California Native Plant Society
To protect Californias native plants and their natural habitats, today and into the future, through science, education, stewardship, gardening, and advocacy
Key facts about California Native Plant Society
In short: California Native Plant Society gave $152K across 3 grants in 2025 (avg $51K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 94-6116403
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $151,664
- Grants made (2025)
- 3
- Average grant
- $50,555
- Median grant
- $47,098
- Total assets
- $15,501,622
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$15.5M
+0.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$152K
+298.0% YoY
Grant Count
3
-25.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$51K
+430.6% YoY
How California Native Plant Society gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+4%). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
About California Native Plant Society
Based on IRS filings
California Native Plant Society is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Sacramento, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $15.5M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 3 grants totaling $152K. Net investment income was $502K.
Focus Areas
Open Grants
8 open opportunities from California Native Plant Society
Bristlecone Chapter - Mary DeDecker Botanical Grant Program
California Native Plant Society
Amount
Up to US $1,500
Deadline
Deadline not published
Chapter Scholarships
California Native Plant Society
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
CNPS Education Grants
California Native Plant Society
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Ready to take the next step with California Native Plant Society?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $27K (2021) to $152K (2025). In 2025 it made 3 grants totaling $152K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Regents of the UC ($99K). Together the top 3 received $152K.
Grant Size Distribution
18 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 16 grants of 18 (89%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Regents of the UC Irvine, CA | General Support | $98,566 |
| Peninsula Conservation Center Palo Alto, CA | Support for facility | $47,098 |
| South Coast Botanic Garden Palos Verdes, CA | Conservation | $6,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $15,501,622 | $15,475,051 | $15,167,683 |
| Revenue | $9,459,830 | $7,488,387 | $9,920,277 |
| Expenses | $9,464,294 | $8,302,910 | $8,325,124 |
| Net Investment Income | $502,458 | $230,524 | $183,768 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 13, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 13, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 4, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 14, 2024)
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
California Native Plant Society is led by Kathy Jun Bando, Executive Director on every filing since 2023; 6 of 17 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Kathy Jun Bando
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
54 hrs/week
$34K (2023) → $165K (2025)
Vivian Neou
President
Vice President → President, 2024
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brock Wimberley
Senior Operations Director
Finance Director → Senior Operations Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
47 hrs/week
$104K (2020) → $161K (2025)
Liv R O'Keeffe
Director Public Affairs
Communications Director → Senior Director of Pub Aff, 2021
Senior Director of Pub Aff → Director Public Affairs, 2023
On filings since 2020
49 hrs/week
$116K (2020) → $163K (2025)
Christine Pieper
Development Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$106K (2022) → $130K (2025)
Julie Evens
Vegetation Prg Director
On filings since 2022
41 hrs/week
$111K (2022) → $120K (2025)
Aaron E Sims
Director Rare Plants
On filings since 2024
41 hrs/week
$113K (2024) → $117K (2025)
Steve Schoenig
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leslie Warren
Director
On filings since 2024
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robin Mitchell
Director
On filings since 2024
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brent Mishler
Director
New on the 2025 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gordon Leppig
Director
New on the 2025 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vince Scheidt
Vice President
Director & Interim Executive Director → Executive Director & Director, 2022
Executive Director & Director → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
$100K (2023) → $0 (2025)
April Owens
Secretary
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carol Witham
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Larry Levine
Representative
Director → Representative, 2025
On filings since 2024
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Angel Garcia
Rep Chapter Counsel
New on the 2025 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (18)
- Former: Cathy Capone (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Lucy Ferneyhough (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Alice Centelow (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: John Hunter (2019–2023) — President
- Former: Hannah Kang (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Matt Ritter (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Andrea E Williams (2023) — Director Biodiversity
- Former: Brett Hall (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Christina Toms (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Kristen Nelson (2022) — Secretary
- Former: Michael Vasey (2022) — Director
- Former: Bill Waycott (2019–2021) — Vice President
- Former: Cristian Sarabia (2019–2021) — President
- Former: Dan Gluesenkamp (2019–2021) — Executive Director
- Former: David Pryor (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Dee Himes (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Cari Porter (2019–2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Steve Hartman (2019) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $165K, to Kathy Jun Bando (Executive Dir.). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about California Native Plant Society
How much does California Native Plant Society give each year?
California Native Plant Society gave $152K across 3 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $38K across 4 grants.
What is California Native Plant Society's typical grant size?
California Native Plant Society's median grant in 2025 was $47,098, and its average grant was $50,555, across 3 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does California Native Plant Society give grants?
California Native Plant Society gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there.
Does California Native Plant Society give general operating support?
Yes: 33% of California Native Plant Society's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 3) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
How large is California Native Plant Society?
California Native Plant Society reported $15.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $9.5M.
What is California Native Plant Society?
California Native Plant Society is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Sacramento, CA. It holds $15.5M in total assets as of 2025.
What is California Native Plant Society's EIN?
California Native Plant Society's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-6116403. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Here's the math on researching California Native Plant Society by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in California Native Plant Society's focus areas in our free grants database
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California Native Plant Society down — hundreds of funders to go?