Muley foundation receives $250,000 in relief funds

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted residents and businesses throughout the state, but some of the hardest impacts have been seen with some nonprofit organizations.

For the Muley Fanatic Foundation, $250,000 it received in CARES Act funding from the Wyoming Business Council will go a long way in helping the organization maintain its commitment to promoting mule deer conservation.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has been dire to MFF and our efforts to further the mission,” MFF cofounder Josh Coursey said. “The backbone to our operation and the unique funding model we are built upon is dependent on memberships, chapter banquets and fundraising efforts.”

Like most events, the MFF’s banquets were canceled because of the pandemic and fears of spreading COVID-19 amongst members. In total, the organization was forced to cancel 11 events throughout the year including its Mansface Mountain Music Festival, a festival hosted on Expedition Island for the past two years.

The funding the organization received comes from an agricultural relief program under the Wyoming Business Council. The program was originally designed to help the state’s farmers and rangers with COVID-19 related impacts and expenses, but was opened to some nonprofits.

The amount the MFF received was the maximum amount that could be awarded.

For the organization, the funding comes at a time when several initiatives were threatened Coursey said.

“Funding commitments for two ongoing PhD research projects through the University of Wyoming, annual habitat contract work and continued funding to the LaBarge/Big Piney underpasses are just a few of the larger labors that were in jeopardy due to the pandemic,” he said.

Coursey said the funding was a blessing to the organization because many of their operations are reliant on social gatherings and people engaged in the foundation’s mission.

According to the MFF’s website, the funding model the organization uses allows for 70% of the money generated to go towards various projects the organization is focused on. The Wyoming Business Council reports the agriculture relief fund provided $31.5 million to 514 applicants. Overall, nearly $420 million in funding has been distributed.