Ruffed Grouse Society meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Year, State Incorporated
1961, VA
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Also Known As
The Ruffed Grouse Society of America
American Woodcock Society
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Stated Purpose
"to improve wildlife habitat and forest health and promote a conservation ethic, all grounded in the tenets of science-based management practices."
Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) reports that it works to preserve the United States' sporting traditions by creating healthy forest habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock, and other songbirds and wildlife. The organization works with landowners, government agencies, and the forest products industry to ensure the preservation of ruffed grouse, woodcocks, and their respective habitats for future generations of hunters. RGS engages with the wildlife conservation community to promote policies, programs, and broader public awareness to conservation ethics. Local chapters hold educational seminars, habitat days, youth outings, social events, upland hunts, and membership meetings to build community support for hunting and conservation. The organization's Under Broken Wings program gives children with disabilities the chance to grouse hunt, while the New Hunter Mentor program and Women?s Intro to Wingshooting supports all new hunters, from youth to adults, interested in learning essential upland hunting skills and developing a network of support. In 2019, RGS states that more than 12,500 acres of habitat were directly impacted by its programs. In addition, the organization reports that it funded 85 projects for forest wildlife and created or enhanced 27 miles of roads and trails.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, Ruffed Grouse Society's program expenses were:
Chapter operations |
$1,952,424 |
Habitat projects |
$1,489,454 |
Membership services |
$668,492 |
General education and outreach |
$626,227 |
Research |
$51,224 |
Advocacy |
$51,203 |
Total Program Expenses: |
$4,839,024 |
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Chief Executive
Benjamin C. Jones, President and Chief Executive Officer
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Compensation*
$183,207
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Chair of the Board
Brian Smith
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Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Chief Executive Officer, Rockwell Foundation
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Board Size
16
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Paid Staff Size
22
*2019 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Membership appeals, Planned giving arrangements, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Telephone appeals, Radio, Cause- related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.)
Fundraising costs were 4% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $4,824,231 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 Ruffed Grouse Society's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Source of Funds |
Special events, net |
$2,270,328 |
Contributions |
$1,210,625 |
Investment return, net |
$981,747 |
Grant revenue |
$660,913 |
Membership dues |
$649,665 |
Sales of merchandise |
$73,034 |
Advertising income |
$56,671 |
Forestry clearing and consulting |
$53,177 |
Corporate sponsors |
$32,700 |
Timber sales |
$25,817 |
Gain on disposal of property and equipment |
$22,220 |
Miscellaneous income |
$8,309 |
Total Income |
$6,045,206 |
- Programs: 89%
- Administrative: 8%
- Fundraising: 3%
Total Income |
$6,045,206 |
Program expenses |
$4,839,024 |
Fundraising expenses |
$171,369 |
Administrative expenses |
$440,367 |
Other expenses |
$0 |
Total expenses: |
$5,450,760 |
Income in Excess of Expenses |
$594,446 |
Beginning Net Assets |
$6,617,603 |
Other Changes In Net Assets |
$-347,029 |
Ending Net Assets |
$6,865,020 |
Total Liabilities |
$1,549,619 |
Total Assets |
$8,414,639 |
Note: As noted in the above financial section, "other changes in net assets" refers to uncollectable promise to give (-$950), return of Dew Scholarship Fund (-$166,966), and depreciation expense (-$179,113).