Ducks Unlimited's 2025 Annual Report

During the past fiscal year (FY25), Ducks Unlimited achieved unprecedented milestones as North America’s leader in wetlands and waterfowl conservation. Together, we celebrate another banner year for our organization, with record acres of conservation impact and record revenues that made that impact possible.

In FY25, Team DU delivered more than 1.2 million acres of conservation, marking the second consecutive year that we exceeded 1 million acres of conservation across the United States. Conservation on this scale means more waterfowl habitat, cleaner water, reduced flooding risks for people, more public land for hunters, and improved biodiversity for all species that rely on wetlands for survival.

The People

DU once again boasted strength in numbers, with more than 715,000 contributors and 1 million supporters powering our conservation machine. In FY25, 31,500 volunteers hosted more than 5,775 events, generating $65.7 million in event income.

DU also continued to invest in the next generation of DU leaders through our Varsity program. Cannon Leatherman, of Concord, North Carolina, was awarded the 2025 Susie Konkel Ducks Unlimited National Scholarship. He joined the Charlotte Varsity Chapter in 2023 and helped organize two fundraising events that raised more than $65,000 for DU’s mission. In addition to the $10,000 national scholarship, DU provided an additional 60 scholarships to deserving high school seniors nationwide.

The Money

As a great DU leader once said, conservation without money is just conversation. In FY25, Ducks Unlimited generated an impressive $421 million in total revenue. Habitat-delivery funds from government reimbursements and partnerships totaled $219 million—$42 million above budget. At the same time, we once again fulfilled our time-honored commitment to programmatic efficiency, with 87 percent of all our spending going to wetlands and waterfowl conservation and education.

Major gift commitments from individuals, foundations, and corporations totaled $71 million, while new planned giving commitments surpassed $44 million. Major gift cash was nearly $100 million with estate maturities adding another $7.5 million in cash. In addition, advertising, corporate relations, and direct marketing contributed more than $15 million of unrestricted revenue.

DU’s $3 million Matching Challenge, which was made possible by the generosity of Charlie and Sharon Shaver and Doug and Allison Frey, was an unprecedented success. Launched last April, the first phase of this campaign offered $1.5 million in matching funds designated for DU’s highest-priority breeding landscapes: the Prairie Pothole Region and the Western Boreal Forest. A second phase was initiated, with an additional $1.5 million in matching funds available for all conservation initiatives and programs across the continent. Within 10 days, $3 million in cash was secured and every gift was matched, resulting in a total investment of $6 million.

The endowment for Wetlands America Trust, DU’s land trust arm, exceeded $100 million. This endowment, supported by philanthropic contributions from our most dedicated supporters, will help ensure DU’s long-term financial health. With these successes, we secured $2.73 billion toward the ambitious $3 billion goal of Conservation for a Continent, our most ambitious comprehensive campaign in history.

The Impact

DU would not have been able to deliver 1.2 million acres of conservation across the United States in one year without the support of the passionate members, volunteers, and partners who drive our mission. They also support crucial conservation work delivered by DU’s affiliates in Canada and Mexico.

In FY25, Ducks Unlimited Canada conserved over 147,000 acres, surpassing its annual goal by more than 37,000 acres. Key funding was provided by Cox Enterprises in support of efforts to conserve the most productive remaining waterfowl breeding habitats on the Canadian prairies.

Ducks Unlimited de México (DUMAC) conserved 24,642 acres of the country’s highest-priority waterfowl habitats in FY25. Over its 50-year history, DUMAC has completed 643 projects, totaling almost 2.2 million acres of wetlands and other wildlife habitats. During the past fiscal year, DUMAC celebrated a historic philanthropic milestone: a record 203 generous major donors joined the John E. Walker President’s Society, which raises funds for DUMAC’s conservation work.

The past fiscal year gave us 1.2 million more reasons to be proud of the remarkable conservation work that DU puts on the ground across North America. Our volunteers, members, staff, and partners are the reason Ducks Unlimited leads the way in wetlands and waterfowl conservation.

Thank you!