Avalon Nature Preserve Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Stony Brook, New York. The organization operates as a private foundation dedicated to preserving and maintaining a natural landscape while making it accessible to the public. The preserve encompasses 216 acres of Long Island's north shore, with 140 acres open to public exploration.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$55.9M
+21.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$326K
+64.6% YoY
Grant Count
53
+3.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$6K
+58.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Avalon Nature Preserve was established to celebrate the life of Paul Simons, a local outdoor enthusiast and native Long Islander who died in 1996. The Paul Simons Foundation created the organization to honor his love of nature and the outdoors.
The organization operates around three core pillars:
Protect: Avalon has permanently protected 216 vital acres featuring meadows, woodlands, and shoreline that serve as essential habitats for local watershed, flora, and fauna protection.
Restore: As stewards of the ecologically diverse landscape, the organization is committed to habitat restoration through innovative management techniques and collaboration with scientific communities to nurture and heal local ecosystems.
Inspire: The organization aims to inspire visitors to foster connections to the natural world through community outreach and youth programs for children of all ages.
Program Areas:
- Preservation and maintenance of the nature preserve, including protection and restoration of the ecological and historical heritage
- Agricultural programming through Birdsfoot Farm, which follows regenerative practices and celebrates the interconnectedness between natural ecosystems and conservation agriculture
- Outdoor education, nature programs, and lecture series
Grantmaking
Avalon Nature Preserve functions as a grantmaking foundation. Based on the most recent IRS Form 990 filing for fiscal year 2024, the organization distributed $326,105 in grants. Typical grant awards range from $40 to $159,500.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization's primary geographic focus is Long Island's north shore in Stony Brook, New York. Grantmaking activities extend to New York, the District of Columbia, and Maryland.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Fiscal Year 2024 (ending June 2024):
- Total Revenue: $16,067,123
- Total Expenses: $6,299,262
- Net Income: $9,767,861
- Total Assets: $55,912,209
- Total Liabilities: $215,000
- Total Giving: $326,105
Organization Status:
- Tax-exempt since April 2005
- EIN: 75-3165488
- Employees: 20 (as of 2024)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $55,912,209 | $46,132,493 | $43,010,885 |
| Revenue | $16,067,123 | $8,829,498 | $9,560,636 |
| Expenses | $6,299,262 | $5,751,089 | $6,570,765 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $11,636,584 | $8,141,476 | $7,745,528 |
| Net Investment Income | $257,791 | $100,515 | $2,021 |
| 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
192 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT GAFFNEY | DIRECTOR | 0.05 | — |
| VICTORIA GERARD | DIRECTOR | 0.05 | — |
| GREGG EISENSTEIN | DIRECTOR | 0.05 | — |
| JOHN CASEY | DIRECTOR | 0.05 | — |
| PAUL RANDALL | DIRECTOR | 0.05 | — |
| CHARLES MUNCH | DIRECTOR | 0.05 | — |
| MICHAEL STROZIER | DIRECTOR | 0.05 | — |
| KATHARINE GRIFFITHS | PRESIDENT | 40 | $345,152 |
| ELIZABETH WILLIAMSON | SECRETARY/TREASURER | 30 | $180,551 |
Recent Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The preserve is open year-round for public enjoyment and can be accessed via Shep Jones Lane off North Country Road (Route 25A), Tuesday through Sunday. The organization maintains designated parking lots along Shep Jones Lane and provides an Avalon Nature Preserve App available through the Apple App Store for visitor access and information.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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