irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $91KIn Her Nature: Wildlife docuseries airing on PBS Nature featuring leading women in conservation.
- #2 $31KTHE WINGS FLAG IS RECOGNIZED AS A SYMBOL OF EXCELLENCE IN DISCOVERY ANDKNOWLEDGE AND CERTIFIES THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ITS CARRIER'S ENDEAVOR. MORE THAN 150SCIENTISTS AND EXPLORERS HAVE FLOWN THE NUMBERED WINGS FLAGS ACROSS MORE THAN 80 COUNTRIES AND AT BOTH POLES, ESTABLISHING A UNIQUE BOND OF HIGH ACHIEVERS, CREATIVE THINKERS, AND BOLD LEADERS NOTABLE FOR THEIR COURAGE AND COMMITMENT TO DISCOVERY. FLAG CARRIERS ARE WOMEN LEADING ORIGINAL FIELD RESEARCH OR DOCUMENTATION RELATED TO AN EXPEDITION AND/OR RESEARCH PROJECT, INCLUDING LAB RESEARCH ASSESSING SAMPLES/DATA COLLECTED IN THE FIELD, THAT FOCUS ON INVESTIGATING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NATURE OF OUR WORLD AND ADVANCING CONSERVATION EFFORTS ON LAND, AIR AND WATER THROUGH SCIENCE AND ADVOCACY. THIS HONOR COMES WITH A GRANT AWARD BETWEEN $2,000 - $5,000 DEPENDANT ON THE SIZE OF THE EXPEDITION.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
In Her Nature
Wildlife docuseries on PBS Nature highlighting leading women in conservation, showcasing their scientific work and expeditions.
WINGS Fellows Program
Recognizes extraordinary women making discoveries through bold research and exploration; each Fellow receives a $10,000 grant and is honored at the Women of Discovery Gala.
WINGS Flag Carrier Program
Honors women leading original field research or expeditions; recipients receive a grant of $2,000–$5,000 and carry a numbered WINGS flag on expeditions across more than 80 countries and both poles.
Women of Discovery Annual Gala
Annual event celebrating the achievements of WINGS Fellows and Flag Carriers, featuring public talks and networking.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Member Hardship Assistance Programs 1 activity
- Administering emergency support for field researchersOperates an Emergency Fund established in 2014 to finance urgent evacuations or medical assistance for WINGS Fellows and Flag Carriers who are injured or in danger during fieldwork.
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Women's Educational Advancement 1 activity
- Awarding unrestricted grants to women in science, exploration, and conservationFunds high-achieving women through the Women of Discovery Fellowship program with unrestricted grants ranging from $2,000 to $20,000 to support original field research, expeditions, and conservation projects. Since inception, has supported over 150 women scientists and explorers across more than 80 countries and both poles.
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Organizational Governance & Leadership Development 1 activity
- Building leadership and fundraising capacity through the Associate BoardRuns the WINGS Associate Board, founded in 2018, to raise funds for annual Fellow grants, expand organizational networks, increase mission awareness, and mentor emerging leaders in science and exploration.
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Industry and Community Recognition Awards 1 activity
- Hosting annual events and forums for public engagement and community buildingHosts the annual Women of Discovery Awards Gala in New York City each October to honor pioneering women explorers, most recently recognizing five honorees in both 2023 and 2024. Also organizes the annual Global Explorers Forum where recent Fellows present their research and expedition experiences to peers and the public.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Operating the WINGS Flag Carrier ProgramRecognizes and supports women explorers through the Flag Carrier Program, established in 2005, which includes awarding symbolic flags flown on expeditions across every continent and both poles. Requires participants to submit flag reports, bimonthly updates, return the flag post-expedition, and engage on social media.
- Producing and disseminating educational and media contentProduces public programming including Q&A sessions with Women of Discovery honorees, features prominent figures like Jane Goodall during Women's History Month, publishes educational guides such as a zero-waste living guide, and produced the PBS Nature docuseries "In Her Nature" highlighting leading women in conservation.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$639K
Contributions & grants$373K58%
Program service revenue$25K4%
Investment income$230%
Other revenue$241K
expenses
Total expenses$697K
Program expenses72%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising12%
Salaries & benefits$156K
Grants paid out$135K
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$282K
Cash$183K
Investments$0
Liabilities$102K
Net assets$180K
Liquid reserves3.1 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +19.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meredith Ayan | CEO | 40 | $156K |
board members · 15
- Ann Bancroft — Trustee
- Beth Nixon — Trustee
- CATHERINE CHALMERS — Trustee
- CLAIRE WERNER — Chair
- ELIZABETH DEWAILLY — Trustee
- HILLARY WALLACE — Trustee
- JEANINE MCHUGH — Secretary
- KAREN ZIEFF — Trustee
- KRITHI KARANTH — Trustee
- MANDE HOLFORD — Trustee
- Margo Alexander — Trustee
- Marti Marache — Trustee
- Mary Britt — Treasurer
- Maud Welles — Vice Chair
- Nina Rumbough — Trustee
relationships · 19
Who they work with
- Alphabet’s Moonshot Factory (X) Partner — Collaborates with Dr. Grace C. Young, who serves as a Research Engineer and Lead Scientist at X, Alphabet’s Moonshot Factory.
- Ashoka University Partner — Collaborates with Dr. Divya Karnad, an associate professor at Ashoka University focused on marine conservation.
- Emilie Welles Government — Flag Carrier Program Manager at WINGS World Quest Inc
- Global Impact Society Partner — Network of supporters engaged through events and communications
- Marblehead Arts Association Partner — Hosted WINGS Flag Carrier Sefra Alexandra's seed conservation talk in Marblehead, MA.
- National Geographic Partner — Collaborates with National Geographic Explorers including Dr. Rosa Vásquez Espinoza and Nora Shawki.
- NorthChannel LLC Government — Administrative address and likely fiscal or operational affiliate for WINGS WorldQuest Inc.
- NorthChannel LLC Government — Administrative host organization managing operations for WINGS WorldQuest Inc.
- NorthChannel LLC Government — Provides administrative or fiscal sponsorship services; listed as the address recipient for WINGS WorldQuest.
- NorthChannel LLC Government — Provides administrative or operational support; listed as the organization's address host.
- NorthChannel LLC Government — Registered agent or administrative affiliate for WINGS WorldQuest
- NorthChannel LLC Government — WINGS WorldQuest is administered through NorthChannel LLC, based in New York, NY.
- PBS Nature Partner — Collaborated with PBS Nature to air the wildlife docuseries "In Her Nature" featuring women in conservation.
- Project Jaguars of Iguaçu Partner — Collaborates with Dr. Yara Barros, Executive Coordinator of Project Jaguars of Iguaçu.
- Salem Ornithological Foundation Partner — Collaborates with Angeline Mano Matheswaran, a Research Assistant and Nature Educator at the foundation.
- Smithsonian Institution Partner — Collaborates with Dr. Ellen Stofan, who holds a leadership role at the Smithsonian Institution.
- South Carolina Aquarium Partner — Co-hosted public talks with WINGS featuring explorer Jill Heinerth and Dr. Laly Lichtenfeld.
- Three Otters Media Partner — Presented on amplifying exploration impact through virtual reality at the 2024 Global Explorers Forum.
- Wildlife Science and Conservation Center of Mongolia (WSCC) Partner — Collaborates with Bayarmaa Chuluunbat, a conservationist at WSCC working in the Gobi–steppe region.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Unrestricted Grantmaking with Network Integration 379 orgsmethodology: unrestricted_grantmakingBy providing unrestricted grants and integrating recipients into a global network, the organization enables women explorers to direct funds to their highest-priority needs (e.g., equipment, travel, childcare) while amplifying their impact through sustained community and collaboration, because autonomy and connection together enhance research independence and long-term influence.shared approach: Unrestricted Grantmaking →
- Visibility and Role Model Amplification 25 orgsmethodology: visibility-and-recognitionBy elevating the public visibility of women scientists and explorers through recognition, media, and events, the organization inspires future generations—particularly young girls—to pursue careers in science and exploration, because visible role models disrupt stereotypes and expand perceived possibilities.shared approach: Role Model Exposure →
- Community-Driven Collaboration and Sustained Engagementmethodology: community-amplificationBy building a connected community of women explorers through shared identity, convenings, and post-expedition dialogue, the organization strengthens retention, collaboration, and scientific synergy, because sustained peer engagement fosters trust, cross-disciplinary innovation, and collective impact.