2026-08-18T11:18:19-05:00 2025-12-31 881478669 CBIZ ADVISORS LLC 1899 L STREET NW 850 WASHINGTON DC 20036 990 2025-01-01 831279703 THE WILDERNESS PROJECT FOUNDATION WILD 2027882850 1050 CONNECTICUT AVE NW 500 WASHINGTON DC 20036 JOHN HILTON PRESIDENT 2027882850 2026-08-12 1 AARON FOX P01365820 2022274000 2026-08-12 2025 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z JOHN HILTON 1050 CONNECTICUT AVE NW 500 WASHINGTON DC 20036 5747870 0 X THEWILDERNESSPROJECT.ORG X 2018 DE OUR MISSION IS TO PROTECT 1.2 MILLION SQ. KM OF IRREPLACEABLE AFRICAN WATERSHEDS, PLATEAUS, AND WATER TOWERS BY 2030. 7 6 1 6 0 0 4717145 5541949 57000 92000 129990 113254 86 667 4904221 5747870 2508160 2084000 0 0 212051 203779 0 0 5656 2018267 3310034 4738478 5597813 165743 150057 2757682 2980489 88840 97304 2668842 2883185 THE PURPOSE OF THE WILDERNESS PROJECT FOUNDATION IS TO PROTECT 1.2 MILLION SQ. KM OF IRREPLACEABLE AFRICAN WATERSHEDS, PLATEAUS, AND WATER TOWERS BY 2030. 0 0 2667103 GREAT SPINE OF AFRICA EXPEDITIONS - THE GREAT SPINE OF AFRICA SERIES OF EXPEDITIONS REPRESENTS THE LARGEST NON-MILITARY EXPEDITIONARY MOBILIZATION IN AFRICA'S HISTORY, TRAVERSING 27 COUNTRIES AND AIMING TO COMPLETE 200 RIVER EXPEDITIONS BY 2030. LOCAL COMMUNITIES LIVING TRADITIONALLY AROUND THE SOURCES OF AFRICA'S GREAT RIVERS ARE TYPICALLY THE LEAST-SERVED IN THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES. OUR RESEARCH EXPEDITIONS ARE GUIDED BY THESE "RIVER GUARDIANS" AS WE UNDERTAKE SCIENTIFIC SURVEYS USING CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY. 2075000 2075000 HABITAT CONSERVATION - THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES GRANTS TO SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROMOTE EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION OF WILD BIRD SPECIES AND THEIR HABITATS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA, USING LONG-TERM BIODIVERSITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING SYSTEMS. 316306 9000 92000 CONSERVATION MEDIA & STORYTELLING - IN PARTNERSHIP WITH AFRISOS, SUPPORTING AND INVESTING IN YOUNG AFRICAN FILMMAKERS TO TELL STORIES OF NATURE IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES THAT LIVE ALONGSIDE WILD RIVERS. 5058409 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 1 1 1 0 1 SF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 7 6 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 CA TN NY X JOHN HILTON PRESIDENT 2027882850 1050 CONNECTICUT AVE NW 500 WASHINGTON DC 20036 DAVID GARRETT CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 30.00 X X 134691 0 0 STEVE BOYES CHAIRMAN 5.00 X X 0 0 0 JOHN HILTON PRESIDENT AND TREASURER 5.00 X X 0 0 0 STEVE BESSINGER VICE PRESIDENT 1.00 X X 0 0 0 MOREANGELS MBIZAH DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 SHOHAM ARAD DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 BROOKE RUNNETTE DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 134691 0 0 1 0 0 0 QUARTZ TRAVEL (PTY) LTD 12 POPPY RD PRIMROSE GERMISTON SF 1416 TRAVEL AGENT 182538 1 5541949 1506383 5541949 STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS 900099 92000 92000 92000 107863 107863 5391 0 5391 5391 5391 FOREIGN CURRENCY GAIN 900099 667 667 667 5747870 92000 0 113921 X 2084000 2084000 134691 134691 63917 63917 281 281 4890 4890 168329 168329 7959 4503 3456 122953 122953 318 318 1094050 1082986 11064 161072 125527 34198 1347 534574 493608 37663 3303 223237 220637 2600 EXPEDITION EXPENSES 479019 479019 CONSERVATION MEDIA 308312 307306 1006 MISCELLANEOUS 117650 99174 18476 VEHICLE EXPENSE 92561 92561 5597813 5058409 533748 5656 1783615 1951725 0 1162 42802 1015309 447320 613249 567989 360818 416811 2757682 2980489 88840 97304 88840 97304 X 2668842 2743185 140000 2668842 2883185 2757682 2980489 X 150057 -63 64349 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 2530463 2895641 5734114 4717145 5541949 21419312 2530463 2895641 5734114 4717145 5541949 21419312 6010959 15408353 8819 68084 129990 107863 314756 40 86 667 793 21734861 149000 0.70890 0.79050 X SCHEDULE A, PART II, LINE 10, EXPLANATION OF OTHER INCOME: OTHER INCOME - 2023 AMOUNT: $ 40. 2024 AMOUNT: $ 86. FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE GAIN - 2025 AMOUNT: $ 667. RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 1015309 447320 567989 567989 OTHER ASSETS 343270 SECURITY DEPOSITS 73541 416811 X 5811838 64286 64286 5747552 318 318 5747870 5597495 0 5597495 318 318 5597813 PART X, LINE 2: THE FOUNDATION IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAXES UNDER INTERNAL REVENUE CODE SECTION 501(C)(3) AND SIMILAR STATE PROVISIONS AND IS CLASSIFIED AS A PUBLICLY SUPPORTED CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 509(A) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. NO PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES IS REQUIRED FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2025 AS THE FOUNDATION HAD NO SIGNIFICANT NET UNRELATED BUSINESS INCOME. THE FOUNDATION PERFORMED AN EVALUATION OF UNCERTAINTY IN INCOME TAXES FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2025 AND DETERMINED THAT THERE ARE NO MATTERS THAT WOULD REQUIRE RECOGNITION IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OR THAT MAY HAVE ANY EFFECT ON ITS TAX-EXEMPT STATUS. AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2025, THERE ARE NO TAX EXAMINATIONS PENDING OR IN PROGRESS. IT IS THE FOUNDATION'S POLICY TO RECOGNIZE INTEREST AND PENALTIES RELATED TO UNCERTAINTY IN INCOME TAXES, IF ANY, IN INCOME TAX OR INTEREST EXPENSE. AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2025, THE FOUNDATION HAD NO ACCRUALS FOR INTEREST AND/OR PENALTIES. 1 SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA - ANGOLA, BENIN, BOTSWANA, BURKINA FASO, 1 1 GRANTMAKING GRANTMAKING-HABITAT CONSERVATION 2084000 SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA - ANGOLA, BENIN, BOTSWANA, BURKINA FASO, 30 3 PROGRAM SERVICES THE WILDERNESS PROJECT 2974409 31 4 0 0 31 4 5058409 0 5058409 SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA PROMOTE EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION OF WILD BIRDS 2050000 WIRE TRANSFER 0 CASH SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA TO SUPPORT ONGOING CONSERVATION WORK 25000 WIRE TRANSFER 0 CASH SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA TO SUPPORT AND INVEST IN YOUNG AFRICAN FILMAKERS TO TELL STORIES OF NATURE 9000 WIRE TRANSFER 0 CASH 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 PART I, LINE 2: GRANT RECIPIENTS ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE PERIODIC REPORTS ON WHAT ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED WITH GRANT FUNDS DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD, INCLUDING A DESCRIPTION OF PROGRESS MADE TOWARD ACHIEVING THE GOALS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE APPROVED GRANT OBJECTIVES. X 1 1506383 SALES PRICE 0 0 0 0 PART I, COLUMN (B): THE NUMBER IN COLUMN B REPRESENTS THE NUMBER OF CONTRIBUTORS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7A AT EACH ANNUAL MEETING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHALL ELECT FROM AMONG THE DIRECTORS A PRESIDENT, A TREASURER, A SECRETARY AND SUCH OTHER OFFICERS OR AGENTS AS IT SHALL DEEM NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE. ANY VACANCY ON THE BOARD SHALL BE FILLED BY THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF A MAJORITY OF THE REMAINING DIRECTORS AND MAY BE SO FILLED AT ANY MEETING. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B INFORMATION RELATED TO THIS ORGANIZATION'S FORM 990 FILING IS GATHERED BY FINANCE STAFF AND PROVIDED TO THE OUTSIDE ACCOUNTANTS FOR REVIEW AND RETURN PREPARATION. FORM 990 WAS REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE ENTIRE BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRIOR TO FILING WITH THE IRS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C AS PART OF THE ORGANIZATION'S WRITTEN CONFLICTS OF INTEREST POLICY, OFFICERS & DIRECTORS ARE REQUIRED TO ANNUALLY DISCLOSE POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15A THE PROCESS FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION WAS CONDUCTED BY INDEPENDENT PERSONS ON THE BOARD. COMPARABILITY DATA REPORTS WERE ASSESSED AS THE BASIS FOR THIS. HOWEVER, DUE TO ORGANIZATIONAL AND FUTURE FUNDING UNCERTAINTY AT THE TIME IT WAS AGREED THAT THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WOULD CONTINUE TO BE COMPENSATED USING OLD CONSULTING RATES, WHICH ARE CIRCA 60% OF EQUIVALENT MARKET RATES FOR THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ROLE, UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE ORGANIZATION WAS IN A POSITION TO SET THE COMMENSURATE PACKAGE FOR THE ROLE. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G EXPEDITION CONTRACTORS: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 248,572. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 248,572. RESEARCH CONTRACTORS: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 595,000. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 595,000. MARKETING CONSULTANT: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 0. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 6,999. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 6,999. PAYROLL PROCESSING: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 536. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 536. GENERAL CONTRACTOR: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 238,878. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 4,065. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 242,943. FORM 990, PART IX STATEMENT OF FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES LINE 5: THE ORGANIZATION'S CURRENT OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, TRUSTEES AND KEY EMPLOYEES RECEIVING COMPENSATION ARE NOT US PERSONS AND DO NOT WORK IN THE US. FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9: UNREALIZED FOREIGN CURRENCY GAIN 64,349. FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C - CHANGE IN PROCESS THE PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM THE PRIOR YEAR.