Who We Are

The Wildlife and Outdoor Recreation Foundation (WORF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

It was established to support charitable, scientific, educational, management and outreach activities that promote conservation, preservation, protection, and enhancement of outdoor and wildlife resources and related recreational opportunities in North Carolina. WORF has no paid staff and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors.

Partners with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission

Supporting North Carolina Wildlife & Resources Together Since 2021

The Foundation has partnered with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission! The Agreement between the Wildlife & Outdoor Recreation Foundation and NC Wildlife Resources Commission was signed July 23, 2021.

Meeting Dates

February 7, 2024   |   May 15, 2024   |   August 21, 2024   |   November 13, 2024

WORF Exists to Advance Wildlife Conservation & Habitat Protection

Conservation of wildlife and their habitats

  • Promote habitat management, preservation, and protection

  • Develop conservation methods, including best management practices

  • Influence land and water resource planning

  • Encourage scientific evaluation, research, and study of native wild fauna and their habitats

Conservation education

  • Develop programs in conservation and environmental education for North Carolina’s citizenry, especially youth.

Conservation partnerships

  • Develop and enhance governmental and non-governmental partnerships

  • Enhance partnerships with land-funding and land-management agencies, organizations, and other entities including private landowners

Landscape scale conservation planning

  • Establish management agreements with property owners

  • Conserve land through acquisition, easements, and other methods

Wildlife and Outdoor recreational opportunities and access

  • Provide, enhance, and increase public access

  • Provide, enhance, and increase diverse opportunities in rural, suburban, and urban areas

WORF Funding

WORF supports these efforts by accepting subscriptions, gifts, grants, donations, bequests, or otherwise, money and property of any kind and description in accordance with IRS laws and regulations.

Information on this page is excerpted from the 2022-2023 Annual Report.

Operating Highlights

WORF has established a portal for online donation opportunity and is rolling out planned giving options. WORF is building partnerships with colleges providing students with hands on experience in marketing and communication as well as program development. The Foundation continues to raise funds for Program Sponsorships for the Native Plant Propagation Program, Private Lands Program, and Stoney Creek Environmental project.  Additionally, college students are being introduced to the vast natural resources in North Carolina while providing operational support for the Foundation.

  • To obtain funding to support fish and wildlife programs and for the expansion of outdoor recreational opportunities and access; and assign these funds to worthy projects proposed by competent research and management organizations.

  • Funding is obtained from the following sources with additional information in included in the Financial Statements section:

    · Donations
    · Grants
    ·  Program Sponsorship

    The Financial Statements section provides a breakout of the funding. WORF currently is maintaining a balance of $111,000.

    • Unrestricted funds are available funds that are not obligated to the support of a specific program.

    • Program funds are funds that were specifically raised to support a current program.Description text goes here

  • Annual expenses are currently minimal and are averaging around 11.03% for operating cost with the inclusion of in-kind support.

  • WORF continues to carry a balance in funds as a process for identifying projects to partner with is being identified by the Board. Most identified projects require recurring annual funds and WORF is continuing to identify grant opportunities and funding sources to develop a consistent revenue source.

Looking Ahead

WORF continues to look for ways to support our Friends state agency, NC Wildlife Resources Commission, whose purpose is to conserve and sustain the state’s fish & wildlife resources through research, scientific management, wise use and public input. The support includes increasing our fundraising opportunities to generate matching funds for NC wildlife resource projects combined with grants from America the Beautiful, Pittman-Robertson Wildlidfe Restoration Act, Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act, State and Tribal Wildlife Grants, the congressionally introduced Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, and many other new annual opportunities. These matching funds will provide direct financial support for conservation and research of NC wildlife and fisheries resources including habitat, as well as increasing access to these resources for all.