National Fish and Wildlife Foundation high salary scandal exposed amid federal funding controversy

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s high executive salaries, funded by taxpayer dollars, raise ethical concerns.

Investigative journalist Laura Loomer has uncovered troubling financial details about the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), shedding light on the large salaries paid to its top executives.

Loomer, on February 11, revealed her findings on X (formerly Twitter), stating that NFWF’s CEO, Jeffrey Trandahl, earned a salary of $1,211,150 during the fiscal year from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023.

According to Loomer, this seven-figure salary has been a consistent payout for Trandahl for several years, raising questions about the ethics of paying such high compensation at a charity funded largely by U.S. taxpayer dollars.

In addition to Trandahl, Loomer pointed out that other high-ranking NFWF officials also received significant salaries. These include Executive Vice President of External Affairs Lila Helms and Senior Vice President Thomas Kelsch, with earnings ranging from $214,000 to $549,000. These compensation packages have further fueled criticism of NFWF’s pay structure, especially since much of the foundation's funding comes from U.S. government grants.

For the fiscal year in question, NFWF received over $165 million in government grants from agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Bureau of Land Management. Given that taxpayer money finances the foundation, critics are questioning the justification for such lavish salaries within an organization that is supposed to be serving public environmental interests.

The controversy over NFWF’s salaries is further compounded by its partnership with the Biden administration. In December 2024, NFWF announced $122.4 million in grants under the America the Beautiful Challenge, a Biden initiative focused on conservation. This collaboration has drawn additional scrutiny over the scale of federal funding allocated to the organization.

Jeffrey Trandahl, who has served as NFWF’s CEO since 2005, previously worked on Capitol Hill for 23 years, including as Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives. In addition to his leadership at NFWF, Trandahl also serves on the board of the Arcus Foundation, which supports causes like LGBTQ rights and great ape conservation. Critics have expressed outrage at the juxtaposition of his high salary, his advocacy for the "woke agenda," and his position in a taxpayer-funded organization.

In 2015, Trandahl was involved in supporting the legalization of same-sex marriage in the U.S., which has added fuel to the fire of critics who feel he is pushing political agendas with federal funds.

Loomer’s investigation calls attention to this potential misuse of taxpayer money, asking, “How does a ‘charity’ meant to serve public environmental interests justify paying its CEO over $1.2 million every year for 40 hours of work per week?”

Loomer’s post also highlighted the broader implications of these revelations. She specifically urged the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire Elon Musk, and President Donald Trump to take action against NFWF. Loomer described NFWF’s financial practices as “unjustified wasteful and fraudulent spending” and called on the Trump administration to address the issue.

The investigation comes at a time when federal funding waste is a growing concern. Under the Trump administration’s DOGE, efforts have been made to cut unnecessary federal expenses. DOGE claims to have saved over $1 billion by eliminating contracts related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, among other cuts. Meanwhile, other federal agencies like FEMA have faced scrutiny for questionable spending, including allegations that FEMA sent $59 million to luxury hotels in New York City to house illegal migrants.

Loomer’s investigation has added fuel to the ongoing debate over government spending and the accountability of nonprofit organizations funded by taxpayers.

EXCLUSIVE:

🚨High Salaries Exceeding $1.2 MILLION PER YEAR at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) Amidst Federal Funding Waste Scandals EXPOSED🚨

Through my investigation into the financial dealings of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), established… pic.twitter.com/QV98UnPhjF

— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) February 11, 2025