Investigative journalist Laura Loomer has exposed significant financial concerns regarding the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), bringing attention to the substantial salaries paid to its top executives.
On February 11, Loomer shared her findings on X (formerly Twitter), revealing that NFWF’s CEO, Jeffrey Trandahl, received a salary of $1,211,150 for the fiscal year spanning October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023. She noted that this seven-figure salary has been a recurring payment for Trandahl over multiple years, raising ethical concerns about high executive compensation at an organization primarily funded by U.S. taxpayers.
Beyond Trandahl, Loomer highlighted that several other senior NFWF officials received substantial salaries. Among them, Executive Vice President of External Affairs Lila Helms and Senior Vice President Thomas Kelsch earned between $214,000 and $549,000 annually. These figures have sparked debate, particularly as the foundation relies heavily on government grants for funding.
During the fiscal year under review, NFWF secured over $165 million in federal grants from agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Bureau of Land Management. Given this financial support from taxpayers, critics question the justification for such high salaries within a nonprofit organization dedicated to conservation efforts.
The controversy surrounding NFWF’s financial practices intensified following its partnership with the Biden administration. In December 2024, the foundation announced $122.4 million in grants under the America the Beautiful Challenge, a conservation initiative linked to the administration. This collaboration has fueled further scrutiny regarding the extent of federal funding allocated to NFWF.
Trandahl, who has led NFWF since 2005, previously spent 23 years working on Capitol Hill, including serving as Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives. In addition to his role at NFWF, he is a board member of the Arcus Foundation, an organization that supports LGBTQ rights and wildlife conservation. His high salary, coupled with his advocacy work, has drawn criticism from those who believe taxpayer funds should not support political agendas.
In 2015, Trandahl publicly backed the legalization of same-sex marriage in the U.S., a stance that some critics argue is unrelated to his conservation leadership. Loomer’s investigation raises concerns about the potential misuse of taxpayer money, questioning how a publicly funded nonprofit can justify paying its CEO over $1.2 million annually for a standard 40-hour workweek.
Loomer also called for further action, urging the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk, and former President Donald Trump to investigate NFWF’s spending. She described the foundation’s financial practices as an example of “wasteful and fraudulent spending” and advocated for increased oversight to ensure responsible use of public funds.
This investigation emerges at a time when government spending is facing heightened scrutiny. Under the Trump administration’s DOGE initiative, efforts were made to curb unnecessary expenditures, reportedly saving over $1 billion by eliminating contracts related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Additionally, other federal agencies, such as FEMA, have come under fire for questionable spending practices, including allegations of allocating $59 million for luxury hotel stays in New York City to accommodate migrants.
Loomer’s findings contribute to the broader discussion on fiscal responsibility and nonprofit accountability, raising essential questions about the stewardship of taxpayer dollars in federally funded organizations.
