American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. Based in Marshall, Virginia, with an additional office in Washington, D.C., the organization employs 144 staff members and operates as a 501(c)(3) entity. Founded in 1994 by George Fenwick and Rita Fenwick, ABC takes bold action to achieve lasting conservation results for bird species most in need while benefiting human communities, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$22.6M
-3.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.6M
+88.1% YoY
Grant Count
64
+120.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$56K
-14.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Conserve wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas.
ABC's conservation approach focuses on four core strategies:
- Prevent extinctions
- Reverse declines
- Reduce threats
- Build the bird conservation movement
The organization's work is underpinned by science, strengthened by partnerships, and rooted in the belief that diverse perspectives yield stronger conservation results.
Grantmaking
ABC functions as both a grantmaker and grant recipient. Based on their most recent IRS Form 990 filing (2024):
Average Grant
amount:** Data available in detailed 990 filings
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
ABC's grantmaking priorities include Texas, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota, with conservation work spanning the Americas.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of fiscal year 2024:
- Total assets: $22,595,079
- Total giving: $6,727,399
- Annual revenue: $24,884,369
As of fiscal year 2023:
- Total assets: $23,400,000
- Total revenue: $27,900,000
- Total expenses: $25,300,000
- Total liabilities: $1,890,000
Compensation (most recent filing):
- Executive compensation: $819,587
- Professional fundraising fees: $0
- Other salaries and wages: $10,463,354
ABC maintains efficient operations with low overhead, directing maximum resources toward core conservation mission activities.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $22,595,079 | $23,354,821 | $18,892,801 |
| Revenue | $26,955,379 | $27,904,183 | $21,641,790 |
| Expenses | $29,458,453 | $25,344,812 | $25,555,875 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $608,081 | $132,783 | $243,193 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
184 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The Nature Conservancy ($487,850), Worman Forest Management LLC ($376,603), IUP Research Institute ($281,148).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Nature Conservancy Arlington, VA | Bird Conservation | $487,850 |
| Worman Forest Management LLC Hayden, ID | Bird Conservation | $376,603 |
| IUP Research Institute Indiana, PA | Bird Conservation | $281,148 |
| Georgetown University Washington, DC | Bird Conservation | $153,213 |
| Conversant Solutions LLC Boulder, CO | Bird Conservation | $150,999 |
| Gulf Coast Bird Observatory Lake Jackson, TX | Bird Conservation | $120,579 |
| Ocean Tech Services LLC Marion, MA | Bird Conservation | $119,280 |
| Rainforest Trust Inc Warrenton, VA | Bird Conservation | $100,000 |
| Glacierland Resource Conservation & Development Councile Inc Green Bay, WI | Bird Conservation | $90,428 |
| NatureServe Arlington, VA | Bird Conservation | $89,446 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeffrey Peters | Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Kacy Ray | VP of Operations and Board Secretary | 35 | $145,395 |
| Larry Selzer | Chair | 1 | — |
| Michael J Parr | President | 30 | $311,704 |
| Amy Tan | Director | 1 | — |
| Annie Novak | Director | 1 | — |
| Carl Safina | Director | 1 | — |
| David Hartwell | Director | 1 | — |
| Jonathan Franzen | Director | 1 | — |
| Josh Lerner | DIrector | 1 | — |
| Kim Kaufman | Director | 1 | — |
| Maribel Guevara | Director | 1 | — |
| Martha Boudreau | Director | 1 | — |
| Mike Doss | Director | 1 | — |
| Walter Vergara | Director | 1 | — |
| Angela Modrick | VP of Finance | 35 | $167,953 |
| Richard Callaghan | CFO (part year) | 35 | $175,604 |
| Clare Nielsen | VP Communications | 35 | $177,862 |
| Daniel Lebbin | VP International | 35 | $164,270 |
| Emily Jo Williams | VP North American Birds | 35 | $147,272 |
| Erin Chen | VP Development | 35 | $232,795 |
| Shawn Graff | VP Great Lakes | 35 | $185,155 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation:** ABC supported the signing into law of the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act reauthorization in 2024
Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Bill Signed into Law - American Bird**EPA Grant:** Received an EPA grant to support efforts to curb Gulf Coast trash and plastics pollution
EPA Grant Boosts ABC\u2019s Push to Curb Gulf Coast Trash and Plastics**Seabird Colony Restoration:** ABC distributed grants to support restoration of seabird colonies for species at the edge of extinction
Seabirds at Edge of Extinction to Benefit from Colony Restoration Grants**Congressional Advocacy:** House passage of bill to reauthorize funding for migratory bird conservation
Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Bill Signed into Law - American Bird**Together for Birds 2026:** Upcoming collaborative initiative announced for 2026
Contact Information
Main Office:
- Physical: 8255 E. Main Street, Suites D & E, Marshall, VA 20115
- Mailing: P.O. Box 249, The Plains, VA 20198
- Phone: 540-253-5780 | Toll Free: 1-888-247-3624
- Fax: 540-253-5782
Washington, D.C. Office:
- Physical: 4301 Connecticut Ave, NW, Suite 440, Washington, D.C. 20008
- Phone: 202-234-7181
- Fax: 202-888-7496
Website: www.abcbirds.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does American Bird Conservancy fund?
**Mission:** Conserve wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. ABC's conservation approach focuses on four core strategies: • Prevent extinctions • Reverse declines • Reduce threats • Build the bird conservation movement The organization's work is underpinned by science, strengthened by partnerships, and rooted in the belief that diverse perspectives yield stronger conservation results.
How do I apply for a grant from American Bird Conservancy?
ABC functions as both a grantmaker and grant recipient. Based on their most recent IRS Form 990 filing (2024): • **Total giving:** $6,727,399 • **Typical award range:** $5,230–$649,364 • **Average grant amount:** Data available in detailed 990 filings • **Median grant amount:** Data available in detailed 990 filings Primary grantmaking focuses include Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Arts, Culture & Humanities.
Where does American Bird Conservancy make grants?
ABC's grantmaking priorities include Texas, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota, with conservation work spanning the Americas.
What size grants does American Bird Conservancy award?
In 2024, American Bird Conservancy awarded 64 grants totaling $3.6M — an average of about $56K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is American Bird Conservancy's EIN?
American Bird Conservancy's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1501259. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in American Bird Conservancy's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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