What Indiana Wildlife Federation does

Indiana Wildlife Federation (IWF) is Indiana's oldest and largest nonprofit conservation organization, founded in 1938 and headquartered in Indianapolis. As the official statewide grass-roots affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation, IWF promotes the conservation, sound management, and sustainable use of Indiana's wildlife and wildlife habitat through three core pillars: education, advocacy, and action. Programs include the Certified Wildlife Habitat program for individuals, businesses, and schools; the Landscaping the Sustainable Campus certification for universities; Sustainable Trails development; educational workshops and a video library; student scholarships; a quarterly Hoosier Conservation Newsletter; and a native plant sale partnership with Garden For Wildlife.

IWF delivers its programs through a small team of 11 employees and relies on a community-led go-to-market model that reaches Hoosiers via website, email newsletter, Instagram, events, op-eds in regional press, and hands-on workshops. Its revenue model is a mix of tiered membership dues ($35 student, $50 individual/family, $75 sustaining, $100 supporting), individual donations, business memberships, grants from partners like the National Wildlife Federation and the International Paper Foundation, and oversight-committee settlement funds from environmental legal cases. The organization maintains a GuideStar Transparency Seal and was recognized as the 2023 STAR Awards philanthropy organization by the Indiana Society of Association Executives.

Beyond direct programs, IWF exerts outsized influence through coalition leadership, leading the Healthy Waters Coalition (120+ conservation groups), co-founding the Great Lakes Conservation Coalition with eight peer state federations, and partnering with the Ohio River Basin Congressional Caucus (14 states, 55 districts) and the Ohio River Basin Alliance. Its defensible position rests on 80+ years of brand trust, an interlocking ecosystem of conservation partners, and active Indiana Statehouse advocacy, including the successful permanent protection of 4,000+ acres as the Busseron Creek Fish and Wildlife Area in May 2025.

Name

Indiana Wildlife Federation

Legal name

Indiana Wildlife Federation

Website

https://indianawildlife.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Indiana Wildlife Federation, founded in 1938, is Indiana's oldest nonprofit conservation organization and the state affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation. It delivers wildlife habitat certification, educational workshops, advocacy, and coalition leadership to Hoosier members, universities, and conservation partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB), Conservation & Human–Wildlife Conflict Mitigation (BPAGAIAI), Wildlife Interpretation & Education Centers (Visitor Centers, Museums) (THAAAFAG)

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation
• Habitat certification
• Environmental education
• Conservation advocacy
• Native plant sales

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees at multiple tiers ranging from $35 for students to $100 for supporting members. These dues support critical wildlife projects and programming in Indiana.
2. Donations: Individual donations and bequests from supporters passionate about wildlife conservation in Indiana.
3. Grants and Foundation Funding: Grants from organizations such as National Wildlife Federation and International Paper ($1,500 grant for educational print project). Also includes settlement funds from environmental legal cases where IWF serves on oversight committees.
4. Business Membership: Corporate/business membership program allowing businesses to support conservation efforts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Indiana Wildlife Federation delivers conservation programming through wildlife habitat certification, sustainable campus landscaping certification for universities, native plant sales, educational workshops and video content, scholarships, and advocacy campaigns for wildlife-friendly legislation. Its offerings are aimed at individuals, schools, businesses, and policymakers in Indiana to promote conservation, sound management, and sustainable use of wildlife and habitat.

Product overview

Indiana Wildlife Federation is a nonprofit conservation organization offering a portfolio of programs and services focused on wildlife conservation, education, and advocacy. The core offerings include the Certified Wildlife Habitat Program for individuals and schools, the Landscaping the Sustainable Campus Program for universities, Native Plant Sales through a Garden For Wildlife partnership, Sustainable Trails development, educational workshops and video resources, student scholarships, and tiered membership programs. The organization does not offer a technology product or software platform but instead delivers conservation programs and educational content.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Certified Wildlife Habitat Program Certification program that enables individuals, businesses, and schools to transform their properties into wildlife habitats by providing food, water, cover, and nesting areas for wildlife.
• Landscaping the Sustainable Campus Program Certification program for colleges and universities to evaluate and implement sustainable landscaping practices including native plantings, rain gardens, and stormwater management.
• Native Plant Sale Partnership with National Wildlife Federation and Garden For Wildlife offering native plants for sale to support wildlife habitat creation.
• Sustainable Trails Program Program focused on sustainable trail development and maintenance to protect wildlife habitats while providing recreational access.
• Educational Workshops Interactive workshops teaching about Hoosier wildlife, native plants, native animals, and conservation practices.
• Membership Programs Tiered annual membership options including Student ($35), Individual/Family ($50), Sustaining ($75), and Supporting ($100) memberships supporting IWF's wildlife projects and programming.
• IWF Scholarships Two scholarships for students interested in conservation or environmental education.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 4000 acres permanently protected as Busseron Creek Fish and Wildlife Area (May 2025)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Healthy Waters CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 October 2025IWF plays a central leadership role in the Healthy Waters Coalition, a coalition of over 120 local, state, and national conservation groups launched to restore and protect the Ohio River Basin. IWF recruited over 30 Indiana-related nonprofits to the coalition.
• Ohio River Basin Congressional CaucuscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 May 2024IWF works with Congresswoman Erin Houchin (co-chair) and the bipartisan Ohio River Basin Congressional Caucus to advocate for federal funding for Ohio River restoration. The caucus covers 55 Congressional districts in 14 states.
• National Wildlife FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIWF is the official statewide nonprofit, grass-roots affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation. This partnership involves coordinated advocacy for federal legislation like Recovering America's Wildlife Act, joint grant applications, and alignment on conservation priorities for wildlife habitat and natural resources.
• Garden For WildlifecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIWF partnered with National Wildlife Federation and Garden For Wildlife for a year-round native plant sale program. This partnership provides high-quality native plants in customizable kits to Hoosiers looking to create certified wildlife habitats.
• Ohio River Basin Alliance (ORBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIWF, as Indiana's National Wildlife Federation affiliate, worked with the National Wildlife Federation to develop the Ohio River Basin Restoration and Protection Plan released for public comment in June 2025.
• Indy Urban AcresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIWF partnered with Indy Urban Acres for their annual plant sale, discussing the importance of going native with visitors at the event.
• Greenwood Nature Center and Native Plants UnlimitedminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIWF partnered with Greenwood Nature Center and Native Plants Unlimited to provide additional native plant sale opportunities with educational presentations.
• Audubon Great Lakes and Amos Butler Audubon SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIWF participated in Birds and Brews event hosted by Audubon Great Lakes and Amos Butler Audubon Society to discuss wetlands protections and climate change action.
• Great Lakes Conservation CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIWF formed the Great Lakes Conservation Coalition with Ducks Unlimited, Izaak Walton League of America, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, Minnesota Conservation Federation, National Wildlife Federation, Ohio Conservation Federation, Trout Unlimited, and Wisconsin Wildlife Federation to support Brandon Road Lock and Dam project for invasive carp prevention.
• Indiana State Department of Agriculture / Division of Soil ConservationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIWF serves on oversight committee for Clean Water Indiana and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) funding decisions, partnering on water quality and conservation projects.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ohio Conservation Federation: Ohio's state-level wildlife/conservation federation and a co-partner in the Great Lakes Conservation Coalition. It is structurally and operationally analogous to IWF, serving a neighboring state with similar membership-based advocacy and education programs.
• Izaak Walton League of America: National conservation organization focused on habitat, water quality, and outdoor recreation. It is a peer in the Great Lakes Conservation Coalition and shares IWF's advocacy priorities around invasive species, watershed protection, and sustainable land use.
• Minnesota Conservation Federation: Minnesota's statewide conservation federation and a co-partner in the Great Lakes Conservation Coalition. It serves as a direct state-level peer with comparable nonprofit mission, membership structure, and advocacy focus on wildlife and habitat.
• Michigan United Conservation Clubs: Michigan's statewide conservation organization and a co-partner in the Great Lakes Conservation Coalition. It is a direct state-level peer with similar membership-driven advocacy, education, and habitat programs targeted at hunters, anglers, and conservationists.
• Wisconsin Wildlife Federation: Wisconsin's statewide wildlife federation and a co-partner in the Great Lakes Conservation Coalition. It mirrors IWF's structure as a state affiliate of NWF focused on habitat, hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation advocacy in a comparable Midwest geography.

Broad incumbents

• Sierra Club (Hoosier Chapter): Indiana chapter of a major national environmental organization. While more focused on broader environmental and climate advocacy, it competes with IWF for members, donors, and policy influence at the Indiana Statehouse.
• The Nature Conservancy (Indiana): Global conservation organization with active Indiana operations focused on land preservation, water quality, and climate. It competes for corporate partnerships, foundation grants, and major donor attention in the same Indiana conservation market.
• National Wildlife Federation: IWF's official parent affiliate and the largest US conservation organization. It is a direct comparable as the national umbrella under which IWF operates, providing joint advocacy, grant funding, and brand alignment on federal conservation priorities.
• Ducks Unlimited: The largest US waterfowl and wetlands conservation organization. It is a co-partner of IWF in the Great Lakes Conservation Coalition and competes for the same hunter-angler-conservationist donor base in Indiana and the broader Midwest.

Regional players

• Audubon Great Lakes: Regional arm of the National Audubon Society serving the Great Lakes basin. It partners with IWF on events like Birds and Brews and addresses overlapping priorities including wetlands protection, climate action, and bird habitat conservation in Indiana.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagramindianawildlife.org/instagram
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/indiana-wildlife-federation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Indiana Wildlife Federation