Pheasants Forever Attains Fifth Consecutive, “Exceptional” 4-star Rating from Charity Navigator

Pheasants Forever has been recognized with its fifth consecutive 4-star rating from Charity Navigator – the nation’s largest charity evaluator – and is now included in the top 6 percent of charities in the country to receive such designation. Pheasants Forever earned an “exceptional” rating from the charity watchdog, in part, by spending $69.2 million to complete 15,190 habitat projects in its past fiscal year, improving more than 1.7 million acres for wildlife in the most efficient, open, and ethical means possible.
 
“Only six percent of the charities we evaluate have received at least five consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Pheasants Forever outperforms most other charities in America and in your area of work. This highest possible rating sets Pheasants Forever apart from its peers and demonstrates to the public its trustworthiness,” noted Michael Thatcher, president & CEO of Charity Navigator.
 
Public performance reporting, based on mission-driven results, is the most important factor to indicate whether or not charities are meeting their mission. To that end, Pheasants Forever has accomplished an impressive list of mission-driven results over the course of its past fiscal year to help retain its 4-star rating, including:
 
  • Improved habitat for pheasants, quail, and other wildlife on 1.7 million acres
  • Provided technical assistance to >35,000 landowners interested in voluntary conservation programs
  • Completed 32 land acquisitions to permanently conserve 4,615 acres open for public recreation
  • Hosted 1,459 outdoor events to mentor 75,000 youth participants and 22,000 adult-onset hunters
 
“We owe it to our members, donors and sponsors to be the best and most efficient wildlife habitat conservation charity in America, and we’ve delivered on that promise,” stated Howard Vincent, president and CEO of Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever.
 
According to Charity Navigator, this accomplishment indicates Pheasants Forever adheres to good governance and other best practices, consistently executing its mission in a fiscally responsible way. Pheasants Forever’s efficient use of resources continues to drive its effectiveness in delivering projects that benefit pheasants, quail and other wildlife. Since 1982, “The Habitat Organization” has spent $634 million on wildlife habitat projects and conservation education. Those funds have translated to more than 502,000 habitat projects, benefitting more than 14.1 million acres for wildlife in the United States and Canada.
 
About Pheasants Forever
 
Pheasants Forever, including its quail conservation division, Quail Forever, is the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 149,000 members and 700 local chapters across the United States and Canada. Chapters are empowered to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds are spent; the only national conservation organization that operates through this truly grassroots structure. Since creation in 1982, Pheasants Forever has spent $634 million on 502,000 habitat projects benefiting 14.1 million acres nationwide.
 
Photo Credit: Craig Armstrong, Pheasants Forever Life Member

Media Contact
Jared Wiklund
(651) 209-4953
jwiklund@pheasantsforever.org