Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project
To help local farms thrive, link farmers to markets and supporters, and build healthy communities through connections to local food.
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project at a glance
In short: Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project gave $107K across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $18K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $106,663
- +19.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- +20.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $17,777
- -0.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $14,677
- Total assets
- $4,147,464
- +92.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (62% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture ($35K). Together the top 3 received $51K.
Organizations only. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($55,245), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
19 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 19 grants of 19 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project gives
- Giving grew 259% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $16K (2020) to $107K (2024). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $107K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture Boone, NC | Sub-Award | $35,249 |
| 3 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $55,245 |
| Mahec Asheville, NC | Sub-Award | $8,408 |
| NC Cooperative Extension Asheville, NC | Sub-Award | $7,761 |
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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 | $4,147,464 | $2,836,419 | $2,255,746 | $106,663 | 6 | $17,133 |
| 2023 | $2,149,766 | $2,109,109 | $1,870,697 | $89,280 | 5 | $12,114 |
| 2022 | $1,961,289 | $1,910,061 | $1,856,903 | $59,142 | 4 | $2,924 |
| 2021 | $1,716,618 | $2,454,806 | $1,704,560 | $29,691 | 2 | $926 |
| 2020 | $939,866 | $1,749,718 | $1,278,388 | $16,172 | 2 | $442 |
| 2019 | $449,131 | $1,081,580 | $954,895 | $26,246 | 2 | $564 |
About Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project
Based on IRS filings
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Asheville, NC. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $4.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 6 grants totaling $107K. Net investment income was $17K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project is led by Molly Nicholie, Executive Director since 2022 (on filings since 2021); 1 of 9 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Molly Nicholie
Executive Director
Co-Executive → Executive Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$67K (2021) → $95K (2024)
Carrie Keller
President
President → Vice President, 2021
Vice President → President, 2022
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Craig Mauney
Board Member
Board Member → Vice President, 2022
Vice President → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Payne
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Francisco Castelblanco
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Walsh
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wendy Brugh
Vice President
Board Member → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William Bill Durr
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nilofer Culture
Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Nilofer Couture (2021–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Amy Ager (2019–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Duane Adams (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Julie Jensen (2019–2022) — Secretary
- Former: W Charlies Jackson (2019–2022) — Departing Executive Director
- Former: Brian Asbill (2019–2021) — President
- Former: Joey Owle (2019–2021) — Board
- Former: William Dissen (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Frank Castelblanco (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Terri Orange (2019–2020) — Treasurer
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 $95K, to Molly Nicholie (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project
How much does Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project give each year?
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project gave $107K across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $89K across 5 grants.
What is Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project's typical grant size?
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project's median grant in 2024 was $14,677, and its average grant was $17,777, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project give grants?
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project gives mostly in North Carolina: 62% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Tennessee (24%) and South Carolina (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Asheville, NC (2 grants).
Does Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Sub-Award" (6 grants).
Who are Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project's largest grantees?
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project's largest 2024 grantees include Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture ($35,249), Mahec ($8,408) and NC Cooperative Extension ($7,761), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($55,245), which are not listed by name. Together they received 48% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project?
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project reported $4.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.8M.
What is Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project?
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Asheville, NC. It holds $4.1M in total assets as of 2024.
What is Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project's EIN?
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 06-1642769. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
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 July 24, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 5, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 1, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 11, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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