American Farmland Trust (AFT) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC, founded in 1980. The organization takes a holistic approach to agricultural conservation, focusing on three interconnected elements: the land itself, the farming practices employed on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who steward it. AFT operates as the only national organization addressing agriculture through this integrated lens.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$100.8M
+29.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.0M
+197.1% YoY
Grant Count
154
+180.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$19K
+6.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To save the land that sustains us by protecting farmland, promoting sound farming practices, and keeping farmers on the land.
Core Focus Areas:
- Farmland protection and preservation
- Advancing environmentally-sound and soil-building farming practices
- Farm viability and economic sustainability for farming families
- Farmland access and succession planning
Program Areas:
- State, local, and federal programs across multiple regions (California, Midwest, New York, New England, Mid-Atlantic, Pacific Northwest, Southeast, and Texas)
- National initiatives including agriculture conservation innovations, climate initiative, farm legacy, farm viability, farms for a new generation, federal policy, land protection, water initiative, and women for the land
- Communications and media outreach
- Public education, advocacy, research, and coalition building
Grantmaking
AFT administers grant programs to support farmers and ranchers:
Ready to take the next step with American Farmland Trust?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
AFT operates programs across multiple regions:
- California
- Midwest
- New York
- New England
- Mid-Atlantic
- Pacific Northwest
- Southeast
- Texas
The organization also maintains national initiatives and programs.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets (2024): $100,845,162
Total Annual Giving (2024): $5,576,867
Revenue (2024): $52.1 million
Expenses (2024): $44.1 million
Total Liabilities (2024): $28.7 million
Staffing: Approximately 156-190 employees
Tax Status: Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization since July 1985 (EIN: 52-1190211)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $100,845,162 | $78,028,581 | $69,949,057 |
| Revenue | $52,095,962 | $34,930,764 | $36,692,176 |
| Expenses | $44,093,608 | $33,252,655 | $27,910,473 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $4,692,520 | $1,058,895 | $1,832,557 |
| 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
189 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from American Farmland Trust
Brighter Future Fund
AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST
Amount
Up to $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
New England Regenerative Livestock Farming Grants
AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST
Amount
Up to $10,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Pollinator Habitat Incentive Program
AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST
Amount
$100/acre
Deadline
November 15, 2026
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The Dry Farming Institute ($157,760), The Freshwater Trust ($121,600), Black Family Land Trust Inc ($119,493).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| THE DRY FARMING INSTITUTE CORVALLIS, OR | PROMOTING SOUND FARMING PRACTICES/KEEPING FARMERS ON THE LAND | $157,760 |
| THE FRESHWATER TRUST PORTLAND, OR | PROMOTING SOUND FARMING PRACTICES/KEEPING FARMERS ON THE LAND | $121,600 |
| BLACK FAMILY LAND TRUST INC DURHAM, NC | PROMOTING SOUND FARMING PRACTICES/KEEPING FARMERS ON THE LAND | $119,493 |
| CCOF FOUNDATION SANTA CRUZ, CA | PROMOTING SOUND FARMING PRACTICES/KEEPING FARMERS ON THE LAND | $100,000 |
| GROWSMART MAINE AUGUSTA, ME | PROMOTING SOUND FARMING PRACTICES/KEEPING FARMERS ON THE LAND | $80,000 |
| THIRD SECTOR NEW ENGLAND BOSTON, MA | PROMOTING SOUND FARMING PRACTICES/KEEPING FARMERS ON THE LAND | $65,456 |
| OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY CORVALLIS, OR | PROMOTING SOUND FARMING PRACTICES/KEEPING FARMERS ON THE LAND | $57,601 |
| WASHINGTON STATE DEPT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OLYMPIA, WA | PROMOTING SOUND FARMING PRACTICES/KEEPING FARMERS ON THE LAND | $47,500 |
| ALASKA FARMLAND TRUST CORPORATION PALMER, AK | PROMOTING SOUND FARMING PRACTICES/KEEPING FARMERS ON THE LAND | $35,000 |
| MESA COUNTY LAND CONSERVANCY GRAND JUNCTION, CO | PROMOTING SOUND FARMING PRACTICES/KEEPING FARMERS ON THE LAND | $35,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President: John Piotti
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN F PIOTTI | PRESIDENT & CEO | 37.5 | $510,087 |
| ASHLEY BOVINO CFO AND VP OF | FINANCE & ADMIN. | 37.5 | $293,146 |
| JOHN LARSON | SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT | 37.5 | $240,620 |
| BETH SAUERHAFT | VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS | 37.5 | $187,654 |
| MINI AGGARWAL | FINANCE CONTROLLER | 37.5 | $174,249 |
| RICK MONK VICE PRESIDENT | AND GENERAL COUNSEL | 37.5 | $172,624 |
| DAVID HAIGHT | VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS | 37.5 | $149,043 |
| TIMOTHY FINK | POLICY DIRECTOR | 37.5 | $160,106 |
| LEA HARVEY | VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT | 37.5 | $151,105 |
| KATHIE LWANGA | SECRETARY | 37.5 | $83,264 |
| GRANT WINTHROP | CHAIR | 3 | — |
| RALPH GROSSI | VICE CHAIR | 3 | — |
| ROBERT E EGERTON JR | TREASURER | 3 | — |
| LILLIAN EBONIE ALEXANDER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| EMILY BROAD LEIB | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LYNN CLARKSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| VAL DOLCINI | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| HELENE DILLARD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| OTTO DOERING | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GINA GALLO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JENNIE TURNER GARLINGTON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KLAAS MARTENS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LARKIN MARTIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CANNON MICHAEL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JAMES MOSELEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ALLEN PENN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ABBY STRANAHAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
AFT received recognition as a Four-Star charity with a 96% rating
The organization continues to address urgent challenges: 2,000 acres of farmland are lost to non-agricultural uses daily; one-third of America's farmland may change hands in the next 15 years as aging landowners sell their properties
American Farmland Trust to receive farmland protection grantAFT maintains active grant programs for farmers and ranchers, with recent cycles in Virginia and mid-Atlantic regions
Grant Opportunities for Mid-Atlantic Farmers and RanchersThe organization emphasizes the "No Farms No Food®" message to connect consumers with the importance of farmland preservation
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does American Farmland Trust fund?
**Mission:** To save the land that sustains us by protecting farmland, promoting sound farming practices, and keeping farmers on the land. **Core Focus Areas:** • Farmland protection and preservation • Advancing environmentally-sound and soil-building farming practices • Farm viability and economic sustainability for farming families • Farmland access and succession planning **Program Areas:** • State, local, and federal programs across multiple regions (California, Midwest, New York, New Engla…
How do I apply for a grant from American Farmland Trust?
AFT administers grant programs to support farmers and ranchers: **Brighter Future Fund:** AFT has awarded more than $4.5 million since 2020 to farmers through this program. In a recent cycle, the organization awarded more than $1 million to 110 U.S. farmers. **Regional Grants:** AFT offers grant opportunities for farmers and ranchers in specific regions, including mid-Atlantic and Virginia-focused programs. **Grant Characteristics:** Based on recent 990 filings, typical grant awards range from …
Where does American Farmland Trust make grants?
AFT operates programs across multiple regions: • California • Midwest • New York • New England • Mid-Atlantic • Pacific Northwest • Southeast • Texas The organization also maintains national initiatives and programs.
What size grants does American Farmland Trust award?
In 2024, American Farmland Trust awarded 154 grants totaling $3.0M — an average of about $19K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is American Farmland Trust's EIN?
American Farmland Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1190211. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in American Farmland Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program
SOUTHEASTERN, PA
Assets
$22.2B
Grants
24,269
Total Given
$3.0B
Land Trust Alliance Inc
WASHINGTON, DC
Assets
$24.7M
Grants
122
Total Given
$5.3M
National Philanthropic Trust
JENKINTOWN, PA
Assets
$42.2B
Grants
18,583
Total Given
$5.1B
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Assets
$9.1B
Grants
19,253
Total Given
$1.2B
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
WASHINGTON, DC
Assets
$3.1B
Grants
1,165
Total Given
$432.4M
The Pfizer Foundation Inc
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$255.3M
Grants
9,306
Total Given
$23.2M
Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$12.7B
Grants
7,424
Total Given
$3.0B
The Nature Conservancy
ARLINGTON, VA
Assets
$9.5B
Grants
627
Total Given
$54.1M
Ibm International Foundation
ARMONK, NY
Assets
$357.7M
Grants
16
Total Given
$11.7M
Network for Good
WASHINGTON, DC
Assets
$96.2M
Grants
4,733
Total Given
$216.2M
Impactassetsinc
BETHESDA, MD
Assets
$3.0B
Grants
2,733
Total Given
$580.1M
The Conservation Fund a Nonprofit
ARLINGTON, VA
Assets
$919.4M
Grants
156
Total Given
$20.4M
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with American Farmland Trust on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching American Farmland Trust to a real strategy.