The National Wildlife Federation

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Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question about the National Wildlife Federation? We've got answers. For more information, please contact us directly.

General Information

The National Wildlife Federation's headquarters is located at:
11100 Wildlife Center Drive
Reston, VA 20190

Visit our page for Regional Centers and Affiliates to find more information about our regional office locations.

The National Wildlife Federation was founded in 1936 by political cartoonist Jay Norwood "Ding" Darling. For more about our history and heritage, visit our History page.

Ranger Rick, the National Wildlife Federation's friendly raccoon character, helps children of all ages discover and connect with nature so that they, too, become good stewards of the environment. Learn more about our beloved mascot at our About Ranger Rick page.

You can find a financial overview for National Wildlife Federation in our Annual Report. If you would prefer to receive a hard copy of this information or a complete Annual Report, please contact Membership Services at 1-800-822-9919, Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST, to request a copy.

The official organizational name is National Wildlife Federation and our tax ID number is 53-0204616.

The National Wildlife Federation is a 501(c)(3) charitable, educational organization. You can learn more about the structure of the organization and how it works in the About Us section of our website. More information about tax-exempt status and regulations can be obtained from the Internal Revenue Service.

Information on the revenue and expenditures for the latest fiscal year for which reports are available can be seen on our Annual Report.

The greatest percentages of revenues are obtained from the sale of our Nature Education Merchandise and from individual donors. A breakdown of our revenues can be viewed on our Annual Report.

Donating

You can make a donation, join National Wildlife Federation, set up a gift membership, renew your own membership, or make a memorial/tribute gift online. You can also make any of these donation transactions by calling Membership Services at 1-800-822-9919, Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST. Please be prepared to provide a credit card number online or by phone. National Wildlife Federation accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

If you prefer to make any of these transactions through the mail, please submit a check made out to:

National Wildlife Federation
PO Box 1583
Merrifield, VA 22116-1583

Please include your full name and address as well as the purpose of your donation. If your donation is for a gift membership, please be sure to include the full name and address of the gift recipient. If your donation is a memorial or tribute, please include the name of the honoree and the names and addresses of anyone you would like notified of the donation.

And there are other ways to give including opportunities to support through gifts of stock, workplace giving and matching gifts through places of employment.

If you have photos of North American wildlife or wild places, you can help support the mission of the National Wildlife Federation by donating usage rights.

Note: All photographers must submit a Photo Release form. This form must be signed both by 1) people who donate images to the National Wildlife Federation, and 2) people who appear in donated photographs. Photos cannot be used without a signed release form.

Occasionally we receive photo release forms but it is unclear which photos they pertain to. Please specify the photos on the release.

There are many opportunities to protect wildlife and wild places. We encourage you to become part of the National Wildlife Federation Activist Network. To learn more about being a voice for wildlife, please visit the Action Center. You will learn more about critical opportunities for you to advocate for wildlife in your state and across the country. This site provides resources and tools to assist you in making your voice heard, such as online petitions and information on writing letters to editors and lawmakers, or arranging a meeting with public officials.

There are numerous opportunities for making a difference in your own backyard and community that can be found in our education programs including how to garden for wildlife and how to participate in environmental education efforts such as National Wildlife Week.

We also recommend you find and connect with the closest National Wildlife Federation office. This site can provide you with information about our regional offices and affiliate organizations that work closely with National Wildlife Federation. Local affiliates provide a connection with field staff familiar with ongoing wildlife and environmental issues in your region. It may also open up volunteer opportunities.

Yes, you certainly can. Visit the Donate page, and provide your personal information and credit card number. Be sure to include the country and postal code. You can also send a check or money order drawn in U.S. funds on a U.S. bank to:

National Wildlife Federation
PO Box 1583
Merrifield, VA 22116-1583

If you would like to set up a membership with National Wildlife magazine as a benefit, please be sure to include an additional $6 U.S. to assist with foreign postage fees.

No, National Wildlife Federation does not purchase property or accept gifts of property for the purpose of managing it as a wildlife refuge. However, The Nature Conservancy accepts gifts of real estate and both The Nature Conservancy and The Wildlife Land Trust will manage property as refuges. The Nature Conservancy can be reached at 1-800-628-6860 and The Wildlife Land Trust can be reached at 1-800-729-7283.

National Wildlife Federation does not accept gifts in kind such as cars or other items either. If a donor wishes to handle the sale of the item and then submit a donation to National Wildlife Federation from the proceeds, it is greatly appreciated.

The National Wildlife Federation does not accept gifts in kind such as cars or other motorized vehicles. If a donor wishes to handle the sale of the item and then submit a donation to National Wildlife Federation from the proceeds, it is greatly appreciated.

The Matching Gifts Program is an easy way to double your contribution to National Wildlife Federation. Please ask your employer for a matching gift form. Then just fill in your portion, and send it to us at:

National Wildlife Federation
PO Box 1583
Merrifield, VA 22116-1583

Please keep in mind that many employers will also match gifts, even if you are now retired. If you have additional questions, please call 1-800-822-9919, Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST, and ask to speak to the Matching Gift Program staff.

To make a corporate, tax-deductible donation or to explore additional support opportunities, please visit Partners and Supporters.

Membership

You can renew your membership online. If you are unable to locate your membership number, please contact the Membership Services staff at 1-800-822-9919, Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST, and they will be able to look it up for you using your name and address information.

If you receive our magazines, it can be found above your name and address on the label. Your National Wildlife Federation membership number is eight digits long and begins with the letter C. There may be a notation stating member number or National Wildlife Federation number.

If you have an existing membership, you will find your membership number on the reply form of each of our mailings. Due to the difference in design, text, etc. on various mail forms, that number can be found in various locations on those forms. Usually it is positioned above your name and address or in the lower right hand corner of the form. If you are unable to locate your membership number, please contact Membership Services at 1-800-822-9919, Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST, and we will be able to look it up for you using your name and address information.

Since the preparation for all of our mailings begins several weeks before the actual postmarked date, there can sometimes be a crossover between a donation and the mailed notices. If you sent in your renewal more than eight weeks ago and are still receiving notices, or have other questions about this process, please feel free to contact Membership Services at 1-800-822-9919, Monday-Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. EST.

You can give a gift membership to National Wildlife online at our website. Your support of nature will delight your recipient all year long. You may also call 1-800-822-9919 to place an order for a gift membership using your credit card. If you prefer to pay by check or money order, please submit $15 or more to:

National Wildlife Federation
PO Box 1583
Merrifield, VA 22116-1583

Include your pertinent information and that of your recipient. You will receive acknowledgement of your gift, and the recipient will receive gift notification and six bimonthly issues of National Wildlife magazine.

Visit our magazine section if the person you would like to provide a gift for is a child — discover which of our magazines (Ranger Rick®, Ranger Rick Jr., or Ranger Rick Cub) would be the perfect choice for that young person. You can order Ranger Rick magazines online with a credit card or call 1-800-611-1599, Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST, to place a credit card order with a customer service representative.

Normally it takes six to eight weeks from the time your contribution is posted for you to receive your free gift. Prior to that you will receive an acknowledgement or thank you letter. It is the policy of National Wildlife Federation to send such an acknowledgement for any contribution of $10.00 or more. In order for premium gifts to be shipped, the donation needed to be accompanied by the form offering the gift and include the requested donation amount.

Membership benefits do not all arrive at once. A welcome letter, ID card, decal and the first issue of your magazine arrive within a few weeks of the posting of your membership. Any bag, fleece, or other premium that may have been featured arrives within six to eight weeks of the start of your membership. Other items such as the calendar and cards are sent at various times throughout the year to active members.

If you have a National Wildlife Federation membership, please call Membership Services at 1-800-822-9919, Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST, and provide your full name, old address including zip code and your new address (and/or name change) including zip code. You may also contact us via our online form.

Please be sure to mention if you receive the National Wildlife Federation merchandise catalog or children's magazines so we can ensure the appropriate offices receive the information. Bear in mind that all of our mailings are prepared in advance, so please allow several weeks for the change to take effect.

If you only receive our merchandise catalog, you may dial (855) 808-2383, Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST, to make an address change. Similarly, changes of address for our children's magazines can be made at 1-800-611-1599, Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST.

The purpose of National Wildlife Federation membership mailings is to update and alert members and prospective members to critical wildlife and conservation issues as well as to gain support for our efforts. However, we certainly want to honor your wishes regarding the frequency and type of mailings as much as possible. Please contact Membership Services at 1-800-822-9919, Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST, to discuss the options that are available for National Wildlife Federation mailings as well as the sharing of a name and address with other like-minded organizations.

If you have not contributed to National Wildlife Federation, you may be receiving a prospect mailing. We sometimes obtain names from various lists. If you would prefer not to receive National Wildlife Federation mailings, please contact Membership Services at 1-800-822-9919, Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST, and they will be happy to assist you. You may also wish to contact the following group that deals with the removal of names from shared mailing lists:

Mail Preference Service
c/o The Direct Marketing Association
PO Box 643
Carmel, NY 10512

Please contact Membership Services at 1-800-822-9919, Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST, or via our online form to have such a listing removed. Be sure to include the full name and address as it appeared on the mailings you received and indicate what you would like to have done. You may also want to contact the following organization to have the name and address removed from national direct mailing lists:

Mail Preference Service
c/o The Direct Marketing Association
PO Box 643
Carmel, NY 10512

 

National Wildlife Federation membership premium items are created exclusively for our members and prospective members and are not available for retail sale. However, we often have surplus stock of certain items and would be happy to provide additional items in return for an extra donation. Of course, stock levels and demands impact our ability to do that.

Please contact the Membership Services staff at 1-800-822-9919, Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST, for more information. A credit card donation would be appreciated to request these types of items by phone. You may also send a letter requesting an extra premium along with a check to:

National Wildlife Federation
PO Box 1583
Merrifield, VA 22116-1583

Our online shop also has novelty items that support the National Wildlife Federation mission. Peruse the catalog to find gifts, apparel, home decor, and more.

Please contact Membership Services at 1-800-822-9919, Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST, or via our online form and provide your membership number and /or name and address. We will be happy to send you a replacement card.

If you have a membership with National Wildlife Federation you will receive address labels as a token of our appreciation from time to time. A donation in return for the labels is greatly appreciated. If you would like additional labels, we recommend contacting one of our affinity partners, Classic Checks, to order labels or checks with National Wildlife Federation designs. Whenever constituents purchase labels or checks with National Wildlife Federation designs through Classic Checks, they make a donation to National Wildlife Federation.

Classic Checks can be reached at 1-800-354-3588.

If there are errors on the labels you received, please contact Membership Services at 1-800-822-9919, Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST, or via our online form and they will make any necessary corrections to our records and submit a request for corrected labels. These are not produced on an individual basis, so please allow six to eight weeks to receive them.

If the labels you received were correct, but you would like additional labels, we recommend contacting one of our affinity partners to order labels or checks with National Wildlife Federation designs. Our partner, Classic Checks, can be reached at 1-800-354-3588. Whenever constituents purchase labels or checks with National Wildlife Federation designs from Classic Checks, that company makes a donation to National Wildlife Federation.

Publications

The National Wildlife Federation is the proud publisher of three children's publications: Ranger Rick®, Ranger Rick Jr.™, and Ranger Rick Cub™. Ranger Rick magazine is for kids ages 7-12 years, Ranger Rick Jr. is for kids ages 4-7 years, and Ranger Rick Cub is for kids ages 0-4. As children devour each issue, they will develop a deeper respect for nature and build basic skills that will help them excel in school. And they'll have fun while becoming better informed about the world around them. Plus, there is NO ADVERTISING to distract from the fun and learning. Give a subscription as a gift—there's nothing more powerful than giving children the inspiration to care about our planet!

One of America's most popular symbols of conservation is the National Wildlife Federation's very own Ranger Rick—our friendly raccoon mascot and a leader in inspiring children (and their parents) to care about the natural world. More than just a magazine, Ranger Rick brings kids all the things they most enjoy: close encounters with animals in the wild ... science discoveries to share with friends and use in school assignments ... and special pages full of puzzles, riddles and mazes that stimulate logical thinking.

Every issue of Ranger Rick includes:

  • Amazing wildlife photography that reveals the mysteries and marvels of the natural world
  • Outdoor adventures, wilderness discoveries and projects that foster environmental awareness
  • Expert answers to readers' questions about plants, animals, and the wild places where they live
  • Puzzles, games, crafts, stories, cartoons and more, to round out the picture and teach key lessons about wildlife and the environment

How do birds steer when they fly? Where do dolphins sleep? How can kids help protect our environment? Award winning Ranger Rick is loaded with amazing facts, marvelous photography, fun outdoor activities, cartoons, jokes, and stories ... all designed to challenge young minds to grow.

Subscribe to Ranger Rick magazine now.

Designed specially for 4- to 7-year-olds, Ranger Rick Jr. uses dazzling wildlife photos and simple, easy-to-follow text to introduce young children to the amazing world of animals. Each 36-page issue of the magazine is packed with:

  • Eye-catching photographs of animals
  • Tons of fun animal facts
  • Lots of games and activities
  • Ideas for getting kids outdoors to enjoy wildlife in their own backyards

Subscribe to Ranger Rick Jr. magazine now.

Building on the success of Ranger Rick magazine for ages 7 to 12 and Ranger Rick Jr. for ages 4 to 7, the National Wildlife Federation launched a new publication in 2016, Ranger Rick Cub™. Featuring a smaller size for the tiny hands of kids ages 0 to 4, Cub encourages “lap time” reading with parents, grandparents, or any trusted adult who wants to introduce wildlife and nature to the youngest members of the family.

Subscribe to Ranger Rick Cub magazine now.

Starting with the December 2012 issue, National Wildlife Federation released a new magazine, Ranger Rick Jr., which replaced Big Backyard and Wild Animal Baby magazines. Ranger Rick Jr. is uniquely designed for kids ages 4-7, and is designed to complement our award-winning Ranger Rick magazine for kids ages 7-12. For our existing subscribers, we want to make this transition as seamless as possible. Read more about this transition and please let us know if you have additional questions or feedback!

Please contact our Membership Services staff at 1-800-822-9919, Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST, or via our online form for a replacement. Please provide your membership number and/or full name and address along with the issue you need replaced. Allow about 7-10 business days to receive that replacement copy. The staff can also supply you with sample copies of any of our publications and information on ordering them.

If you need a replacement copy of any of the children's magazines, please contact that fulfillment center at 1-800-611-1599, Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST.

Our Membership Services staff can supply you with sample copies of any of our publications and information on ordering them. Please contact our staff at 1-800-822-9919, Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST, or via our online form.

Please contact the Membership Services staff at 1-800-822-9919. Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST. to check on the availability of a particular issue. If it is available we will be happy to supply it and would appreciate a credit card donation of $2-3 per copy to defray the cost of postage and shipping. You may also write in to request back issues, being sure to include your full name and address, the date of the issue and a check, money order or credit card for shipping costs. Address those requests to:

National Wildlife Federation
PO Box 1583
Merrifield, VA 22116-1583

Selected issues of the National Wildlife magazine from the past few years can be accessed online.

If you are looking for back issues of the children's magazines, you may call the same number. If the copies are available, the same procedure would apply. If our Membership Services area does not have a particular issue of the children's magazines, they can refer you to staff in the publications area.

A gift membership for a library or other organization can be set up in much the same way as a gift for a family member or friend. You can purchase your gift online using a credit card, or contact the Membership Services staff at 1-800-822-9919, Monday-Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. EST. Please provide your full name and address, the full name and address for the organization to receive the gift and a credit card for the membership amount ($15 or more US, plus an additional $6 for orders going to Canada or overseas). You may also write to:

National Wildlife Federation
PO Box 1583
Merrifield, VA 22116-1583

including all the pertinent information and check, money order or credit card information to process that request. Your name will be listed as the donor of the gift and renewal notices will be sent to you. You may discontinue that at any time.

If you would like to set up one of the children's magazines for a library or other organization, please contact the staff at 1-800-611-1599, Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST, for assistance.

In order to make the wisest use of the resources entrusted to us by our members, the decision was made at the beginning of 2002 to discontinue publication of International Wildlife as a separate magazine. We realize that some members are interested in international issues so we introduced the National Wildlife World Edition, which contains the basic National publication along with a 26-page supplement of international articles and photos. The membership, which includes that edition, is $26 per year for six bimonthly issues. For shipment to Canadian and overseas addresses the membership is $36 to help cover foreign postage.

You can also request this type of membership with a credit card by phone with the Membership Services staff at 1-800-822-9919, Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST. You can also send in a check or money order in US funds with a letter requesting the World Membership to:

National Wildlife Federation
PO Box 1583
Merrifield, VA 22116-1583

To help reduce the impact on the Earth's resources and all living things, the National Wildlife Federation prints their magazines on totally chlorine-free paper, and the inks have a high percentage of vegetable oils. Members can help out by passing the magazine on to a friend, nearby school, library or other facility after reading it. Learn more about green office practices, recycling and other environmentally friendly practices that members can do at home and in their communities.

Please send a letter requesting guidelines for photo or article submission in care of the appropriate magazine title to:

 

National Wildlife Federation
PO Box 1583
Merrifield, VA 22116-1583

Photography buffs are encouraged to enter the National Wildlife Federation's Annual Photo Contest.

From time to time National Wildlife Federation children's publications feature contests for wildlife drawings, riddles, or puzzles. Please follow the instructions given in the magazines to enter submissions for those.

The articles in the magazine are copyrighted and all rights are reserved. They may not be republished or redistributed without written consent of the National Wildlife Federation. To inquire about obtaining consent on a particular article, write to:

 

BrandLicensing@nwf.org
or
National Wildlife Federation
ATTN: Brand Licensing
11100 Wildlife Center Drive
Reston, VA 20190-5362

Be sure to include the magazine issue, article title, and author's name.

Letters may be sent to:

"Reader's View"
National Wildlife Federation
PO Box 1583
Merrifield, VA 22116-1583

You can also fax them to 1-703-438-6544 or email your comments to pubs@nwf.org. Please include your mailing or email address. Letters that are selected for publication may be edited for space or clarity.

You can easily find articles on particular topics within our magazines using the online Search feature located at the top right-hand corner of the National Wildlife Federation website. Type in any topic or article name and click the button to search. You will receive a list of successful matches to your specified search.

You may find detailed information on a specific species or project you are interested in by checking out the online Wildlife Guide. National Wildlife Federation educational materials are also available covering a range of topics. There are also a number of informative books, reports, and publications that can be accessed online. You may also wish to contact the National Wildlife Federation regional office nearest you to find out what grassroots efforts are being carried on in your area. There are often additional reports available directly from these offices.

Getting Involved

Yes, the National Wildlife Federation is one of the member charities participating in EarthShare. Learn more about how Earth Share works and about the National Wildlife Federation's participation online on our Workplace Giving page. For more information, please call 1-800-822-9919, Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST.

Learn more about the Combined Federal Campaign and the National Wildlife Federation's participation online on our Workplace Giving page. For more information, you may also call 1-800-822-9919, Monday-Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. EST.

To make a corporate, tax-deductible donation or to explore additional support opportunities, please visit Corporate Relationships.

You can purchase personal checks with the National Wildlife Federation designs through The Check Gallery's Classic Edition, one of our cause marketing partners. For any questions regarding the placement or status of an order, please contact service representatives at The Check Gallery by calling toll-free 1-800-354-3540.

General information about employment with National Wildlife Federation, company benefits and current job openings can be found on the Careers page of our website. If you are interested in any position or positions, you can apply online or send a separate resume and cover letter for each position, indicating job number, to:

National Wildlife Federation
Attn: Human Resources (Job # )
PO Box 1583
Merrifield VA 22116-1583
Fax: 703-438-6039

General information about internships, necessary requirements, benefits and current openings can be found on the Careers page of our website.

Volunteers are the backbone of the National Wildlife Federation. Their dedication and efforts allow us to increase our outreach and expand our conservation programs. You can get information about volunteering at the National Wildlife Federation and find opportunities on the Careers page of our website. You may also wish to contact the National Wildlife Federation regional office or state affiliate nearest you to find out what grassroots efforts are being carried on in your area.

Get Involved

Where We Work

More than one-third of U.S. fish and wildlife species are at risk of extinction in the coming decades. We're on the ground in seven regions across the country, collaborating with 52 state and territory affiliates to reverse the crisis and ensure wildlife thrive.

Learn More
Regional Centers and Affiliates