Wilderness Inquiry INC FY2020 filing

Tax-deductible

Bloomington, MN501(c)(3)Since 1978EnvironmentEIN 93-0708637Revenue $3.1M in FY2020

On file with the IRSwildernessinquiry.org930 E 80th St, 55420-1322 · Bloomington, MNTax-exempt since Jun 1980Publicly supported — 509(a)(2)

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Wilderness Inquiry connects people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to the natural world and each other thru shared outdoor adventures.

501(c)(3) charity; gifts are tax-deductible.
70¢ of each $1 spent went to programs.
$464K paid to officers and key staff.
Mission: Form 990 Part I, line 1 · Status: IRS Pub. 78 · Programs: Part IX · Pay: Part VII

Before you give

FY2020 · Form 990Independent: from IRS data, not the org
Download 990
IRS status
501(c)(3)
not on the IRS revocation list
Looks good: listed by the IRS and not on the revocation list.
IRS BMF · Auto-Revocation List
Tax-deductible gifts
Yes
Donations are tax-deductible
Looks good: the IRS lists gifts to it as deductible.
IRS Pub. 78 · IRS BMF
Latest return
FY2025
latest Form 990
Looks good: the latest return is for FY2025, 1 tax year back; within 2 tax years.
IRS e-file · Filing history
Surplus or deficit
5 of 6
filings with a surplus
Average surplus $2.3M a year · 30% of revenue · last 6 filings
Fine: a surplus in 5 of the last 6 filings.
Pt I · Ln 19 · 6 filings
Spent on programs
70%
of spending
Fine: 70% of spending went to programs; 65% to 75%.
Pt IX · Ln 25 · col B
Pay to officers and key staff
$464K
to officers and key staff · 15% of spending
Looks good: pay to officers and key staff is 15% of spending; 15% or less.
Pt VII · Sec A
Cash reserves
3 mo
of spending, in cash
Looks good: 3.1 months of spending in cash; 3 or more.
Pt X · Ln 1–2 · Pt I · Ln 18
Named funders
2
named funders · $25K
Fine: 2 funders name it on their filings; under 3.
Funders’ Sch. I, 990-PF
Liabilities
$1.4M
23% of total assets
Looks good: liabilities are 23% of assets; 50% or less.
Pt X · Ln 26
Independent board members
17
of 17 voting members
Looks good: 17 of 17 voting members are independent, a majority.
Pt VI · Ln 1a–1b
Looks goodFineWorth a lookConcernNo data yetTap a box for the reason.
Revenue
$3.1M
Spent
$3.1M
To programs
70%
Net assets
$4.8M
By yearFY2020–FY2025
Revenue
$3.1M
FY2020
Tap a bar for its year
Revenue by fiscal year
FY2020$3.1M
FY2021$9.2M
FY2022$4.5M
FY2023$6.9M
FY2024$12.2M
FY2025$10.0M
Expenses
$3.1M
FY2020
Tap a bar for its year
Expenses by fiscal year
FY2020$3.1M
FY2021$3.7M
FY2022$4.3M
FY2023$5.3M
FY2024$7.2M
FY2025$8.5M
Net assets
$4.8M
FY2020
Tap a bar for its year
Net assets by fiscal year
FY2020$4.8M
FY2021$4.6M
FY2022$4.6M
FY2023$6.2M
FY2024$11.4M
FY2025$12.9M

From the FY2020 Form 990 · figures checked against the IRS filing · see the original

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Is it real?

Yes. Never revoked by the IRS. Latest filing on record: FY2025. IRS ruling in Jun 1980.

IRS Pub. 78 · IRS Auto-Revocation List · IRS Business Master File

Where the money goes

70 cents of each dollar spent went to programs.

Program services 70% · $2.2M Management & general 23% · $712K Fundraising 7% · $228K

Form 990 Part IX, line 25, columns B–D. Every line is in By the numbers.

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Who runs it and what they're paid

21 people listed on the 990; $464K paid to officers and key staff.

Part VII, Section A · reportable compensation
Founder
$330,994Pt VII · Sec A
Executive Dir.
$133,080Pt VII · Sec A
Director
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
Director
$0Pt VII · Sec A
Director
$0Pt VII · Sec A
Vice Chair
$0Pt VII · Sec A
Director
$0Pt VII · Sec A

Erika Rivers’s $194K as Executive Director is at the 83rd percentile of top reported officer pay among 1851 $1–10M environment nonprofits. Peer set: organizations in the same NTEE major field of work and revenue-size band, compared on each org’s own highest-paid officer/key-employee, from Form 990 Part VII / 990-PF Part VIII. Descriptive placement, not a verdict on whether the pay is appropriate.

Compensation history total reportable pay by year · 8 named individuals · Part VII

NameFY2025FY2024FY2023FY2022FY2021FY2020
Greg Lais————$258,346$330,994
Erika Rivers$194,274$185,149$179,375$175,596$9,423—
Kim Keprios———$61,928$139,759$133,080
Lisa Edstrom—$120,969————
Nell Holden$120,217$112,965$109,575$104,238——
Willy Tully$118,427$110,731$106,414$100,990——
Julie Edmiston———$109,602——
Margaret Krueger$107,771$107,017————

Total reportable compensation (Form 990 Part VII column D / Schedule J column E) by filing year, matched by name within this organization. The Schedule J base / bonus / deferred breakdown is not parsed into this dataset.

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Questions the 990 asks

The form asks each of these directly. These are the filed answers.

  • Family or business ties among officersPt VI · Ln 2No
  • Top official's pay set by an independent reviewPt VI · Ln 15aYes

Programs and updates

Connects people of all abilities to nature and each other through shared outdoor adventures.

Questions for Wilderness Inquiry INC

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Provided by the organization

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3 programs · $2.2M · in their own filed words · FY2020
01

Canoemobile brings hands-on learning to underserved youth via the "floating classroom" of a 24- foot voyageur canoe. Originating from a place-based learning initiative in the twin cities in 2008, canoemobile has grown into a nationally-recognized outdoor program that connects youth to their local public lands and waterways, develops our…

$909Kprogram expense
02

Share the adventure (sta) is wi's oldest and original inclusive outdoor program providing integrated experiences for individuals regardless of ability, background or income. Inclusion is incorporated in the culture of all wi experiences creating authentic, inclusive and positive travel experiences for all participants.

$810Kprogram expense
03

Wi's Mission Is Based on Inclusion

To give people from different physical, cultural and socio- economic backgrounds the opportunity to explore the great outdoors. Wi has tailored two programs specifically for individuals and families with disabilities.

$453Kprogram expense

Funders

Who pays for it.

From grant filings on record. Receipts are incomplete: individual donors are never listed.

Grants

Schedule I · received and paid
Grants received · FY2025
Total grants receivedfrom 2 funders$25K
Grants paid · 6 grants · $184K · 2021–2024

By the numbers

The FY2020 990, line by line.

1The main four
Money inPt VIII
$3.1M
Ln 12
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$2.6M
Fees for servicesLn 2g$371K
Other incomeLn 4–11$70K
Money outPt IX
$3.1M
Ln 25
Programscol B$2.2M
Managementcol C$712K
Fundraisingcol D$228K
Owns and owesPt X
$4.8M
net assets · Ln 32
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$791K
Total assetsLn 16$6.2M
LiabilitiesLn 26$1.4M
PeoplePt VI, VII
21
listed · VII A
PaidVII A2
Voting boardVI 1a17
IndependentVI 1b17
2In more detail
Revenue in detailPt VIII
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$2.6M
Government grantsLn 1e$804K
Fees for servicesLn 2g$371K
Investment incomeLn 3$29K
Other incomeLn 4–11$70K
Total revenueLn 12$3.1M
Assets in detailPt X, end of year
CashLn 1$519K
SavingsLn 2$272K
Cash and savings togetherLn 1–2$791K
InvestmentsLn 11–13$3.3M
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$1.8M
Total assetsLn 16$6.2M
LiabilitiesLn 26$1.4M
Net assetsLn 32$4.8M
OperationsPt I, VI
EmployeesI 554
VolunteersI 6115
Fiscal year endsHeaderDecember
Conflict-of-interest policyVI 12aYes
Whistleblower policyVI 13Yes
Records policyVI 14Yes
3Year over year
Balance sheet, start vs end of yearPt X · col A, B
LineStart FY20End FY20
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$745K$791K
InvestmentsLn 11–13$2.6M$3.3M
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$1.9M$1.8M
Total assetsLn 16$5.7M$6.2M
LiabilitiesLn 26$945K$1.4M
Net assetsLn 32$4.7M$4.8M
4Every line
Statement of functional expensesPt IX · every line
LineTotalProgramsManagementFundraising
Pay of current officers, directors and key staffLn 5$309K$244K$31K$34K
Other salaries and wagesLn 7$1.4M$1.1M$136K$150K
Pension plan contributionsLn 8$41K$32K$4K$4K
Other employee benefitsLn 9$52K$41K$5K$6K
Payroll taxesLn 10$97K$77K$10K$11K
Legal feesLn 11b$86K$15K$67K$4K
Accounting feesLn 11c$88K$16K$68K$4K
Investment management feesLn 11f$19K$19K
Other fees for servicesLn 11g$178K$35K$135K$9K
Advertising and promotionLn 12$17K$7K$8K$1K
OccupancyLn 16$70K$34K$36K$400
TravelLn 17$4K$2K$2K$344
Depreciation, depletion and amortizationLn 22$209K$104K$104K
InsuranceLn 23$158K$146K$12K$311
Other expenses (24a–d)Ln 24$384K$323K$58K$4K
All other expensesLn 24e$40K$21K$18K$1K
Total functional expensesLn 25$3.1M$2.2M$712K$228K

Filing history

YearMoney inMoney outIn minus outNet assetsDownload
FY2025 Latest $10.0M$8.5M$1.4M$12.9M 990 PDF
FY2024 $12.2M$7.2M$5.0M$11.4M 990 PDF
FY2023 $6.9M$5.3M$1.5M$6.2M 990 PDF
FY2022 $4.5M$4.3M$185K$4.6M 990 PDF
FY2021 $9.2M$3.7M$5.5M$4.6M 990 PDF
FY2020 Viewing $3.1M$3.1M−$8K$4.8M 990 PDF

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Schedules filed Part IV

III · Programs I · Grants R · Related orgs G · Fundraising L · Interested persons A · Public support F · Foreign M · Noncash
See the full FY2020 990 (6 parts)
Part I · Summary $3,104,098 revenue, 12 lines filed
I-8 Contributions and grantsPrior year $2,444,344$2,634,090
I-9 Program service revenuePrior year $1,593,221$371,366
I-10 Investment incomePrior year $47,968$29,138
I-11 Other revenuePrior year $16,536$69,504
I-12 Total revenuePrior year $4,102,069$3,104,098
I-13 Grants and similar amounts paidPrior year $0$0
I-14 Benefits paid to membersPrior year $0$0
I-15 Salaries and benefitsPrior year $2,118,714$1,858,682
I-16a Professional fundraising feesPrior year $0$0
I-17 Other expensesPrior year $2,188,917$1,253,421
I-18 Total expensesPrior year $4,307,631$3,112,103
I-19 Revenue less expensesPrior year −$205,562−$8,005
Part VI · Governance 17 of 17 board members independent, no flags
VI-1a Voting members of the governing body17
VI-1b Independent voting members17
VI-2 Family or business relationship among officers or directorsNo
VI-12a Written conflict of interest policyYes
VI-13 Written whistleblower policyYes
VI-14 Document retention and destruction policyYes
VI-15a Process for setting top official's payYes
Part VIII · Statement of revenue $3,104,098 across 9 lines filed
VIII-1e Government grants$803,558
VIII-1f All other contributions, gifts and grants$1,830,532
VIII-1h Total contributions, gifts and grants$2,634,090
VIII-2a-f Program service revenue, itemized rows (sum of 2a–2f as filed)Related to mission $371,366$371,366
VIII-3 Investment incomeExcluded from tax $29,138$29,138
VIII-6 Net rental income or lossRelated to mission $4,200$4,200
VIII-8 Net income from fundraising eventsExcluded from tax $36,783$36,783
VIII-11a-d Other revenue, itemized rows (sum of 11a–11d as filed)Unrelated business $28,521$28,521
VIII-12 Total revenueRelated to mission $375,566 · Unrelated business $28,521 · Excluded from tax $65,921$3,104,098
Part IX · Statement of functional expenses $3,112,103 across 16 lines filed
IX-5 Pay of current officers, directors and key staffPrograms $244,467 · Management $30,945 · Fundraising $34,039$309,451
IX-7 Other salaries and wagesPrograms $1,073,997 · Management $135,949 · Fundraising $149,544$1,359,490
IX-8 Pension plan contributionsPrograms $32,266 · Management $4,084 · Fundraising $4,493$40,843
IX-9 Other employee benefitsPrograms $40,838 · Management $5,170 · Fundraising $5,686$51,694
IX-10 Payroll taxesPrograms $76,792 · Management $9,720 · Fundraising $10,692$97,204
IX-11b Legal feesPrograms $15,204 · Management $66,894 · Fundraising $3,812$85,910
IX-11c Accounting feesPrograms $15,527 · Management $68,313 · Fundraising $3,892$87,732
IX-11f Investment management feesManagement $18,681$18,681
IX-11g Other fees for servicesPrograms $34,846 · Management $134,633 · Fundraising $8,736$178,215
IX-12 Advertising and promotionPrograms $7,412 · Management $8,105 · Fundraising $1,366$16,883
IX-16 OccupancyPrograms $33,958 · Management $35,604 · Fundraising $400$69,962
IX-17 TravelPrograms $1,869 · Management $2,044 · Fundraising $344$4,257
IX-22 Depreciation, depletion and amortizationPrograms $104,347 · Management $104,347$208,694
IX-23 InsurancePrograms $146,331 · Management $11,595 · Fundraising $311$158,237
IX-24 Other expenses (24a–d)Programs $322,540 · Management $58,082 · Fundraising $3,807$384,429
IX-24e All other expensesPrograms $21,198 · Management $18,077 · Fundraising $1,146$40,421
IX-25 Total functional expensesPrograms $2,171,592 · Management $712,243 · Fundraising $228,268$3,112,103
Part X · Balance sheet $6,201,588 assets, 17 lines filed
X-1 Cash, non-interest-bearingStart of year $622,204$519,326
X-2 Savings and temporary cash investmentsStart of year $123,282$271,967
X-3 Pledges and grants receivableStart of year $235,511$287,387
X-4 Accounts receivableStart of year $12,119$28,296
X-9 Prepaid expenses and deferred chargesStart of year $156,128$64,343
X-10c Land, buildings and equipment, netStart of year $1,937,136$1,774,833
X-11 Publicly traded securitiesStart of year $2,164,036$2,755,523
X-12 Other securitiesStart of year $420,751$499,913
X-16 Total assetsStart of year $5,671,167$6,201,588
X-17 Accounts payable and accrued expensesStart of year $186,449$257,429
X-19 Deferred revenueStart of year $290,511$575,993
X-25 Other liabilitiesStart of year $467,846$574,224
X-26 Total liabilitiesStart of year $944,806$1,407,646
X-27 Net assets without donor restrictionsStart of year $3,448,535$3,710,216
X-28 Net assets with donor restrictionsStart of year $1,277,826$1,083,726
X-32 Total net assets or fund balancesStart of year $4,726,361$4,793,942
X-33 Total liabilities and net assetsStart of year $5,671,167$6,201,588
Part XI · Reconciliation of net assets $4,793,942 net assets at year end
XI-1 Total revenue$3,104,098
XI-2 Total expenses$3,112,103
XI-3 Revenue less expenses−$8,005
XI-4 Net assets at start of year$4,726,361
XI-5 Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments$92,520
XI-7 Investment expenses−$16,934
XI-9 Other changes in net assets$0
XI-10 Net assets at end of year$4,793,942

Form 990 e-file (XML) FY2020 from the IRS · Classification, formation year and address from the IRS Business Master File

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