American Forests is the oldest national nonprofit conservation organization in the United States, founded in 1875. Based in Washington, DC, the organization works to create healthy and resilient forests across the country—from urban areas to large natural landscapes—that deliver environmental, societal, and economic benefits for climate, people, water, and wildlife.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$15.4M
-14.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.9M
-39.1% YoY
Grant Count
72
+2.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$69K
-40.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: American Forests creates healthy and resilient forests, from cities to large natural landscapes, that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water and wildlife. The organization advances its mission through forestry innovation, place-based partnerships to plant and restore forests, and movement building.
Primary Program Areas:
- Resilient Forests: Conserves existing forests and restores damaged forests to ensure large forest landscapes are healthy and resilient to climate change impacts
- Tree Equity: Develops and implements plans for planting and caring for trees in urban neighborhoods with the greatest need, particularly those with low-income families and communities of color
- Public Policy: Works to educate Congressional leaders about policies and programs that support reforestation
Grantmaking
American Forests actively distributes grants to support forest restoration and urban tree equity initiatives. Recent grantmaking activity includes:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization funds projects across the United States, with particular emphasis on Texas, California, and Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2023):
- Total Revenue: $24.3 million
- Total Expenses: $25.8 million
- Total Assets: $17.9 million
- Total Liabilities: $4.88 million
Additional Financial Information:
- Total Assets: $15.4 million (alternate recent filing)
- Total Giving: $6.67 million
- Tax-exempt status: 501(c)(3), tax-exempt since August 1943
- EIN: 53-0196544
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $15,382,567 | $17,915,111 | $19,022,353 |
| Revenue | $26,297,858 | $24,269,126 | $21,945,499 |
| Expenses | $29,476,460 | $25,811,116 | $18,524,271 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $172,420 | $116,082 | $149,740 |
| 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
227 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Red Mtn Resource LLC ($1,572,684), Greening of Detroit ($396,685), Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division ($240,670).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1890 Universities Foundation Washington, DC | Tree equity planting events & watering programs | $10,000 |
| Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay Annapolis, MD | Bulleit Burbon White Oak Restoration Project - Implemented 21 reforestation projects in Maryland and Pennsylvania | $31,491 |
| American Forest Foundation Washington, DC | Serving as a Member on the steering committee of the 9th American Forest Congress | $25,000 |
| American YouthWorks Austin, TX | Wraparound service provider for the WorkForest model | $54,589 |
| Arizona Sustainability Alliance Tempe, AZ | Solano Park Tree Planting; Rio Salado Habitat AreaTree Planting; Leadership on Phoenix Metro Urban Forestry Roundtable; Plan/Implement tree planting Dysart Middle School and Dysart High School | $49,000 |
| Bayfield County Forestry & Parks Department Washburn, WI | The Rolling Barrens Project - reforestation in the Pines Barrens region of NW Wisconsin, Planting over 350,000 seedlings. | $55,693 |
| BBRAC Farms LLC Fairmount, GA | Reforestation projects in the Ft. Stewart Region of SE Georgia - planting 160,000 seedlings | $63,200 |
| Bexar Branches Alliance Corp San Antonio, TX | Project Canopy Tree Planting Program- Plan and implement a tree planting at Driggers Elementary School | $80,000 |
| Big Island Resource Conservation and Development Council Hilo, HI | Planting projects in the Kanak.aleonui Bird Corridor, and for the procurement of native seedlings for use in the volunteer outplanting program at the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge | $50,000 |
| Borough of Mechanicsburg Mechanicsburg, PA | Trees for All program - developing and implementing water management tools and clean-up in the naturally forested areas of Mechanicsburg | $28,756 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- James A. Daley – President & CEO
- Delia Johnson – Principal Officer
- Brian Kittler – Forest Restoration (202.519.2221)
- Ian Leahy – Urban Forests (202.370.4524)
- Joel O. Pannell – Public Policy (202.737.1946)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| William Bohnett | Chair | 2 | — |
| Pamela Tate | Vice Chair | 2 | — |
| Mary Wagner | Immediate Past Chair | 1 | — |
| Elisa Rapaport | Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Holly Alpine | Secretary | 1 | — |
| Zimmerman Boulos | Director | 1 | — |
| Ara Erickson | Director | 1 | — |
| Taldi Harrison | Director | 1 | — |
| William Bill P Hazelton | Director | 1 | — |
| Nes Parker | Director | 1 | — |
| Richard Kabat | Director | 1 | — |
| David Hunter | Director | 1 | — |
| James Daley | President and CEO | 37.5 | $348,410 |
| Peter Hutchins | COO | 37.5 | $241,248 |
| Benita Hussain | Advisor | 37.5 | $226,331 |
| Becky Turner | CPPO | 37.5 | $213,558 |
| Leslie Jones | SVP, Policy | 37.5 | $207,474 |
| Rekha Patricio | VP, Marketing | 37.5 | $204,868 |
| Holly Bostrom | COS | 37.5 | $209,036 |
| Brian Kittler | CPO, FR | 37.5 | $184,754 |
| Joel Pannell | VP, Policy | 37.5 | $160,200 |
| Ian Leahy | VP | 37.5 | $160,546 |
| Kevin O'Hara | VP | 37.5 | $162,139 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
American Forests received $12 million in catalytic USDA Forest Service funding to relieve extreme heat and address inequity through expanded tree canopy in underserved communities
American Forests opens $12 million grant funding opportunity for ...The organization opened a $12 million grant funding opportunity specifically for faith-based and frontline environmental justice organizations advancing tree equity
American Forests opens $12 million grant funding opportunity for ...Awarded over $25 million in grants to 36 urban and community projects focused on promoting tree equity
American Forests awards over $25 million in grants to 36 urban and communityContact Information
Main Office: 1220 L Street, NW, Suite 750 Washington, DC 20005 Phone: 202.737.1944 Website: www.americanforests.org
Department Contacts:
- Philanthropy & Individual Support: donorservices@americanforests.org
- Corporate Giving: corppartnerships@americanforests.org
- Planned Giving: plannedgiving@americanforests.org
- Media Inquiries: media@americanforests.org
- General Inquiries: info@americanforests.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does American Forests fund?
**Mission:** American Forests creates healthy and resilient forests, from cities to large natural landscapes, that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water and wildlife. The organization advances its mission through forestry innovation, place-based partnerships to plant and restore forests, and movement building. **Primary Program Areas:** • **Resilient Forests:** Conserves existing forests and restores damaged forests to ensure large forest landscapes are healthy and resilient to …
How do I apply for a grant from American Forests?
American Forests actively distributes grants to support forest restoration and urban tree equity initiatives. Recent grantmaking activity includes: • Awarded over $25 million in grants to 36 urban and community projects to promote tree equity • Opened a $12 million grant funding opportunity for faith-based and frontline environmental justice organizations advancing tree equity • Received $12 million in catalytic funding from the USDA Forest Service to support resilient reforestation for underse…
Where does American Forests make grants?
The organization funds projects across the United States, with particular emphasis on Texas, California, and Michigan.
What size grants does American Forests award?
In 2024, American Forests awarded 72 grants totaling $4.9M — an average of about $69K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is American Forests's EIN?
American Forests's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 53-0196544. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in American Forests'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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