California Waterfowl Association
California Waterfowl Association is a 501(c)(3) conservation nonprofit founded in 1945 that protects waterfowl and wetlands across California through habitat ownership (5,000+ acres), hunter education, banding research, and legislative advocacy, serving 20,000 members, hunters, farmers, students, and veterans.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1945
- HeadquartersRoseville, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What California Waterfowl Association does
California Waterfowl Association (CWA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1945 and headquartered in Roseville, California. It operates across the Pacific Flyway with a five-pillar program model spanning Hunting, Education, Advocacy, Wetlands, and Waterfowl. The organization owns and manages six wetland properties totaling more than 5,000 acres across California's key waterfowl geographies (Suisun Marsh, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, Butte Sink, and Tulare Basin), which serve as conservation assets, public hunting grounds, and education centers. CWA biologists operate a banding program that has marked 312,000+ ducks and geese, an Egg Salvage Program that rescues nests from agricultural fields, and the California Wood Duck Program, which has produced over 1,000,000 wood ducks from volunteer-maintained nest boxes over 30+ years. Cumulative impact reported by CWA includes 730,000+ acres of wetlands protected, restored, or enhanced and 181,000+ K-12 students educated about waterfowl and conservation.
The organization's commercial equivalent of revenue comes from a diversified set of streams: individual donations and memberships (20,000 members, including Life Member at $50 and tiered Major Donor levels from $2,500 to $1M+ Diamond Benefactor), approximately 100 annual fundraising banquets across California (tickets from $80 individual to $3,500 sponsor tables, reaching 35,000+ attendees), corporate partnerships (Federal Premium, Benelli USA, YETI, Sitka Gear, Realtree, Purina Pro Plan, DemerBox, Five Star Bank, Migra Ammunitions), planned giving and estate gifts through the Pintail Legacy Society, merchandise sales, government grants (notably a $5.7M Wildlife Conservation Board grant for San Jacinto Wildlife Area), and a five-year $100M 'Inspiring Conservation' fundraising campaign. CWA also runs the Hunt Program, which has provided private-land hunting access to 28,000+ hunters (including 500+ veterans at no cost), and maintains advocacy staff working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and federal/state legislators. CWA holds Land Trust Alliance accreditation, a Charity Navigator 4-star rating, and the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency.
California Waterfowl Association firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- California Waterfowl Association
- Legal name
- California Waterfowl Association
- Website
- https://calwaterfowl.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1945
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- California Waterfowl Association is a 501(c)(3) conservation nonprofit founded in 1945 that protects waterfowl and wetlands across California through habitat ownership (5,000+ acres), hunter education, banding research, and legislative advocacy, serving 20,000 members, hunters, farmers, students, and veterans.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
California Waterfowl Association industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Wildlife Conservation Services
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Fishing, Hunting And Trapping (900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA), Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK), Advocacy, Policy & Public Awareness (Animal Welfare) (BPAGAIAJ), Conservation & Human–Wildlife Conflict Mitigation (BPAGAIAI)
Keywords
Where California Waterfowl Association is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Roseville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
California Waterfowl Association business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Donations and Membership: Individual donations from the public, members, and major donors constitute the primary revenue stream. CWA has a five-year $100 million 'Inspiring Conservation' campaign. Membership fees include Life Member ($50) and annual Sponsor Member options. Major Donor levels range from $2,500 (Major Donor) to $1M+ (Diamond Benefactor).
- Fundraising Events: CWA hosts approximately 100 annual fundraising banquets across California, generating revenue through ticket sales, table sponsorships, live and silent auctions, raffles, and games. Individual banquet tickets range from $80 to $3,500 for sponsor tables.
- Gun Calendar and Sweepstakes: CWA runs multiple sweepstakes programs: the annual Gun Calendar (2026), Spring Sweepstakes 2025 (prizes valued at $15,000+), and the 80th Anniversary Sweepstakes. Entries support conservation while offering prizes including firearms, vacations, and outdoor gear.
- Corporate Partnerships: Corporate partners (Federal Premium, Benelli USA, YETI, Banded, Sitka Gear, Realtree, Purina Pro Plan, DemerBox, Five Star Bank, Migra Ammunitions) pay for logo placement in the quarterly magazine (20,000 subscribers), on the website, and on event banners/programs (35,000+ people reached annually).
- Planned Giving and Estate Gifts: CWA accepts planned gifts including bequests, charitable remainder trusts, IRA rollovers, stock transfers, real estate donations, life insurance beneficiary designations, and duck club donations. The Pintail Legacy Society recognizes members who have included CWA in their estate plans.
- Merchandise and Shop: CWA operates an online shop selling merchandise including firearms, outdoor gear, and apparel. Revenue from merchandise sales supports conservation programs.
- Hunt Program Donations: Landowners and hunters can donate hunts to CWA's Hunt Program, which opens private-land hunting opportunities to CWA members. Donated hunts can also be auctioned at fundraising banquets.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Banquet tickets range from Individual ($80) to Sponsor Table ($3,500) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Life Member: $50 one-time |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Major Donor tiers from $2,500 to $1M+ cumulative giving |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pintail Cup Golf Tournament - Early Bird Foursomes with firearm incentive |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Spring Sweepstakes 2025 - total prize value over $15,000 |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels10 records
California Waterfowl Association product offering
Product offeringCore offering
California Waterfowl Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization that owns and manages six wetland properties totaling more than 5,000 acres, operates a private-land Hunt Program serving 28,000+ hunters, runs waterfowl research programs (banding, egg salvage, wood duck program) that have produced 1,000,000+ wood ducks and banded 312,000+ birds, delivers K-12 conservation education to 181,000+ students, and conducts state and federal policy advocacy for waterfowl and wetlands. Revenue is generated through memberships, individual donations, major donor and planned giving programs, corporate partnerships, approximately 100 annual fundraising banquets, and sweepstakes/gun drawing programs.
Product overview
California Waterfowl is a 501(c)(3) conservation organization (not a technology company) offering a suite of programs focused on waterfowl conservation, wetlands restoration, hunting advocacy, and education. The portfolio includes the Hunt Program providing private-land hunting access to members; conservation programs (Wood Duck Program, Egg Salvage, Banding, Wetland Restoration); educational offerings (K-12 school programs, hunter training camps, How-To digital mentor series); publications (quarterly magazine, podcast, eNews); fundraising events (100 annual banquets, gun calendars, sweepstakes); and planned giving vehicles. Core programs are interconnected: conservation work protects habitat that supports the Hunt Program, while memberships and donations fund both conservation and education initiatives. The organization operates property assets (5,000+ acres of wetlands) for habitat and public access.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Hunt Program Connects CWA members with private-land hunting opportunities across California, providing access to wetlands, hunt coordination, landowner liability protection, and veteran hunt experiences. Serves hunters of all levels including youth, women, veterans, and adults.
- California Wood Duck Program One of the largest volunteer-based conservation programs in the nation, responsible for hatching 1,000,000+ wood ducks from nest boxes over 30+ years, helping restore wood duck populations across the Pacific Flyway.
- Egg Salvage Program Partners with farmers to rescue duck nests from agricultural fields before harvest, with collected eggs delivered to permitted hatcheries, incubated, and ducklings reared for five weeks before release into the wild.
- Banding Program Bands waterfowl (primarily mallards, northern pintails, gadwalls, and wood ducks) with aluminum leg bands for research. CWA biologists band birds in late spring and summer, with 312,000+ ducks and geese banded to date. Bands provide data supporting science-based waterfowl harvest regulations.
- Wetland Properties (6 owned properties) California Waterfowl owns six wetland properties comprising more than 5,000 acres from the Tulare Basin to the Butte Sink: Grizzly Ranch (982 acres, Suisun Marsh), Denverton (936 acres, Suisun Marsh), Butte Creek Island Ranch (110 acres, Butte Sink), Sanborn Slough (260 acres, Butte Sink), Quimby Island (789 acres, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta), and Goose Lake (2,175 acres, Tulare Basin). Used for wetland conservation, public hunting, and educational programs.
- Planned Giving / Pintail Legacy Society Estate planning vehicles including charitable remainder trusts, IRA rollovers, real estate / duck club donations, life insurance beneficiary designations, and bequests. The Pintail Legacy Society recognizes members who have included CWA in their estate plans.
- Inspiring Conservation Campaign Five-year $100 million fundraising campaign supporting four priorities: Waterfowl ($7.5M goal), Wetlands ($10M goal), Education ($5M goal), and Advocacy ($2.5M goal). Supports ongoing programs and new initiatives.
- California Waterfowl Magazine (quarterly publication) Quarterly publication (68-96 pages) mailed to 20,000 members. Features articles on waterfowl hunting, conservation, public policy updates, and organization news. Published in March, June, September, and December.
- Online Shop (Merchandise) CWA operates an online shop selling firearms, outdoor gear, and apparel through calwaterfowl.org. Revenue from merchandise sales supports conservation programs.
Quantifiable outcome
- 730,000+ acres of wetlands protected, restored, or enhanced
- +10 more outcomes
Companies that use California Waterfowl Association
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
California Waterfowl Association technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
California Waterfowl Association partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Ducks UnlimitedcoreCWA works with Ducks Unlimited on wetland restoration projects. Ducks Unlimited is undertaking two Klamath Basin restoration projects (Agency-Barnes wetland units of Upper Klamath NWR and Tule Lake NWR infrastructure improvements) funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. CWA actively lobbied for BIL passage, which includes $162M for Klamath Basin ecosystem restoration.
- Federal PremiumminorFederal Premium is listed as a corporate partner on CWA's website. As a corporate partner, Federal Premium's logo appears on CWA's corporate partner page, in the quarterly magazine (20,000 subscribers), and on event banners and programs (35,000+ people reached annually). Corporate partnerships are tailored to each partner's needs.
- Benelli USAminorBenelli USA is listed as a corporate partner. The partnership was renewed in 2025 (per press release). Benelli's logo appears across CWA marketing channels including the magazine, website, and events. Custom Benelli M2 shotguns engraved with CWA's 80th Anniversary logo are offered as sweepstakes prizes.
- YETIminorYETI is listed as a corporate partner. YETI renewed its partnership with CWA in 2025. YETI products (coolers, gear cases) are featured in sweepstakes prizes and are part of the gear guide content on CWA's website.
- BandedminorBanded is listed as a corporate partner. Banded products appear in sweepstakes prizes (e.g., the 80th Anniversary Sweepstakes featured a Polaris Ranger with Banded Decoy package) and are featured in CWA's gear guide content.
- Sitka GearminorSitka Gear is listed as a corporate partner. Sitka Delta Pro Wading Jackets with CWA embroidery were offered as sweepstakes prizes. Sitka's logo appears in CWA's marketing channels.
- RealtreeminorRealtree is listed as a corporate partner. Realtree renewed its partnership with CWA in 2025. Realtree's camouflage patterns and brand identity align with CWA's waterfowl hunting audience.
- Purina Pro PlanminorPurina Pro Plan is listed as a corporate partner, with its logo appearing on CWA's corporate partner page. The partnership provides visibility to CWA's hunting and dog-owning community.
- DemerBoxminorDemerBox signed on as a new corporate partner in 2024. DemerBox outdoor audio products appear in sweepstakes prizes (e.g., Polaris Ranger package for 80th Anniversary Sweepstakes included a DemerBox).
- Five Star BankminorFive Star Bank is CWA's newest corporate partner. Founded in 1999 and publicly traded since 2021, Five Star Bank provides banking products and services to small and medium-sized businesses, professionals, and individuals in California.
- Migra AmmunitionsminorMigra Ammunitions is listed as a corporate partner, with its logo appearing on CWA's corporate partner page and at events. Relevant to CWA's hunting membership base.
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)coreCWA partners with CDFW on waterfowl studies (since 1985), implementation of the Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program, management of the San Jacinto Wildlife Area (WCB $5.7M grant project), and joint advocacy for breeding habitat funding. CDFW sets California waterfowl hunting regulations within federal frameworks.
- Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)coreNRCS partners with CWA on wetland restoration and water management. NRCS helped provide summer brood water at Goose Lake (Tulare Basin). CWA participates in the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) administered by NRCS to implement conservation initiatives.
- Audubon and The Nature ConservancyminorAudubon and The Nature Conservancy are mentioned as partners in providing summer brood water at Goose Lake (Tulare Basin). These partnerships support water management for waterfowl habitat in the Tulare Basin.
- Delta WaterfowlminorCWA joined with Delta Waterfowl and Ducks Unlimited to support federal legislation (H.R. 6854) providing critical breeding habitat for waterfowl both in California and the Prairie Pothole Region of the Upper Midwest.
- California Retriever Training AssociationminorCWA provides training fields at Grizzly Ranch and Denverton properties for the California Retriever Training Association, supporting dog training for the hunting community.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServicecoreUSFWS sets frameworks for hunting regulations in each of the four flyways, with input from Flyway Councils. CWA works with USFWS on pintail harvest strategy revision and pintail limit liberalization. USFWS's National Pintail Harvest Strategy Working Group (formed 2018) includes CWA-relevant stakeholders.
- Klamath Basin FarmersminorCWA acknowledges critical support from Klamath Basin farmers who have sent their water to Lower Klamath and Tule Lake national wildlife refuges repeatedly in times of need, demonstrating a collaborative relationship in water-sharing for wildlife habitat.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights6 records
California Waterfowl Association competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
California Waterfowl Association social profiles
Digital presenceCalifornia Waterfowl Association financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
California Waterfowl Association leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
California Waterfowl Association funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
California Waterfowl Association M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about California Waterfowl Association
What does California Waterfowl Association do?
California Waterfowl Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization that owns and manages six wetland properties totaling more than 5,000 acres, operates a private-land Hunt Program serving 28,000+ hunters, runs waterfowl research programs (banding, egg salvage, wood duck program) that have produced 1,000,000+ wood ducks and banded 312,000+ birds, delivers K-12 conservation education to 181,000+ students, and conducts state and federal policy advocacy for waterfowl and wetlands. Revenue is generated through memberships, individual donations, major donor and planned giving programs, corporate partnerships, approximately 100 annual fundraising banquets, and sweepstakes/gun drawing programs.
Is California Waterfowl Association a public or private company?
California Waterfowl Association is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was California Waterfowl Association founded?
California Waterfowl Association was founded in 1945. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is California Waterfowl Association based?
California Waterfowl Association is headquartered in Roseville, United States, in the North America region.
How does California Waterfowl Association make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Donations and Membership is the primary driver. The others are fundraising Events, gun Calendar and Sweepstakes, corporate Partnerships, planned Giving and Estate Gifts, merchandise and Shop and hunt Program Donations.
Does California Waterfowl Association have an API?
No public API is recorded for California Waterfowl Association.
What industry is California Waterfowl Association in?
California Waterfowl Association's product category is Wildlife Conservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAB, Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection, with a secondary code of BPAGAGAA, Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation. Its NAICS code is 813312 and its SIC code is 8600.