American Forest Foundation
The American Forest Foundation (AFF) is a national conservation organization based in Washington, DC, that works to empower family forest owners to make a meaningful conservation impact on their land. It supports efforts to improve forest health and productivity through partnerships, advocacy, and resources for rural landowners.
American Forest Foundation at a glance
In short: American Forest Foundation gave $2.5M across 46 grants in 2024 (avg $55K), top state Virginia. 24% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,529,736
- +30.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 46
- +12.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $54,994
- +16.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $14,845
- Total assets
- $157,811,524
- -0.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 24% first-time grantees (11 of 46, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Virginia (18% 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 Forest Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 2000 M Street Nw 550, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 765-3660
Website: https://forestfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who American Forest Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Nature Conservancy ($458K). Together the top 10 received $2.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
270 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 188 grants of 270 (70%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
AFF describes its work as national. In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state went to Virginia (18%), Indiana (16%), Arkansas (15%), South Carolina (13%), and Georgia (8%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 46 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is American Forest Foundation open to new grantees?
24%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 11 of 46 grantees (24%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $76K; repeat grants $49K. How we count
Medians: $31K first-time, $14K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). 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 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.9M (2023) to $6.2M (2021). In 2024 it made 46 grants totaling $2.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Nature Conservancy Arlington, VA | Partners and Federal Grants | $457,942 |
| Purdue University West Lafayette, IN | Partners and Federal Grants | $402,720 |
| Center for Heirs Property Preservation North Charleston, SC | Partners and Federal Grants | $324,190 |
| Uapb Small Farm Program Pine Bluff, AR | Partners and Federal Grants | $203,186 |
| University of Arkansas - Pine Pine Bluff, AR | Partners and Federal Grants | $146,682 |
| Winston County Self Help Jackson, MS | Partners and Federal Grants | $110,003 |
| McIntosh Seed Darien, GA | Partners and Federal Grants | $107,344 |
| Roanoke Electric Cooperative Ahoskie, NC | Partners and Federal Grants | $97,916 |
| Federation of Southern Cooperatives Land Assistance Fund East Point, GA | Landowner Outreach | $60,000 |
| Meridian Institute Dillon, CO | Partners and Federal Grants | $59,911 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
AFF is listed as a public charity and was formed in 1981.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $157,811,524 | $20,267,955 | $31,338,342 | $2,529,736 | 46 | $4,770,583 |
| 2023 | $159,235,437 | $11,289,683 | $28,485,680 | $1,934,912 | 41 | $2,294,639 |
| 2022 | $169,090,278 | $11,706,016 | $27,206,495 | $3,184,789 | 57 | $-4,929,873 |
| 2021 | $186,198,942 | $70,003,323 | $22,549,086 | $6,233,030 | 73 | $57,436,962 |
| 2020 | $171,629,003 | $11,420,300 | $17,802,011 | $4,357,339 | 53 | $3,328,357 |
| 2019 | $166,548,498 | $12,169,042 | $15,870,081 | $3,058,815 | 52 | $6,563,200 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
AFF’s mission is to deliver meaningful conservation impact through the empowerment of family forest owners. It works through partnerships and advocacy to equip rural landowners with tools to improve the health and productivity of their forests.
Its 2024 filing describes two broad program areas. The Woodlands portfolio includes sustainable active forest management, wildfire response, support for underserved landowners, the American Tree Farm System, biodiversity, and conservation. Its Carbon work aims to expand family forest owners’ access to the voluntary carbon market and support forest health, carbon sequestration, and timber growth.
2024 grantees included organizations whose stated missions span conservation, forestry, land stewardship, and rural communities. The Nature Conservancy, for example, says its mission is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Wallowa Resources says it works to empower rural communities through land stewardship, education, and job creation. The Vermont Woodlands Association says it provides education and technical assistance to support woodland stewardship, forest health, wildlife habitat, and the forest economy.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, AFF reported 46 grants totaling $2,529,736. Grants ranged from $5,273 to $457,942, with a median of $14,845. The listed purposes include “partners and federal grants” and “landowner outreach.”
The largest reported grants included $457,942 to The Nature Conservancy, $402,720 to Purdue University, $324,190 to the Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation, $203,186 to the UAPB Small Farm Program, and $146,682 to the University of Arkansas - Pine. Each was listed for “partners and federal grants.” AFF also reported $60,000 to the Federation of Southern Cooperatives Land Assistance Fund for “landowner outreach.”
AFF’s filing states that grants under $10,000 require a report after the project is completed. Larger grants have multiple reporting dates set case by case, depending on the project. Grantees must be in good standing on current grants and have completed reporting requirements for closed grants to be eligible to apply for other grants.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing include Alex Alvarez, chair; Jameson French, past chair; Sophie Beckham, vice chair; Paige Goff, treasurer; and Vicki Christiansen, secretary. Individual trustees listed are Jasmine Brown, Scott Deitz, Myron Floyd, Jennie Stephens, and Tim Stout.
American Forest Foundation is led by Rita Hite, President & CEO since 2022 (on filings since 2019); 10 of 21 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Rita Hite
President & CEO
Senior Vice President & Conservation → Executive Vice President Woodlands & Policy, 2021
Executive Vice President Woodlands & Policy → President & CEO, 2022
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$232K (2019) → $374K (2024)
Alex Alvarez
Chair
Individual Trustee → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jillian B. Dyszynski
Director & Climate Finance
Director Market Director → Director & Climate Finance, 2022
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$119K (2021) → $168K (2024)
John Ringer
Senior Director, Environmental Markets & Proj Fi
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$168K (2024)
Ramsey Olwan
Senior Director & Strategic Finance
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$170K (2024)
Scott Deitz
Individual Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Myron Floyd
Individual Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jasmine Brown
Individual Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennie Stephens
Individual Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ed Villano
Individual Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tim Stout
Individual Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dawn E. Simmons
Vice President of People & Culture
Vice President of People & Culture → Vice President Human Resources, 2023
Vice President Human Resources → Vice President of People & Culture, 2024
On filings since 2019
32 hrs/week
$138K (2019) → $171K (2024)
Nathan Truitt
Executive Vice President Climate Funding
Senior Vice President Business Development → Interim CFO, Executive Vice President & Climate Funding, 2022
Interim CFO, Executive Vice President & Climate Funding → Executive Vice President Climate Funding, 2023
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$137K (2019) → $259K (2024)
Glynnis M. Breen
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Vice President, Marketing & Communications → Vice President Marketing & Comms, 2023
Vice President Marketing & Comms → Vice President, Marketing & Communications, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$192K (2021) → $259K (2024)
Chrstine Cadigan-Benonis
Executive Vice President & Carbon Origination
Executive Vice President & Carbon Supply → Executive Vice President Carbon Supply, 2023
Executive Vice President Carbon Supply → Executive Vice President & Carbon Origination, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$154K (2022) → $228K (2024)
Jill Harris
Executive Vice President Finance & Operations
Executive Vice President Finance & Operations → Executive Vice President Finance & Ops, 2023
Executive Vice President Finance & Ops → Executive Vice President Finance & Operations, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$83K (2022) → $286K (2024)
Natalie King
Chief of Staff & Culture
Chief of Staff → Chief of Staff & Culture, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$180K (2023) → $176K (2024)
Jameson S. French
Past Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2022
Chair → Past Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paige Goff
Treasurer
At-Large Member → Individual Trustee, 2021
Individual Trustee → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Vicki Christiansen
Secretary
Individual Trustee → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sophie Beckham
Vice Chair
Individual Trustee → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (36)
- Former: Kathryn Fernholz (2019–2023) — Past Chair
- Former: Salem G. Saloom (2019–2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Kedren Dillard (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Mack Hogans (2020–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Nicole St Clair Knobloch (2021–2023) — Individual Trustee
- Former: Michael Reed (2022–2023) — Vice President Policy & Advocacy
- Former: Valerie Craig (2022–2023) — Executive Vice President Prodcut Development
- Former: James B. Porter III (2019–2022) — Individual Trustee
- Former: Roje S. Gootee PhD (2019–2022) — Individual Trustee
- Former: Tom Beall (2019–2022) — Individual Trustee
- Former: Fred Clark (2020–2022) — Vice Chair of Woodland Operating Committee
- Former: Tim Punke (2020–2022) — Individual Trustee
- Former: Will Martin (2020–2022) — COO Executive Vice President External Relations
- Former: Thomas Fry (2021–2022) — Director, Fire & Western Region
- Former: Brittany Vanderwall (2022) — Vice Chair of Woodland Operating Committee From M
- Former: John W. Burke III (2019–2021) — Individual Trustee
- Former: Thomas D. Martin (2019–2021) — President & CEO
- Former: W. Dale Greene (2019–2021) — Individual Trustee
- Former: Monica Poveda (2020–2021) — Vice President, Finance & Administrati
- Former: Christine Cadigan Benonis (2021) — Senior Director Family Forest Carbon Program
- Former: Christopher B. Erwin (2021) — Director Biodiversity & Southern Region
- Former: Eileen Morgan Johnson (2021) — Individual Trustee
- Former: Chris Erwin (2019–2020) — Vice President & Strategic Partnerships
- Former: Jerry Greenberg (2019–2020) — Senior Vice President & Innovation
- Former: Paul Delong (2019–2020) — Executive Vice President & Woodlands
- Former: Sarah Crow (2020) — Senior Director & Sustainability Assurance
- Former: Sarah Steen (2020) — Chair & Woodland Operating Committee
- Former: Avinash Jhalani (2019) — Finance Director
- Former: Caryn Stein (2019) — Executive Director & Nafp
- Former: Daniel Beard (2019) — Chair
- Former: Kenneth Stewart (2019) — Past-Chair & Treasurer
- Former: Rhonda Hunter (2019) — Individual Trustee
- Former: Sara Vickerman (2019) — Secretary
- Former: Scott Hayes (2019) — Individual Trustee
- Former: Scott M. Smiley (2019) — Vice President, Finance & Administration
- Former: Tom Fry (2019) — Director & Western Conservation
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 $374K, to Rita Hite (President and CEO). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about American Forest Foundation
How much does American Forest Foundation give each year?
American Forest Foundation gave $2.5M across 46 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.9M across 41 grants.
What is American Forest Foundation's typical grant size?
American Forest Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $14,845, and its average grant was $54,994, across 46 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from American Forest Foundation that year got $76K on average.
Where does American Forest Foundation give grants?
American Forest Foundation's top state is Virginia, with 18% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Indiana (16%) and Arkansas (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were West Lafayette, IN (2 grants), Pine Bluff, AR (2 grants) and Jackson, MS (2 grants).
Does American Forest Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 46 grants with a stated purpose on American Forest Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Landowner Outreach" (32 grants) and "Partners and Federal Grants" (14 grants).
Who are American Forest Foundation's largest grantees?
American Forest Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The Nature Conservancy ($457,942), Purdue University ($402,720) and Center for Heirs Property Preservation ($324,190), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 47% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is American Forest Foundation?
American Forest Foundation reported $157.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $20.3M.
What does American Forest Foundation fund?
AFF’s mission is to deliver meaningful conservation impact through the empowerment of family forest owners. It works through partnerships and advocacy to equip rural landowners with tools to improve the health and productivity of their forests. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from American Forest Foundation?
American Forest Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check forestfoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is American Forest Foundation's EIN?
American Forest Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1235124. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS September 1, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 1, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 5, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 1, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). American Forest Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/american-forest-foundation-morg_ab2d478316824f91bf6f57f409f548ec
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_521235124_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{American Forest Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/american-forest-foundation-morg_ab2d478316824f91bf6f57f409f548ec},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Forest Foundation'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 Forest Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?