Blue Forest Finance Inc
Blue forest is a non-profit conservation finance organization. We bring people, finance and science together to restore and protect our forests, watersheds, ecosystems and communities.
Blue Forest Finance Inc at a glance
In short: Blue Forest Finance Inc gave $1.3M across 3 grants in 2024 (avg $433K), mostly in Montana. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,300,000
- +52.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 3
- +200.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $433,333
- -49.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $200,000
- Total assets
- $35,190,546
- +62.8% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Montana (77% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Blue Forest Finance Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was National Forest Foundation ($1.0M). Together the top 3 received $1.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 3 grants of 5 (60%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Blue Forest Finance Inc gives
- Giving grew 767% 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 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $150K (2021) to $1.3M (2024). In 2024 it made 3 grants totaling $1.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| National Forest Foundation Missoula, MT | Forest restoration services associated with yuba ii frb project | $1,000,000 |
| Chelan County Wenatchee, WA | Forest restoration services associated with upper wenatchee I frb project | $200,000 |
| Upper Mokelumne River Watershed Authority Oakland, CA | Forest restoration services associated with upper mokelumne I frb project | $100,000 |
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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 | $35,190,546 | $8,932,160 | $8,990,905 | $1,300,000 | 3 | $433,396 |
| 2023 | $21,610,036 | $7,401,673 | $6,460,113 | $850,000 | 1 | $196,582 |
| 2022 | $13,996,241 | $5,334,916 | $3,436,552 | — | — | $30,474 |
| 2021 | $6,644,927 | $1,976,730 | $1,751,532 | $150,000 | 1 | $-3,164 |
| 2020 | $2,506,877 | $1,935,944 | $1,160,367 | — | — | $14,239 |
About Blue Forest Finance Inc
Based on IRS filings
Blue Forest Finance Inc is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Sacramento, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $35.2M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 3 grants totaling $1.3M. Net investment income was $433K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Blue Forest Finance Inc is led by Zachary Knight, CEO & President since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 9 of 14 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Zachary Knight
CEO & President
President & Treasurer → CEO & President, 2022
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$134K (2020) → $182K (2024)
Forest Crandall
Director of Investments
Director & Investments → Director of Investments, 2024
On filings since 2023
50 hrs/week
$137K (2023) → $145K (2024)
Luke Carpenter
Director of Investments
New on the 2024 filing
50 hrs/week
$124K (2024)
Micah Elias
Director of Natural Capital
New on the 2024 filing
50 hrs/week
$126K (2024)
Seren Pendleton-Knoll
Director of External Affairs
New on the 2024 filing
50 hrs/week
$133K (2024)
Chad Reed
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniela Saltzman
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Newsha K. Ajami
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ricardo Bayon
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sheri Elliott
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicholas Wobbrock
Chief Conservation Officer & Secretary
Secretary → COO & Secretary, 2022
COO & Secretary → Chief Conservation Officer & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$140K (2020) → $179K (2024)
Philip Saksa
Chief Scientist
Director & Chief Scientist → Chief Scientist, 2021
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$141K (2020) → $193K (2024)
Gordon Vermeer
CFO & Treasurer
On filings since 2022
50 hrs/week
$103K (2022) → $183K (2024)
Mackenzie Cloyes
Chief of Staff
On filings since 2022
50 hrs/week
$126K (2022) → $162K (2024)
Former officers (4)
- Former: Jeanette Davidson (2022–2023) — Mng Director & Project Development
- Former: Matthew Sjoholm (2023) — Director & Project Development
- Former: Natasha Nurse (2023) — Head of Talent & Equity
- Former: Jan Mazurek (2020–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 $193K, to Philip Saksa (Chief Scientist). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Blue Forest Finance Inc
How much does Blue Forest Finance Inc give each year?
Blue Forest Finance Inc gave $1.3M across 3 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $850K across 1 grant.
What is Blue Forest Finance Inc's typical grant size?
Blue Forest Finance Inc's median grant in 2024 was $200,000, and its average grant was $433,333, across 3 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Blue Forest Finance Inc give grants?
Blue Forest Finance Inc gives mostly in Montana: 77% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Washington (15%) and California (8%).
Does Blue Forest Finance Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on Blue Forest Finance Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
How large is Blue Forest Finance Inc?
Blue Forest Finance Inc reported $35.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $8.9M.
What is Blue Forest Finance Inc?
Blue Forest Finance Inc is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Sacramento, CA. It holds $35.2M in total assets as of 2024.
What is Blue Forest Finance Inc's EIN?
Blue Forest Finance Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-1666979. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 9, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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