American Association of Colleges of Nursing
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is a Washington, DC-based public charity. The organization describes itself as the collective voice for academic nursing and a catalyst for excellence and innovation in nursing education, research, and practice. It supports nursing education and related work through initiatives that include grants to schools of nursing and other institutions.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing at a glance
In short: American Association of Colleges of Nursing gave $584K across 57 grants in 2025 (avg $10K), top state Texas. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $584,000
- -6.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 57
- +216.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $10,246
- -70.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $12,000
- Total assets
- $49,911,550
- -1.8% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Texas (11% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to American Association of Colleges of Nursing
- Contact
Mailing address: 655 K Street Nw 750, Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 463-6930
Website: https://aacnnursing.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who American Association of Colleges of Nursing funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Johns Hopkins University ($27K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $185K.
Grant Size Distribution
111 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 91 grants of 111 (82%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grant dollars were distributed across recipient states. The largest reported shares went to Texas (11%), New York (8%), California (8%), North Carolina (7%), and Maryland (7%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 57 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How American Association of Colleges of Nursing gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $32K (2020) to $798K (2022). In 2025 it made 57 grants totaling $584K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Kansas School of Nursing Kansas City, KS | Foundation - Faculty Scholars Grant Program | $25,000 |
| UNC Charlotte School of Nursing Charlotte, NC | Foundation - Faculty Scholars Grant Program | $25,000 |
| The University of Arizona Tuscson, AZ | Jonas Scholars Grant Program | $18,000 |
| Fairfield University School of Nursing Fairfield, CT | American Nurses Foundation Competency-Based Education Award | $15,000 |
| Russell Sage College Troy, NY | American Nurses Foundation Competency-Based Education Award | $15,000 |
| Wright State University Dayton, OH | American Nurses Foundation Competency-Based Education Award | $15,000 |
| Creighton University Omaha, NE | American Nurses Foundation Competency-Based Education Award | $15,000 |
| Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD | American Nurses Foundation Competency-Based Education Award | $15,000 |
| University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS | American Nurses Foundation Competency-Based Education Award | $15,000 |
| Texas State University San Marcos, TX | American Nurses Foundation Competency-Based Education Award | $15,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $49,911,550 | $20,668,593 | $20,128,905 | $584,000 | 57 | $2,358,300 |
| 2024 | $50,842,273 | $20,561,479 | $19,786,711 | $622,000 | 18 | $1,532,687 |
| 2023 | $47,981,662 | $19,470,295 | $18,375,386 | $430,000 | 15 | $1,774,485 |
| 2022 | $43,348,333 | $22,408,211 | $16,132,495 | $797,666 | 17 | $2,236,078 |
| 2021 | $42,728,589 | $18,382,965 | $11,838,313 | $66,667 | 4 | $1,421,323 |
| 2020 | $32,242,011 | $15,709,388 | $14,698,418 | $31,667 | 4 | $87,467 |
| 2019 | $30,486,549 | $17,066,170 | $15,252,994 | $169,149 | 15 | $982,302 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
AACN’s stated mission is to serve as the collective voice for academic nursing and a catalyst for excellence and innovation in nursing education, research, and practice. Its program descriptions include curricular standards, quality indicators for nursing programs, academic-practice partnerships, and interprofessional engagement.
Its grant initiatives include support for nurse educators’ scholarly activities, competency-based nursing education, and doctoral nursing scholars. The 2025 grants included awards for the Faculty Scholars Grant Program, the Jonas Scholars Grant Program, and the American Nurses Foundation Competency-Based Education Award.
Grantees include universities and nursing schools. For example, the University of Kansas Medical Center Research Institute says it promotes and aids the research, educational, and service functions of the University of Kansas Medical Center. Samuel Merritt University describes its mission as educating skilled and compassionate health care professionals who can positively transform care in diverse communities.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, AACN reported 57 grants totaling $584,000. Awards ranged from $6,000 to $25,000, with a median of $12,000. Two $25,000 awards went to the University of Kansas School of Nursing and UNC Charlotte School of Nursing for the Faculty Scholars Grant Program. Other reported awards included $18,000 to the University of Arizona for the Jonas Scholars Grant Program and $15,000 awards to several institutions for the American Nurses Foundation Competency-Based Education Award.
AACN’s website describes the Faculty Scholars Grant Program and provides sections on application criteria and process, application contents, review and selection, and grant dispersal. It does not provide enough information here to specify application materials, restrictions, or a deadline.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Jean Giddens as chair, Julie Sanford as chair-elect, Victoria Niederhauser as secretary, and Judith Karshmer as treasurer. Listed members-at-large were Stephen Cavanagh, Lorna Finnegan, Mary Ellen Glasgow, Rhoberta Haley, Valerie Howard, and Kim Hunter.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing is led by Deborah E. Trautman, President & CEO on every filing since 2019; 8 of 25 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Deborah E. Trautman
President & CEO
On filings since 2019
35 hrs/week
$428K (2019) → $643K (2025)
Jennifer Butlin
Ccne Executive Director
Executive Director of Ccne → Ccne Executive Director, 2023
On filings since 2019
35 hrs/week
$195K (2019) → $233K (2025)
Jean Giddens
Chair
Member at Large → Chair-Elect, 2022
Chair-Elect → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Ahearn
Chief Operating Officer
On filings since 2019
35 hrs/week
$240K (2019) → $314K (2025)
Joan Stanley
Chief Academic Officer
On filings since 2019
35 hrs/week
$202K (2019) → $253K (2025)
Robert Rosseter
Chief Communications Officer
Chief Communications Officer → Chief Commun. Officer, 2021
Chief Commun. Officer → Chief Communications Officer, 2023
On filings since 2019
35 hrs/week
$203K (2019) → $252K (2025)
George Zangaro
Chief Policy & Scientific Officer
On filings since 2022
35 hrs/week
$185K (2022) → $217K (2025)
Brigit Carter
Chief Access & Engagement Officer
Chief Dei Officer → Chief Access & Engagement Officer, 2025
On filings since 2024
35 hrs/week
$178K (2024) → $203K (2025)
Susan Corbridge
Chief Nursing Edu Innov Officer
Chief Essentials Program Officer → Chief Nursing Edu Innov Officer, 2025
On filings since 2024
35 hrs/week
$195K (2024) → $204K (2025)
Judith Karshmer
Treasurer
Member at Large → Member-At-Large, 2022
Member-At-Large → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julie Sanford
Chair-Elect
Member at Large → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Chair-Elect, 2025
On filings since 2019
6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lin Zhan
Member-At-Large
Treasurer → Member-At-Large, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Victoria Niederhauser
Secretary
Member at Large → Member-At-Large, 2022
Member-At-Large → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deborah Jones
Member-At-Large
Member at Large → Member-At-Large, 2022
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Demetrius Porche
Member-At-Large
Member at Large → Member-At-Large, 2022
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Cavanagh
Member-At-Large
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julie Swann
Member-At-Large
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rita Trofino
Member-At-Large
Member-At-Large → Member-At-Large From, 2024
Member-At-Large From → Member-At-Large, 2025
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robin Newhouse
Member-At-Large
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kim Hunter
Member-At-Large
Member-At-Large From → Member-At-Large, 2025
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rhoberta Haley
Member-At-Large
Member-At-Large From → Member-At-Large, 2025
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lorna Finnegan
Member-At-Large From
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Ellen Glasgow
Member-At-Large From
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shannon Smith
Member-At-Large From
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Valerie Howard
Member-At-Large From
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (33)
- Former: Cynthia McCurren (2020–2024) — Chair
- Former: Jerry Mansfield (2020–2024) — Member-At-Large
- Former: Jean Giddens - Chair-Elect (2024)
- Former: Julie Sanford - Secretary (2024)
- Former: Victoria Niederhauser - Member- (2024) — At-Large
- Former: Heather Shelford (2020–2023) — Director of Finance & Administration
- Former: Kathleen McGuinn (2020–2023) — Director of Inter Edu & Pract Part
- Former: Pier Broadnax (2021–2023) — Member-At-Large
- Former: Christina Verni (2022–2023) — Member-At-Large
- Former: Sue Mullaney (2022–2023) — Member-At-Large
- Former: Lin Zhan - Treasurer (2023) — - Member-At-Large · Filing note: Until
- Former: Ora Strickland - Member-At- (2023) — Large
- Former: Jean Leuner (2019–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Susan Bakewell-Sachs (2019–2022) — Chair
- Former: Marjorie Wiggins (2020–2022) — Member-At-Large
- Former: Randolph Rasch (2020–2022) — Member-At-Large
- Former: Benjamin Murray (2021–2022) — Ccne Deputy Executive Director
- Former: Ora Strickland (2022) — Member-At-Large
- Former: Terri Weaver (2019–2021) — Member at Large
- Former: Jan Strom (2020–2021) — Member at Large
- Former: Cynthia Leaver (2021) — Director of Academic Nursing Development
- Former: Susan Mullaney (2021) — Member at Large
- Former: Ann Cary (2019–2020) — Chair
- Former: Christie Shelton (2019–2020) — Member at Large
- Former: Kristen Swanson (2019–2020) — Member at Large
- Former: Lepaine Sharp-McHenry (2019–2020) — Member at Large
- Former: Rachel Stevenson (2020) — Director of Government Affairs
- Former: Judy Beal (2019) — Chair-Elect
- Former: Philip Greiner (2019) — Member-At-Large
- Former: Rosalie Mainous (2019) — Director of Academic Nursing Development
- Former: Suzanne Miyamoto (2019) — Chief Policy Officer
- Former: Teri Murray (2019) — Treasurer
- Former: Vernell Dewitty (2019) — Director of Diversity & Inclusion
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $643K, to Deborah E Trautman (President & CEO). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about American Association of Colleges of Nursing
How much does American Association of Colleges of Nursing give each year?
American Association of Colleges of Nursing gave $584K across 57 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $622K across 18 grants.
What is American Association of Colleges of Nursing's typical grant size?
American Association of Colleges of Nursing's median grant in 2025 was $12,000, and its average grant was $10,246, across 57 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does American Association of Colleges of Nursing give grants?
American Association of Colleges of Nursing's top state is Texas, with 11% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were New York (8%) and California (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Baltimore, MD (3 grants), Omaha, NE (2 grants), St. Louis, MO (2 grants) and Philadelphia, PA (2 grants).
Does American Association of Colleges of Nursing give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 57 grants with a stated purpose on American Association of Colleges of Nursing's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Jonas Scholars Grant Program" (45 grants) and "American Nurses Foundation Competency-Based Education Award" (10 grants).
Who are American Association of Colleges of Nursing's largest grantees?
American Association of Colleges of Nursing's largest 2025 grantees include Johns Hopkins University ($27,000 across 2 grants), University of Kansas School of Nursing ($25,000) and UNC Charlotte School of Nursing ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 13% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is American Association of Colleges of Nursing?
American Association of Colleges of Nursing reported $49.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $20.7M.
What does American Association of Colleges of Nursing fund?
AACN’s stated mission is to serve as the collective voice for academic nursing and a catalyst for excellence and innovation in nursing education, research, and practice. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from American Association of Colleges of Nursing?
American Association of Colleges of Nursing has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check aacnnursing.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is American Association of Colleges of Nursing's EIN?
American Association of Colleges of Nursing's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-0971333. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 24, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 22, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 30, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 2, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). American Association of Colleges of Nursing funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 6, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/american-association-of-colleges-of-nursing-morg_d1a006ff2d874fafbc839db423944899
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_520971333_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{American Association of Colleges of Nursing funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/american-association-of-colleges-of-nursing-morg_d1a006ff2d874fafbc839db423944899},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-06. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from American Association of Colleges of Nursing's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing down — hundreds of funders to go?