American Bird Conservancy
American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is a public charity based in Marshall, Virginia, that works to conserve wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. Its work is guided by science and partnerships, with a focus on species and habitats most in need.
American Bird Conservancy at a glance
In short: American Bird Conservancy gave $3.6M across 64 grants in 2024 (avg $56K), top state Virginia. 69% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,597,833
- +88.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 64
- +120.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $56,216
- -14.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $29,370
- Total assets
- $22,595,079
- -3.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 69% first-time grantees (44 of 64, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Virginia (19% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to American Bird Conservancy
- Contact
Mailing address: 8255 E Main Street D E, Marshall, VA 20115
Phone: (540) 253-5780
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who American Bird Conservancy funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Nature Conservancy ($488K). Together the top 10 received $2.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
198 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 142 grants of 198 (72%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
ABC describes its conservation work as spanning the Americas and the Western Hemisphere. Its 2024 grants went to recipients in multiple states; the largest shares of grant dollars went to Virginia (19%), Pennsylvania (15%), Texas (11%), Idaho (10%), and Minnesota (7%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 64 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is American Bird Conservancy open to new grantees?
69%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 44 of 64 grantees (69%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $33K; repeat grants $107K. How we count
Medians: $24K first-time, $66K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.8M (2020) to $3.6M (2024). In 2024 it made 64 grants totaling $3.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| 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 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $22,595,079 | $26,955,379 | $29,458,453 | $3,597,833 | 64 | $608,081 |
| 2023 | $23,354,821 | $27,904,183 | $25,344,812 | $1,912,937 | 29 | $132,783 |
| 2022 | $18,892,801 | $21,641,790 | $25,555,875 | $1,834,875 | 35 | $243,193 |
| 2021 | $24,515,024 | $20,724,419 | $17,345,009 | $1,905,606 | 40 | $777,339 |
| 2020 | $21,678,533 | $14,647,081 | $14,051,126 | $1,757,729 | 30 | $196,189 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
ABC’s mission is to conserve wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. Its stated program areas include bird conservation and education and outreach. The organization describes its outreach as sharing conservation information through publications and digital platforms, participating in birding and conservation events, and welcoming people to enjoy and conserve birds through its Together for Birds initiative.
In 2024, ABC reported making grants for bird conservation. Recipients included conservation organizations, research and educational institutions, and businesses. Among them, The Nature Conservancy received $487,850; its stated mission is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Gulf Coast Bird Observatory received $120,579; it says it protects birds and their habitats through scientific research, land protection and enhancement, community engagement, and educational outreach. NatureServe received $89,446; it says it uses science, data, and technology to guide biodiversity conservation and stewardship.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, ABC reported 64 grants totaling $3,597,833. Grants ranged from $5,470 to $487,850, with a median of $29,370. The largest grants included:
The filing describes ABC’s grant oversight process: grantees sign agreements that specify how funds will be used, deliverable timelines, and programmatic and financial reporting requirements. Program reports include project documentation and pictures. ABC staff visit many grantees and project sites and work collaboratively with partners.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Jeffrey Peters as Treasurer; Kacy Ray as VP of Operations and Board Secretary; Larry Selzer as Chair; and Michael J. Parr as President. Listed directors are Amy Tan, Annie Novak, Carl Safina, David Hartwell, Jonathan Franzen, and Josh Lerner.
American Bird Conservancy is led by Michael J Parr, President on every filing since 2020; 9 of 22 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michael J Parr
President
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
$231K (2020) → $312K (2024)
Larry Selzer
Chair
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Annie Novak
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Franzen
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Josh Lerner
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Martha Boudreau
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Hartwell
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Walter Vergara
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Tan
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carl Safina
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kim Kaufman
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maribel Guevara
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Doss
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emily Jo Williams
Vice President North American Birds
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$127K (2020) → $147K (2024)
Erin Chen
Vice President Development
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$152K (2020) → $233K (2024)
Shawn Graff
Vice President Great Lakes
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$109K (2020) → $185K (2024)
Clare Nielsen
Vice President Communications
On filings since 2021
35 hrs/week
$136K (2021) → $178K (2024)
Daniel Lebbin
Vice President International
On filings since 2021
35 hrs/week
$123K (2021) → $164K (2024)
Richard Callaghan
CFO
On filings since 2022
35 hrs/week
$7K (2022) → $176K (2024)
Kacy Ray
Vice President of Operations & Board Secretary
Vice President of Operations → Vice President of Operations & Board Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2023
35 hrs/week
$123K (2023) → $145K (2024)
Angela Modrick
Vice President of Finance
New on the 2024 filing
35 hrs/week
$168K (2024)
Jeffrey Peters
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (24)
- Former: Merrie Morrison (2020–2023) — Vice President of Operations
- Former: Patricia Baumann (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Shoaib Tareen (2020–2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Charlotte Rossetter (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Cinnamon Dornsife (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Dana Matthews (2020–2022) — CFO & Vice President of Op.
- Former: Paul King (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Sharon Forsythe (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Scott Powell (2022) — CFO
- Former: Walt Matia (2022) — Director
- Former: David Davidson (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Kathryn Hale (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Kimberly Kaufman (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Robert Weeden (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Walter Matia (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Jeff Peters (2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Joe Andrew (2021) — Director
- Former: Sharon Forysth (2021) — Director
- Former: Anders Gyllenhaal (2020) — Director
- Former: Charlotte Wright (2020) — Director
- Former: Clare Nielson Neal (2020) — Vice President Communications
- Former: David Harrison (2020) — Vice Chair
- Former: Jane Fitzgerald (2020) — Vice President Chjv
- Former: Joseph Andrew (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $312K, to Michael J Parr (President). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about American Bird Conservancy
How much does American Bird Conservancy give each year?
American Bird Conservancy gave $3.6M across 64 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.9M across 29 grants.
What is American Bird Conservancy's typical grant size?
American Bird Conservancy's median grant in 2024 was $29,370, and its average grant was $56,216, across 64 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from American Bird Conservancy that year got $33K on average.
Where does American Bird Conservancy give grants?
American Bird Conservancy's top state is Virginia, with 19% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (15%) and Texas (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Arlington, VA (2 grants), New York, NY (2 grants), Houston, TX (2 grants) and Bemidji, MN (2 grants).
Does American Bird Conservancy give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 64 grants with a stated purpose on American Bird Conservancy's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Bird Conservation" (64 grants).
Who are American Bird Conservancy's largest grantees?
American Bird Conservancy's largest 2024 grantees include The Nature Conservancy ($487,850), Worman Forest Management LLC ($376,603) and IUP Research Institute ($281,148), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is American Bird Conservancy?
American Bird Conservancy reported $22.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $27.0M.
What does American Bird Conservancy fund?
ABC’s mission is to conserve wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. Its stated program areas include bird conservation and education and outreach. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from American Bird Conservancy?
American Bird Conservancy has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
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.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 27, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 4, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 23, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 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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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). American Bird Conservancy funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/american-bird-conservancy-morg_146949adf9474148b625b158b981b367
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_521501259_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{American Bird Conservancy funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/american-bird-conservancy-morg_146949adf9474148b625b158b981b367},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Bird Conservancy'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.
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