Mule Deer Foundation
“Ensure the conservation of mule deer, black-tailed deer, and their habitat.”
38 years on the ground, 98 cents of every dollar to the work.
The work
What they do
Habitat conservation, research, and advocacy for mule deer. Works extensively on BLM and USFS lands in the West on migration corridors and habitat projects.
Every year they sign one sentence and file it with the federal government: “Wildlife conservation, habitat revitalization and enhancementprojects, sponsor hunter education clinics and special projects,production and distribution of foundation magazine to membership andgeneral public.” as filed.
Where the money went, FY2025
The work, and what it cost
Membership support services provided by the organization
$16.2M, 49% of spendingMembership support services provided by the organization represent the benefits provided to all Mule Deer Foundation members. The organization offers multiple memberships with different benefits at each level.
Read it as they filed it
MEMBERSHIP SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE ORGANIZATION REPRESENT THE BENEFITS PROVIDED TO ALL MULE DEER FOUNDATION MEMBERS. THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS MULTIPLE MEMBERSHIPS WITH DIFFERENT BENEFITS AT EACH LEVEL. MEBMERS RECIEVE EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL AND ARE INVIDED TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL AND NATIONAL PROJECTS BY ATTENDING CHAPTER AND NATIONAL EVENTS HELD THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE WESTERN HUNTING AND CONSERVATION EXPO IS AN ANNUAL CONVENTION THAT INCLUDES VENDORS AND OUTFITTERS DISPLAYING AND SELLING THEIR PRODCUTS. IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS THERE ARE EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS AND MEETINGS HELD REGARDING CONSERVATION. THESE MEETINGS ARE HELD WITH MEMBERS, VOLUNTEERS AND STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERS.
IRS Form 990 Part III, fiscal year 2025, signed under penalty of perjury.
The Mule Deer Foundation works closely with its members and partners to facilitate the rehabilitation of mule deer, black-tailed deer, and their habitat.
Read it as they filed it
THE MULE DEER FOUNDATION WORKS CLOSELY WITH ITS MEMBERS AND PARTNERS TO FACILITATE THE REHABILITATION OF MULE DEER, BLACK-TAILED DEER, AND THEIR HABITAT. THE ORGANIZATION ACCOMPLISHES THEIR MISSION THROUGH WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION, REVITALIZATION, AND ENCHANCEMENT PROJECTS. PROJECTS THAT THE ORGANIZATION ARE INVLOVED IN INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, WATER INSTALLATION (I.E. GUZZLERS), JUNIPER REMOVAL, RESEEDING, AND REHABILITATION OF FORAGE FOR DEER SPECIES.
IRS Form 990 Part III, fiscal year 2025, signed under penalty of perjury.
Production and distribution of organization publication of
$276K, under 1% of spendingFollow the dollar
98 cents of every dollar goes to the work
A good sign, not a scorecard: what matters is the extremes, and this is nowhere near one.
$32,423,811 programs, $342,650 management, $366,237 fundraising. Form 990, FY2025.
The people
Who does the work
Honesty note: leadership comes from each year’s federal filing, so it can run a year behind. If it’s out of date, tell us. Work at the Mule Deer Foundation? Claim this page.
Those 500 volunteers are people who decided this ground was theirs to defend. If the Mule Deer Foundation is fighting for your place too, the matchmaker will find your way in.
Find your way inThe filings
14 years of filings
Total revenue by fiscal year, as filed. Point at or tap the line for any year.
| Year | Revenue |
|---|---|
| 2011 | $7,231,467 |
| 2012 | $6,402,003 |
| 2013 | $4,252,674 |
| 2014 | $8,866,699 |
| 2015 | $8,255,470 |
| 2016 | $10,937,778 |
| 2017 | $11,438,120 |
| 2018 | $14,805,663 |
| 2019 | $15,562,053 |
| 2020 | $15,966,836 |
| 2021 | $17,508,788 |
| 2022 | $1,480,053 |
| 2022 | $19,195,763 |
| 2025 | $33,166,362 |
From $7.2M in 2011 to $33.2M in FY25, across 14 public filings (none on record for 2023 and 2024). FY25 is the highest year on file.
On the Hill
The Mule Deer Foundation has hired federal lobbyists: 31 filings from 2019 to 2026. The filings, at the Senate.
Most filed on natural resources.
Their ground
The Mule Deer Foundation is not on our editors’ record for a threatened place yet. See every threatened place on one map, and who stands for each.
Across the 10 states where they work, the congressional delegations average 65 of 100 on public lands. See the full scorecard
Ways in
How to help
Straight to their own donation page. Your dollar never passes through us.
Give on their site ↗Show upVolunteer with themFind their volunteer door on their own site.
Find it on their site ↗FollowWatch the mapEvery threatened place in the country, tracked, with who stands for each.
Threatened Lands MapStand with the Mule Deer Foundation
The mission is theirs. The backing is yours.