November 2025 - The WYldlife Fund

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we want to take a moment to reflect on all we have to be grateful for this season and to share that gratitude with you.

Our Many Supporters

Thanks to you, 2025 was our most successful year yet. We raised over $164,000 from 84 contributors. That support not only underscores how deeply you care about Wyoming’s wildlife but also demonstrates the growing, grassroots reach that WYldlife for Tomorrow has built in just a few short years.

Because of your generosity in 2025, we were able to help fund the Highway 189 wildlife crossing, the Upper Sweetwater Fence Initiative, the Jackson Elk Herd research project, and supported progress on the Highway 26 wildlife crossing near Dubois. These projects are set to make a tangible difference for both wildlife and humans. Your commitment fuels this work, and we’re energized to put even more of your contributions on the ground in 2026.

Business Partners

Our nearly 100 business partners also showed up in a big way this year. From hosting events at Cowboy Coffee, Dave Hansen Whitewater, and Jackson Drug, to bringing forward new ideas and collaborations we’re excited to expand and their engagement has been truly inspiring. The demonstrated generosity during Old Bill’s further proved that our network is the backbone of what we strive to accomplish. Together with recreation, tourism, and hospitality partners across Wyoming, we’re building a model of conservation rooted in shared values and collaborative action.

Wyoming’s Wildlife

And of course, we are deeply grateful for the very thing that brings us all together: Wyoming’s wildlife. The awe-inspiring scale of annual migrations, delight of spotting newborns each spring, and fall traditions grounding hunters and families across the state — there is not a season that goes by where wildlife isn’t shaping our culture and well-being in countless ways. Wildlife has also proven time and time again to sustain local economies, as visitors are drawn from around the world to witness the animals that define our remarkable home. This year, and every year, we are especially grateful for our wild Wyoming.

To All Who Stand With Us

It would take far more than a single blog post to acknowledge everyone we are grateful for this Thanksgiving. Whether you’ve liked or shared one of our posts on social media, attended an event, volunteered, donated, or simply modeled responsible behavior around wildlife, please know that we consider you part of the herd.

Your support matters. It strengthens this movement, protects the wildlife we all cherish, and ensures a brighter future for Wyoming’s wild places.

From all of us at WYldlife for Tomorrow, thank you!

Job Posting

Title: Vice President

Position Structure: Full Time

Salary Range: $80,000-$110,000 based upon experience and qualifications

Reports To: President

Location: Wyoming, office location to be approved by the President

Anticipated Start Date: December 8, 2025

Job Summary:

The Vice President (VP) will act as a strategic advisor and principal partner to the President, helping to lead The WYldlife Fund (The Fund) with vision and purpose. This role combines visionary leadership with operational expertise to drive conservation initiatives, foster stakeholder and donor engagement, and support organizational growth—all in alignment with the Strategic Plan established by the Board of Directors.

The VP will be a key ambassador for The Fund, cultivating relationships with donors, driving fundraising, and ensuring alignment with The Fund’s and Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s mission to benefit Wyoming’s wildlife.

Key responsibilities:

● Co-develop and execute strategic fundraising plans alongside the President
● Demonstrate measurable return on investment for major gifts and strategic philanthropic initiatives
● Lead cross-functional initiatives that elevate the Fund’s visibility and impact
● Represent the Fund in high-level meetings, coalitions, and public forums
● Support and scale programs
● Evaluate new conservation opportunities and funding mechanisms
● Ensure programmatic alignment with the strategic plan, donor priorities and conservation outcomes
● Ensure clear communication of financial performance and organizational priorities to the board of directors and external stakeholders
● Cultivate relationships with donors, business partners, and government agencies
● Co-lead fundraising campaigns, grant development, and donor stewardship
● Design and host high-impact events to cultivate donor relationships
● Oversee all public-facing communications, including website management, regular social media content, paid advertising campaigns, and the coordination and production of the Annual Impact Report
● Assist in overseeing the fiscal operations of the Western Conservation Leadership Development Program, working in close partnership with the Program Director and Executive Committee
● Work closely with the President to manage monthly donations, track restricted funds, and collaborate with The Fund’s CPA to ensure accurate maintenance of monthly balance sheets, statements of activities, and profit and loss reports
● Collaborate with the President and the Fund’s CPA to ensure the accurate preparation and timely filing of the annual Form 990
● Assist in preparing materials for Board meetings and play an active role in facilitating and guiding meeting discussions
● Collaborate closely with the President, Board of Directors, and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to guide strategic grantmaking and funding initiatives, while overseeing and evaluating the impact of these investments

Minimum Qualifications:
● Proven leadership in nonprofit, conservation or public policy sectors
● Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a related field preferred, but not required
● Working knowledge of non-profit administration and fundraising
● Demonstrated success leading an issue-based program or campaign
● Strong strategic thinking, communication and relationship-building skills
● Experience with fundraising, donor relations, and program development
● Knowledge of Wyoming’s wildlife, public lands, and conservation landscape

About The Fund:
The Fund was founded in 2019 by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission with a vision of working closely with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and stakeholders to conserve and enhance Wyoming’s wildlife resources. The Fund unites people to advance Wyoming wildlife habitat, research, and education. We are seeking an energetic, motivated, self-starting leader who is passionate about Wyoming’s wildlife resources to take aid in taking The Fund to the next level for current and future generations.
To learn more about The Fund, go to: thewyldlifefund.org.

To Apply: Email letter of interest and resume to: Chris McBarnes, President, The WYldlife Fund, at chris@thewyldlifefund.org. This vacancy announcement is open until filled. Please check in with Chris to get an update on the status of the process before submitting your application.

The WYldlife Fund provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

WYldly Grateful for your Support in 2025

Job Posting: Vice President