Association of Illinois Soil and Water
The Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts is a nonprofit organization based in Springfield, Illinois, at 201 West Lawrence Avenue. Founded in 1947, the organization serves as an advocacy and support entity for the 97 local soil and water conservation districts throughout Illinois, which are small government entities. The association focuses on protecting Illinois' soil and water resources through strategic conservation efforts and provides comprehensive support services to its member districts.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$505K
-1.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.7M
-14.3% YoY
Grant Count
70
+1.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$24K
-15.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The association's primary mission is to promote the interests of local soil and water conservation districts in Illinois and to advance the conservation and orderly development, management, improvement, and multiple use of natural resources throughout the state.
Primary focus areas include:
- Water Resource and Wetlands Conservation and Management (NTEE classification C32)
- Soil health and water quality protection
- Conservation initiatives and campaigns to preserve agricultural resources
- Support for the 97 participating soil and water conservation districts
Grantmaking
The association provides grants focused on community improvement and capacity building, recreation and sports, and environmental initiatives, primarily within Illinois. Based on recent IRS filings, total giving reached $1,724,421, with typical award amounts ranging from $5,138 to $157,608.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The association operates statewide throughout Illinois, serving all 97 local soil and water conservation districts across the state.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $513,027
- Total Revenues: $2,786,617
- Total Expenses: $2,777,519
- Employees: 6
Additional Financial Data:
- Total Giving: $1,724,421 (based on most recent IRS 990 filing)
- Total Assets: $504,533 (per 2024 filing)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $504,533 | $513,027 | $526,580 |
| Revenue | $2,588,593 | $2,786,617 | $2,494,690 |
| Expenses | $2,580,026 | $2,777,519 | $2,460,303 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $10,537 | $34,024 | $805 |
| 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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Hamilton County SWCD ($75,266), Marshall-Putnam County SWCD ($74,703), Iroquois County SWCD ($67,823).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Adams County SWCD Quincy, IL | NRCS Grant | $6,202 |
| Bond County SWCD Greenville, IL | NRCS Grant | $5,276 |
| Boone County Belvidere, IL | NRCS Grant | $5,231 |
| Brown County SWCD Mt Sterling, IL | NRCS Grant | $33,457 |
| Bureau County SWCD Princeton, IL | NRCS Grant | $7,268 |
| Calhoun County SWCD Hardin, IL | NRCS Grant | $47,086 |
| Carroll County SWCD Mt Carroll, IL | NRCS Grant | $39,290 |
| Champaign County SWCD Champaign, IL | NRCS Grant | $6,983 |
| Clark County SWCD Martinsville, IL | NRCS Grant | $18,825 |
| Clinton County SWCD Breese, IL | NRCS Grant | $8,490 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Eliot Clay - Executive Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Beyers | Director | 5 | — |
| Joe Fitch | Director | 5 | — |
| Jerry Snodgrass | Director | 5 | — |
| David McCormick | Director | 5 | — |
| Kenny Hawthrone | Director | 5 | — |
| Rudy Rice | Director | 5 | — |
| Barb Klinger | Director | 5 | — |
| Josh Curry | Vice President | 5 | — |
| Lee Bunting | Director | 5 | — |
| Terry Davis | Director | 5 | — |
| Chuck Schafer | Director | 5 | — |
| Randy Molitoris | Director | 5 | — |
| Joe Rothermel | Director | 5 | — |
| Bruce Yingling | Director | 5 | — |
| Jason Anderson | Director | 5 | — |
| Kody Aldrich | Director | 5 | — |
| Dean Farr | Director | 5 | — |
| Dale Shumaker | President | 5 | — |
| Dan Duval | Treasurer | 5 | — |
| Thomas Konen | Secretary | 5 | — |
| Elliot Clay | Executive Director 12/16-12/31 | 40 | — |
| Michael D Woods | Executive Director 1/1-12/16 | 40 | $122,867 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Association of Illinois Soil and Water fund?
The association's primary mission is to promote the interests of local soil and water conservation districts in Illinois and to advance the conservation and orderly development, management, improvement, and multiple use of natural resources throughout the state. Primary focus areas include: • **Water Resource and Wetlands Conservation and Management** (NTEE classification C32) • Soil health and water quality protection • Conservation initiatives and campaigns to preserve agricultural resources …
How do I apply for a grant from Association of Illinois Soil and Water?
The association provides grants focused on community improvement and capacity building, recreation and sports, and environmental initiatives, primarily within Illinois. Based on recent IRS filings, total giving reached $1,724,421, with typical award amounts ranging from $5,138 to $157,608. The organization receives grants from foundations and other nonprofits to support its operations and programs.
Where does Association of Illinois Soil and Water make grants?
The association operates statewide throughout Illinois, serving all 97 local soil and water conservation districts across the state.
What size grants does Association of Illinois Soil and Water award?
In 2024, Association of Illinois Soil and Water awarded 70 grants totaling $1.7M — an average of about $24K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Association of Illinois Soil and Water's EIN?
Association of Illinois Soil and Water's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 37-6048356. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Association of Illinois Soil and Water'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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