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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: April 2026 Expires: April 2028

Wisconsin Waterfowl Association

Accredited Charity
Accredited Charity

Meets Standards
(262) 968-1722
Post Office Box 427
Wales, WI, 53183
https://wisducks.org/
📄 Full Report 🖨️ Print 📋 BBB Charity Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Wisconsin Waterfowl Association meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to restore and conserve Wisconsin’s waterfowl and wetland resources; to educate state waterfowlers during their progression from natural resource consumer to steward; and to promote governmental policies that protect Wisconsin’s resources and promote the rights of citizens to hunt."

Year, State Incorporated:
1984, WI

Wisconsin Waterfowl Association (WWA) reports that it works to conserve Wisconsin’s waterfowl and wetland resources through habitat restoration, education, legislation, and regulation. The organization states that it partners with Wisconsin landowners and federal, state, county, and private agencies to restore both public and private wetlands, using restoration teams that implement historic-ecosystem-based techniques. WWA recruits waterfowl hunters and offers educational seminars on wetland restoration, hunting skills and traditions, and improving nesting success. The organization also reports developing solutions to complex waterfowl and wetlands issues in conjunction with the state legislature. In 2024, WWA states that it provided land management monitoring and plans for more than 5,360 acres of upland cover and began habitat and restoration projects across three state wildlife areas, totaling 145 acres. In addition, the organization reports that it harvested 800 pounds of wild rice, maintained more than 400 wood duck boxes, and sold 72 duck boxes.

For the year ended December 31, 2024, Wisconsin Waterfowl Association's program expenses were:

Program services $566,128
Total Program Expenses $566,128

Chief Executive
Brad Heidel, Executive Director

Chair of the Board
Bruce Urben

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Retired, Senior Manager, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Board Size
11

Paid Staff Size
9

*2025 compensation, as reported by the organization, includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Note: Brad Heidel assumed the position of Executive Director in late 2025. His compensation is not available at this time. In 2024, Bruce Ross served as the organization's Executive Director, receiving $62,011 in compensation.

Method(s) Used:
Invitations to fund raising events, Television, Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Membership appeals

Fundraising costs were 14% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $581,207, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on Wisconsin Waterfowl Association's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Source of Funds
Program service fees and grants $292,201
Special events, net $223,615
Waterfowl Hunters EXPO $120,792
Contributions $65,391
Other income $47,712
Total Income $749,711

Programs: 82% Fundraising: 12% Administrative: 7%

Total Income $749,711
Total expenses: $691,112
  Program expenses $566,128
  Fundraising expenses $79,984
  Administrative expenses $45,000
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $58,599
Beginning Net Assets $668,448
Other Changes In Net Assets $12,602
Ending Net Assets $739,649
Total Liabilities $70,097
Total Assets $809,746

Note 1: As noted in the above financial section, "other changes in net assets" refers to a change in value of beneficial interest in asset held by Community Foundation.

Note 2: In 2024, WIWA reports receiving $1,336 in donated materials.

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

RELATED CONTENT

Report completed by:
BBB Serving Wisconsin