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Charity Math
The 990 read · EIN 13-5643799 · TN · Fiscal year FY ending Jun 2025

Ducks Unlimited

Ducks Unlimited Inc: CEO salary, finances and where donations go

In its own words

“Ducks Unlimited, inc. Conserves, restores, and manages wetlands and associated habitats for north America's waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people.”

Data only Figures straight from the filing, screened by our rules. Not yet reviewed in depth by a CPA.

Methodology by Amir Arani, CPA, CA · Updated

Top pay
$689K Adam Putnam, 0.2% of spending
Revenue
$380.3M 89.1% from donations and grants
Spent
$386.7M 85.5% on programs, as reported
Net assets
$373.1M end of FY ending Jun 2025
Savings
11.6 months of spending, net assets ÷ spending
People
985 employees, 31,562 volunteers
Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Parts I, VII, IX, X
01 · Red flags

No red flags in its latest filing.

We screen every filing against twelve rules. A flag is a prompt for a closer look, not a finding of wrongdoing.

No reported asset diversions, no insider transactions, no fundraisers keeping most of the money, and the governance policies we check for are in place.

02 · Where $1 goes · FY ending Jun 2025

Of each dollar it spent, 85.5¢ went to programs, as reported.

The split the charity filed.
85.5¢
Programs, $330.7M
12.2¢
Fundraising, $47.3M
2.2¢
Admin, $8.7M
Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part IX, line 25
Cost to raise $1
14¢
as reported

For each dollar donated, Ducks Unlimited spent 14¢ on fundraising.

Fundraising ÷ $338.9M contributions · Form 990 Parts VIII, IX
03 · What it does

What it told the IRS it spent on.

The charity's own description of its largest programs, with what each cost.

Program 1 · 8.4% of program spending $27.7M

Educating the public about wetlands and waterfowl management is a critical component of sustaining the life cycle needs of migratory waterfowl. Activities include wetlands demonstrations, educational literature, interpretive center, youth programs, and outdoor conservation exhibits.

Program 2 · 1.8% of program spending $5.9M

Ducks unlimited maintains a public policy presence in washington, dc because of the critical importance of public policy to maintaining wetlands and ecosystems that support migratory waterfowl.

Program 3 · 1.3% of program spending $4.4M

Ducks unlimited provides member services to approximately 653,414 total members (including greenwings) through educational membership materials, ducks unlimited magazine, conservation brochures, and educational components of fundraising events.

Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part III
04 · The savings

Net assets: $87.5M to $373.1M in 11 years.

Net assets at each fiscal year end, 2013 to 2025.

Net assets at year end, $ millions
88
101
120
137
165
172
182
152
170
241
264
373
Form 990 history via ProPublicaForm 990 (FY ending Jun 2025)
05 · Who gets paid

The 8 highest-paid people.

Reportable pay in FY ending Jun 2025, from the charity and related organizations.

Adam Putnam
Chief Executive Officer
$688,752
E Nichols Wiley
Chief Operating Officer
$516,769
Karen Waldrop Phd
Chief Conservation Officer
$407,043
Richard B Smith
Chief Development Officer
$390,674
Chad Manlove
National Director of Development
$375,114
Daniel Thiel
Executive Secretary, Dui and Wat
$362,702
David Schuessler
Chief Event Fundraising Officer
$362,100
Darin R Blunck
Chief Financial Officer & Asst. Treasurer
$346,608
Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part VII, Section A
Largest outside contractors
ContractorServicePaid
Luhr Crosby LLCHabitat restoration$23,443,805
Myers and Sons Construction LLCHabitat restoration$5,713,298
Anderson Contracting LLCHabitat restoration$3,662,799
Wilson Coastal Development LLCHabitat restoration$2,557,978
Cx Marketing LLCHabitat restoration$2,308,570
Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part VII, Section B
06 · Questions

The questions people ask about the Ducks Unlimited.

Short, sourced answers. Each one stands on its own.

How much does the Ducks Unlimited CEO make?

Adam Putnam, Chief Executive Officer, received $688,752 in reportable compensation in FY ending Jun 2025, 0.2% of Ducks Unlimited's $386.7M in spending.

Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part VII

What percentage of Ducks Unlimited donations go to programs?

Ducks Unlimited reported 85.5% of FY ending Jun 2025 spending as programs, 12.2% as fundraising and 2.2% as management.

Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part IX

How much money does Ducks Unlimited have?

Net assets were $373.1M at the end of FY ending Jun 2025, about 11.6 months of spending.

Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part X

Does Ducks Unlimited have any red flags in its filing?

Its latest Form 990 triggered none of our twelve screening rules, which cover reported asset diversions, insider transactions, fundraiser costs, governance policies and spending patterns.

Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025)
07 · Sources and citing

Every number, traced.

  1. Ducks Unlimited Form 990, FY ending Jun 2025 (IRS e-file)
  2. Ducks Unlimited Form 990 history (ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer)
Cite this page

Amir Arani, “Ducks Unlimited: CEO salary, finances and where your dollar goes,” Charity Math, updated 2026-11-07. https://charitymath.com/charities/ducks-unlimited/