0% | $209,625,908▲9.1% | $151,878,891▼16.3% | $220,765,259▼3.4% | 990 |
| 2018 | $201,529,617▲4.5% | $192,199,482▲5.3% | $181,554,092▲5.5% | $228,524,332▲7.6% | 990 |
| 2017 | $192,778,583▲1.0% | $182,595,609▲4.9% | $172,054,684▲4.3% | $212,334,459▲6.9% | 990 |
| 2016 | $190,924,990▼5.7% | $173,999,727▼1.5% | $164,939,619▲20.1% | $198,674,304▲13.0% | 990 |
| 2015 | $202,398,122▼3.4% | $176,615,959▼5.2% | $137,287,990▲14.5% | $175,823,915▲16.7% | 990 |
| 2014 | $209,619,176▲17.5% | $186,270,439▲7.9% | $119,935,935▲18.6% | $150,725,988▲15.5% | 990 |
| 2013 | $178,406,052 | $172,672,379▲12.2% | $101,120,378▲15.6% | $130,527,430▲13.5% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $153,845,715▲4.4% | $87,454,652▲63.5% | $115,039,596▲20.1% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $147,375,977 | $53,499,721▼12.3% | $95,777,279▲5.0% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $147,371,570▲7.3% | $61,003,794▲24.2% | $91,182,307▲3.9% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $137,384,452 | $49,111,543 | $87,771,099 | 990 |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
Leadership & compensation (FY2023)
Highest-paid: Adam Putnam — $565,644 (0.18% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adam Putnam | Chief Executive Officer | 40 | $565,644 |
| E Nichols Wiley | Chief Operating Officer | 40 | $493,184 |
| Karen Waldrop | Chief Conservation Officer | 40 | $358,440 |
| Daniel Thiel | Executive Secretary, Dui and Wat | 20 | $354,511 |
| Richard B Smith | Chief Development Officer | 40 | $349,142 |
| David Schuessler | Chief Event Fundraising Officer | 40 | $344,523 |
| Darin Blunck | Chief Financial Officer & Asst. Treasurer | 40 | $331,708 |
| Doug Barnes | Chief Brand Officer | 40 | $305,068 |
| Arnie Matson | Chief Information Officer | 40 | $302,276 |
| Zachary Hartman | Chief Policy Officer | 40 | $298,529 |
| David Marrone | General Counsel & Asst. Secretary | 40 | $290,073 |
| Cici Ebersole | Chief Talent Officer | 40 | $286,251 |
| Frederic A Reid | Director, Conservation Programs III | 40 | $269,441 |
| Tim Fehringer | National Director Event Fundraising | 40 | $267,982 |
| Beto Elizondo | Emeritius Board Chairman | 5 | — |
| Bob Spoerl | First Vice President | 10 | — |
| Brian Garrels | Regional Vice President, Region 5 | 5 | — |
| Christine Thomas | Senior Vice President, Conservation Programs | 5 | — |
| Chuck Smith | President | 10 | — |
| Clay Rogers | Senior Vice President, Region 2 | 5 | — |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2023)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Luhr Crosby LLC | Habitat Restoration | $5,560,049 |
| Carter's Contracting Services Inc | Habitat Restoration | $5,405,412 |
| Gateway Pacific Contractors Inc | Habitat Restoration | $3,715,809 |
| Onshore Materials LLC | Habitat Restoration | $3,664,166 |
| Rigid Constructors LLC | Habitat Restoration | $3,557,591 |
Grants received · $670.7M total
480 grants to Ducks Unlimited Inc totaling $670.7M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon Valley Community Foundation | Environment | 2024 | $500,000 |
| Prairie Meadows Race Track & Casino Inc | Central iowa clean water partnershipphase ii: water quality wetland restoration and protection | 2024 | $470,000 |
| Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund For Wealth Management Inc | Environment & animal protection | 2024 | $236,715 |
| Denver Foundation | Water resources, wetlands conservation & management | 2024 | $200,000 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $112,100 |
| Christian Community Foundation of Memphis and the Mid-south Inc | Educational | 2024 | $87,800 |
| Minneapolis Foundation | Donor advised, animals | 2024 | $80,750 |
| Givewell Community Foundation Inc | Environment | 2024 | $77,750 |
| American Endowment Foundation | Environmental | 2024 | $69,750 |
| Community Foundation of Greater Memphis Inc | General operational support | 2024 | $63,700 |
| Collier Community Foundation Inc | Environment & animals | 2024 | $55,000 |
| Charities Aid Foundation America | Charitable donation | 2024 | $51,528 |
| The Community Fdn of Middle Tn Inc | Donation | 2024 | $50,000 |
| Foundation For the Carolinas | Charitable gift | 2024 | $48,000 |
| Give Back Foundation | Program support | 2024 | $28,084 |
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Ducks Unlimited Inc a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. Ducks Unlimited Inc is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 13-5643799, based in Memphis, Tennessee. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is Ducks Unlimited Inc's EIN?
- Ducks Unlimited Inc's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 13-5643799.
- How much revenue does Ducks Unlimited Inc report?
- Ducks Unlimited Inc reported $443,553,486 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2023 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of Ducks Unlimited Inc's spending goes to programs?
- Ducks Unlimited Inc spends about 83% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does Ducks Unlimited Inc have?
- CharityIndex grades Ducks Unlimited Inc A, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does Ducks Unlimited Inc's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on Ducks Unlimited Inc's latest Form 990 is $565,644, paid to Adam Putnam (Chief Executive Officer).
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Data for Ducks Unlimited Inc (EIN 13-5643799) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.